Practicing

 "Become merciful just like your father is merciful," Luke 6:36.

The kingdom of heaven ... well, as Jesus describes its subjects anyway ... fills with citizens in process. They're in process from here to there. From the way they were to the way they must become. Not perfect, yet, in mercy's execution, but practicing it on purpose. (Now, true, they do not have to participate in this new way, they may choose to stay foreign to the sky kingdom's ways if they so wish.) Nonetheless, in these so-called Beatitudes Jesus lays out a way of life quite other than business as usual in earthly nations. And here, the condition to obtaining mercy requires the giving of it. Why? Because the high king of this kingdom, God, practices mercy. Toward you. Toward us. If God be our father, his children must do as he does.

We continue the process of mercy with a brother or sister today. We learn, together, our father's mind, and heart, in practicing his mercy. And, we give thanks.