Deacon Dave Etters
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A reflection on Psalm 118 and the enduring mercy of God, exploring the meaning of hesed, the teachings of the saints, and Christ as mercy incarnate—calling us to both receive and extend mercy in our daily lives.
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In our responsorial psalm this morning, Psalm 118, we hear a powerful refrain repeated again and again: “His mercy endures forever.” These four words form the heart of the message:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel say: His mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say: His mercy endures forever.
Let those who fear the Lord say: His mercy endures forever.
And yes—even we can say: His mercy endures forever.
The word “mercy” comes from the Hebrew word hesed, a term so rich that no single English word can fully capture its meaning. It expresses a steadfast, unwavering love—one that is filled with compassion, patience, and forgiveness, even toward those who offend.
Saint Faustina Kowalska, known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy, wrote that the greatest attribute of God is love and mercy. This truth is echoed by Saint John Paul II, who taught that mercy is not just one of God’s attributes—it is central to who He is. Scripture continually reveals God as “rich in mercy,” a truth seen throughout the history of Israel.
Over and over again, we witness what is often called the cycle of sin and deliverance: the people fall into sin, suffer the consequences, cry out to God, and are restored by His mercy. This pattern repeats throughout salvation history, especially in the Book of Judges.
Through Jesus Christ, God’s mercy is made visible—mercy incarnate. Christ reveals that mercy is at the very heart of the Gospel. And He calls us not only to receive mercy, but to live it.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” In this Beatitude, Jesus reveals the reciprocal nature of mercy: we receive mercy to the extent that we extend it to others.
This truth is illustrated in the parable of the unforgiving servant. A man is forgiven an unpayable debt—an amount representing an impossible burden—yet refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him. The lesson is clear: we who have received immeasurable mercy from God are called to show that same mercy to others.
While justice is necessary, it cannot stand alone. Justice without mercy leads to a harsh and broken world. True justice must always be tempered with mercy.
This balance is beautifully symbolized in the image of Saint Michael the Archangel. In one hand, he holds the scales of justice; in the other, the cross of Jesus Christ—the ultimate sign of mercy and forgiveness. Together, they remind us that God’s justice is never separated from His love.
The Church, in every age, is called to proclaim this mystery of mercy, fully revealed in Jesus Christ.
And so we return to the refrain that anchors it all:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His mercy endures forever.