ACC ~ Luke 6 v35 - 36

THE DIVINE IMAGE SEEN IN HUMAN MERCY

ORIGEN: The traces of the divine image are clearly recognized not through the likeness of the body, which undergoes corruption, but through the intelligence of the soul. We see the divine image in its righteousness, temperance, courage, wisdom, discipline, and through the entire chorus of virtues that are present essentially in God. These can be in people through effort and the imitation of God, as also the Lord points out in the Gospel when he says, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” and “Be perfect, as your Father is perfect.” [1] ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 4.10. [2]

[1] Mt 5:48.

[2] OSW 216*.

MERCY AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Closely neighboring, so to speak, upon the virtues which we have just mentioned is compassion, of which he next makes mention. For it is a most excelling thing, and very pleasing to God, and in the highest degree proper for pious souls. It may suffice for us to imprint upon our mind that compassion is an attribute of the divine nature. “Be merciful,” he says, “as your heavenly Father is merciful.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 29. [1]

[1] CGSL 133**.

MERCY ON THE JUST AND THE UNJUST

JUSTIN MARTYR: We pray for you that you might experience the mercy of Christ. He instructed us to pray for our enemies, when he said, “Be kind and merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” We can observe that almighty God is kind and merciful, causing his sun to shine on the ungrateful and on the just and sending rain to both the holy and the evil. All of them, he has told us, he will judge. [1] DIALOGUE WITH TRYPHO 96. [2]

[1] See Mt 5:45.

[2] FC 6:299-300**.