Daily Meditation for September 21, 2026

“Mercy” is one of those words that feels natural when we are praying in church: “Lord, have mercy . . . Christ, have mercy . . . Lamb of God, have mercy . . .” But how often do we hear or say the word “mercy” in our daily conversations? Lest we think of “mercy” as too lofty for ordinary people, a translation helps bring it down to size. Think of mercy not as a noun but as a practice, a way of life. Mercy expresses itself in simple acts of kindness, patience or compassion. Mercy flourishes when we love others and try to see in them what Christ saw in the tax collector Matthew: an apostle, a saint in the making! One merciful glance from Jesus was all it took for Matthew to be forever changed. On this feast of St. Matthew, listen to Christ calling you by name, inviting you to share the mercy you have received. In other words, become the prayer the world so desperately needs answered: Have mercy!

By Mary Stommes, OblSB