Mercy Will Set You Free: How Living God’s Mercy Unlocks Joy, Peace, and Healing

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
– Matthew 5:7

God’s and our mercy is a critical aspect of Christian living. When we experience it, it soothes our souls. When we offer it, it frees our hearts. And when we truly understand it, mercy reveals to us the very heart of God. Yet, in our world, mercy is often mistaken for weakness. But nothing could be further from the truth. Mercy is strong. Mercy is divine. As I described in the article 8 Keys to happiness: The Beatitudes, Jesus tells us that mercy is the path to blessedness—to true happiness.

When I used to teach young children preparing for their First Communion, I would explain the concept that God is just and how he will judge us at the moment of death. Our actions may merit eternal damnation. Their eyes would open big. But then I would explain that God is also merciful and that minutes before death, we may experience a heartfelt sorrow for our sins motivated by love for God, accompanied by a firm resolution to avoid future sin and to seek sacramental confession as soon as possible. Thanks to God’s mercy, we will likely be spared from hell. 

What Is Mercy?

We often think of mercy as being nice or letting someone off the hook. But the definition of God’s mercy is far more profound.

St. Thomas Aquinas defined mercy as: “The compassion in our hearts for another person’s misery, a compassion which drives us to do what we can to help him.”

Jacques Philippe writes: “Mercy is an openness of heart to others in their poverty, their suffering, and even sin.” (Jacques Philippe, The Eight Doors of the Kingdom). God’s mercy is not passive—it’s active, transformative love. Mercy is not only a feeling of compassion; it is action. Mercy is a movement of the heart that leads to action. 

God’s Mercy in the Life of Jesus

Pope Francis beautifully said Jesus is the “face of the Father’s mercy” (Misericordiae Vultus). In Jesus, we see how God was not just moved with compassion by our brokenness; he acted by sending his only son for our salvation. In Jesus’ life, we also see what a merciful God looks like:

• He taught us how God would embrace our sinful past when we come to him with a contrite heart, just like the father did with the prodigal son (Luke 15)
• He defended the woman caught in adultery (John 8)
• He befriended and forgave Zacchaeus (Luke 19)
• He healed the broken, the blind, and the sick
• He forgave the sinner

God’s mercy is not earned. It is freely given to all who are open to receive it.

“Be Merciful, Even as Your Father Is Merciful” (Luke 6:36)

Mercy is not optional—it is commanded. In Scripture, we read that to be holy is to be merciful. To be perfect is to love as God loves. God is merciful and asks us to model ourselves to him and be as merciful and loving as he is. 

“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
– Leviticus 19:2

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
– Matthew 5:48

Luke further explains “perfection”: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
– Luke 6:36

Mercy Sets Us Free

Many of us have had times in our lives, perhaps some of you now, when we held grudges, resentment, and judgment of others due to what others did to us. While we have these feelings and perhaps anger, others are just fine.  Yet, we are the ones in bondage, and these feelings impact our physical well-being. Mercy can help us break the chains of resentment and anger. Mercy is not just an act of love for others; it is an act of love for us. Mercy frees us from resentment, judgment, and self-righteousness. It heals us. 

“To be merciful is to free oneself from the poison of bitterness, criticism, and hardness of heart.”
– Jacques Philippe

St. Thérèse of Lisieux said: “When we keep a record of others’ wrongs, we chain ourselves to our wounds. Mercy sets us free.”

 I have had times in my life when I had a problematic person hurting me emotionally. It was difficult to feel anything but bitterness and anger. But at some point, and by the grace of God, I would start praying for the person. I was not praying to God that the person changed his behavior towards me; I was praying for the person. I prayed for their happiness, their peace, their well-being, and for their soul. Guess what? In every situation, the relationship with that person noticeably and positively changed. Was this due to God improving the person’s behavior because of my prayers? Was it simply that I saw the situation differently? I don’t know, but things always improved when I loved and prayed for someone hurting me. 

Even if it’s hard, we can ask God for grace to show mercy. Paul said in Romans 12: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink. Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

How to Live Mercy Daily

We can live mercy daily when we control our thoughts, words, and actions. 

1. Mercy in Thought

We live mercy when we avoid rash judgment and assumptions. I often struggle with judgment, and when I catch myself, I ask God to help me have a pure and loving mind. 

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” – Matthew 7:1

When you feel tempted to judge, try praying: “Lord, let me see this person as you see them.” Or even better, “Lord, let me see you in this person.”

2. Mercy in Speech

Our words should reflect God’s love. Many people cause serious harm to others through their cruel or insensitive words. Let’s pray only to uplift others with our words or provide loving challenges and constructive feedback. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up.” – Ephesians 4:29

 We need to speak life into others and show kindness even when it’s difficult. St. John of the Cross once said, “Where there is no love, put love—and you will draw out love.”

3. Mercy in Action

We can take many actions for others, moved by love and mercy. However, forgiveness is the highest form of mercy. Mercy becomes real through forgiveness, a humble and selfless action. I recall Saint Pope John Paul II going to the jail cell of the person who shot him and forgiving him. We pray about forgiveness daily when we say, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” – Matthew 6:12. We are never more like Christ than when we forgive.

Receiving Mercy Ourselves

We should also be merciful to ourselves. We can do this in two ways. One is to meditate and internalize mentally and emotionally that God forgives us when we sincerely and with heartfelt sorrow confess our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have met some people who know this intellectually but still feel sinful in God's eyes. This is such a painful and unnecessary burden. We can pray to be liberated from these thoughts and emotions. We can be merciful to ourselves. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is where we touch the mercy of God. St. Faustina shared Jesus’ words during a private revelation: “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to my mercy.” (Diary, 723)

The other way to show mercy is to not be so hard on us. We don’t need to be perfect overnight—not “as the Father is perfect.” We are on a journey. We need to be slightly holier each day than the previous day.  God doesn’t love us because we’re perfect. He loves us because we exist. Let that truth sink in: You are loved because you are.

Mercy Brings Joy

Mercy leads us to the happiness the Beatitudes promise.

“Mercy brings light and joy where there is darkness and suffering.” – Jacques Philippe

Mercy gives peace, heals wounds, restores relationships, and opens hearts. When we practice mercy, we live in God's very heart.

Call to Action

This week, choose one way to live mercy:

• Forgive someone you’ve struggled with
• Speak kindly to someone who irritates you
• Pray for someone you usually criticize
• Go to Confession and receive mercy

Let mercy start with you.

Closing Prayer from the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.