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The interlinking strands of Mercy, Justice and Hope
In the story of the transfiguration, during the second week of Lent, Peter, James, and John are led up a mountain, guided by Jesus. During this experience, they witness him change before their eyes. According to Matthew 17: 1-2, Jesus’ face shone as the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. For those who had the privilege to be with him on that mountain, it was their chance to see that Jesus is precisely who he has said he has been all along- the son of God, who would die for the sins of the world. What a blessing to be given the proof, to see firsthand the glory of this moment right before their eyes. And yet, at the bottom of the mountain, Jesus tells the three to not tell anyone what they have seen until he has risen from the dead. I don’t know about you, but that would be a pretty big secret to hold, especially when it could have cleared up a lot of questions ahead of time!
Now, I’m obviously no theologian, but it makes me wonder, why were they given that directive? It would seem as if the message is that it’s important to believe even without the full picture and complete sight. As someone who loves facts and figures, that can be tough. However, I’ve come to realize that the Mercy community is the proof- it’s the living daily reminder of God’s presence on Earth. Whether it’s a conversation with a sister, texting the Mercy high school group chat, reconnecting with a Mercy associate across the country, or messaging via WhatsApp with the Mercy Emerging Leaders cohort- the magnitude of the circle of Mercy reminds me that there are people on this earth who are focused on continuing the work at the bottom of that mountain.
It was the Mercy community that taught me about the work that needs to be done, and that justice in the world cannot be limited to only one mountain or location. Notably, the MELF program introduced me to how other countries approach the needs affecting their community, and it was impactful to learn from these women how resourceful and passionate they are about finding solutions that are inclusive and welcoming to all people. In my current space (United States), it can feel as though this country is more divided than ever, and any moment of news on the screen rips apart our connections more. I often wonder how different things would be if the concerns of this world were looked at through the lens of Mercy Justice. And of course, how different things could be if everyone had the opportunity to be educated by Mercy leaders and surrounded by global compassion in the Mercy community.
Here’s where the hope comes in- we don’t have to be silent about the work that Mercy is doing. It doesn’t need to be a secret, and honestly, it shouldn’t be. God asked Peter, James, and John to hold what they saw because the death and resurrection had not yet occurred. But Lent reminds us that the death for our sins will happen and that Jesus will rise. Our mission then, no longer needs to be quiet in the face of injustice. We can shout from the rooftops about the works of God, specifically how it’s playing out through the Mercy community. We should be sharing how to care for the earth, approach conflict with nonviolence, welcome a stranger with inclusive immigration policies, ensure access to resources that have been limited due to racism, and build up women in all levels of leadership.
My hope is that the global Mercy community will continue to be champions for these areas that need to be addressed, and not remain silent. Our mission is not a secret, and there is a lot of work that we need to do at the base of the mountain. So round up the rest- the people who did not get the chance to go up that mountain and see firsthand. You've seen it in the Mercy community too, and now it's time to share what you have learned.
ENDS
Amy Keller resides in the United States, and was a member of the Mercy Emerging Leaders Fellowship (Cohort 1), Mercy Volunteer Corps (2011-2012), and is a current Mercy Associate. She is pursuing her Masters in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Creighton University, where she works.
You can learn more about her MELF project here, where she addressed the realities of what home looks like for the refugee population in Nebraska, and how to welcome our newest neighbors.