Mercy & Judgement (1/5/26)

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3/15/24 Bad day at Black Rock! Another parishioner said he thought he should leave the parish. Details irrelevant. So many long-time dedicated people are frustrated. Not sure what the Lord has in mind, but it doesn’t seem good for His church. I have been thinking about the difference between heaven and earth. And I can see that what the Lord wants in heaven is a beautiful community. That’s what he wants on earth as well, but in my mind there is a difference. I have no problem in believing that the Lord could show infinite mercy to a brutal murderer when he arrives in heaven. The Lord knows and understands far more than I do, and His judgement would be right and just in heaven. But I’m not convinced that the same applies to earth. My mind can’t grasp the concept of being all merciful and all just on earth. When a crime or sin is committed it usually leaves a hole behind. God is all powerful, and in heaven He can fill that hole. But on earth, he is neither the puppet master, nor the clock maker. He has given us the role of dealing with that hole on earth. And filling that hole requires justice as well as mercy. Humans are not all powerful. We have to make use of the tools the Lord has relegated to humanity, and my human mind cannot grasp the concept of all mercy and no justice.  [I’ve deleted here some comments I made which upon review show that I still don’t have a good grasp on the issue]. It’s better that I think about this on a deeper level and leave the comments to someone with more insight.

That’s why I keep wondering why any of us have even a little understanding of the Lord’s plans. Which is why I still struggle on the issue of the death penalty.