The Mercy Game
by Alice Matisz
As we approach the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, take a moment to assess what you have learned. By now you can probably recite the corporal and spiritual works of mercy - see below if you need a refresher. Hopefully you have also found new ways to show mercy every day. Link to 52 ways… But do you fully understand what mercy is? I know I still struggle to give a quick and simple definition. Usually I say something like this;
We show mercy when we generously pass on to others the same forgiveness and love which we have received from God.
Earlier this year as I contemplated this definition and my own response to it, I saw a gap. I had given mercy for sure, but my response could hardly be described as ‘generous’. Usually I told myself I was too busy or too poor or too shy… basically too small to give big. Reflecting further, I realized I had been equally stingy at receiving God’s mercy. I didn’t seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation, didn’t pray for God’s grace and didn’t even think I deserved it.
An image came to mind of Jesus and The-Woman-Caught-in-Adultery. When Jesus declared that anyone without sin should throw the first stone, the woman’s accusers all realized their own sinfulness. Yet not one of them remained in front of Jesus to receive his pardon and peace. Only the woman stayed to hear Jesus say, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11). What wonderful grace! And it was available to all, not just the woman. Jesus did not ask the bystanders to leave, just to lay down their stones.
Similarly, when I sin I need to go beyond mere remorse. I must seek forgiveness of course, but I must also open my heart as wide as possible to receive God’s mercy. Then God, who cannot be outdone in generosity, will drench me with his grace. Only then will I be able to pass this surplus of riches, of mercy, on to others.
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After this realization, I developed an activity which I call The Mercy Game. I tried it out during a classroom visit earlier this year. It started with the children sitting in a circle on the floor. I stood in the centre of the circle with a jar of glass beads. I handed a bead to each child and told them it represented their minimum allotment of mercy from God. They could receive more ‘mercy’ just by holding out their hands. However, once they had more than one glass bead they had to begin passing beads to the person on their right.
Immediately, many hands were held out to receive beads. I walked slowly around the circle placing additional beads into hands and soon ‘mercy’ was flowing around the circle. The kids became absorbed in giving and receiving glass beads. Inevitably, fewer hands reached up towards me so I stopped the game for a short discussion.
“Remember the story of the pardoned woman? Don’t forget to remain open to receiving God’s mercy,” I said, “I still have plenty of beads in this jar!”
Once again, willing hands were lifted and this time many children kept one eye on me while still passing their beads around. I noticed small collections of beads forming in front of some children so I stopped the game again.
“Does anyone have four or more beads?” I asked. A hand went up slowly. “Thank you for being honest. I too have a tendency to keep God’s graces to myself. But Jesus tells us that we have to actively work at passing mercy on. That means looking for ways to serve others.”
I asked for suggestions and the children give many practical examples. I restarted the game and quickened the pace. The children raced to pass their beads like hot potatoes, laughing and jostling. When the jar was empty I stopped.
“Did you notice how more beads seemed to rush into your hands as fast as you gave them away? This is how God’s mercy works. As often as you extend kindness to others, still more kindness is extended to you. My jar is now empty but God’s mercy never ends so remember to keep your hearts wide open to receive the gift of His love.”
The children seemed to enjoy the game but I think I learned more than anybody. I hope I remember to stay open to God’s unending mercy even when the Year of Mercy is past.
Epilogue: I ran this game in several classrooms at different schools. On one occasion there was a lad who chose to play it differently. He opened both hands in front of him and neither took nor gave any beads. They were merely placed into his hands by one person and lifted from there by another. An extraordinary example of staying open to God’s will!
We show mercy when we generously pass on to others the same forgiveness and love which we have received from God.
Earlier this year as I contemplated this definition and my own response to it, I saw a gap. I had given mercy for sure, but my response could hardly be described as ‘generous’. Usually I told myself I was too busy or too poor or too shy… basically too small to give big. Reflecting further, I realized I had been equally stingy at receiving God’s mercy. I didn’t seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation, didn’t pray for God’s grace and didn’t even think I deserved it.
An image came to mind of Jesus and The-Woman-Caught-in-Adultery. When Jesus declared that anyone without sin should throw the first stone, the woman’s accusers all realized their own sinfulness. Yet not one of them remained in front of Jesus to receive his pardon and peace. Only the woman stayed to hear Jesus say, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11). What wonderful grace! And it was available to all, not just the woman. Jesus did not ask the bystanders to leave, just to lay down their stones.
Similarly, when I sin I need to go beyond mere remorse. I must seek forgiveness of course, but I must also open my heart as wide as possible to receive God’s mercy. Then God, who cannot be outdone in generosity, will drench me with his grace. Only then will I be able to pass this surplus of riches, of mercy, on to others.
-------------------------------------------------
After this realization, I developed an activity which I call The Mercy Game. I tried it out during a classroom visit earlier this year. It started with the children sitting in a circle on the floor. I stood in the centre of the circle with a jar of glass beads. I handed a bead to each child and told them it represented their minimum allotment of mercy from God. They could receive more ‘mercy’ just by holding out their hands. However, once they had more than one glass bead they had to begin passing beads to the person on their right.
Immediately, many hands were held out to receive beads. I walked slowly around the circle placing additional beads into hands and soon ‘mercy’ was flowing around the circle. The kids became absorbed in giving and receiving glass beads. Inevitably, fewer hands reached up towards me so I stopped the game for a short discussion.
“Remember the story of the pardoned woman? Don’t forget to remain open to receiving God’s mercy,” I said, “I still have plenty of beads in this jar!”
Once again, willing hands were lifted and this time many children kept one eye on me while still passing their beads around. I noticed small collections of beads forming in front of some children so I stopped the game again.
“Does anyone have four or more beads?” I asked. A hand went up slowly. “Thank you for being honest. I too have a tendency to keep God’s graces to myself. But Jesus tells us that we have to actively work at passing mercy on. That means looking for ways to serve others.”
I asked for suggestions and the children give many practical examples. I restarted the game and quickened the pace. The children raced to pass their beads like hot potatoes, laughing and jostling. When the jar was empty I stopped.
“Did you notice how more beads seemed to rush into your hands as fast as you gave them away? This is how God’s mercy works. As often as you extend kindness to others, still more kindness is extended to you. My jar is now empty but God’s mercy never ends so remember to keep your hearts wide open to receive the gift of His love.”
The children seemed to enjoy the game but I think I learned more than anybody. I hope I remember to stay open to God’s unending mercy even when the Year of Mercy is past.
Epilogue: I ran this game in several classrooms at different schools. On one occasion there was a lad who chose to play it differently. He opened both hands in front of him and neither took nor gave any beads. They were merely placed into his hands by one person and lifted from there by another. An extraordinary example of staying open to God’s will!
The corporal works of mercy
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty;
3. Clothe the naked.
4. Visit the imprisoned.
5. Shelter the homeless.
6. Visit the sick.
7. Bury the dead.
The spiritual works of mercy
1. Correct those who need it.
2. Teach the ignorant.
3. Give advice to those who need it.
4. Comfort those who suffer.
5. Be patient with others.
6. Forgive those who hurt you.
7. Pray for others.
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty;
3. Clothe the naked.
4. Visit the imprisoned.
5. Shelter the homeless.
6. Visit the sick.
7. Bury the dead.
The spiritual works of mercy
1. Correct those who need it.
2. Teach the ignorant.
3. Give advice to those who need it.
4. Comfort those who suffer.
5. Be patient with others.
6. Forgive those who hurt you.
7. Pray for others.