MERCY

A few years ago I attended coursework at a Seminary located about 90 miles from my home. On one beautiful crisp autumn day with the sun shining brightly I began my drive home. Despite the lovely fall weather my mood was somewhat darkened as I began to think about an ongoing concern with a close friend. The usual inner psychological processes of thinking about how to deal with the difficult issues of the situation and solve the related problems began to kick into place just as I came around the corner of the high hill where the Seminary sits. As I turned my car toward the on-ramp of the highway, I suddenly saw something I had never noticed in almost three years of driving that road. Across the skyline, where fully leaved trees usually lined the horizon I noticed a large cross and the word “Mercy” on a building. It startled me at first until I realized that it was a sign on the front of Mercy Hospital that is usually hidden by the tree tops.

As I continued the remainder of the drive, my thoughts drifted to the color changes in the trees across the surrounding rural landscape. A tree’s color palette needs pigments, and there are three types that are involved in autumn color: chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The color change is due to the combination of changes in light levels and temperatures which cause chlorophyll to end production. Both chlorophyll and carotenoids are present in the leaf cells throughout the growing season. Most anthocyanins are produced in the autumn, in response to bright light and excess plant sugars within leaf cells. During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down so that leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows, then stops until eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanins, or color producing chemicals, that are already present are then unmasked and show their true colors.

As I enjoyed the fall colors and thought about the changes that occur to make this process happen, it struck me that it is because of the loss of a normal life producing process and chemical reaction that we end up with a brilliant fall tapestry.

My mind drifted back to the “Mercy” sign that also suddenly appeared to me as a result of the loss of living leaves on the trees. Deep in thought about my sense of unrest and loss in a personal situation, I realized that I had suddenly been able to see something new. As I was trying to come to terms with my concerns for this person and deal with the related issues, I was now able to see that what the situation really needed was “Mercy,” not more psychoanalyzing and strategizing. And not just any “Mercy,” but “Mercy” with a cross next to it.

But then, my realization is not so special or brilliant because even our sight-impaired friend Bartimaeus knows he needs “Mercy” even before he actually sees Jesus. He sees in a way that doesn’t require eyesight, but with the vision of one who has lost some life-giving ability. Without sight he is unable to work or support himself and must rely on the generosity of passers-by. And yet he announces to all who are present and then to Jesus directly exactly what he needs.

Twice Bartimaeus speaks the words we all need proclaimed when we sense loss in our lives: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And it is this mercy bestowed on us through the cross that allows us to respond to others in mercy as well. When we have something in this world that is taken away or causes loss or weakness, something new and brilliant will be revealed to us. We only need to see things through the mercy of the cross and remember the words of blind Bartimaeus. Amen.