Mercy

Mercy (Middle English, from Anglo-French merci, from Medieval Latin merced-, merces "price paid, wages", from Latin merc-, merxi "merchandise") is benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social, and legal contexts.

John Locke defined it as "the power to act according to discretion, for the public good, without the prescription of the Law, and sometimes even against it.

"[5] The concept of a merciful God appears in various religions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Grace and mercy are similar in that both are free gifts of God and both are dispensed absent any merit on the part of the recipient.

This is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:11 to show that God has now fulfilled this prophecy and promise through Jesus Christ, who has been merciful in giving his life as a sacrifice for his people, both Jew and gentile.

1 Peter 2:9–10 reads: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In Roman Catholic teachings the mercy of God flows through the work of the Holy Spirit.

[21] The first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was held in Rome in April 2008 and was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI.

[9][22] In 2015, at St. Peter's Basilica, in a Papal Bull of Indiction entitled Misericordiae Vultus ("The Face of Mercy"), Pope Francis proclaimed a Special and Extraordinary Holy Year Jubilee Year of Mercy, from December 8, 2015: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, until November 21, 2016: the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King.

[25] As a form of mercy, the giving of alms (zakat) is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam and one of the requirements for the faithful.

"[27] This is also emphasized in the context of the Babylonian exile in Isaiah: "For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

Karuṇā is present in all schools of Buddhism and in Jainism it is viewed as one of the reflections of universal friendship.