“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner!’”

   - Luke 18.13

But that he should be persevering, let each constantly beseech the help of God with all humility of mind; for it is not of him that willeth, we are told, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy, since the mercy of God is greater and better than man’s life, however good life may be; for none merit mercy, save those who confess themselves to be wretched before God...

   - Columbanus, Letter to His Monks, Irish, 7th century

I recall leading a men’s retreat one time at which I taught them to sing a version of the Kyrie. The words (in Greek) are simply, “Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!” For months after that retreat men who were there, and sometimes their wives, remarked to me that singing that song was the thing they remembered most from the whole weekend.

Why is that? Is it because the Kyrie “rocks”? Has such a memorable tune? Such delightful lyrics? I don’t think so.

Something in us knows what we’re really like. In spite of the good show we put on for others most of the day, we know we’re really wretched people in the sight of God. We know our attitudes stink, our thoughts are foolish and frivolous, and our real priorities and values aren’t as noble as we’d like others to think.

Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way.

If so, then I’m glad to confess that the Kyrie grips me, holds my attention, begs to be sung over and over once I’ve begun it for the first time.

I need mercy. We all need mercy, and, happily, we serve a merciful God. He is more willing to bestow mercy than we are to receive it most of the time. But, oh, what relief, what deep-seated joy, what incomparable peace comes from being bathed in that mercy again and again and again.

Kyrie, eleison! Let this be our prayer throughout the day. We will never be disappointed if we sincerely and consistently cast ourselves onto the mercy of the Lord.

Without His mercy, we have no hope. With it, we have Him.

Psalm 123.1, 2 (Darwall: “Rejoice, the Lord is King”)
To You we lift our eyes, O God enthroned above!
With longing gaze and heaving sighs we plead Your love!
     We look to You! Have mercy, Lord,   
     Upon us by Your sovereign Word.

Lord, grant mercy today, and make me a person who extends mercy to others for Your sake.

T. M. Moore, Principal
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