Cascade VIII
The Cascade of Mercy
What we do with the wrongs done to us, and the wrongs we did. Every tradition on earth arrives at the same instruction.
On Forgiveness
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” The Gospel of Matthew, c. 80 AD
On Letting Go
“He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me. In those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease.” The Dhammapada, c. 200 BC
On Compassion
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds.” The Gospel of Luke, c. 85 AD
On Judging Others
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” The Gospel of Matthew, c. 80 AD
On Apology and Repair
“If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and first be reconciled to thy brother.” The Gospel of Matthew, c. 80 AD
On Kindness
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” The Letter to the Ephesians, c. 62 AD
On Enemies
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” The Gospel of Matthew, c. 80 AD
On Grace Received
“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” William Shakespeare, 1600