Our Merciful God

A lifelong student and teacher of Scripture responds to the Year of Mercy and to the document by Pope Francis, The Face of Mercy, by looking closely at the theme of mercy in the Bible. He sketches the graciousness of God, our loving Parent, so full of compassion for us in our frailty and our failures. He shows that, once the biblical understanding of justice is appreciated, there is no conflict between justice and mercy. He argues that, to make our way to God, we must accept that God first came on a journey to us and with us. On this journey, God in Christ offers unmeasured forgiveness - a scandal to the righteous of the first century, and still a challenge to comprehend. With deep knowledge of the text, Wilfrid Harrington explores the New Testament metaphors for the salvation offered in Christ, concepts such a justification, redemption, reconciliation, expiation. And he shows how a life of faith, love and hope makes for a deeper humanity and is available to all peoples. Wilfrid Harrington hopes that this short book will help readers enter into the spirit of the Jubilee Year. Wilfrid Harrington, O.P., who taught Scripture in the Dominican studium, Dublin, the Milltown Institute, Trinity College, and the Church of Ireland Theological College, is the author of over 50 books on the Bible, and is one of the editors of Scripture in Church.