The Philosophy of Divine Mercy

Mercy is one of the virtues we do not usually discuss even though it is always present in our lives. Mercy is at the heart of the Christian understanding of life and the world of man and the good. It is part of love and not part of it at the same time or in the same way; it is more than love and at the same time it is something less than love. There are many paradoxes and mysteries in mercy that transcend our comprehension and transfix our pride. This is because mercy itself is a mystery. It looks like something evident and normal to us and at the same time it provokes admiration and respect when we witness the acts involving it. Love thy neighbor Christ preaches. But what exactly should this love be? What are its dimensions and limits? In essence Christian love is unconditional and infinite; but in this (earthly) world we must comply with certain limitations. We must base our behavior on specific values and moral norms. Sometimes people do not behave the same way we do. That is why it is essential to be prudent and reasonable in our interactions with them. Should we love all people and if so how? How can we express our mercy to the poor the suffering and the criminals? What to do with those who do not want to live anymore because of unbearable pain?This book will answer all these questions from the point of view of philosophy as well as of the Christian doctrine. The book is not entirely theological in nature; it combines philosophical with psychological and social observations. It gives some advice and guidance for reflection without providing ready-made answers. The reader must find them for themselves.