Communicating Mercy

Jose Vallikatt gathers various experts in this timely book to discuss mercy in a cultural context where legalism and idolatry are magnified more than mercy. Communicating Mercy inspires us to live an on-going life driven by the spirit of mercy. Mercy yet to become the surname of every Christian. This book covers a range of aspects - peoples, social life, environment, authority - in relation to mercy. It presents the time-tested Catholic concept of mercy encountering the secular and secularized world. The Church, which was hitherto viewed almost contemptuously as wielding merely justice, is beginning to be seen also as Mother of Mercy. Therein lies the strength and significance of this immensely readable and timely work. "Communication of God's mercy is the very identity of the Church and this book calls us to nourish it in our existential dialogue with the challenges and concreteness of everyday life. Examples from Pope Francis, the prophet of mercy, decorates many pages of this book. Pastoral care and missionary engagement has to be located in the gamut of an economy comprised of God, man, society and the creation. Only a holistic spiritual vision that includes all these can cure the problems of the world and lead it to development and peace. Mercy is the medicine for an ailing world.