When mercy triumph's over judgement by Julie Rinker

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

This week, three people were executed on the same day in the United States for the first time in over sixteen years.

I care about the death penalty because when I was small, my aunt was killed in her own home in a particularly shocking way.  The person who committed the murder served a life sentence, and, unlike many who have committed dark and deeply offensive crimes, has the opportunity today to live his life as a different person.

Some believe that to show mercy, society is choosing not to punish wrongdoing. I believe humans, even the “monsters” that some are willing to banish from society, are able to change.

As people of faith, may we demand dignity for all people, remembering that we have also seen mercy triumph over judgement in our own lives.