“Yes officers… the silver is his. Jean, why didn’t you take the candlesticks? I told you they were yours too.” The policemen were perplexed as they held Jean Valjean with a bag of silverware and silver plates. They were confident they had captured a thief in the French town, but the bishop said they were mistaken as he handed the big man the candlesticks. Indeed Jean Valjean, who had just spent nineteen years in prison, was a guilty man. He had stolen from the good bishop, but this extra act of kindness caused a hardened man to spend the rest of his life trying to show similar mercy to others. Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Miserables” was written in 1862 but has touched countless hearts with the powerful message of redemption.
I told this story before communion on Sunday and was interrupted before finishing. With tears in her eyes someone said, “That story reminds me of myself and I want to thank all of you who have shown me mercy.” Then a man said, “But we only love because we’ve been in the same spot ourselves.” And another said, “That is my story too…” And with tender emotions we realized we are all in the same boat.
We may not have stolen the silver, but we’ve sinned against the kindest Father. We’ve ignored his love, we’ve disregarded his blessings, and we’ve wandered away. “But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” As we stood guilty, the Innocent gave us the candlesticks… and more. He gave us his life.
So do I follow Jean Valjean’s example and live a life of mercy and love? Do I extend the hand of friendship to the downtrodden? Do I ignore unjust treatment and offer forgiveness? Or do the enemies of mercy and compassion rule my heart: judgment, condemnation, accusation, pride… God tells me what wins, I just need to remember it: “Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 4:32-5:2