It is impossible naturally to love people who have rejected our love of them. Mercy is love shown to those who have been unjust to the one who now is supposed to love them. Mercy is shown not only to those who fail in love but to those who fail in justice, those who cheat us, those who steal from us. This lineup that I have shared with you is based on the present Holy Father s masterful encyclical Dives in Misericordia Rich in Mercy. Described in this way, we see that mercy is no ordinary love.
Mercy therefore is love because it goes beyond justice.
I am just when I give someone what that person has a claim to. I owe them, that is justice. But I love when I give to someone who has no claim on my giving. Notice the difference. Love implies not only that I give what I do not owe, but when as mercy I give when someone else owes me.