Beatitudes and Baptism - part 5

These are reflections of mine made in preparation for a baptism

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
How blessed are those who are able to give love where it has not been earned. And how hard to do. Yet time and again, Jesus tells his disciples to learn from him, to do what he does. He forgives, even from the cross, and I can think of no greater example of loving mercy than being forgiven prior to asking for forgiveness. The commensurate nature of mercy reminds me of the penultimate petition in the Lord's prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."