BLESSED THE MERCIFUL

About the Book

The book’s title is taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Expounding in detail in this book Rev. Vima stresses the Scriptural fact that at the end of disciples’ life their ‘merciful acts’ are the ones that would covet the crown of heavenly blessedness as the Judge would pronounces to them, Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food… The author also explains very elaborately the Biblical term CHESED as the remarkable backdrop to the Christian merciful deeds. He continues to augment his contention on CHESED by telling the readers about Jesus’ longing of his disciples to be perfect as their heavenly Father by performing merciful deeds and by performing those acts perfectly by imitating God’s CHESED of mercy, justice and fidelity. Author writes in his Introduction: This book is nothing but an outcome of my strong belief in an eternal fact of living a CHESED-oriented life: Without God’s CHESED we cannot survive but without our reciprocal CHESED we cannot be what we are designed to become. As the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Mercy, author encourages the readers to listen and follow Pope Francis who, referring to the ‘beatitudes’, is quoted saying: If the church does not assume the sentiments of Jesus, it is disoriented, it loses its sense. Fr. Vima also dreams that those who read this book will be more inspired and sincere in their works of mercy during this year and the years to come.

About the Author

Rev. Benjamin A Vima has been a diocesan priest for forty five years, performed his pastoral ministry in various parishes both in India and USA as well. Besides his philosophical and theological studies, he holds two masters: one in Religious Communications from Loyola University of Chicago and another in People’s Theater Communications from University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus. He has authored several books, seven of which have been published already through the help of Trafford Publications, Indiana. At present he is retired from his parish administration and pastoral ministry but continues to spend his time in praying, writing and visiting the sick and the homebound. He too continues to accept calls from various churches around America to perform church services and preaching ministry.