아우구스티누스의 자비와 비참

Misericordia et miseria according to St. Augustine

The Apostolic Letter of the Pope Francis, Misericordia et misera, took its title from a work of St. Augustine. Augustine used this expression “Relicti sunt duo, miesra et misericordia”, when describing the dramatic scene where the wretched woman taken in adultery and Jesus were left alone. This keyword, which shows his profound insight to the misery of human existence and the mercy of God, runs through almost all of his works. For the encounter between the misery of humanity and the mercy of God is no other than the encounter of salvation. For Augustine, the mercy (misericordia) literally means the heart (cor) to suffer together with the miserable people (miser). And it also means the practical compassion to take part in their suffering and to fight against the painful reality. However, the source of misery is God. God does not turn his face away from the cries of humanity and his heart is torn with the compassion for the suffering people. From this compassion for the people, Jesus had shared in his whole life all the joys and sorrows with the people and still suffers with them. “Miseria mea, misericordia Dei!” It is a short but the most beautiful prayer and confession that St. Augustine taught us.