The Opening Prayer for today’s Mass provides an interpretive key to the Gospel Reading:

O God, who manifest your almighty power

above all by pardoning and showing mercy …

Usually God’s almighty power is attributed to spectacular natural phenomenon. And yet, we begin Mass today expressing the truth that divine strength is most impressive through displays of divine mercy!

From God’s point of view, mercy always is strength, never weakness.

So it is for intentional disciples and communities of intentional disciples.