To the Journal editor:

Mercy is one of the basic tenets of the Christian church. It teaches that there is a deep connection between one’s relationship with others and the mercy that God may show towards us.

Being merciful to others brings happiness and forgiveness to ourselves.

Having an unforgiving spirit and holding onto hurt or offense brings pain and bitterness towards ourselves.

Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde asked President Trump “to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared right now,” children who are afraid that their parents will be taken away and others who fear they will be targeted because they are somehow different.

Trump’s response was to call her a “so-called bishop,” a “radical left hardline Trump hater,” “ungracious,” “nasty in tone,” (and) “not compelling or smart.”

In fact, her sermon and her tone sounded very measured and respectful and focused on a very appropriate Christian theme of forgiveness, grace, mercy, tolerance, kindness.

Donald Trump is a very powerful man. If he didn’t like the sermon, he could have simply walked away and said nothing. He could have gone back to the White House and perhaps studied the Bible, which advises to turn the other cheek, love your enemies, do good to them.

Or he could have just taken a nap.

Showing mercy and forgiveness does not mean that laws will not be enforced. It means that laws should be just, and enforcement should be fair and reasonable. Punishment should be measured. Every person should be treated according to the same standards of respect, regardless of class, race ethnicity, nationality, gender, or status.

That is what Donald Trump does not seem to understand as he expresses himself with vitriol and venom in all caps. We all deserve mercy.

“Whatsoever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40.