Jesus and the Bible

The Kyrei eleison invocation follows the Penitential Act when we all pray to God for his his forgiveness.

The Priest says: 

Lord, have mercy .    Or: Kyrie, eleison

We say: 

Lord, have mercy .    Or: Kyrie, eleison

The Priest says: 

Christ, have mercy .    Or: Christe, eleison

We say: 

Christ, have mercy .    Or: Christe, eleison

The Priest says: 

Lord, have mercy .    Or: Kyrie, eleison

We say:

 Lord, have mercy .    Or: Kyrie, eleison

Origin and Meaning

The word mercy is a term widely used in the Bible denoting grace, kindness and forgiveness. In the New Testament, mercy is exemplified in the Parable of the Lost Son. The story tells of a son who lost his way, lost his inheritance and experienced suffering but he genuinely sought his father's forgiveness. His father seeing the change in him didn't only forgive him but celebrated as he said, "he was lost and is found" (Lk 15:24).

The word mercy is also used as petition:

a) for safety and well-being when Jacob allowed his youngest son Benjamin to be taken to Egypt as he said; "May god Almighty grant you mercy in the presence of the man, so that he may let your other brother go, as well as Benjamin" (Gen  43:14). 

b) for healing; blindness (Mt 9:27; Mk 10:46-48), leprosy (Lk 17:13), and epilepsy (Mt 17:15).

c)     against devil possession (Mt 15:22).