A hundred years ago, in the midst of a violent conflict, a miracle happened.

In the Great War, the entrenched soldiers on both sides spontaneously dropped their weapons and began to sing. First, the singing rang out from the German troops. A familiar tune, sung in the language of the Fatherland. It was recognized by the British troops who joined in. Some time later, white flags of truce began to wave from both of the opposing trenches. The troops spontaneously unified, declaring a truce that lasted from Christmas Eve 1914 through New Year’s Day.

The men from the opposing sides displayed their unity by playing soccer together on the battlefield. They traded mementos from home. They cut souvenirs from their uniforms — buttons, badges, scraps of cloth — to give to their newfound friends.

Every human soul longs for moments like this one, where compassion overwhelms us and forgiveness is shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. The mission of mercy is one where we seek to relieve the suffering of others, often with total disregard for whether we are putting ourselves at risk.

Mercy is so rarely heard of in the world today. Is it because it’s actually becoming scarce, or is it just not news that plays well on social media? Wouldn’t it be great to see Facebook crammed with stories of mercy that happened to people…the miraculous kindness of strangers in such an overwhelming show of compassion that it becomes contagious.

But sadly, all too often we bend to the will of our self-interest rather than risk falling on our sword for a stranger. Not just the heroic acts of kindness like spontaneously declaring a truce on a battlefield, but simple, everyday, ordinary gestures. Forgiving the guy who cuts us off in traffic, all while he waves at us with one offensive finger. Showing forbearance and kindness to a friend who catches us off guard by being grouchy or argumentative. Giving a clean slate to the nine-year-old who broke a rule. Or a window.

Funny thing is, mercy wasn’t meant for only the lovable. It’s one thing to show mercy to the ones that we find beautiful or sweet. But it isn’t just for the people who give us puppy dog eyes or crazy in love crushes. Miraculous mercy is always spent on people who don’t deserve it. So it isn’t about the lovely in others; it’s about the lovely in us. We are prone to fall into our own selfish judgments on how and when mercy should be dispensed. Refusing mercy to a person in need of it always spoils an opportunity to understand them, or the situation, or even ourselves. We instead risk numbing ourselves in our ability to feel compassion for others; or worse, it can form a shackling grudge that affects all of our relationships.

To have a heart full of mercy is to always be able to find the best in others in spite of the wrong they have done. In fact, showing mercy to an offender has the makings of a miracle. It will help turn an enemy into a friend. It will turn a good friend into a best friend. Mercy will destroy divorce. It will uproot bitterness and anger. Mercy will heal a broken heart. Habitually showing mercy is a path to prosperity and happiness.

It is noble, is it not, to risk your heart for the right cause? And what could be more noble than to burden ourselves by liberally paying mercy to all those who don’t deserve it? Mercy creates peace — and sometimes miracles — in ourselves and in others. If not for mercy, the casualties of war, not to mention human relationships, would be much, much higher. Mercy is the key to transforming a time of conflict into a beautiful, miraculous time of peace.