the works of mercy learning to practice what we preach

The Works of Mercy

Learningto

Practice what we Preach

PastoralPlanning.com │ The Vatican II Center

Works of Mercy

Traditionally: Corporal Spiritual

Not based on the Ten Commandments

Based on love Flowing from the Gospels


The Spiritual Works of Mercy


Spiritual Works of Mercy

Spiritual means “of the soul” These are less tangible matters

Worry, doubt, sinfulness, and ignorance

Forgiveness, patience, and prayer

We care for our own souls And the souls of those near us


The List

Teach the uneducated Assure the doubtful Caution sinners Bear wrongs patiently Forgive offences willingly Comfort the sorrowful Pray for the living and the dead.


Teach the uneducated

Starting with ourselves Form our consciences Become aware of the world Know our own faith Learn how to cook

Parents The “first teachers” of their own kids


Example

The best teacher People learn by watching you So what you do matters! It’s the chief way you “instruct”

others

What are some things you can do which “teach” others?


Education

Key to moving out of poverty And it turns out

People want to learn They know that being educated will

help them find jobs This is what leads to human dignity

Practicing this work of mercy is essential for the world


Assure the doubtful

We’re all doubtful Start by admitting that We walk by faith, not by sight

Our own assurance is the strongest comfort

Of what do you feel sure?


Caution sinners

Need I say? Start with yourself Always be conscious of your own

spiritual frailty Caution without judgment Instead, speak of your own journey

Humbly let others see how you have grown to see self-giving love as the way of the Cross


Caution sinners

Self-giving love is the key Call people to it

This is the “Paschal Mystery” When we follow the way of love we

move away from sin This requires self-emptying

Which is not easy for most people But it’s the only pathway to happiness


Bear wrongs patiently

What wrongs are we talking about here? That lady in the check out lane That driver who cut us off Our kids when they annoy us

And bigger things People who slander us Hate us Gossip about us


Forgive offences willingly

Have you ever made a mistake? Hurt someone? Lied or

misrepresented something?

Been selfish instead of generous?

Who has forgiven you?


Comfort the sorrowful

When people are sad We tend to avoid being near them Because we don’t know what to

say

Worry not The Spirit will give you the words


Compassion

The word means “To suffer with…”

Small acts done with love A card or note A flower on the table A word of support

You don’t have to fix things Just stand together


Pray for the living & the dead

This is about being in the “Communion of Saints” Who is in your “personal communion

of saints?” How do you pray for them?


The Corporal Works of Mercy


Corporal Works of Mercy

Corporal means “bodily” Material works of mercy Actual actions you take for the

physical well being of others

How can you help others? Think: daily life needs


Jesus is incarnate

He is “in the flesh” What does this mean?

When we receive Eucharist We commit ourselves to care for

Christ Hungry, thirsty, held captive, or

homeless Jesus is more than “just a

theology” Does this sound familiar?


Jesus continues a long history

Old Testament people were called to action, not just words!

Fasting had to lead to justice. We were called to share our bread

with the hungry.

This is what God wants.


A key dimension of Christian theology

The Incarnation God is in the flesh We don’t like this It makes us uncomfortable We prefer to keep God at a safe

distance Up in heaven Or over in the next state…

The Incarnation


But this is the core of our belief The Incarnation did not end at the

Resurrection It was not a 33 year divine

experiment

God is still among us in the flesh Christ still lives within and among

us

The body of Christ


This is the core of all spirituality If it is true (and it is) that we are the Body of Christ Then, at Eucharist:

We accept & internalize The Body of Christ:

Who is the body of Christ?


It’s our Test

Where the rubber hits the road Where faith becomes earthy and

real Matthew 25: 35-40

I was hungry and you gave me to eat I needed clothes and you helped me

Whatever you did for my brothers or sisters, you did for me


The List

Feed the hungry Give water to the thirsty Assist those who need clothing Shelter the homeless Visit & comfort the sick Visit those in prison Bury the dead


We forget how rich we really are. We think of ourselves as being

middle class Having modest homes A couple of cars A closet full of clothes and shoes We are still among the world’s rich

We forget


How to help the poor Understand the issues. Treat the poor and

homeless with respect and understanding.

Stay politically aware. Become an advocate. Donate your old

belongings. Hold a collection drive.


How to help the poor Raise funds or

make a personal financial contribution.

Become a regular volunteer.

Get your group involved.

Support living wage laws.


Feed the hungry

Why are people hungry when there is enough food in the world for all? Think first: in your nation? Then: in poor nations?

What is our call in regard to this?


Nearly everyone we know has enough to eat every day We spend about $79 million on weight loss

programs per day in the United States 80% of people worldwide live on less than $10

per day 24,000 children die each day of starvation or

illness that could be prevented Most die in rural villages, unseen Many have siblings who have also died

27% of children are underweight or stunted

Food

Data: UN Children’s Fund


Nearly every home in the US has a flush toilet and clean drinking water You turn on the tap and clean water

comes out 2.6 billion people live like this About half of the poor have water

borne illnesses

Give Water to the Thirsty



Assist those who need clothing

Almost no one is naked today But many don’t have the clothing

needed To interview for a job To succeed professionally

And many don’t have warm clothes for winter As well as blankets


Shelter the homeless

Causes: Poverty Eroding Work Opportunities and

Housing Decline in Public Assistance Lack of Affordable Health Care Domestic Violence Mental Illness Addiction Disorders


How about you?

How close are you to being homeless? Many are one big illness away Others: 2 to 3 months of no income

Who else has lost their home? Older members of the community Kids who run away


Visit and comfort the sick

A major part of Jesus’ ministry

A formal and public ministry of the Church Hospitals and nursing

homes Hospice care Parish pastoral care

ministry


■ When we’re sick here, we go to the hospital.■ 10.6 million children worldwide die before

age 5■ Equal to all kids in France, Germany, Greece and

Italy, combined■ 2.2 million children die each year because

they are not immunized

■ When combined with lack of food, this is a real killer.

Health care



Visit those in prison

Who is held captive today? Those fighting for

justice Homebound folks People who care for

others Legitimate prisoners

Death row


Bury the dead

What can we do? Attend funerals Bring food for the family Remember the dead a year later

Don’t be afraid to speak about death It’s a vital part of life

the works of mercy learning to practice what we preach

Documents

corporal works of mercy

works of mercy flow

works of mercytraditionally

face of mercy

hungry person

homeless person

body of christ

pope francis instruction