CORPORAL & SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

What is mercy? The Old and New Testaments tell us that mercy is God’s love expressed as a response to human suffering. God’s mercy, most perfectly revealed and made present in Jesus Christ, embraces all human suffering, that which is bodily, emotional and spiritual. Just as God’s divine mercy touches our pain and suffering on both the physical and spiritual levels, so our mercy towards others shows itself in both material and spiritual ways. This gives rise to the works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal, that characterize the life of the Church and her activity in the world. The Works of Mercy are actions that we as followers of Christ are called to perform to help others in need, reflecting God’s compassion and love. These acts, whether we are the ones performing them or the ones receiving them, lead to joy and open our hearts to the hope of new life. In the words of Pope Francis, “Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with Hope.”

FEED THE HUNGRY

And one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2:16

CLOTHE THE NAKED

That disciple whom Jesus loved^[a] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. John 21:7

GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY

“Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst.” John 4:14

SHELTER THE HOMELESS

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Luke 9:58

VISIT THE SICK

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. Luke 10: 33-34

VISIT THE IMPRISONED

“I was in prison and you visited me” Matthew 25:36

BURY THE DEAD

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:36–55

COUNSEL THE DOUBTFUL

“Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17

TEACH OTHERS ABOUT GOD AND THE FAITH

And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11–12

FORGIVE OFFENSES WILLINGLY

 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

BEAR WRONGS PATIENTLY

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103: 8,10

ENCOURAGE RECONCILIATION WITH GOD AND OTHERS

“…there will be more joy in Heaven at the repentance of one sinner than at ninety-nine of the righteous who had no need of repentance.” Luke 15:7

COMFORT THE AFFLICTED

“Come to me, all you grown weary and burdened, and I will refresh you.” (Mt. 11:28)

PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

“Father, I desire that they, too, may be with me where I am…” John 17:24