WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
July 26-27, 2000
volume 11, no. 126

APPRECIATION OF THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH series for July 26-27, 2000
Works of Mercy
part one

    Giving alms to a beggar is a corporal work of mercy. God looks upon charity given to the poor as an act of charity to Himself. Jesus Christ Himself said this in Matthew 25:40.

    To love God, our neighbor, and ourselves, we must keep the commandments of God and of the Church, and perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

    Spiritual works of mercy are those that relieve spiritual needs of our neighbor. Corporal works of mercy are those that relieve corporal or material needs of our neighbor. "Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, even so do you also to them" (Matthew 7:12). In this issue we will deal with the Corporal works of mercy; in the next issue the Spiritual works of mercy.

    The chief corporal works of mercy are seven:

  • 1. To feed the hungry.
      We must never turn away anyone who is hungry. Those in authority should prevent unemployment. Giving work is the best means for removing the necessity of feeding the unemployed.

          Saint Louis of France provided daily food to the poor, and often served them himself. Many charitable people today, especially the religious institutions, feed the hungry. Lay people can help out best by giving work to all they can afford to help; work is better for the able-bodied than direct alms-giving.

  • 2. To give drink to the thirsty.
      Our Lord says that a cup of cold water given in His name shall not go unrewarded (Mark 9:40). Giving medicine belongs to this work of mercy. Those who construct reservoirs, or who purify public drinking water, are giving drink to the thirsty.

  • 3. To clothe the naked.
      Many make a practice of giving clothes to the poor; other gifts belong to this kind of alms.

          The story of Saint Martin, giving half his cloak to a beggar, exemplifies this work of mercy.

  • 4. To visit the imprisoned.
      Those who visit the prisoners in jails and give them instruction and material help are doing a work of mercy.

          In the Middle Ages the Order of Ransom was founded for the ransom of Christians held captive by the Turks. It is said that more than a million Christians were thus ransomed, either with money, or by others taking their place. In the 19th century Cardinal Lavigerie established the Order of the White Fathers, aimed at freeing slaves in Africa.

  • 5. To shelter the homeless.
      Those who do this work of mercy are like the Good Samaritan. Those who provide clean and comfortable homes for the poor at low rates of rent practice this work of mercy.

          Saint Paul said: "Hospitality do not forget; for by this some, not being aware of it, have entertained angels" (Hebrews 13:2). In olden times travelers stopped for the night or for food in the monasteries. In the Alps, the monks of Saint Bernard perform this work of mercy when they rescue, with the aid of their famous breed of dogs, travelers who have met with accidents.

  • 6. To visit the sick.
      When we visit the sick, in order to give them temporal or spiritual relief, we do an act of mercy. To build, support, or aid a hospital or a patronage for the sick is a most meritorious act of charity. Doctors and nurses who perform their duties to please God will be rewarded in Heaven. Several religious orders have been founded for the express purpose of taking care of the sick, such as the orders founded by Saint John of God and Saint Vincent de Paul.

  • 7. To bury the dead.
      To attend a funeral, visit a house of mourning, or aid the bereaved family, are works of merit. Other corporal works of mercy are: helping out during a fire or accident, rescuing one in danger of death, etc. Every word or act done in the name of or for the sake of Christ is a work of mercy, and will be rewarded.

    Next Issue: Works of Mercy part two


    July 26-27, 2000
    volume 11, no. 126
    APPRECIATION OF THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH series

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