89. Works of Mercy

1. 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 (Matt. 25:40). 2. When we teach catechism we are performing a spiritual work of mercy. Many can do this work today, if they only would. Numerous persons, even of an advanced age, do not know the essentials of their religion, for want of someone to teach them.

What must we do to love God, our neighbour, and ourselves?

— To love God, our neighbour, 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 neighbour. Corporal works of mercy are those that relieve corporal or material needs of our neighbour. "Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, even so do you also to them" (Matt. 7:12).

Which are the chief corporal 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.

St. 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 St. 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.

St. Paul said, "Hospitality do not forget; for by this some, not being aware of it, have entertained angels" (Heb. 13:2). In olden times travellers stopped for the night or for food in the monasteries.

In the Alps, the monks of St. Bernard perform this work of mercy when they rescue, with the aid of their famous breed of dogs, travellers 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 Sts. John of God and 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.

Which are the chief spiritual works of mercy?

— The chief spiritual works of mercy are seven:

1. To admonish the sinner. — Whenever we think our words may have a good effect, we should not hesitate to admonish the erring prudently. Those in authority, such as parents and teachers, are bound to admonish those under them of their faults, even if in doing so they bring trouble upon themselves. Good example is another way of admonition.

In admonishing sinners, we must do so with gentleness and charity. Otherwise we might only produce results the opposite of what we wish. It would be wrong, if with a little trouble we could save a sinner from sin, did we not speak to save him; it would, moreover, be a loss of great grace for ourselves. "He who causes a sinner to be brought back from his misguided way, will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).

2. To instruct the ignorant.

Missionaries, catechists, confessors, Christian writers and teachers—all who teach religion or other useful knowledge — are doing an important work of mercy, and will receive a reward. "They that instruct many unto justice shall shine as stars for all eternity" (Dan. 12:3). Those who collect money for foreign missions do this work of mercy.

3. To counsel the doubtful. — We should be most zealous in helping those whom a word may save or aid. How happy we should be if the word we say helps a doubtful one to become firm in his faith!

As in admonishing sinners, advising the doubtful should be done prudently and gently, to effect good results. It is seldom effective to rush into heated argument. Let us pray first, before giving counsel.

4. To comfort the sorrowful. — We can comfort the afflicted by showing them sincere sympathy by suggesting consolations, and by helping them in their need.

To comfort the sorrowful is a work of mercy similar to curing the sick, since grief is a mental and emotional ailment. To give comfort, we may speak of God's providence, of His love for every single one of His creatures, of the happiness He reserves for us in heaven, when all earthly sorrows and troubles will be ended.

5. To bear wrongs patiently.

By being patient with injustice, we benefit both ourselves and our fellow-man. Our patience helps him realize his wrongdoing. It is, however, wrong to permit others to falsely lay a serious crime to our charge. But let us be patient, for love of God.

6. To forgive all injuries.

We must not seek revenge. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord" (Rom. 12:19). We must forgive others, as we hope God will forgive us. Instead of seeking revenge, those who wish to imitate the saints go out of their way to do favours to those who injure them. Like Christ, they love all men.

7. To pray for the living and the dead.

We may not see the effects of our prayers, but God sees. Not one single prayer raised to God from a sincere heart is wasted. "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." Prayers do good not only to those we pray for, but to ourselves.