The
works of mercy are charitable actions motivated by Christian love by which we
help our neighbor obtain what he or she needs spiritually and materially.
Instructing, advising, consoling and comforting are spiritual works of
mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.
The corporal works of mercy consist especially
in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the
sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. The
works of mercy are not optional but are absolutely essential to living the Christian
life of holiness and goodness. (CCC2447)
Corporal
Works of Mercy
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Shelter the homeless
- Clothe the naked
- Care for the sick
- Visit the imprisoned
- Bury the dead
Spiritual
Works of Mercy
- To admonish
the sinner (correct those who need correction)
- To
instruct the ignorant (teach the ignorant)
- To
counsel the doubtful (give advice to those who need it)
- To
comfort the sorrowful (give comfort to those who suffer)
- To
bear wrongs patiently (be patient with others)
- To
forgive all injuries (to forgive others who hurt you.)
- To
pray for the living and the dead (to pray for everyone who needs our prayers)
Corporal
Works of Mercy
The works of mercy are charitable
actions motivated by Christian love by which we help our neighbor obtain what
he or she needs spiritually and materially. Instructing,
advising, consoling and comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving
and bearing wrongs patiently.
The
corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the
homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the
dead. The works of mercy are not optional
but are absolutely essential to living the Christian life of holiness and goodness.
(Catechism of
the Catholic Church 2447; Catechism for Filipino Catholics 972-977
Corporal Works of Mercy
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Shelter the homeless
- Clothe the naked
- Care for the sick
- Visit the imprisoned
- Bury the dead
The
Scriptural basis for the corporal works of mercy is the parable in the Gospel
of Matthew, in which Jesus teaches his disciples about God’s criteria for the
Last Judgement (cf.Mt25:35-42).
In this parable, the just and the unjust discover that in their merciful
actions on behalf of the neighbor, they have been merciful to the Lord Jesus,
who identifies completely with the hungry, homeless, sick, imprisoned and even
the dead. God, who is rich in mercy, invites
His sons and daughters to imitate his abundant mercy and loving kindness towards
His children. God is rich in mercy, because of his great
love for us, he brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. – By
this favor you were saved. (Ephesians2:4-5)
Spiritual
Works of Mercy
The
works of mercy are charitable actions motivated by Christian love by which we
help our neighbor obtain what he or she needs spiritually and materially. The
corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the
homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the
dead.
Instructing,
advising, consoling and comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving
and bearing wrongs patiently. The works of mercy are not optional but are
absolutely essential to living the Christian life of holiness and goodness. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2447; Catechism
for Filipino Catholics 972-977)
Spiritual Works of Mercy
- To admonish
the sinner (correct those who need correction)
- To
instruct the ignorant (teach the ignorant)
- To
counsel the doubtful (give advice to those who need it)
- To
comfort the sorrowful (give comfort to those who suffer)
- To
bear wrongs patiently (be patient with others)
- To
forgive all injuries (to forgive others who hurt you.)
- To
pray for the living and the dead (to pray for everyone who needs our prayers)
The spiritual works of mercy are drawn from a variety
of Old and New Testament sources.
My
brothers, if someone is detected in sin, you who live by the Spirit should gently set him right. (Galatians 6:1)
Let
the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you.
In wisdom made perfect, instruct
and admonish one another. (Colossians 3:16)
Correct those who are confused. (Jude 23)
As
a mother comforts her son, so I will comfort
you. (Isaiah 66:13)
Help
carry one another’s burdens; in that way you will fulfill the law
of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
Because
you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt
mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness and patience.
Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one
another. Forgive
as the Lord has forgiven you. (Colossians
3:12)
Pray constantly and attentively for all. (Ephesians 6:18)
