The corporal works of mercy are seven charitable deeds that address the physical needs of our neighbors and allow us to express our compassion for the marginalized through concrete actions. When we perform the corporal works of mercy, we are transformed into instruments of God’s grace by bringing comfort, healing, hope, and love to those in need.
In gratitude for all of the talents with which we are blessed, we use those skills to benefit others, to benefit the world, and to benefit God’s eternal Kingdom. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
The new year provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our past and envision how we would like to shape our future. When we rely only upon ourselves for improvement, we overlook the one thing that guides us to true contentment and success. That, of course, is turning toward God to elevate our good works into great works.
