Jesus teaches us: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). In his papal encyclical Dives in Misericordia, Pope Saint John Paul II elaborates:
“The Church sees in these words a call to action, and she tries to practice mercy. All the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount indicate the way of conversion and of reform of life, but the one referring to those who are merciful is particularly eloquent in this regard. Man attains to the merciful love of God, His mercy, to the extent that he himself is interiorly transformed in the spirit of that love towards his neighbor.”
God’s enduring mercy is a reflection of His infinite love and compassion for us. It shines most brightly through us when we follow Christ’s example of forgiveness, charity, consolation, patience, and understanding. Jesus asks us to see his face when we encounter the poor and the suffering: “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). In his spirit of loving service with an attitude of humility and respect, we are called to engage in merciful acts. This essential component to leading a life of faith traces back to the heart of the Gospel.
Performing works of mercy reminds us of our own humanity, helps us to demonstrate our gratitude for the mercy we receive, and permits us to use our gifts to benefit others. Pope Francis describes how these good deeds are a means of grace that help bring about our eternal salvation:
“God’s mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of a faithful love, to become merciful in turn. In an ever new miracle, divine mercy shines forth in our lives, inspiring each of us to love our neighbor and to devote ourselves to what the Church’s tradition calls the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. These works remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbors in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them. On such things will we be judged.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the works of mercy as “charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities” (CCC 2447). These works of mercy allow us to give witness to Christ and contribute to building his Kingdom. They include seven spiritual works of mercy that address the needs of our neighbor’s mind, heart, and soul and seven corporal works of mercy that address the physical and material needs of our neighbor.
This month, we will explore the spiritual works of mercy, which consist of:
Admonishing the sinner
Instructing the ignorant
Counseling the doubtful
Comforting the afflicted
Bearing wrongs patiently
Forgiving offenses willingly
Praying for the living and the dead.