Week Beginning March 12
Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Clothe the Naked
This week, we reflect upon the three corporal works of mercy that involve providing tangible necessities to the needy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and clothing the naked. You may notice some accounts of the corporal works refer to the latter as giving alms to the poor. These acts are a means to express God’s love for the less fortunate. They reflect the belief that Christ is present in those who are struggling. Jesus reminds us: “The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me” (Matthew 26:11). Through these words, he affirms the inherent value of every human life created in the image of God.
Food and drink are fundamental requirements vital for all life. Clothing comforts us and protects us from the harsh elements. Although we live in a world of abundance, we also live in a world of poverty. In an instant, tragedy could strike and our circumstances could change. We don’t have to look far to see that many of our brothers and sisters suffer from starvation or food insecurity; many lack access to clean drinking water and other essentials. When we search for the “naked” in our community, we include those who are stripped of meaningful relationships and are outcast.
There are many ways we can help those in need. It can be as simple as basic hospitality–offering someone a drink on a hot day, bringing a meal to a neighbor who is having a hard time, or dressing your children and elderly grandparents. Other common ways to perform these corporal works of mercy include:
cleaning out our closets and pantries and donating the goods that we are not using
financially supporting or volunteering at food pantries, soup kitchens, thrift stores, and other service institutions
organizing or participating in fundraisers and collection drives for food and clothing
becoming better stewards of our resources by conserving and minimizing waste
advocating for policies that address poverty, agricultural efforts, and clean water initiatives.