Earlier this week I published the Corporal Works of Mercy Lenten Reflection. This is a companion piece that also fits in well with our Lenten reflections. We diminish so Jesus can increase in us. It is good to reflect on service, how we can put others before ourselves. Jesus was all about service. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45 Remember his washing the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper.
“When he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them,…You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, as I have done for you, you should also do”. John 14:12-15
The Spiritual Works of Mercy may not be as well-known as the Corporal Works of Mercy but have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of spiritual writers throughout history. Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to; these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to help our neighbor in their spiritual needs.
In today’s blog, I list the spiritual works of mercy and make a few suggestions for carrying out these acts of mercy, especially in this time of pandemic. In adopting these works of mercy we demonstrate in a visible way our love for God who commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Jesus attended to many spiritual needs through prayer. He prayed that His disciples would not succumb to the power of Satan at the time of the Last Supper. “And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are….When I was with them I protected them in your name…But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely….I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17:11-13
Jesus cast out demons and called people to conversion like St. Matthew Matthew 9:9.,Zacchaus, Luke 19:2
And the Samaritan woman at the well. The woman gives Jesus a drink of water, Corporal work of Mercy.. Jesus offers her “living water” of conversion, Spiritual work of Mercy.
WHOEVER DRINKS THE WATER I GIVE
WILL NEVER THIRST
JOHN 4:14
COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL
Everyone has moments of doubt in their faith journey. To “counsel” in the spiritual realm refers to helping someone with a difficult spiritual decision they are about to make. Doubt is a spiritual burden, and it is an act of mercy to offer counsel and help lighten the load. We should always remember that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and turn to him along our way. Has someone asked you for advice? Be sure you offer advice filtered through Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Reassure and support those who may be especially anxious during this time of Covid pandemic.
INSTRUCTING THE IGNORANT
A person may be uninformed for a variety of reasons, some of which are innocent, others are not. It may be youth or inexperience, or a person may be uninformed because of laziness, narrow-mindedness, arrogance or erroneous information. No matter the root cause, it is a work of mercy to inform the uninformed.
Jesus is the master when it comes to instructing the ignorant. His heart was moved with compassion for the people because they were “like sheep without a shepherd” Matthew 9:36 Learn about our faith and be open to talking with others about our beliefs. There is always something more to discover about our faith. Utilize the Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church as resources. Take this time to recommit to your own study and formation during this Lenten season.
ADMONISHING THE SINNER
Do not judge, but be supportive in helping others find their way and correct their mistakes. “Remove first the beam in your eye before removing the splinter in your neighbor’s eye.” Together we can learn to walk more closely with Christ.
Remember it is not all about us. No one gets to heaven by themselves. We must not keep our faith to ourselves. Our faith is as result of thousands and thousands who went before us. As they modeled the faith so too we must model the faith for others. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.” Hebrew 12:1. Those clouds of witnesses are those that have gone before us and rest in bosom of Christ.
When you correct someone, don’t be arrogant. We are all in need of God’s loving correction. Being confined in close quarters for long periods of time with families can test us in more ways than one. Be supportive in helping others find their way forward in the Spirit of Christ.
COMFORTING THE SORROWFUL
Comforting the sorrowful is one of our spiritual works of mercy. As Ecclesiastes informs us, for every beginning there is an end, where there is life there is inevitable death. Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief. Even if we aren’t sure of the right words to say, our presence can make a big difference. Lend a listening ear to those going through a tough time. A few moments of your day may make a lifetime of difference to someone who is going through a difficult time.
I will share a story making the internet rounds: a small boy saw an old man sitting on a bench in a park. The man was crying. The boy left his mother and walked over to the man. The mother watched as the boy climbed up on the bench and looked gently into the man’s face. The man, touched by the boy’s gesture, began to weep more visibly. The boy also started to cry. After a few minutes, the man hugged the boy and sent him back to his mother’s side. When the boy returned, the mother asked him why he felt a need to go over to the man. The boy responded, “He looked like he needed help crying. I wanted to help him do that. ”
FORGIVING INJURIES
Many people interpret forgiveness to mean that they must stop having negative feelings about something that happened to them, or toward someone who hurt them. Those are just feelings. Many also think of forgiveness as a work they must do out of their own power, rather than as a gift to be received from God.
No! Forgiveness is a work of God within us whereby He acts to free us from the poisonous effects of bitterness and grief that often accompany the harm that was inflicted upon us. The past no longer has control over us.
Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” So what we are saying, in effect, is “if I don’t forgive others, Lord, then don’t forgive me.”
In calling us to forgive, God is offering us the gift to be free of a great deal of poison and of a costly emotional state that robs us of joy and strength. What a relief it is to just be free of that weight! Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we are able or even should resume relationships with people who have done us great harm.
At times, we are able to do so, but it is not always advisable. Sometimes relationships are poisonous for both parties involved. Sometimes, because the other person has not or cannot repent (perhaps because of addictions or deep-seated drives), it is too dangerous to be close to him or her.
THIS SON OF MINE WAS DEAD
AND HAS COME TO LIFE AGAIN
LUKE 15:24
BEARING WRONGS PATIENTLY
“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28
We have all been wronged by another person in some way. And sometimes it is perceived wrongs. Often, our response is anger and a desire for vengeance, to give what we received no matter how unkind or unfair. But, Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and most importantly, to forgive them.
The virtue of patience is required to bear the wrong. We are called to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect. “The Lord is patient and merciful, slow to anger…Psalm 103 We need patience to endure the sorrow that besets us so that we do not betray the good we have.
Do not be bitter about wrongs done against you. Place your hope in God so that you can endure the troubles of this world and face them with a compassionate spirit. Frustrated with someone? Step away from the situation, take a few deep breaths, pray the Our Father, asking God for patience
PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can support others. Joining together in prayer for the living and the dead entrusts us all into God’s care. Let living people know you are praying for them and don’t be shy about asking them for prayers. We are all in this Mystical Body of Christ together!
Jesus taught us to pray always and never to lose heart Luke 18:11 St. Paul echoed this with the simple exhortation, “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 St. James also warned, “You have not because you ask not” .James 4:2 Prayer can avert war, bring healing, cause conversion, bestow peace and serenity, and call down mercy—sweet, beautiful mercy. Prayer is inestimable; its value can never be told.
Perhaps one of the greatest joys of Heaven will be seeing how much of a difference our prayers made, even the distracted and perfunctory ones. Imagine that in Heaven a sinner comes up to you and says, “Though we never met, your prayer reached me and God applied His power to me.”
Too many Catholics today miss the boat for praying for the dead. Many are quick to point to heaven and say their loved one is looking down on us now in God’s heavenly arms. But hold on a minute! Scripture doesn’t say that we go right to Heaven when we die. No, indeed, there is a brief stopover at the judgment seat of Christ
“It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” Hebrews 9:27 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” 2 Corinthians 5:10
Our deceased loved ones go to the judgment seat of Christ, and that is worth praying about! We have the promise of Heaven but Jesus says, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” Matthew 5:49 I would guess not many of us are in that state, right now.
When we send our faithful loved ones to judgment, although we send them with hope, we are aware that finishing work”pruning” may be necessary. Purgation and purification are necessary before entering Heaven, of which scripture says, Nothing impure will ever enter it” Revelation 21:27
Praying for the dead, then, is the last and greatest spiritual work of mercy. By the grace of it, and through its help, souls attain the glory God has prepared for them from the foundation of the world.
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE