The Spiritual Works of Mercy

10-23-2022Weekly ReflectionKathleen Foley, Director of Mission Advancement

The Spiritual Works of Mercy, compared to the Corporal Works of Mercy, can seem more vague, difficult to identify or understand. The corporal works might seem easier because they involve physically doing things and supporting others in very tangible ways. The key to the spiritual works of mercy is charity – love – agape love, which is an honest-to-goodness, heartfelt concern with the spiritual well-being of another.

Consider the many opportunities we have at Corpus Christi to support and participate in the Spiritual Works of Mercy:

Admonish the Sinner

This work of mercy can sound harsh or scary at first, making us think it isn’t something we can or want to do. Fr. Michael Van Sloun, a priest in the archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides a succinct description:

To admonish someone is to warn about a fault; to correct wrongdoing; to scold, usually mildly; or to remind someone to do the right thing. This good work is extremely difficult and delicate. Most people dislike conflict. Few people welcome correction. It is natural to be defensive. It is hard to speak up, to know when to speak and how to effectively deliver the message.

Perhaps an example that comes to mind is the time during confession when the priest provides brief counsel about our actions or penance. Yet, the opportunities for any one of us to admonish a fellow sinner can happen in a variety of situations. Consider our fellowship groups: St. Gerard Circle and Men of St. Joseph. Both ministries offer the chance for parishioners to gather, discuss spiritual topics, and support each other in their vocations. Your participation in groups like these provide openings in conversations to practice admonishing others in a loving manner.

Instruct the Ignorant

While this work of mercy may sound similar to admonishing the sinner, and can be considered along the same lines, we can also think of it in terms of faith formation and Bible studies. Our Children’s Faith Formation is often the main source of instruction for our young parishioners; our catechists and staff understand the importance of providing key teachings with love. Our Youth Ministry for junior high and high school students is another crucial area where instruction and conversations offer opportunities for teens to learn more about the faith. Additionally, the volunteers who provide weekly studies for adults at Coffee Break and ACES bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to a “box” study that a person wouldn’t get by doing it alone. Your participation and support of these ministries ensures ongoing growth for fellow parishioners of all ages.

Counsel the Doubtful

How often have any one of us taken the time to listen to someone who has doubts or confusion about the faith? Many times, for certain! To counsel is to offer advice, guidance, direction, recommendations, suggestions, tips, pointers… you get the idea. When we listen to other people’s struggles and seek to understand where they are coming from, we can meet them where they are in that moment and – in love – offer what they might need at that time. To be doubtful is to be hesitant, uncertain, wavering, unsure, on the fence, undecided, questioning…. While very few things are certain in this life (like death and taxes!) as Catholics we can be certain that Jesus is Lord and has redeemed us by His passion, death, and resurrection. Therefore, if someone doubts aspects of one’s faith or Church teachings, then we need to be prepared mentally and spiritually to counsel the person properly. This means investing your own time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, daily prayer, reading Scripture, and again, participating in fellowship groups and Bible studies so that you can, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence,” (1 Peter 3:15b-16a).

Comfort the Sorrowful

There is certainly no shortage of sorrow in our current world, so we might practice this work of mercy often. Several ministries come to mind as well: Bereavement Ministry, Funeral Receptions, Grief Recovery Method, and the Ministry to the Sick. Giving your time and support to these ministries brings great comfort to those in need.

Bear Wrongs Patiently and Forgive All Injuries

It’s interesting to consider how an internal disposition or mindset can be considered a work of mercy. While this doesn’t mean we put up with abuse, crimes, or other obvious mistreatment, it does mean that we don’t hold grudges against those who have hurt us, even when they haven’t sought our forgiveness. Jesus instructed us, “But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well” (Matthew 5:39). Is it possible that, when we are wronged, our calling is to stop and ponder the situation patiently before responding? And in that patience, ought we think about the root cause of the wrong, the possible ways we could respond, and then make the best choice a disciple of Jesus would make?

Forgiveness can bring healing and defuse bitterness and hostility. When we forgive others, we let go of past hurts and learn to forgive ourselves for our mistakes. Sometimes we think that ruminating over past hurts will somehow change what happened. It will not. Holding on to our hurt and anger, justifiable as it may seem, only harms us. Forgiveness is first for ourself, then for the other.

Pray for the Living and the Dead

Thankfully, this work of mercy is something we all can do easily and often. Praying for each other keeps us open to how God wants to work in the lives of others through us. The “work” here is maintaining a disposition of docility or obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. When we pray for others, we first and foremost must pray for the will of God in their lives, because only His will is what’s best for them. This is the essence of loving our neighbor: willing the good – the best – for their lives. Opportunities include our weekly Prayer Warriors email message, daily communal rosary, as well as praying in the church or in the Adoration chapel. Additionally, we can offer a Mass intention for a person, living or deceased, and add the names of our loved ones to the appropriate novenas of the three that we offer each year. The Mother’s Day and Father’s Day novenas are for all those mothers and fathers in our lives, living or deceased, who have helped us grow into the faithful disciples we are today. Likewise, the All Souls Novena in early November is for all our deceased family members and friends.

God created us both body and soul, and so the works of mercy serve both corporal and spiritual needs in our lives. Remember that by giving of ourselves – our time, our service, our prayers, our goods, our money, our skills, our efforts – we most easily fulfill the mission of living our lives as disciples of Jesus. When we love others like Jesus loves, these works of mercy don’t take much work at all!