New Year's Resolution - and the works of mercy

 


Many people make New Year's Resolution this time of year.

Here's a suggestion: instead of just making ones for your own body or piece of mind (losing weight, exercising more, etc.) how about making a few for your soul -- and for your neighbor?

One of the best ways is to look at the traditional list the Church gives for the corporal and spiritual works of mercy (showing mercy to your neighbor in body and soul) and committing to doing one on a regular basis.

Here they are:

 Spiritual works of mercy

  • Admonish the sinner
  • Instruct the ignorant
  • Counsel the doubtful
  • Comfort the sorrowful
  • Bear wrongs patiently
  • Forgive all injuries
  • Pray for the living and the dead

[I recommend this commentary on those works by Washington, D.C. Catholic priest, pastor and blogger, Msgr. Charles Pope] 

Corporal works of mercy

  • feeding the hungry
  • giving drink to the thirsty
  • sheltering the homeless
  • clothing the naked
  • visiting the sick and imprisoned,
  • burying the dead
  • giving alms to the poor

(See full Catechism entry on these works as well as the commentary on them by the U.S. Bishops).

 



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