The Works of Mercy

September 22nd Readings Reflection: Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel mentions that several women accompanied Jesus and His Twelve Apostles in their travels, “[providing] for them out of their resources.” This reminds us of the importance of giving our own “resources” to God through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

The seven corporal works of mercy are: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. The seven spiritual works of mercy are: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and the dead. We know that each of us is created in the image and likeness of God, and through sanctifying grace, we have the presence of God residing within our very souls. When we use our God-given resources and talents to serve the spiritual or physical needs of others, we are truly serving God Himself.

The spiritual works of mercy are more difficult than the corporal works, because they require us to practice true Christian love in forgiving others. As the Baltimore Catechism explains, the spiritual works of mercy “help to foster the true happiness of mankind and are the most perfect fulfillment of the command to love our neighbor” (q. 192a). When we practice the spiritual works of mercy, we more fully die to ourselves and give more of ourselves to God.

The women in today’s Gospel did not place limits on the resources that they gave to Jesus and His Apostles, but rather gave everything that they had. Likewise, Jesus calls us to give everything that we have—including our very selves—so that He may transform us into a more perfect dwelling of His grace. May we strive to always follow the example of the women in today’s Gospel and give everything that we have to God, serving our neighbours in their bodily and spiritual needs and dying to ourselves more and more, so that we may live only for Christ and thereby attain eternal life.

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