Chapter 16 The Works of Mercy and Happiness Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matt 5:7) Review of Chapter 15 (Virtues) Last week we learned that there are habits called Virtues which can help us in our pursuit of holiness. Remember that our goal in life is to become a Saint so we can one day enter Heaven and be in God s presence. We learned how we must work to be on the correct path and strive to acquire the faith to remain on this path. ( Faith without works is dead James 2:20) Recall that Virtues are defined as a power in our soul that enables us to perform good actions easily and to avoid bad actions which can lead us to sin. There are Natural (can be learned through human reason) and Super natural (from God) virtues. The chief four Cardinal Virtues are: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. These are natural virtues. The three Theological virtues are Faith, Hope and Charity. All come from God and are directed at Him. We receive these at Baptism through sanctifying grace. Last week we discussed how our Faith is completed through works as the Bible states in the book of James You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, (James 2:22) Chapter 16 Introduction (Works of Mercy) Our goal is to grow in virtue, particularly in practicing the Works of Mercy. In these works we show our love for Christ by helping and loving our neighbor just as Jesus told us to do. Read Matt 25:37-40 from the Bible.. God gave us each a body and a soul to care for and based on this fact the Works of Mercy are divided into two groups. 1) The Spiritual Works of Mercy: We care for our neighbor s spiritual soul. 2) The Corporal Works of Mercy: We care for our neighbor s body and physical needs. Corporal refers to the Body. Comes from the Latin corpus.
Because our souls are the most important part of our human nature the Spiritual Works of mercy are the most important. The root of both works is Love. Spiritual Works of Mercy Admonish the Sinner Recall that it is sin that separates us from God and when we help someone realize that their actions are sinful this is an act of Love. This can be difficult to do and we should never humiliate others or act as if we have never sinned. We should be humble when admonishing a sinner. So how do we do admonish the sinner? We should calmly and quietly steer our friends and loved ones away from occasions of sin and encourage them to seek forgiveness (Sacrament of Penance). We must give them hope that sins can always be forgiven and that they will be able to overcome sinful ways and temptations with God s mercy. Out of our Love for our neighbor we have a duty to speak the truth and this isn t always popular. We often encounter difficulties when we discuss issues like abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, divorce, euthanasia, and other important social issues with others. Even though our Catholic views are sometimes viewed as hateful and outdated we must be firm in our beliefs and realize that we may be hated for our beliefs. Recall that not everyone liked what Jesus had to say either. Unfortunately, it is very hard to practice this work of mercy today especially with the revival of relativism within our society. Often we are labeled haters and are told we are judging others when we try to speak the truth. o Relativism the false doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute. It is important to remember that it is God who judges not us and that admonishing a sinner is not the same thing as judging them. This brings us to the next Spiritual Work of Mercy.
Instruct the Ignorant When we admonish the sinner it is often necessary that we instruct the sinner as to why their actions are sinful or why their beliefs are wrong. We must help them understand the truths that Jesus has revealed to us through His Church. This may involve standing up and teaching what we believe even if it s not popular. Sometimes all we can hope for is to plant a seed and pray that one day the person sees the truth in what we said. As Catholic we have been given the light of the Faith and we should not hide it. Lastly, we should not act like a know it all when we are instructing others. This is hard to do! We should preach without preaching. Counsel the Doubtful Sometimes we are called to give advice or guidance to others. People who need this the most are those who are weak in the virtues of faith and hope. These people may reject certain beliefs of the faith. These people may be protestants, atheists, agnostics, muslims, and even other Catholics! For example: I had a Catholic relative once tell me that after the second Vatican council we are no longer required to go to confession. Wrong! These people need loving guidance and encouragement to strengthen them, thus bringing them closer to God. Comfort the Sorrowful Due to the effects of original sin suffering is part of our life in this world. Jesus taught that those who follow him must pick up their cross just as he carried his cross for us. We all have our crosses to bear and out of love for Jesus we must bear them with patience. We must help one another the sufferings in our lives. Sometimes a kind deed, word of love, or an act of love can help ease the suffering of someone.
Bear Wrongs Patiently We ve all been accused of something that we didn t do or judged of being a certain way when we are not. Examples: o Being imprisoned for something we didn t do. o Being imprisoned for a belief that we know to be true but is rejected by those who have power over us. Many Saints experienced this. Jesus experienced this on the Cross. o Today even see priest and nuns being put in jail for preaching against the evils of abortion. It is better to suffer and injustice than to be guilty of committing an injustice ourselves. Jesus tells us to love those who hate us, pray for those who abuse you, and to offer the other cheek to those who strike you. (Luke 6:27-29) True charity is the mark of a Christian so we must learn to be patient and strong when we suffer injustice. Forgive all Injuries We must forgive those who injure us. This is taught in the Our Father prayer. By forgiving others, we are following the example which Jesus taught us. Recall that even during his crucifixion Jesus asked the Father to forgive them for they know not what they do. Not always easy to do. Pray for the Living and the Dead People usually pray for those people whom they love. This is easy. We should also pray for people who we might not like (our enemies) or for those who do not like us or our beliefs. Recall that Jesus taught that we should pray for our enemies. Besides the living who else should we pray for? The dead or the souls in Purgatory (the Church Suffering).
So who are the souls in purgatory? They are our loved ones and the loved ones of others who have been deemed worthy to enter into heaven but their souls are not yet perfect enough to enter heaven. There are also people in purgatory who have no one on earth to pray for them. We should remember to pray for them. Recall that Protestants do not believe in purgatory and typically do not pray for their deceased loved ones. We should pray for all of our deceased family members who were not Catholic. Through the belief in the Communion of Saints we can pray for each other. o Communion of Saints review: The baptized all form one body and the good of each is shared by all. "Because Christ is the head, his riches are given to all the members through the sacraments" (St. Thomas Aquinas). o We are all part of the Mystical Body of Christ. The Corporal Works of Mercy These are the acts of Love Jesus spoke about when he described our last judgement. We find these in Matt 25:34-36 Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirty, and Clothe the Naked Most people in the United States don t have to worry about being hungry, thirsty, or naked. Our nation has been blessed by God. There are however many places in the world where people lack proper food, drink, and clothing. Even though we don t personally know these people we must not neglect them. We should be charitable and share our blessings. We can donate money, food, clothing, supplies, and etc. which can be used to help them. We all have family members who are less fortunate than we are and we should see that our loved ones are being cared for.
Visit the Imprisoned There are many types of people who are imprisoned. o Some are hardened criminals while some are weak people who made mistakes and are now sorry for what they did. We should help these people seek forgiveness and conversion. o Some are innocent and were imprisoned wrongly or unjustly. We should help these people seek justice. We might not think of it but some people are imprisoned without being in a physical prison. o Homebound sick people. We should visit and comfort them. o People who care for sick people who may be alone for long periods of time. Shelter the Homeless There are a great number of homeless people in our cities and towns. When given and opportunity we should help the homeless and see that their basic needs are met food, water, clothes, and shelter. Some homeless people have mental issues and have no one to care for them. Others are homeless because they lost their job or their home. There are many reasons why people become homeless. The homeless are love by God as well and we should see that they are cared for and helped. We could donate food, money or even help out at a homeless shelter. If we have a family member lose their home to a fire we could offer to house them. Visit the Sick People who are sick often need love and encouragement during their sickness. Visiting them may give them the hope they need to recover from their illness. We should visit and pray with them and for them. Sometimes it s very difficult to visit a loved one who is very sick, but we must do this.
Bury the Dead The final work of mercy is burying the dead. This is mentioned in the OT when the angel Raphael gave praise to Tobias for this charitable act. By this action we show respect for the body because it is part of the human being. We can practice this by attending a funeral of a loved and showing compassion to those who are bereaved. We can visit a grave of a loved one and leave flowers in their memory. We could also simply stop by a cemetery and say a prayer for the souls buried there. Conclusion By living a virtuous life and practicing the works of mercy we will be happy forever with God in heaven. Jesus promised that those who live the Christian life will be happy. This is summarized in the 8 Beatitudes: (Matthew Chapter 5 - Christ's sermon upon the mount). o 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. o 2. Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. o 3. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. o 4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. o 5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. o 6. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. o 7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. o 8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus speaks of happiness he does not mean happy in the way we may think of happiness here on earth (money, power, fame, etc.). The happiness Jesus spoke of is a true happiness which only belongs to the meek, the pure in heart. This happiness brings us true joy and peace, even in our life on earth.
Apologetics Lesson: Purgatory? Protestant Question: Why do you Catholics pray for the dead in purgatory? There is no such thing as purgatory found in the Bible. When you die you either go to heaven or hell. Catholic Reply: As a catholic I believe as you do that the dead either go to heaven or hell, but I believe that if we are not perfect upon our death then our souls will have to be made perfect before we can enter heaven. This place or process is what we call purgatory. The bible states that nothing unclean shall enter heaven. The Catholic theology behind purgatory can be found in the scriptures and does not contradict the Bible Bible verses which could be used to defend the Catholic Position: Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, ( Heb 12:21-23). "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey. (1 Peter 3:18-20). "But nothing unclean shall enter it [heaven]..." (Rev. 21:27). Our souls need cleansed before they can enter heaven if we are not perfect! Class Questions/Discussion Closing Prayer: Prayer for the Deceased: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.