"For you are a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in distress." ~Isaiah 25:4

"if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness."
~Isaiah 58:10 (NRSV)

Seven Corporal Works of Mercy

• Food for the Hungry
  In the United States, as in so many other parts of the world, we do have hungry people. In one Catholic magazine, U.S. Catholic, readers wrote and said that the best way to combat hunger is to help at soup kitchens, food pantries and collections. Donating canned food to agencies is another way to help eliminate hunger. Encourage children to share, and in this way they are trained to be mindful of the needy. Even for ourselves, we ask God to give us our daily bread (food) every time we say the Our Father.
  
  
• Drink to the Thirsty
  In Michigan, we are blessed with lots of water. We may have tendency to forget that water is precious and life-giving source. However, the United Nations tells us that one billion people lack access to drinking water. Others do not have adequate sanitation. What we take for granted, we unfortunately waste. Some tips on how we can help to preserve water: fix leaky faucets, do not let water run unnecessarily (when you shower or brush your teeth or wash your hands). While people in some countries are living with lots of clean water, let us be wise as not to waste this precious gift.
  
  
• Clothe the Naked
  In the Gospel of Saint Luke we read, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none (Luke 3:11)." Did you ever have a good look at your closet and see how many clothes you can do without? Do you know that you may have clothes that you will never wear anymore? Do you know, on the other hand, that there are people, through no fault of their own, that have only one set of clothing? Please drop unneeded clothes, even eyeglasses, at a shelter where they can be used by others. You'll be doing a poor soul a great favor.
  
  
• Visit the Imprisoned
  People, wherever they are and whoever they are, do count. We all need hope to survive. Without knowing that someone really cares for us, we end up in desperation. Many of us are unaware of the good we can do if we pray for prisoners, and also to get the opportunity to help out. Even the families of prisoners need our prayers and love. Be a beam of Christian love to these people. The author of the letter to the Hebrews in the Bible says, "Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them (Hebrews 13:3)."
  
  
• Harbor the Stranger
  So many churches, especially during the cold winter days, give shelter to the homeless. It is head so often that some people because of not having a place to go, just freeze to death in the streets. In Georgia, there is Habitat for Humanity, which is a nonprofit organization that builds and restores houses for the homeless around the world. Donate your time to help these unfortunate people. You can also inquire from your church how you can be of help when the homeless come to your church... or ask how your church can be of assistance to host the homeless.
  
  
• Visit the Sick
  First of all to be good care providers, we need to take care of ourselves, physically and mentally. If we are sick ourselves, we cannot be good role models for those who are sick. After that, we should take it upon ourselves to visit the sick, regardless of whether they are home or at the hospital. If they are out-of-town, send them a get-well card. If they live close by, phone them. I've been told that some hospice patients have no visitors. These poor people yearn for a visitor. You can be a God-sent angel to them. Your presence, more than your words, is the gift itself.
  
  
• Bury the Dead
  What do we think of our bodies? Do we believe that they are temples of the Holy Spirit? Christian burials have been honored in the Catholic Church since its beginnings. In the first centuries of the Catholic Church, the early Christians made assure that the dead were given a proper and honored burial, that is why they went to great pains to hew out of solid rock the catacombs. Today, many older churches have their own cemetery. To honor the body, we need to honor it even after death. This is the best way to show our belief that we will rise again, as Jesus did.

  After Jesus died on the cross, a man named Joseph of Arimathea, took it upon himself to bury Jesus. It was the most noble thing to do for Jesus under those circumstances. So there are tow things which we can do here.

  1. Attend funeral, and show your empathy to those who are bereaved, even weeks after the day of the funeral.
  2. Visit your loved ones in the cemetery, where you will pray for them and reminisce about their contribution to your growth.

©2002 Fr. William Bonnici, used with permission.

Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

The spiritual works of mercy are less known than the corporal ones. It is good for us to take a refresher, even though short, in them. Back in catechism lessons we learned that doing these works of mercy was our Christian duty. It was also a means of satisfying the temporal punishment due to sin. It is being like Christ. The reasons are still valid and a fresh look at these spiritual works of mercy should inspire us to take up their cause. Since we are shown mercy only as long as we are merciful, we have to practice these works. None of us can enter heaven on his/her own merits, because we are sinful people. Mercy is a must for our salvation; and the best way to receive mercy from God is to be merciful towards others.

• Instruct the Ignorant
  Not everyone can be a schoolteacher, but taking time out to help a child with math or religion homework is instruction as well. So is teaching CCD. The reason that there is so much confusion and apathy, even among Catholics, is because people in general do not know about the beauty and joy of God and his church. Even teaching just basics helps; you do not have to be a theologian to pass on the good word to others. It is recommended, however, that you be prepared, otherwise you may end up in confusion. Bring the good news of the Gospel to others In a godless environment, a word about one’s own religious values accompanied with good example, can often elicit a thought provoking impression on others.
  
  
• Counsel the Doubtful
  Talk is cheap, so is advice. So goes the saying; but counsel implies something more loving. It is a Christian approach to solving a problem. Doubts about one’s faith, abortion, euthanasia, Jesus, Mary, the Trinity, the Church, the Eucharist or any one of the Sacraments, or one of the virtues can always confuse people, even well-intentioned people. Some people need clarification on marriage, divorce and/or annulment, the injustices that we witness in the world, death and dozens of other religion related issues. We cannot give lame excuses. We have to tell the truth in its entirety. Doubts need solid directions in the Christian point of view. You can be a ray of hope to a confused person. There is nothing better than shedding light to a doubtful and searching mind.
  
  
• Comfort the Sorrowful
  Sorrow and suffering take many forms. It could be cruel death, nasty divorce, grave illness, sudden dismissal from work, long unemployment, family problems, mental distress or illness, pending surgery, no revenue to pay important bills, etc. How many of these sorrows afflict people around us and yet go unnoticed without so much as a kind word, without so much as a whispered prayer. Oftentimes, just our presence and a good and attentive listening ear is enough. An act of mercy is being there for those who are feeling the burden of life, whatever the burden might be. An act of kindness is never forgotten, and we have many opportunities to be kind. It is true that we always get back what we give away, so being kind is like inviting others to be kind to us when we are in distress.
  
  
• Bear Wrongs Patiently
  Patience is so rare. We need to do things. We do not have time. People get on our nerves. We even get impatient with ourselves for not achieving higher goals. We get impatient with a small child for his/her constant prattling. We get impatient with the elderly because they are not as swift as we wish them to be. Road rage, a relatively new phrase, shows the great lack of patience. I want everything yesterday! No time to put the signals on or to drive according to the speed limit. Maintaining patience with those who never say a nice word to you, with those who constantly nag at you, with your own personal limitations is a great sign of holiness. Be open and tell those people who hurt you, but even then be patient with your explanations.
  
  
• Forgive all Injuries
  Physical injuries heal faster than mental or spiritual ones. Injuries, voluntary or involuntary, are inescapable. Sometimes, we think that we are martyrs just because we were overlooked or were not invited to some event. That is what we call the “oh me syndrome”. It is impossible to go through life unscathed. It is impossible not to be hurt. Some individuals, even among relatives, spend years not speaking to each other because of some trivial offense that was forgotten but not forgiven! How about if we remind ourselves “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”? Think also about that if we want to fight with the sword, with the sword shall we die.
  
  
• Admonish the Sinner
  Correction is harder to give than to take. At least from my point of view as a priest, that’s the way I see it. It means that you have to take time to correct faults, first and foremost your own, and then others. It also means that you do not cooperate in the sinful acts out of peer pressure, or just to be like the group. It means that your life will not be in the same mess that you want to correct in others. In other words you have to be a truthful person. It means, most especially, that you correct children properly and patiently. Remember that a child is very impressionable, and whatever you tell him/her will stay with them forever.
  
  
• Pray for the Living and the Dead
  It is impossible to physically help all people, but it is possible to pray for all people, whether they are living or dead. We can, and should, reach out in prayers for all. As Christians we do not have enemies, and therefore we cannot exclude anyone from our prayers intentionally. When we pray for others, we are also benefiting ourselves. God will see to it that when we pray, we will get his blessings in this life, but even more importantly life everlasting. “Pray”, that is what Jesus commanded us to do. Our Lady at Fatima insisted that we keep on praying. There is no substitute for prayers. Make sure that when you pray, as best as you can, you give your whole attention to what you are saying and to whom you are saying it.

© 2003 Fr. William Bonnici, used with permission

Random & Anonymous Acts of Kindness

A morning talk show featured a "'secret society" of sorts. Its members were committed to per forming random and anonymous acts of kindness in honor of a deceased friend known for kind deeds. It was contagious and people all across the country have joined the effort. There is indeed something satisfying about helping others, especially when they have no idea who their benefactor is.

Many people look for reasons for doing things, reasons that cover the spectrum from selfish to selfless, for their own sake to the sake of another. For those who believe, good deeds are done for God's sake. Recognizing God's Supremacy, and seeing in others the image and likeness of God, believers act to preserve and advance the cause of grace. Both the giver and the receiver are enriched by the kindness shared. The Good Samaritan is better for his deeds because those who love others also love God.

Good deeds are not part of any sacrament, but they are part of faith. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are lists of acts of kindness or good deeds. When people are not sure how to live their faith or need to jump-start it, the Works of Mercy give us a few ideas. As members of the Body of Christ, we need to look after one another, mindful of our dependence on God and on each other. We are indeed our brothers' and sisters' keepers. Being a Good Samaritan happens by choice, not chance!

© 2004 Liturgical Publications Inc.