The Works of Mercy

 

THE WORKS OF MERCY

The connection between almsgiving and the works of mercy is semantic. “Alms” derives from the Greek word for “mercy” or eleos. According to Oxford Languages, the word originates from Latin eleemosyna, from Greek eleēmosunē “compassion,” from eleēmōn “compassionate,” eleos “mercy.”

The almsgiving of the Lenten season embraces the works of mercy of the Roman Catholic Church.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference gives us an informative account of the origins of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

“The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise. They ‘are charitable actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs’ (US Catholic Catechism for Adults). They respond to the basic needs of humanity as we journey together through this life.”

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/the-corporal-works-of-mercy

—“The Corporal Works of Mercy,” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

“The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and spiritual writers throughout history. Just as Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to ‘help our neighbor in their spiritual needs’ (US Catholic Catechism for Adults).”

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/the-spiritual-works-of-mercy

—“The Spiritual Works of Mercy,” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

At least three parables of Jesus directly link the practice of the works of mercy to individual salvation.

The Good Samaritan

Dives and Lazarus

The sheep and the goats

The Good Samaritan

The connection between individual salvation and this parable is not apparent unless we investigate its preface in the lawyer’s challenge to Jesus.

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25-29)

At this point, Jesus answers by narrating the parable censuring the conduct of the priest and the Levite and elevating that of the Samaritan who shows compassion to the roadside victim of robbers.

Dives and Lazarus

Notably, Dives is condemned not for any violation of the Decalogue—he was not, at least in the parable, guilty of murder, adultery, or theft, for example. Dives is committed to the eternal punishment of hell for his indifference to Lazarus, who represents the poor.

He cried out, “Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.” Abraham replied, “My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.” (Luke 16:24-26)

The sheep and the goats

“The king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’

He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’

And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

—Matthew 25:34-46

We cannot imagine how Jesus could be any more explicit.

Corporal Works of Mercy

 

Feed the hungry

Give Drink to the thirsty

Shelter the homeless

Visit the sick

Visit the prisoners

Bury the dead

Give alms to the poor

Spiritual Works of Mercy

 

Counseling the doubtful

Instructing the ignorant

Admonishing the sinner

Comforting the sorrowful

Forgiving injuries

Bearing wrongs patiently

Praying for the living and the dead

It’s rather obvious how the corporal works of mercy constitute almsgiving, but it’s not as apparent for the spiritual works of mercy—for this reason, the latter call for more prayer and reflection in order to understand them and put them into effect.