Year of Mercy Reflection

Friday, Nov. 04, 2016

Catholics often review the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy for inspired ways to give. These wonderful, concise road maps are a guide to treating others as Christ instructs: “...  whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

All of the spiritual acts (the most important acts) and some of the corporal acts can be seen primarily as one-on-one actions; ones that are best imparted intimately. When contemplating feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked, things are not as clear. Do you find someone and take them to buy clothes? How do you shelter the homeless with no spare room? Will what you buy be appropriate for the hungry person you find?

You can easily complete a blackout on your corporal mercy bingo card by joining a team. Groups such as the Knights of Columbus and the Council of Catholic Women, as well as entities like Catholic Community Services and others, can help by pooling your time and resources with others’ so clothes, beds, and food are properly and equitably distributed. 

Participate in the actual distribution of what you helped accumulate. Jesus did not tell you to hand over your money to someone so they can give it to someone and they will help the needy. Coming face to face with the beneficiaries of your generosity is a surefire way of helping them again and again. Mercy of this sort is the best possible addiction. Being part of an organized group can help too, by having regularly scheduled activities to collect resources and the experience and connections to continue to provide over many years. 

By learning from those who came before you and teaching those who will follow, you will be a link in a strong chain, spreading in an ever-widening arc the mercy of Christ to those most in need.