A path to perfection

Lent is the perfect time to grow closer to God through an examination of conscience and renewing our quest to “be perfect” (Matthew 5:48).  The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are a means, in conjunction with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance, of satisfying the temporal punishment due to sin and loving our neighbor as ourselves.  They are, in a nutshell, behaving in a Christ-like manner.  God, through His Holy Spirit, provides us with the opportunities every day to perform every one of them.  We just have to be aware of the circumstances He puts us in to obtain these graces. And the best way to become aware of these opportunities is to put aside at least part of our busy day (sometimes it can be less than 30 minutes a day) for prayer.  The rosary is a good start.  Reading a few verses of the Bible and reflecting on them is another. 

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Admonish sinners—Correction is sometimes as hard to give as it is to take.  It means standing up for moral principles at work, at school, in politics, or in the home.  It means taking the time to give needed correction, even discipline, especially to children whose minds are impressionable and whose wills are not yet steadfast in truth.

Instruct the uninformed—Not everyone can be a schoolteacher but taking time out to help a child with math or spelling or religion homework is instruction as well.  So is "showing the ropes" to a new person at work, teaching CCD, and reminding oneself and one's family about basic morality.  In a Godless environment, a word about one's own religious values often leaves a thought-provoking impression on others.

Counsel the doubtful—As the saying goes, "Advice is cheap", but counsel implies something more loving.  It's a Christian approach to solving problems. Doubts about one's faith; about abortion, marriage, or questions arising from death or divorce do not need a brush-off with a lame excuse.  Doubts need direction in the Christian point of view, solicited or not.

Comfort the sorrowful—Sorrow and suffering take many forms.  How much death, divorce, grave illness, unemployment, family problems, mental distress, or surgery afflict the people around us and yet go unnoticed without so much as kind word, without so much as a whispered prayer?  Sometimes giving a sympathetic ear or just "being with" a sorrowing person is a great act of mercy.

Bear wrongs patiently—Patience, the bane of a world that hurries only to have to stand in line.  Strive for patience with the small child's constant prattling or the chronic complaints of the elderly.  Try patience with the slowness of the freeway traffic or the drudgery of a job.  Maintain patience with those who never say a kind word, with those whose nagging puts your teeth on edge.  Have patience with your own personal pain and suffering; don't add to the griping around you.

Forgive Offenses—Forgive the sharp criticism, the angry retort so easily and thoughtlessly said.  Physical injuries heal faster than mental or spiritual ones; dwelling on a wrong only increases its size, breeding hatred (Proverbs 10:12), the antithesis of Christ's love.  Injuries, voluntary or involuntary, are inescapable; forgiveness heals them.

Pray for the living and the dead—It’s impossible to physically aid the many people, even those in our own families, who need our help.  But we can reach out to them in prayer.  All people, dead or alive, benefit from a remembrance in prayer, including those praying.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry—There are many people in this world who go without food.  When so much of our food goes to waste, good stewardship practices of our own food habits can benefit others who do not have those same resources.  I try to remember what Pope Francis said on June 5, 2013 about the ‘culture of waste’ in some countries; “Wasting food is like stealing from the poor.”

Give drink to the thirsty—Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have access to clean water and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity.  We should support the efforts of those working towards greater accessibility of this essential resource.

Clothe the naked—So many in our society need basic protection from the weather, not to mention the sense of dignity one gets from having clean, presentable clothing.  How many of us have clothing that we have outgrown, or that we no long wear simply because it’s ‘out of style’?     

Shelter the homeless—There are many circumstances that could lead to someone becoming a person without a home.  There are millions of children and families who are on the move, fleeing from war, illness, hunger and impossible living conditions, and searching for peace and safety. Christ encourages us to go out and meet those without homes, affirming their worth and helping them seek a resolution to the challenges they face.

Visit the sick—Those who are sick are often forgotten or avoided.  In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them.  Take a chance!

Visit the imprisoned—People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God.  No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ.

Bury the dead—Funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times.  Through our prayers and actions during these times we show our respect for life, which is always a gift from God, and comfort to those who mourn.