Spiritual Works of Mercy--Part II--Lenten Reflections

It's pretty obvious to me that God, through His Holy Spirit, provides us with the opportunities every day to perform every one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy we are examining. 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.

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Now, continuing in the series on the Works of Mercy:


Comfort the Sorrowful--Sorrow and suffering take many forms: death, divorce, grave illness, unemployment ( a very big sorrow these days), family problems, mental distress, surgery. How many of these sorrows 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 (Let me be clear here--these examples are only examples and not a reflection of my personal life--I consider both my granddaughter and my mother as personal gifts from God and not reasons for impatience!). Try patience with the slowness of the freeway traffic or the drudgery of a job. (OK, these are my personal areas of opportunity!) Maintain patience with those who never say a kind word, with those whose nagging puts your teeth on edge. Have patience wtih 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 (Prov 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 is 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.


Next up: The Corporal Works of Mercy