Works of Mercy

Dearest Ones,

In 1925, Jesus appeared to a Polish nun, Sr. Faustina, and asked her to share the following message with all the world. "I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to come out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere." We have no choice - if we do not show mercy, we will not receive mercy from God. Just what is mercy?Mercy is showing forgiveness when it is totally undeserved. It is loving without hope of return, which means to love like Jesus. There are two kinds of mercy: Spiritual and Corporal (material) works of mercy. If you don't have enough money to help others with their bodily needs, which are the corporal works of mercy, then we can help them with the spiritual works of mercy, which means help them to save their souls. The spiritual works are the most important because they are concerned with eternal life. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, these are the Spiritual Works of Mercy: Correct Sinners. Correction is sometimes as hard to give as it is to take. It means standing up for what you believe at work, at school, in politics or in the home. It may cause you to lose friends. Parents correct their children because they do not yet know the truth. Children may correct their classmates by telling them what is right and wrong. Correcting others may send them on the road to heaven! Instruct the Ignorant. In a Godless environment, a word about one's own religious values may leave a lasting impression on others. Teaching religion and helping children with homework are ways of instructing the uninformed. Counsel the Doubtful. Counsel is giving loving advice. It is giving advice, which will lead another to heaven. If someone is in doubt, it is our Christian duty to set them straight. Some may think it is none of their business what others do, but our words may be the only way others know the truth. Yes, it is our business to help others to find the truth. Speak up! It may be we will be held accountable for what we don't say more so than what we have said. Jesus said to His followers, "He who hears you, hears me." (Luke 10:16)Comfort the Sorrowful. Sorrow can take may forms: death, divorce, illness, unemployment, family problems, mental distress, loneliness or surgery. Sometimes giving a sympathetic ear or just "being with" a sorrowing person is enough. It can make all the difference in the world and may prevent someone from committing suicide. A phone call, a letter, or an email only takes a few minutes, but may save a life. Bear Wrongs Patiently. Patience is needed for so many annoyances in this life. It's so hard to wait, to stand in line, to endure pain, to bear with a nagging spouse or a whining child. It takes a lot of patience to drive in freeway traffic or to put up with the drudgery of a boring job or no job at all. We will not get to heaven without patience. Jesus is the supreme example of patience, as he answered not a word when he was so falsely accused. Forgive Offenses. Everyone of us needs to forgive and be forgiven. If we did nothing else during Lent, except to forgive, we would be most pleasing to God. Physical injuries heal faster than mental ones. Constantly thinking about an unkind word can only cause you great unhappiness. When we hold a grudge it hurts us more than the person who hurt us. It keeps us awake at night, causes illness and gives bad example. We must be like Christ and show forgiveness, even when it seems so hard. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," were the words of Jesus on the Cross. You will be a lot happier. If you can't do it alone, ask Jesus to help you. Pray for the Living and the Dead. If we are incapable of helping others materially, we can reach out to them in prayer. Prayer is the greatest spiritual work of mercy. Let others know you are praying for them. If possible, pray with them right at the time of trouble, rather than saying you "will pray" in the future. You may forget all about it. Prayers do not need to be long and drawn out - short phrases, such as: "May Jesus heal you." or "St. Joseph, please find you a job." Praying for the souls in Purgatory is so important. Some day, each of us will be a poor soul standing in the need of prayer. It only takes a minute to say, "Jesus, please take so-and-so to heaven." We are responsible for helping others get to heaven. You may be sure if you help some poor souls get to heaven, they are not going to rest until you're there, too! Won't it be wonderful, if, when we die, there will be a whole army of souls running to meet us, saying, "You are responsible for getting us here! Thank you!" To give to those who cannot repay you is most pleasing to God. You don't have to be rich to do the Spiritual Works of Mercy and your charity will be rewarded forever. Not only that, here's the bonus: "Charity covers a multitude of sins!" (1 Peter 4:8)Sins are forgiven when we do works of charity! "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto Me."

Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful!
Sister Francelle