Spiritual Perspectives
Works of Mercy

By Thomas E. Richtsmeier
Special to The Indedpendent

"I had [met] religious people in church, but I did not see anyone taking off his coat and giving it to the Poor. I didn't see anyone having a banquet and calling in the lame and the blind... I wanted, though I did not know it then, a synthesis I wanted life, and I wanted abundant life!
— Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness p. 39. 1952

Near the end of Matthew's Gospel, there is a striking parable on the Last Judgment (Matt 25:31- 46). Those invited into the Kingdom, curiously are not welcomed in because of professed faith, religious services attended, prayers recited, or Bible passages memorized. Without mention of religion, creed, or belief, the Son of Man invites those described as "I was hungry and you gave me food, naked and you clothed me, a stranger and you made me welcome...." Surprised, the invited ask when did they so treat the Great King? He responds that "in so far as you did this to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." All together, there are listed six acts of mercy. And those not called in, that is the goats on the left, are not invited because they did not offer such kindnesses.

The early Apostolic Christian community seems to have taken this very seriously, and is described as selling goods and possessions and distributing the proceeds to anyone in need (Acts 2:42-7, 3:32- 35). The Letters of John and James also made it clear that such good deeds must naturally flow from the new faith of salvation (James 2:17 , 1 John 3:17-18). St. Basil the Great (d. 379), one of the Fathers of the early Church said, "The bread you retain belongs to the hungry. The extra clothes you lock in your closet belong to the naked." Reflecting on the Hebrew Scriptures and their own experiences, the early Church eventually added eight more of such efficacious acts, until there were 14; seven "corporal" and seven "spiritual" acts of mercy.

Although faith and works came to be a part of the battleground of the Reformation, John Wesley believed strongly in the "works of mercy." He purposely lived them, and they found their way into many of his writings and sermons, especially when his topic was the Sermon on the Mount.

Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was an American woman who sought a way to express her faith in a generous God. She decided to take the works of mercy literally, and made it her life's work. Day did not consider this "charity"; she felt mercy had two parts, the opportunity to love and demand of justice, both God's idea of how we must treat one another. These are the Works of Mercy:

Corporal Works of Mercy:
1. To feed the hungry;
2. To give drink to the thirsty;
3. To clothe the naked;
4. To visit the imprisoned;
5. To harbor the homeless;
6. To visit the sick;
7. To buy the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy:
1. To admonish the sinner;
2. To instruct the ignorant;
3. To counsel the doubtful;
4. To comfort the sorrowful;
5. To bear wrongs patiently;
6. To forgive offences willingly;
7. To pray for the living and the dead.

Usually, each day serves up at least one situation where a person can reach out to someone in pain or in need. First Lady Barbara Bush has said, "Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others." Nearly anyone who takes a little risk from their comfort zone and offers such a kindness, is surprised at how powerful and meaningful such an action is. Mother Teresa said she could see the face of Christ in the poor she served. While there are con men out there, grace usually protects the beginner. Addiction is a special situation that should prompt caution.

I want to emphasize that faith and religious services are essential; they are the basis for the desire to share mercy. Indeed, most churches in Gallup make it a point to practice the works of mercy. Many volunteer agencies and non-profit organizations, such as the Community Pantry and CARE 66, offer many opportunities to experience these special occasions of grace.

Thomas E. Richtsmeier is a physician in Gallup. He is also president of CARE 66 and is a deacon at Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish. He can be contacted at tom.care66@gmail.com.

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.