Living Mercy first edition
Living the Works of Mercy
Before I begin writing on the challenges of living mercy in the modern world, I will first cite my sources and influences guiding my writing. In the modern world much conversation and preaching is avoided for fear of being viewed as getting political. The Catholic Church is criticized for both speaking and not speaking at certain times. The fact is that the Church has long spoken and much is documented but unknown or not wanted to be known. Simple words or actions of Christian faith can be quickly labeled socialist, marxist, leftist, communist, political, conservative, liberal, nihilist, or a variety of many labels mostly to argue and shut down conversation. Those labels describe forced behaviors removing freedom of choice which the Catholic Church does not endorse. Catholic teaching is based on the following sources and much more not mentioned here rooted in behaviors responding in love from love. The Catholic Church is founded on freely giving all of one's self. Let’s start here before we evolve into topics of today's world. Where this conversation or topic is forced then it becomes an argument. This is preaching and teaching on the opportunity of free will giving oneself based on the entirety of Catholic Church wisdom and understanding. This cannot contain the fullness, but offer an overview to begin deeper exploration of what discipleship in Jesus Christ is. A fuller depth of teaching is found in the Magisterium of the Church. This is but a brief introduction to towards the fullness.
We live in a broken world with many conflicts subject to review on many levels. We begin with the beginning before we dive into current events. Much of understanding mercy begins with our very own need for the mercy needed upon us. When we believe that we are beyond needing mercy then we are already acknowledging our very need and this message is already lost on us. When we seek mercy on our souls the we have then truly begun the journey of understanding.
Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
—so that you may be able to discover what is God’s will,
what is good, pleasing and perfect.
You must be renewed in mind and spirit,
and put on the new man.
—So that you may be able to discover what is God’s will,
what is good, pleasing and perfect.
From the second letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthans
5:1-21
The hope for a heavenly dwelling. The ministry of reconciliation.
We know that when the earthly tent in which we dwell is destroyed we have a dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling in the heavens, not made by hands but to last forever. We groan while we are here, even as we yearn to have our heavenly habitation envelop us. This it will, provided we are found clothed and not naked. While we live in our present tent we groan; we are weighed down because we do not wish to be stripped naked but rather to have the heavenly dwelling envelop us, so that what is mortal may be absorbed by life. God has fashioned us for this very thing and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of it.
Therefore we continue to be confident. We know that while we dwell in the body we are away from the Lord. We walk by faith, not by sight. I repeat, we are full of confidence and would much rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. This being so, we make it our aim to please him whether we are with him or away from him. The lives of all of us are to be revealed before the tribunal of Christ so that each one may receive his recompense, good or bad, according to his life in the body.
Standing in awe of the Lord we try to persuade men, but what we are is known to God. I hope that it is also known to you in your consciences. We shall not begin to recommend ourselves to you again, but we are giving you an opportunity to boast about us so that you may have something to say to those who take pride in external appearances, and not in what lies in the heart. Indeed, if we are ever caught up out of ourselves, God is the reason; and when we are brought back to our senses, it is for your sakes. The love of Christ impels us who have reached the conviction that since one died for all, all died. He died for all so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who for their sakes died and was raised up.
Because of this we no longer look on anyone in terms of mere human judgment. If at one time we so regarded Christ, we no longer know him by this standard. This means that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new! All this has been done by God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. I mean that God, in Christ, was reconciling the world to himself, not counting men’s transgressions against them, and that he has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us. This makes us ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God! For our sakes God made him who did not know sin, to be sin, so that in him we might become the very holiness of God.
Rooted in the first prayer that Jewish children learn, The Shema, we find the core of the Works of Mercy in Deuteronomy 6:5.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Building upon The Shema we hear from Jesus on the two greatest commandments in Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
Romans 8:8-13 further expounds upon how love is greater than the law.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 instructs us what love is.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
John 15:13 using fewer words shares the greatest extent of love.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.
James 1:19-27 Doers of the Word
Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Matthew 23:23 expresses harsh words from Jesus to leaders of his time and ours.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
From The Pastoral Guide, by Pope St Gregory the Great we hear where preaching and teaching falls short.
A spiritual guide should be silent when discretion requires and speak when words are of service. Otherwise he may say what he should not or be silent when he should speak. Indiscreet speech may lead men into error and an imprudent silence may leave in error those who could have been taught. Pastors who lack foresight hesitate to say openly what is right because they fear losing the favor of men. As the voice of truth tells us, such leaders are not zealous pastors who protect their flocks, rather they are like mercenaries who flee by taking refuge in silence when the wolf appears.
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph 4:15).
Wisdom on when and how the Catholic Church Speaks
Start with Homilies on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel by St. Gregory the Great
- Prophetic Preaching, Book 1, 9th, 10th, & 11th Homilies (fuller overview)
- Better scandal than truth suppressed, Book 1, 7th Homily, 5
- When and How to preach, Book 1, 11th Homily, 9-17 (condensed view)
- The Square Stone that doesn't falter in conflict, Book 2, Homily #10
A square stone equally balanced in faith, hope, charity, works, prudence, temperance, steadfastness, and righteousness
From the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church we find the works of mercy defined
2447. "The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
Biblical sources for the Works of Mercy
Corporal Works of Mercy
(Care for the bodily needs of others)
Feed the Hungry
Matthew 25:35 — “For I was hungry and you gave me food…”
Isaiah 58:7 — “Share your bread with the hungry…”
John 6:1–14 — The multiplication of the loaves
Give Drink to the Thirsty
Matthew 25:35 — “I was thirsty and you gave me drink…”
John 4:7–15 — Jesus and the Samaritan woman
Isaiah 55:1
Clothe the Naked
Matthew 25:36 — “Naked and you clothed me…”
Isaiah 58:7 — “When you see the naked, to clothe them”
James 2:15–16
Shelter the Homeless
Matthew 25:35 — “A stranger and you welcomed me”
Leviticus 19:34 — Love the stranger as yourself
Hebrews 13:2
Visit the Sick
Matthew 25:36 — “Ill and you cared for me”
Sirach 7:35 — “Do not fail those who weep”
James 5:14–15
Visit the Imprisoned
Matthew 25:36 — “In prison and you visited me”
Hebrews 13:3 — “Remember those who are in prison”
Acts 12:5–17
Bury the Dead
Tobit 1:16–18; 2:7–9 — Tobit buries the dead
Sirach 38:16
Genesis 23:1–20
Spiritual Works of Mercy
(Care for the soul and spiritual needs of others)
Instruct the Ignorant
Matthew 28:19–20 — “Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you”
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
2 Timothy 3:16
Counsel the Doubtful
James 5:19–20
Galatians 6:1
Acts 18:26
Admonish the Sinner
Luke 17:3 — “If your brother sins, rebuke him”
Matthew 18:15
Ezekiel 33:7–9
Bear Wrongs Patiently
1 Peter 2:19–23
Colossians 3:12–13
Matthew 5:39
Forgive Offenses Willingly
Matthew 18:21–22
Matthew 6:14–15
Ephesians 4:32
Comfort the Afflicted
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
Isaiah 61:1–3
Romans 12:15
Pray for the Living and the Dead
2 Maccabees 12:44–46
1 Timothy 2:1
Job 42:10
From a Sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles, bishop
(Sermo 25,1:CCL 103, 111-112)
Divine and human mercy
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. My brothers and sisters, sweet is the thought of mercy, but even more so is mercy itself. It is what all men hope for, but unfortunately, not what all men deserve. For while all men wish to receive it, only a few are willing to give it.
How can a man ask for himself what he refuses to give to another? If he expects to receive any mercy in heaven, he should give mercy on earth. Do we all desire to receive mercy? Let us make mercy our patroness now, and she will free us in the world to come. Yes, there is mercy in heaven, but the road to it is paved by our merciful acts on earth. As Scripture says: Lord, your mercy is in heaven.
There is, therefore, an earthly as well as heavenly mercy, that is to say, a human and a divine mercy. Human mercy has compassion on the miseries of the poor. Divine mercy grants forgiveness of sins. Whatever human mercy bestows here on earth, divine mercy will return to us in our homeland. In this life God feels cold and hunger in all who are stricken with poverty; for, remember, he once said: What you have done to the least of my brothers you have done to me. Yes, God who sees fit to give his mercy in heaven wishes it to be a reality here on earth.
What kind of people are we? When God gives, we wish to receive, but when he begs, we refuse to give. Remember, it was Christ who said: I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. When the poor are starving, Christ too hungers. Do not neglect to improve the unhappy conditions of the poor, if you wish to ensure that your own sins be forgiven you. Christ hungers now, my brethren; it is he who deigns to hunger and thirst in the persons of the poor. And what he will return in heaven tomorrow is what he receives here on earth today.
What do you wish for, what do you pray for, my dear brothers and sisters, when you come to church? Is it mercy? How can it be anything else? Show mercy, then, while you are on earth, and mercy will be shown to you in heaven. A poor person asks you for something; you ask God for something. He begs for a morsel of food; you beg for eternal life. Give to the beggar so that you may merit to receive from Christ. For he it is who says: Give and it will be given to you. It baffles me that you have the impudence to ask for what you do not want to give. Give when you come to church. Give to the poor. Give them whatever your resources will allow.
Compendium of Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
Exhaustive teaching with cited sources.
St John Chrysostom’s On Wealth and Poverty
A series of Homilies on Lazarus and the Rich Man. An examination of our conscience.
Happy are You Poor by FrThomas Dubay
The Mission of the Redeemer REDEMPTORIS MISSIO by St. Pope John Paull II
St. Faustina Kowalska Diary Message on Mercy
God’s Mercy Is Greater Than All Sin
No sin is too great to be forgiven if a soul trusts in Jesus. Christ repeatedly told St. Faustina that even the greatest sinners have the greatest right to His mercy.
Trust in Jesus Is the Key
The central response God asks of humanity is trust. The words “Jesus, I trust in You” summarize the entire devotion and are essential for receiving mercy.
Mercy Is for the Whole World
Divine Mercy is not limited to individuals but is offered to all humanity, especially in times of great moral and spiritual crisis.
The Image of Divine Mercy
Jesus requested an image showing Him with two rays from His Heart—red and pale—symbolizing Blood and Water, the sacraments of the Church and the life of grace.
The Feast of Divine Mercy
Celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, Jesus promised extraordinary graces, including complete forgiveness of sins and punishment, to those who receive the sacraments and trust in His mercy.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Given as a powerful prayer for mercy, especially for sinners and the dying. Jesus promised that those who pray it will obtain great mercy at the hour of death.
The Hour of Mercy (3:00 PM)
At the hour of Christ’s death, souls are invited to pause briefly to contemplate His Passion and ask for mercy for themselves and the world.
Mercy Must Be Lived
Mercy is not only to be received but shown. Jesus taught that mercy must be practiced through deeds, words, and prayer, with no exceptions.
Mercy and Justice Are United
God’s justice flows from His mercy. Before Christ returns as a just judge, He offers humanity this time of mercy.
Intercession for Sinners
St. Faustina was repeatedly called to suffer, pray, and intercede for sinners, emphasizing the Christian duty to pray for the salvation of others.
Saint Pope John Paul II summary of St Faustina’s message from Jesus
Trust in God (Jesus, I trust in You), especially in moments of suffering, sin, and fear
Receiving mercy, particularly through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist
Practicing mercy, by concrete acts of love toward others in words, deeds, and prayer
Fr Michael Gaitley book and videos
Fathers of Mercy
Pope Leo XIV in Dilexi Te Nos reference for Saints of Mercy
Modern world teaching on love of the poor including references to long history of Christian / Catholic lived examples of humans manifesting mercy.
Saint Francis of Assisi — famed for his radical embrace of poverty and solidarity with the poor.
Saint Stephen — the first martyr, example of service.
Saint Lawrence — deacon who famously said “These are the treasures of the Church.”
Saint Ignatius of Antioch — early Church father preaching charity.
Saint Polycarp — early Church father advocating care for the needy.
Saint Justin Martyr — early apologist teaching mercy.
Saint John Chrysostom — major preacher on social justice.
Saint Augustine — emphasized love for the poor as part of Christian life.
Saint Cyprian — example of pastoral care and mercy.
Saint John of God — founder of hospitals and care for the sick.
Saint Camillus de Lellis — founder of the Camillians serving the sick.
Saint Louise de Marillac — Daughters of Charity co‑founder, care for the poor.
Saint Basil the Great — monastic leader integrating hospitality for the needy.
Saint Benedict — monastic founder with care for neighbors.
Saint John of Matha — co‑founder of the Trinitarians.
Saint Felix of Valois — co‑founder of the Trinitarian Order.
Saint Peter Nolasco — founder of the Mercedarians.
Saint Raymond of Peñafort — Dominican known for charity work.
Saint Clare of Assisi — Poor Clares founder, model of evangelical poverty.
Saint Dominic de Guzmán — founder of the Dominicans, preaching with a life of poverty.
Saint Joseph Calasanz — founder of the Piarists (education of the poor).
Saint Marcellin Champagnat — founder of the Marist Brothers (education for poor youth).
Saint John Baptist Scalabrini — champion of migrants.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini — missionary to migrants and founder of schools/hospitals.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) — universal icon of charity to the poorest.
Saint Dulce of the Poor — Brazilian saint known for care of the destitute.
Saint Benedict Menni — hospital caregiver and founder of religious hospitaller service.
Saint Charles de Foucauld — contemplative missionary among the poor.
Saint Katharine Drexel — advocate for underprivileged peoples in North America.
Saint Oscar Romero — martyr known for standing with the poor and oppressed.
Saint John Paul II — pope promoting the preferential option for the poor.
Saint Gregory the Great — Church father with concern for the needy.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus — Cappadocian father teaching Christian charity.
Others to be named later
Obstacles to Living the Works of Mercy
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Only seeing the shadows of true existence
Follow with St Augustine’s Divine illumination of the Sun
Legal and Employment Conditions
aversion to conflict
legal risk mitigation
protection of privacy
Not authorized to speak
HIPPA
Political neutrality
Political bias
Grassroots compassion and bureaucracy fatigue leading to clinical depression of on the ground staff
Original Sin
Catechism definition
Vices & Virtues
vices what blinds us
Virtues what guides us
Concupiscience
Catechism definition
Gal.5:23-25
My brothers, remember that you have been called to live in freedom—but not a freedom that gives free rein to the flesh. Out of love, place yourselves at one another’s service. The whole law has found its fulfillment in this one saying: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If you go on biting and tearing one another to pieces, take care! You will end up in mutual destruction!
My point is that you should live in accord with the spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh. The flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh; the two are directly opposed. This is why you do not do what your will intends. If you are guided by the spirit, you are not under the law.
It is obvious what proceeds from the flesh: lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I have warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
In contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity. Against such there is no law! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the spirit, let us follow the spirit’s lead.
Seven Deadly Sins
Catechism definition
‘Ism’s
1. Atheism
2. Humanism
3. Materialism
4. Relativism
5. Secularism
6. Consumerism / Capitalism (when idolized)
7. Religious Pluralism (as ideology)
8. Communism / Marxism (in certain contexts)
9. Nationalism / Extreme Patriotism
10. Rationalism / Scientism
11. Environmental Extremism
12. ProTechnologism / Transhumanismpulism / Cult of Personality
13. Others to be named later
Countering the ‘Ism’s
Start by reading the writings of Dr. Peter Kreeft.
Dr. Peter Kreeft will point us in the philosophical direction and cite critical sources of reference.
Current to modern challenges
Warnings of being wary of false speech
Romans 16:18 “By their smooth and plausible speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.”
2 Peter 2:1–3 “In their greed they will exploit you with false words.”
James 3:14–16 “If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition… this is not wisdom that comes from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”
Proverbs 6:16–19 “There are six things the LORD hates… a lying tongue… a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads discord among kindred.”
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves.”
Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator.”
Dunning-Krueger effect
(not of Catholic or Christian origin but behavioral science)
The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where people with low ability or knowledge in a topic overestimate how good they are at it, while people with high ability often underestimate themselves.
In short:
Beginners don’t know enough to recognize their own mistakes, so they feel overly confident.
Experts know how complex the subject really is, so they’re more cautious about their abilities.
It happens because the skills needed to do something well are often the same skills needed to judge performance accurately. When those skills are missing, self-assessment breaks down.
A classic pattern looks like this:
Initial confidence spike (“I’ve got this!”)
Reality check as knowledge grows (“Wow, this is harder than I thought.”)
Gradual confidence recovery with real competence and humility
The effect shows up in everyday life—work, politics, social media, religion, and education—especially where strong opinions are rewarded more than careful learning.
A practical takeaway: confidence isn’t proof of competence, and humility plus learning is usually a better signal of wisdom.
Spiritually speaking, the Dunning–Kruger effect shows up as a form of false self-knowledge—thinking we are wiser, holier, or more enlightened than we actually are.
Across spiritual traditions, this pattern is warned against:
1. Pride disguised as insight
When someone has a little spiritual knowledge or a few powerful experiences, it’s easy to assume “I see clearly now”. But limited understanding can inflate confidence, leading to judgment of others, rigidity, or spiritual arrogance.
2. Humility as true wisdom
As spiritual maturity grows, awareness of one’s own limits grows too. Saints, monks, and mystics often describe themselves as beginners even late in life—not out of false modesty, but because deeper truth reveals greater mystery.
3. Blindness to one’s own faults
The effect explains why people can sincerely believe they are righteous while acting unjustly. Without interior examination, prayer, or guidance, the soul lacks the “skill” to accurately assess itself.
4. Scripture echoes this insight
“If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.” (1 Cor 8:2)
“Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12)
“The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.” (Prov 9:10)
5. The spiritual antidote
Regular self-examination
Openness to correction
Obedience to truth beyond the self
Silence, prayer, and learning
Spiritually, the Dunning–Kruger effect reminds us that confidence without humility is dangerous, and that genuine wisdom often sounds quieter, slower, and more compassionate.
The Need for Spiritual Direction and Counsel
The Purgative Way
The Illumitive Way
The Unitive Way
Awareness to our surroundings
We live in a land of excess
We have at our easy disposal all temptations
We easily attach to temptations
Success is our culture is fulfilling earthly temptations (see vices)
Pursuing culturally normal success is directly contrary to the two greatest commandments. See Mark 12:30
Accumulations and possessions become our god, our meaning, and our joy.
Much of modern life is not in line with living mercy.
We have normalized living vice filled lives yet proclaiming to be seeking God in our faith. We have hardly started for we are lost in ungodly behavior. See Lazuras and the Rich Man.
Can we humbly ask God to show us where we love wealth more than Him? See scripture on challenges between loving God and mammon.
Can we humbly ask God to show us where our pursuit of comfort and pleasure are distractions from seeking to love God and others?