The Corporal Works of Mercy

1. Feed the hungry Our Lord lists six in Matt. 25:31-46
2. Give drink to the thirsty The seventh was a practice of the Christian
3. Clothe the naked. community especially in relation to the
4. Visit the imprisoned. recovery and burial of the bodies of the
5. Shelter the homeless. martyrs which were thrown into the street
6. Visit the sick. after they were killed. See also the burial of
7. Bury the dead. Jesus in Matt. 27: 57-61.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

1.Admonish the sinner. Proverbs 28: 23

2. Instruct the ignorant. 1 Ezra 7: 25

3. Counsel the doubtful. Jude1:23; 1 Peter 3:15

4. Comfort the sorrowful. John 21: 19-38

5. Bear wrongs patiently. Hebrews 12: 1-4

6. Forgive all injuries. Matthew 6: 12, 28: 21-22

7. Pray for the living and the dead. James 5:16, 2 Maccabees 12: 38-46

All the ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others are true works of mercy if done in the name of Christ.

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