23rd February 2014 - Reaching out to our neighbours: corporal & spiritual works of mercy (a repeat) - 7th Sunday in Ordinary time Year A

As most of our Limerick/Irish listeners will be aware, last weekend was rather a stormy weekend across the island of Ireland and WL102fm in Newcastle West was no exception with some disruption to the regular broadcasting of the station. As a result last weeks programme didn't go out on air (although we did manage to get it out via the blog), so this week John and Lorraine are repeating the section of the programme on reaching out to our neighbours with Lorraines reflection on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.We have our regular reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel for the 7th Sunday in ordinary time as well as some other liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to this weeks programme HERE.

Reaching out to our Neighbours: the corporal and spiritual works of mercy



Older listeners will remember lists of things to be learnt off as part of their cathechism - 10 commandments, 7 deadly sins, 8 beatitudes, 4 cardinal virtues, 3 theological vitures, 7 sacraments, 12 fruits and 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc etc

This week Lorraine reflects on mercy and reaching out to our neighbours focusing on the corporal and spiritual Works of Mercy which are actions we can perform that extend God’s compassion and mercy to those in need.

Could mercy be the trademark for Catholicism? After all, we share much of our faith with other Christians, even with Jews and Muslims. We even share many things that make up our faith with all people of goodwill everywhere. But the works of mercy—those really are uniquely Catholic. Perhaps that’s why Pope John Paul II named the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. In this Update we’ll take a look at what mercy means, and then how our corporal and spiritual works of mercy flow from mercy itself: God’s grace in our lives.

Continue reading HERE.
 
The Corporal Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy are those that tend to bodily needs of others. In Matthew 25:34-40, six specific Works of Mercy are enumerated, although not this precise list — as the reason for the salvation of the saved, and the omission of them as the reason for damnation. The last work of mercy, burying the dead, comes from the Book of Tobit

• Feed the hungry
  
• Give drink to the thirsty
  
• Clothe the naked
  
• Shelter the homeless
  
• Visit the sick
  
• Visit the imprisoned
  
• Bury the dead
  

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Just as the Corporal Works of Mercy are directed towards relieving corporeal suffering, the even more important aim of the Spiritual Works of Mercy is to relieve spiritual suffering. The latter works are traditionally enumerated thus:

• Admonish the sinner
  
• Instruct the ignorant
  
• Counsel the doubtful
  
• Comfort the sorrowful
  
• Bear wrongs patiently
  
• Forgive all injuries
  
• Pray for the living and the dead

You can listen to the reflection extracted from the programme HERE.

Gospel - Matthew 5:38-48


The Second Mile by Michael Belk from Journeys with the Messiah

This week's Gospel includes Christ's call to "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." God demands that we go past the limits of human endeavors and strive for perfection in the moral life. It is easy? Of course not. That is why God provides grace to us.
The Second Mile: this image shows Jesus carrying the bag and rifle of a Nazi officer. ““Love your enemies as yourself. Pray for those who persecute you. Forgive people seventy times seven.” Jesus reminds us that, just as God forgives us, we are expected to do the same for others.”

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds and ends

Saints of the Week

February 24th - Blessed Tommaso Maria Fusco
February 25th - Saint Laurentius Bai Xiaoman
February 26th - St. Porphyry of Gaza
February 27th - St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
February 28th -  St. Oswald
March 1st - St David