For Love of God and Neighbor: Living The Works of Mercy

Love God. Love your neighbor. Do works of mercy.

This booklet introduces you to the Church's traditional list of corporal (physical) and spiritual works of mercy, as well as some of the people who put them into practice. It also gives you insight into the reasons why we perform these works of mercy and offers helpful suggestions on how to practice these works of mercy in your own lives.

The works of mercy are not optional for Christians. At the end of time, we'll be judged on whether or not we put mercy into action - so says Matthew 25:31-46. And Jesus said to St. Faustina, "I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first - by deed, the second - by word, the third - by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy" (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 742; see also 1317). Work for God. Work mercy.