Those who will come have for some time been called, chosen and prepared by me. They will quickly feel at home, and amongst themselves it will seem as though they had always known and loved each other.
Blue Book #17e
If I am pure of heart, I see God in everyone. Once I see God in them, I respect them, I love them. I will not use any person for my own end, so I might be satisfied physically or emotionally, and then drop the person like a rag doll when I am through fulfilling my needs.
Grace in Every Season (January 26)
I find that society’s concept of love is very skewed. It’s either a totally self gratifying feeling, or a wishy washy, fake nice-y- nice, acceptance of everything.
This is not what we are called to as Christians. We are called to the type of love that Jesus has for us, a self sacrificing love, that is lived out in the service of the other, desiring only what is truly best for them… it’s motto is ‘what can I do for you’ not ‘what can you do for me’. And this doing for others, this place of service that we come to… may not always look lovey-lovey to the world or to the recipient even. We are to love in truth.
It comes forth from our own union with Jesus, and is helped and guided by the Holy Spirit through the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As a Mother, it’s her priority to provide for, instruct and gather her children into one body… that of her very own Son!
Then in turn that becomes our very own mission too, our every single action should be guided toward helping that soul that we are in contact with at the moment, to heaven.
The Catholic Church gives us a list of what is expected of us. Some of us are more called to one set of works vs. another because we all have different gifts. As we live out our own faith, different opportunities will present themselves. We need to start with those closest to us. Our spouses, our children… then on from there.
The Corporal Works of Mercy
The Corporal Works of Mercy are acts of love that address the physical and material needs of others. The Corporal Works of Mercy are:
- Feed the hungry.
- Give drink to the thirsty.
- Clothe the naked.
- Visit the imprisoned.
- Shelter the homeless.
- Visit the sick.
- Bury the dead.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Spiritual Works of Mercy address the needs of peoples’ minds, hearts, and souls. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are:
- Admonish the sinner. (Give correction to those who need it.)
- Instruct the ignorant. (Share our knowledge with others.)
- Counsel the doubtful. (Give advice to those who need it.)
- Comfort the sorrowful. (Comfort those who suffer.)
- Bear wrongs patiently. (Be patient with others.)
- Forgive all injuries. (Forgive those who hurt us.)
- Pray for the living and the dead.