Poverty




2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.241 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.

242 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:243
<Catechism of the Catholic Church



The Lord has distributed His gifts and graces among His children, none to be kept to themselves but to be put to good use in service of His Church, the Body of Christ. Some of us are more equipped according to our personalities and life experience, for the spiritual works of mercy and others for the corporal.

It reminds me of Martha and Mary, both greatly loved Jesus but each showed it in very different ways. We may even at times be tempted to do like Martha did and look down on or even be jealous of our brothers and sisters who serve differently from us. That would be a grave mistake though. We are all needed and essentially all we need to do is …yes…pray and obey! Be YOU! The best version of you aided by His grace! Only look to others to see how you can help.

The following story explains well our need for each other —> The Long Handle Spoons