The “Works of Mercy”

The “works of mercy,” both physical
and spiritual—giving help and
comfort to those in need, offering
forgiveness and tolerance—are
embodiments of the words spoken
by Christ himself in chapter 25 of
Matthew’s Gospel:
Come, you that are blessed by my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world: for
I was hungry and you gave me food, I
was thirsty and you gave me something
to drink, I was a stranger and you
welcomed me, I was naked and you gave
me clothing. I was sick and you took care
of me, I was in prison and you visited
me. Then the righteous will answer
him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you
hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and
gave you something to drink?” . . . And
the king will answer them, “Truly I tell
you, just as you did it to one of the least of
these who are members of my family,
you did it to me.”
—Matthew 25:34–40