Courtesy of Sally Davies sallydaviesphoto.com
How we live is just as important as the work we do, because it really is possible to gain the whole world, look fabulous, and lose our soul; something we do by not caring about anyone, including ourselves. The work of creating a merciful lifestyle is what the whole world is called to do in order to let peace begin on earth, and it really does begin with each one of us.
Works of Mercy
In Catholic Grade School I learned about "works of mercy" and two ways to develop a merciful lifestyle. There are Corporal Works of Mercy and Spiritual Works of Mercy; works that care for the body and works that care for the soul; all of which help develop a merciful lifestyle.
Becoming Merciful
Corporal Works of Mercy include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, offering shelter to the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and honoring the dead.
Spiritual Works of Mercy are those which teach the uneducated, counsel the confused, offer compassion to those who do wrong, bear unkindness patiently, forgive offenses willingly, comfort the afflicted, and pray for the living and dead. Those are the how-to’s of a merciful lifestyle; a list for living the good life.
Hear the Cry
The world is full of those in need of mercy, and we don't need to go far to find them. They may be neighbor, friend, family, co-worker, even total strangers.
When the world cries out for mercy, our soul cries out for us to be merciful; if we listen faithfully and follow. If we bring forth merciful works from within us, those works will grant us mercy; just as the refusal to be merciful will surely destroy us. Cultivating a merciful lifestyle is key to living the good life. Try it. I bet you’ll like it.
Until next week think about this: "The Province of The Saved Should be the Art – to Save.” --Emily Dickinson
Karol Jackowski, Ph.D., became a nun in 1964. She's also been a college administrator, graduate of New York University, manager of a toy store, author of eight books, painter of religious folk art, and sister to everyone she meets. Please visit her website at KarolJackowski.com.
From: Veronica Hargrove | 10/14/10 at 1:14 pm
YOU ARE DOING YOUR SPIRITUAL WORK OF MERCY....COMFORTING THE AFFLICTED. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
From: Today: From pennies to turkeys. « | 10/22/10 at 3:05 pm
[...] On Mercy: I love Sister Karol Jackowski’s posts for Whole Living [...]
From: Karol Jackowski -- author | 10/22/10 at 4:43 pm
...and Sister Karol Jackowski loves that you read the posts...
From: Yanita Rowan | 10/27/10 at 10:16 am
I have such trouble finding Sister Karol's posts on this site. If it wasn't for her sending it to me directly, I wouldn't be able to find it. I have tried under the heading of "spiritual" and other "balance" headings and also have tried just to search her by name on this site but all to no avail.
What gives?