In celebration of the Lenten season, I have shared the 'Acts of Mercy' that Jesus Christ taught us by example during his time as a living son of God on earth.
Corporal Works of Mercy in Our Time is about showing compassion to those suffering physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in modern times and how we can help them live dignified lives and feel the love, care, and support of fellow brothers in Christ.
While the Corporal Works of Mercy focuses on the physiological needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, they also call us to practice other acts of mercy, the Spiritual Works of Mercy. These acts purify our souls and uplift our spirits, leading to profound spiritual growth through service.
To instruct the ignorant and counsel the doubtful
As Christians, we are called to reach out to others and guide them towards Jesus Christ. Our journey often begins with a catechism study in our Parish, a first step in understanding and practicing the faith passed on to us by our parents and ancestors.
In our society today, we may see a lot of street children, orphans, and out-of-school youth who may not receive proper guidance and are the most vulnerable to exploitation and dangers. They may still be innocent and not practice their spirituality since their elders may abandon and neglect them. This may lead to doubts about their faith and the absence of Christ in their hearts.
At some point in our lives, we may doubt our faith when a painful event happens. Why me, my Lord? This conflict in our spirituality may result in a deeper understanding and relationship with God as we sincerely strive to know the mystery of his love and mercy.
Even Mother Teresa of Kolkata experienced a dark night of the soul when she expressed her doubts about her faith; however, in the end, she conquered this spiritual conflict and continued serving and loving the abandoned and uncared poor. She left a legacy for us to overcome our doubts and remain faithful to Christ by letting people experience Divine love.
To Admonish, the sinner
Giving a warning or reprimanding someone for sinful acts may be challenging since we are all sinners. We have all committed sins at some point and may be vulnerable to future sins in our lifetime. In short, who are we to judge?
But as Christians, we are called to protect our brothers and sisters who may be lost and against the direction of Divine light. Yes, we are all sinners, but that doesn't mean we can't lead others to correct their ways when they have fallen in the dark.
Today, we see children who are victims of peer pressure and lack good parenting and curiosity, making them vulnerable to sin. They showed lousy behavior, a rebellious attitude, and indifference. This may be quite different from the previous generations when kids show the highest respect to their elders and are afraid to commit wrongful acts against family values. Parents just want to protect their children so they will grow to have the correct values and contribute to society. Parents want their children to take the right path and rescue them whenever they are at the crossroads of right and wrong.
To bear wrongs patiently and forgive offenses willingly
There are times when we may find ourselves becoming impatient with others' wrongdoing. However, as Christians, it is crucial to remember the importance of patience and forgiveness in our daily interactions.
We may have been victims of circumstances where our patience is being tested; either we accept it or fight for it. For instance, someone may have cut us in line. Let's let it happen and understand the person for whatever reasons he may have, or we could confront and verbally reprimand and embarrass him. Sometimes, we commit the same mistake without knowing it, but others act patiently on us without any harsh words from them.
Also, we may encounter road rage, and both sides seem aggressive in proving their right. When someone offended us, our reaction would be to hurt that person even more just to get even and to protect our ego. This happens often on the road, causing public scandals and physical injuries.
Patience and forgiveness are indeed virtues that we must cultivate and practice. While it may be challenging to forgive those who have wronged us, we must remember that we, as humans, may have hurt others as well. This realization can give us hope and encouragement to practice forgiveness.
It is said that 'forgive and be forgiven,' and this timeless wisdom is relevant even in our time. We can forgive people, but how can we be ignored by people we have wronged? I have learned that one of the steps in meditation is the forgiveness ritual, in which we visualize that we are already forgiven by someone. This two-way process of forgiving someone and asking for forgiveness gives lightness to our hearts and freedom from worries and fears.
To comfort the afflicted
There may be moments when we are tested through suffering and pain. We ask God, "Why me?" Yet, we are not alone in these trials since Jesus even asked, "Father, why have you forsaken me?"
We may have been victims of natural calamities, the death of loved ones, or heartaches that resulted in loneliness, grief, and apathy. We may be experiencing setbacks and discomfort in fully understanding and being compassionate with other people's sufferings. We go through the same path and feel their pains and sorrows.
In difficult times, one way to comfort those suffering is to walk with them to find their inner peace, thinking of their fate and offering a prayer. Then, when they regain strength, they can live a peaceful life and comfort other wounded and lost people.
To pray for the living and the dead
Our religious leaders often asked us to pray for them, and even Pope Francis did it several times when the church was exposed to scandals and issues that would test his leadership and faith.
Sometimes, we pray to someone to ease his suffering or for whatever intentions they want to receive. It is said that whatever you ask will be given to you. This may be a universal law and doesn't fail to provide us with whatever we ask through prayer.
Prayer beyond personal intentions requires humility and compassion when directed to others through tough times. It is even more excellent service
when we pray for those who passed away before us. We dearly departed need our prayer for them to be cleansed before entering their final resting place in heaven. We remember them in November when we celebrate All Souls Day; our prayers are what they need for their salvation.
During this Lenten season, we reflect on Jesus Christ's teachings to have a deeper understanding and relationship with Him and to receive His glory. Through Acts of Mercy, we develop Christ's consciousness that will guide us towards Divinely Inspired living today and beyond earthly life—in eternity.
© 2019 Del Cusay
