Thought for the Day – 18 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Charitable Works
“As well as the corporal works, there are the spiritual works of mercy.
Everyone is not obliged to undertake the former, that would be impossible, for instance, for the desitute, the sick, the aged.
But, everyone is OBLIGED to undertake the latter.
Sometimes a kind word is more valuable than money!
There are many ways in which we can carry out the spiritual works of mercy.
There is the well-timed and understanding advice we can give to others, the visit to a sick man who is alone in his suffering, the friendly and encouraging visit to an unfortunate prisoner, the tactful and patient instruction we can give to those who have gone astray through ignorance, rather than through malice and at times, the rebuke we can administer to a hardened sinner, in such a way, as to make it quite clear that our only motive is to win him back to the real happiness, which only goodness can give.
Remember, however, that the practice of the spiritual works of mercy, does not excuse us from the exercise of material works of charity, wherever that is possible for us (Cf Js 2:16).”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/21/thought-for-the-day-21-march-charitable-works/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-charitable-works/
AnaStpaul 