Biblical Foundations for the
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Works of Mercy

Overview:

The Tradition of the Church recommends seven "Corporal Works of Mercy" along with seven "Spiritual Works of Mercy." Most of the "Corporal Works" are based on the "Parable of the Sheep and the Goats" in Matthew 25 (and other biblical texts), while the "Spiritual Works" have a wider variety of biblical bases.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the Church's teaching about "Works of Mercy" in paragraph 2447, including several biblical quotations and references. Curiously, this paragraph explicitly mentions only six of the seven spiritual works of mercy, and also only six of the seven corporal works of mercy. Since this is in a section of the Catechism entitled, "Love for the Poor," it also includes comments about almsgiving:

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities (cf. Isaiah 58:6-7; Hebrews 13:3). 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 (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). 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 (cf. Tobit 4:5-11; Sirach 17:22; Matthew 6:2-4):

He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise (Luke 3:11). But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you (Luke 11:41). If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? (James 2:15-16; cf. 1 John 3:17)

Listing the Works of Mercy:

There is some variation in the exact titles given to the fourteen works of mercy and the order in which they are listed in various publications. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the letter Misericordiae Vultus by Pope Francis, and various listings available on the internet are not all identical. Here is just one possible listing:

Corporal Works of Mercy:
  • Feed the hungry
  • Give drink to the thirsty
  • Clothe the naked
  • Welcome the stranger
  • Heal the sick
  • Visit the imprisoned
  • Bury the dead
 .  .  . Spiritual Works of Mercy:
  • Counsel the doubtful
  • Instruct the ignorant
  • Admonish sinners
  • Comfort the afflicted
  • Forgive offences
  • Bear patiently those who do us ill
  • Pray for living and dead

Biblical Texts with Several "Corporal Works of Mercy" Together:

Other Biblical Texts Focusing on Specific "Corporal Works of Mercy":

Biblical Texts Mentioning Several "Spiritual Works of Mercy":

Other Biblical Texts Mentioning Specific "Spiritual Works of Mercy":

Note: All biblical texts on this page are taken from the New American Bible, available on the website of the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).


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This page was last updated on April 3, 2016
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