Mercy

Christianity is a story of mercy. A story of God's mercy for us and the mercy we are asked to show others. In 1980 Saint John-Paul II issued an encyclical, "Rich in Mercy". In it he says, Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called "to practice mercy" towards others: He then quotes Jesus in Mathew 5:7. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" Mercy is a matter of obedience to the second of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). Corporal Works of Mercy To feed the hungry. To give drink to the thirsty. To clothe the naked. To Shelter the Homeless To visit the sick. To visit the imprisoned To bury the dead.     Spiritual Works of Mercy To instruct the ignorant. To counsel the doubtful. To admonish sinners. To bear wrongs patiently. To forgive offences willingly. To comfort the afflicted. To pray for the living and the dead When you do your Legion work you are doing works of mercy. Saint John-Paul II says, Mary, then, is the one who has the deepest knowledge of the mystery of God's mercy. She knows its price, she knows how great it is. In this sense, we call her the Mother of mercy: our Lady of mercy, or Mother of divine mercy; Mary through her Legion continues to distribute God's mercy. During the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis announced that a plenary indulgence is available to those who perform a Spiritual or Corporal work of mercy. To obtain the indulgence the following conditions must be met within a week before or after the act; Receive the Holy Eucharist Go to Sacramental Confession Pray for the Holy Father's intentions Have the intention to be completely detached from sin. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Mother of Mercy, Pray for us.