What significance do the poor have for Christians? Love for the poor must be in every age the distinguishing mark of Christians. The poor deserve not just a few alms; they have a claim to justice. For Christians there is a special obligation to share their goods. Our example in love for the poor is Christ. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3)that is the first sentence in Jesus Sermon on the Mount. There is material, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual poverty. Christians must look after the needy of this earth with great consideration, love, and perseverance. After all, on no other point will they be evaluated by Christ so decisively as on their way of treating the poor: As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Mt 25:40). What are the corporal works of mercy? To feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and the imprisoned, and bury the dead. What are the spiritual works of mercy? The spiritual works of mercy are: to instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, admonish the sinner, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and the dead.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:06:54 +0000
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