The Works of Mercy: The Heart of Catholicism

What does it mean to be a Catholic? Besides having faith in Jesus Christ and his church, being a Catholic means being inclined to mercy, which is 'the willingness to enter into the chaos of another.' Over the centuries Catholics have defined themselves by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick. This book explores not only the seven corporal works of mercy, but also the seven spiritual works as well. It considers how we invoke mercy throughout the Eucharistic liturgy and how frequently mercy enters into ordinary life, in the way we care for our families, and the way we care for ourselves. Interspersed are three meditations on mercy: on September 11, on being a priest in light of the scandal in Boston, and a new meditation on the world of HIV/AIDS.