CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

 

FEED THE HUNGRY

This is one of the two more simple but immediate opportunities to directly affect someone’s life.  It’s a sort term benefit, but without this small gesture, these people will go hungry for another day.

The effort  is in your preparations.  As the primary plan is to meet people and opportunities as they present themselves in the normal course of our lives.

• Purchase a quantity of gift cards to local restaurants, fast food usually works best because of the multiple and accessible locations
• Purchase a small box of gift card envelopes at Staples or OfficeMax or other retail outlet (Amazon carries here too)
• Place the gift card in the envelope and place in your wallet or just in your pocket
• I like to include a small copy of Psalm 121 or another prayer

When you meet someone who is hungry, rather than walk past them, you can now make a small sharing action to help them.

It’s important to think about this before getting started.  You will want to look at your own financial situation and create a budget of how much you can share.  Remember the parable of the widow’s mite.  Small gestures of sharing can have an enormous impact.

 

DRINK FOR THE THIRSTY

The second of the more simple and immediate opportunities to share with others is especially important during the hot summer months.

Keep bottles of water in the trunk of your car.  If in a particularly hot area, you may want to keep a small cooler with some ice to keep the water bottles from becoming gifts of hot water.

The great part of this act is you are not limited by people asking for help.  If you see someone in the hot outdoors or at anytime appearing in need of drink, approach them with an offer of a bottle of water.  It is highly satisfying for both.

Also, it is important to recognize your financial capabilities and budget accordingly.

 

CLOTHING FOR THE NAKED

I don’t expect you have many instances when you will need to clothe the naked – at least not in the literal sense.  But you have opportunity to help people gain access to better clothing that is more useful in job hunting, more appropriate for the climate, or just clean and not torn or tattered.

There are established organizations to help you with this – Goodwill, St Vincent de Paul or other donation/retail centers.  Even better, there are “clothes closet” types of organizations that accept donations and give free to those in need.  Both of these types however, can benefit those in need.

What’s in your closet and what can you share with someone in need?

 

SHARING YOUR TIME

Although this involves more effort and time requirements, it can be equally more satisfying to the giver and have more impact for the receiver.

Those who are unwelcomed –

New people in your neighborhood, workplace or church community often times are left alone or may feel on the outside from the main group.  It is your responsibility as a member of the group to welcome the new members.  It s not the requirement for the new person to work their way into the group.  It is our requirement to welcome the new person.

Be proactive in giving service to these people so they will more quickly become a contributing and productive member according to their abilities.

Those who are lonely –

I think we would all be amazed at the loneliness of those people around us – friends, neighbors, co-workers.  Do we really know them personally?  Do we take the time?

Improving their lives will vary based on each individual.  Likely you alone cannot alleviate all, but you can help to move them to a position where they can reach out, meet and interact with others, and make a larger impact through there own efforts.  Sometimes its just the assistance needed to get started or help in moving toward place where they can re-enter relationships.