MERCY And JUSTICE

St. John of God saving the Sick from a Fire at the Royal Hospital by Manuel Gómez-Moreno González (1880)

"Today's justice is yesterday's charity; today's charity is tomorrow's justice." - Bl. Etienne-Michel Gillet

Read:
James 2:1-26
Psalm 72
Matthew 25:31-46

Study:
1) Handouts:
Social Teaching of the Church; Works of Mercy

2) CCC 210-211, 268-270, 545, 909, 1422, 1730-1742, 1749, 1828-1829, 1846-1848, 1877-1948, 1994, 2207-2213, 2401-2449, 2840 (YOUCAT 89, 226, 302, 314, 321-332, 347, 451, 524)

Meditate:
Are mercy and justice opposed to each other? How does God's mercy fulfill His justice, and vice versa? How do the four pillars of Catholic Social teaching; Person-hood, Subsidiarity, the Common Good, and Solidarity change the way I think about myself, my family, my society, and my country? What impact does Christ identifying Himself with the poor and needy have on my actions and thoughts? Where can I get the help to do the works that Christ calls me too?

Pray:
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and Joy. Amen.

Imitate:
St. Josephine Bakhita

Apply:
What opportunities has God given to me to practice the works of mercy, both corporal and spiritual?

Extra:
Church of St. Mary Social Teaching Series
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Corporal Works of Mercy

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He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
(Proverbs 21:13)

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