Corporal Works of Mercy
Mercy in Action
Year of Mercy
Mgr Richard Atherton
ISBN 9781784690809
eISBN 9781784692865
ASIN B071WFQ1RX
CTS Booklet SP45
This is the sixth volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read, and the last that is available as an eBook. I believe there are 8 volumes in this. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the first book I have read by Mgr Richard Atherton. The description of the booklet is:
“Feeding the hungry and thirsty, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, visiting the imprisoned, the sick, and burying the dead – Pope Francis wants us to stop and think again. Are these things I can do, or are they for others to get on with? What good do they do? Actions of mercy are often terribly ordinary and doable. Fr Atherton guides us through the spiritual and practical matters that Love asks of all Christians.”
The chapters in this volume are:
Mercy in Action
“Whatever you did to the least of my brethren…”
Feed the Hungry & Give Drink to the Thirsty
Clothe the Naked & House the Homeless
Visit the Imprisoned & Visit the Sick
Bury the Dead
The Spirituality of the Seven
Endnotes
This book was published in 2015 and the eBook was released in 2017. And it should be noted that sometimes online the title appears as “Mercy in Action: Corporal Works of Mercy” and others as “Corporal Works of Mercy
Mercy in Action”. This booklet begins with these words:
“I do not think there is a Gospel phrase which has made a deeper impression on me…than this one: “Insofar as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me”. One has only to think that these words were spoken by the uncreated Truth, who also said, “this is my body…this is my blood”.”
And that is the underlying theme throughout the book. The book ends with these words:
“Her eyes of mercy turned towards us
And finally, just as Mary had once laid her little Son in a manger, so now she fulfilled the final Corporal Work of Mercy for him, as she laid his lifeless body to rest in the tomb. Now her direct work for her Son was over; henceforth, she serves him in the least of his brethren. She more than anyone else can turn “her eyes of mercy towards us” and show us how, through the practice of the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, we too, in our own small ways, can do “something beautiful for God”.
This book is another excellent read in a wonderful series. It is a very different format than the companion volume Spiritual Works of Mercy by Mgr Paul Grogan. This one focuses on concrete actions. Things that you can do and some resources to help with them.
As stated in other reviews in the series, the Year of Mercy may be behind us, but these books will benefit those who read them. Will have an impact on the family, friends, and communities of those who read these booklets and strive to live more mercy.
A great read in an excellent series..
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
Year of Mercy Books:
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