Friday of the second week of Advent - 15 December 2023 - Works of Mercy and Evangelization - Advent Reflection

In the past year and a half I have been here at Holy Savior and Immaculate Conception, I have stressed the importance of works of mercy and evangelization. In many ways, they go hand-in-hand. Both of them are also tied closely to the eucharistic renewal in our country, for our of our love for the eucharist, our of our identity as the Body of Christ, works of mercy and evangelization should flow. 

I have shared with you how works of mercy and evangelization have been a big part of my life.  From working in a soup kitchen and a food bank in Canada, to serving as a lay missionary in Ecuador, to the prison ministry here in our Diocese today, I feel called to reach out to others in works of mercy. 

In the prison ministry, there is a large group of men who are living in the lowest classified living quarters of the prison who for safety concerns are still not allowed to attend Mass. The inmate leader of our Catholic group received a message one day from a Catholic inmate who had not had a pastoral visit for a long. He was wanting a Bible, a rosary, and a monthly devotional book.  Then, on the bottom of his note, in large capital letters, it was written: COMMUNION DESPERATELY NEEDED.  To me, the inmate wanting “communion” had two meanings: the communion he would received in the Eucharist, the Body of Christ, but also communion in receiving a visit from a priest or from a Catholic lay minister. Our inmate leader told me that me as a priest bringing the inmates communion is a work of mercy that he will never forget his entire life. I wonder if we see sharing communion with others as an act of mercy? 

How do we see God calling us to these works of mercy? How do we see God calling us to evangelize others?   Reflect upon the spiritual and corporal works of mercy listed below. Which of them resonate with you? How can you get more engaged with spiritual and corporal works of mercy? Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln.  

In the corporal works of mercy, we meet the physical and material needs of others:

1. To feed the hungry

2. To give drink to the thirsty

3. To clothe the naked

4. To shelter the homeless

5. To visit the sick

6. To visit the prisoner

7. To bury the dead

In the spiritual works of mercy, we meet the emotional and spiritual needs of others:

1. To counsel the doubtful

2. To instruct the ignorant

3. To admonish sinners

4. To comfort the afflicted

5. To forgive offenses

6. To bear wrongs patiently

7. To pray for the living and the dead