The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are oriented toward the soul. Though ideally applicable for all faithful, not everyone is considered capable or obligated to perform the first three Spiritual Works of Mercy before they possess the proper tact, knowledge or canonical training to do so. The remaining four Spiritual Works of Mercy are considered to be an obligation of all faithful to practice unconditionally.

The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy and their Holy Scripture references are:

Admonish the Sinner
(Proverbs 27:17, Luke 15:7; 17:3 2 Timothy 4:2 )

Instruct the Ignorant
(Matthew 28:19-20 Mark 16:14-18 Luke 24:47-49 John 20:21 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:1-5 )

Counsel the Doubtful
(Matthew 13:18-23 Mark 4:13-20; 9:14-29 Luke 8:11-15 John 14:27)

Bear Wrongs Patiently
(Matthew 5:38-48 Luke 6:27-36 1 Peter 2:18-19)

Forgive Offenses Willingly
(Matthew 6:14-15; 18:15-35 Mark 11:25 Luke 11:1-4; 17:1-4 )

Comfort the Afflicted
(Psalms 9:8-11; 22:23-27, Psalms 27:4-5; 30:2-4, Psalms 46:2; 55:22, Psalms 56; 71:20-22, Psalms 116; 119:49-50 Jeremiah 29:11-14 Lamentations 3:21-24, 31-33 Nahum 1:7-8 Matthew 11:28-30 John 14:15-18, 27; 16:22-23
2 Corinthians 5:17 1 Peter 5:5-11 Revelation 21:4

Pray for the Living and the Dead
(2 Maccabees 38-46)

There is a tension in the Bible between…

There is a tension in the Bible between justice and mercy, between the Old Testament and the New Testament. And the New Testament says you can never be good enough: goodness is the thing, and you can never live up to it. The main message of Jesus, I believed, is that mercy trumps justice every time.

―Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air

What you will be

Source : http://www.godswork.org/enpoem178.htm

What You Will Be

As I gazed up at the mountains, I was awed by their majesty;
I bowed my head and asked myself, “Why should He care for me?
I am not great like the mountains that tower so high above,
What is there about me that God can find to love?”

“Father, I am not strong like the wind that makes your tall trees sway,
I cannot sing sweetly like your birds; will you love me anyway?
But most of all, I am simply me, and often have cause to fear,
In spite of all my weaknesses, do you promise to be near?”

With eyes closed tight against my tears, I wished He could hear me pray.
Then I felt His Spirit tell me, “Child, look up, I have something to say.
“You are simply you, the spirit I love, a part of my great plan.
I put you here to learn of life and to return to me again.”

“You are more beautiful to me than the loveliest mountain I made,
And your strength exceeds that of the wind’s, so do not be afraid.
I love you not for what you are, but for what I know you will be.
I am always beside you watching you grow, you are very special to me.”

A smile touched my lips – I knew it was true, my Father had always been there
Giving me comfort and blessings and love and my own special talents to share.
So I do my best to make Him proud. I am not afraid, for you see,
He loves me not for what I am, but for what He knows I will be.

Author Unknown

Lyrics : Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum

ऐ मालिक तेरे बन्दे हम – Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum
Movie/Album: दो आँखें बारह हाथ (1957)
Music By: वसंत देसाई
Lyrics By: भरत व्यास

ऐ मालिक तेरे बन्दे हम
ऐसे हों हमारे करम
नेकी पर चलें और बदी से टलें,
ताकि हंसते हुए निकले दम

बड़ा कमज़ोर है आदमी, अभी लाखों हैं इसमें कमी
पर तू जो खड़ा, है दयालू बड़ा
तेरी किरपा से धरती थमी

दिया तूने हमें जब जनम
तू ही झेलेगा हम सबके ग़म

नेकी पर चलें और बदी से टलें,
ताकि हंसते हुए निकले दम

 

ये अंधेरा घना छा रहा, तेरा इंसान घबरा रहा
हो रहा बेखबर, कुछ न आता नज़र
सुख का सूरज छुपा जा रहा

है तेरी रोशनी में जो दम
तो अमावस को कर दे पूनम

नेकी पर चलें और बदी से टलें,
ताकि हंसते हुए निकले दम

जब ज़ुल्मों का हो सामना, तब तू ही हमें थामना
वो बुराई करें, हम भलाई भरें
नहीं बदले की हो कामना

बढ़ उठे प्यार का हर कदम
और मिटे बैर का ये भरम

नेकी पर चलें और बदी से टलें,
ताकि हंसते हुए निकले दम