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)

Spiritual awakening does not take us further from…

Spiritual awakening does not take us further from the world. It brings us closer.

Spiritual awakening does not separate us. It connects us.

Spiritual awakening is not about my bliss in the midst of your misery.

Spiritual awakening, is awakening from the illusion, that who we are is based on what we earn, acquire or achieve; an awakening into the reality that each of us is an embodiment of the divine.

It is awakening out of the illusion of our separateness, into the reality of our oneness; a reality in which there is no place that I end and you begin.

It is awakening from a life that is in pieces into a life of peace.

–Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

If you don’t feel strong desires for the…

If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.

―John Piper, A Hunger For God

Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly Let it…

Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut you more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few humans and even divine ingredients can. Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft, my voice so tender, my need for God absolutely clear.
―Hafiz