Catholic social teaching centers on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. They are derived from the Gospel of Jesus According to Matthew, Chapter 25 verses  31-46, “The Last Judgment;” and Matthew Chapter 5, verses 1-12, “The Beatitudes;” as well as other parts of Scripture.

I have blogged about these before when I speak about “Service and Volunteering.”

Today I am going to start a series of posts in which I will write a little about each of them. There are seven of each, and they are listed below:

Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Shelter the Homeless
Clothe the naked
Visit the Sick
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Correct the sinner
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubting
Comfort the sorrowful
Be patient with those in error
Forgive offenses
Pray for the living and the dead

(This list is courtesy of St. Luke’s mission of Mercy.)

Anyone familiar with alcoholism and addiction should know of these. Many of us have been on the receiving end of them. Perhaps we should think about being on the giving end?

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Know someone, perhaps yourself, who might like Catholic devotionals for alcoholics? Please take a look at my books! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)