Hands of Mercy

The most important task of our lives is to ensure our words do not remain empty, but instead bring actions to life. Only then can we achieve bliss and fulfilment during our earthly existence.

Catholic Tradition has established a list of corporal works of mercy, which correspond with the deeds in the Last Judgment scene in the Gospel of Matthew. The spiritual works of mercy are derived from these:

instructing the ignorant, counselling the doubtful, admonishing sinners, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving offences willingly, comforting the afflicted, and praying for the living and the dead.

Both corporal and spiritual works of mercy capture the essence of human poverty. In our complex society, excessive material wealth and boasting about possessions paradoxically correspond with a lack of meaning in life, inner emptiness, hopelessness, a need for comfort, alarming moral and spiritual disorientation, and ultimately, nervous breakdown and depression.

The Jubilee of Mercy, on the occasion of which this book was published, aimed to discover strong and courageous mediators of mercy. Today's world needs their help wherever the strings of humanity can no longer tune to the melody of the joy of the Gospel.

The book Hands of Mercy presents individual spiritual works of mercy from the perspective of various callings in the Church, and not just spiritual ones. It demonstrates the depth, effectiveness and necessity of the works of mercy. Here, the word borders on action, because through its texts we experience the merciful hand of God, who cares for us in so many ways.