There are numerous perspectives from which to view the corporal works of mercy. We can reflect on them within our local community as well as within the framework of the broader world. Contemporary society is more interconnected than it has ever been, yet, it is also simpler than ever to become detached. With news and social media meticulously tailored to our preferences, we can steer clear of confronting issues and, crucially, individuals, that may cause us discomfort.

With a simple click, we can contribute any sum to the cause we prefer, requiring no more effort than a single finger movement. Although I am by no means undermining the significant assistance that funds can provide, as Catholics, we are summoned to take further action. We are called to participate.

For the majority of us, it is not feasible to fulfill all seven of the corporal works of mercy in every phase of our existence. You might find yourself in a period where you focus on just one or two. As you explore the descriptions of each work of mercy, I invite you to consider if God is urging you to dive deeper or inviting you to expand your heart in a different manner. Are you sensing the Spirit’s gentle push in your heart towards a specific work of mercy? How will you address this responsibility?

Give alms to the poor

Distributing charity has consistently been a significant aspect of Christian ministry. In the early Church, where preferential care for the impoverished was widely recognized, congregations ensured that every member had their needs met. Assisting your neighbor was merely a standard practice.

One distinction between contemporary almsgiving and that of earlier generations is the degree of separation we experience from those receiving our assistance. It is uncommon for us to encounter the individuals whom our donations support, let alone establish a relationship with them. We have forfeited a degree of connection that truly benefits both the giver and the receiver. Recognizing the impoverished as individuals — human beings created in the image and likeness of God, possessing names, distinctive personalities, abilities, and skills — serves as a reminder that they equally possess an inherent right to respect and dignity.

It isn’t always feasible or secure to interact with people we encounter who are in need, yet there are community organizations across the United States that aim to restore that feeling of connectedness. Both short-term and long-term missions provide excellent opportunities to form bonds with individuals facing significant physical and economic challenges, as does participating with a local charity or faith-based group already aiding the underprivileged directly. Those who are connected with the impoverished will understand where to direct the donations you have to give so that they can be most effective.

Feed the hungry

I believe we can all agree that our decision-making is compromised when we experience hunger. My family frequently employs the term “hangry,” which refers to a mix of hunger and anger. This emotional condition is quite prevalent in our household around 4:30 p.m., and it isn’t pleasant.

There are individuals for whom hunger is the default condition of their existence. Observing my children during their hangry moments, I become profoundly conscious of how hunger goes beyond a physical sensation. It affects every facet of life. It’s not surprising that children in poverty perform worse academically than their more affluent peers; it’s challenging to focus when your stomach is vacant.

Inflation is on the rise, which signifies that food prices are higher than they have ever been. A year back, I purchased a gallon of whole milk for my children for $1.29 at the neighborhood grocery store. At present, the cost is $3.49. Fruits, whole grain items, nutritious snacks, and meat have all experienced significant hikes.

Those funds accumulate when operating with a limited budget. My family is among the numerous households that depended on the child tax credit to assist us in mitigating that rise and remain financially stable while ensuring our children are fed and our expenses covered. There is a significant amount of incorrect information circulating regarding the food stamp program and how families utilize their child tax credit. Gaining knowledge about these resources and experiencing situations where we required them has greatly increased our awareness of the necessity to lend support to those lacking adequate nutrition.

Give drink to the thirsty

Without H2O, we perish. It’s that straightforward.

However, billions of individuals around the globe exist without reliable access to potable water. The World Health Organization characterizes “safe water” as not merely fit for drinking but also accessible without risks. The standard for this is quite minimal — a 30-minute round trip journey to obtain water is still considered safe access.

Perhaps you aren’t destined to journey to a remote village in South America to create a well or install piping for indoor plumbing, yet even within the United States, where indoor plumbing is standard, there is a great deal to be accomplished. The American Community Survey, conducted from 2014-2018, discovered that nearly 500,000 households lack reliable access to safe drinking water, signifying they do not have operational hot and cold taps, a sink, and a toilet in their residence. Five hundred thousand households. And we rank among the most advanced countries worldwide.

Furthermore, not all access to water is the same. The Flint water crisis in Michigan garnered national attention, but what went unnoticed was the number of other cities across the nation that have hazardous water flowing through their homes. If those households lack the financial means for filters or bottled water, on top of paying the water bills for water they cannot utilize, they face a dreadful decision: unsafe water or no water whatsoever.

Visit the prisoner

Perhaps the most demanding of the corporal works of mercy, visiting those incarcerated is one that Pope Francis exemplifies in his own service. His emphasis on the human dignity and worth of inmates serves as a testament to their intrinsic value, regardless of the offenses they may have committed, and reinforces the notion that God never abandons anyone.

In the United States, we possess a complex network of federal and state correctional facilities, along with state and local jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities. In total, there are more than 2.3 million individuals incarcerated at present in our nation. Each demographic varies and has unique requirements, both spiritual and physical. Many of these needs remain unaddressed. Prison ministry is an area that not everyone is meant to pursue, yet it is one that more individuals ought to endorse.

Visit the sick

During my teenage years, I acquired a chronic condition that has persisted with me throughout. Throughout the years of struggling with this condition, the predominant feeling I’ve encountered has not been rage or exasperation, but rather solitude. It’s astonishing how swiftly illness can create a barrier, leaving you feeling overlooked and isolated, a liability rather than an asset to those around you.

When we go to see the ill, we express to them that they deserve our time, our care, and our affection, that they are cherished for their being rather than their abilities. What a profound testament to the sacredness of life that presents!

Bury the dead

Everyone merits respect, even after passing. Individuals, made in the likeness and image of God, should be grieved, provided with a suitable burial, and remembered in prayer, either at the gravesite or through Masses offered for the eternal rest of the deceased.

Participating in the funerals of cherished individuals and friends of cherished individuals has consistently been a means by which many of us carry out this physical act of compassion. It provides solace to those grieving a loss and honors the memory of the departed.

But what about individuals who have no one to grieve for them? What of the homeless who pass away on the streets? The overlooked John and Jane Does that exist in every city? Countless individuals in our highly connected world die without a name.

Numerous municipalities enforce a regulation that allows them to retain a body for 30 days with the expectation that it will be claimed by relatives. However, after this 30-day period, the body is typically cremated and interred in a communal grave, frequently without any type of marker or memorial. They too deserve to be honored.

Shelter the homeless

Shelter is an essential human requirement. As a species, we are deficient in numerous adaptations that many surrounding animals possess to endure the harsh extremes of our surroundings. Nevertheless, thousands are without a roof above them for a variety of reasons. Factors such as poverty, geopolitical conflicts, warfare, starvation, unexpected crises, natural calamities, and abuse — all of these can result in an individual becoming homeless. Striving to offer men, women, and families secure places to reside is a commendable pursuit.

An alternative phrasing for this act of mercy is to “shelter the shelterless.” I find that language appealing because this corporal work of mercy extends beyond merely offering physical refuge. At times, we become so accustomed to the term “homeless” to signify individuals without a residence that we overlook its broader implication of lacking a true home—a space where they can feel they belong, are safe, and are embraced with love. When we provide support to those experiencing homelessness, we must also keep that aspect in mind.

Faith without works

The corporal acts of mercy are vital to our salvation. They highlight the genuine presence of Christ in the poor and overlooked. As St. James states, faith without actions is lifeless. Indeed, his statement provides us with minimal flexibility and serves as an appropriate ending to any conversation about the corporal acts of mercy:

“What benefit is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but lacks works? Can that faith bring salvation? If a brother or sister is in need of clothes and has no food for the day, and one of you tells them, ‘Go in peace, be warm, and eat sufficient food,’ but does not provide them with the essentials for the body, what value is it?” (Jas 2:14-16).

Colleen Pressprich is the author of “Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children” (OSV, $18.95). She writes from Michigan.