Comfort the Afflicted – 4th Spiritual Work of Mercy – Oct 14 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Oct 14, 2022, on the 4th spiritual work of mercy, the duty to give comfort to the afflicted as he continues his series on the works of mercy.

Give comfort to the sorrowful or those suffering pain

Isaiah 40 1 - Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/40?1

Luke 4 quotes Isaiah 61: 1-2 comfort all who morns, is the mission of Christ - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/61?1

Psalm 119: 50 comfort in the promise that he will give us life - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?50

Give comfort by having compassion, not pontificate to them like Job's friends

Suffering is not necessarily a punishment from God

Ask the Holy Spirit to give the wisdom of what to say to be channels of grace

Golden rule do on to others what we would want them to do to us

2 Cor 1: 3-5 God who comforts gives us the ability to comfort others - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/1?3

God comforts us by giving the Holy Spirit, who is called the comforter

John 14: 26 ff Paraclete - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?26

Acts 9: 31 - walking in fear and the comfort of the Holy Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?31

God is an encourager and console, not an accuser

Isaiah 49: 13 - rejoice because God has had compassion and has not forgotten us - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/49?13

God brings a greater good from all suffering

What is God trying to teach us in our particular suffering? Such insight can give us comfort and strength to amend our lives

The prodigal son is brought back to his father by suffering

Mary is a comforter of the afflicted, making our crosses sweeter, especially of her suffering Son

Isaiah 53: 3 - She was acquainted with suffering, knowing pain -  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/53?3

Heb 5: 8 - learned obedience from her suffering https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/5?8

Heb 4: 15 - Sympathize with our sins but without sin like her Son - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/4?15

Genesis 2: 18 - Mary is a helper of Christ as eve was the helper of Adam - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/2?18

Mary gives strength to carry our cross just as she did for Jesus on the way to Golgatha

She will meet us where we are at.

Playlist, Works of Mercy, by Fr. Terrance on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1AVkZz-w8g&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wQxZdmm4kZudGz2tzbteGs

Works of Mercy: Introduction - https://youtu.be/X1AVkZz-w8g

The seven corporal works of mercy:

1. Feed the hungry - https://youtu.be/CQfzx2pl-kI
2. Give drink to the thirsty - https://youtu.be/UfoKeqR3g8A
3. Clothe the naked - https://youtu.be/cXCmLugKTWs
4. Shelter the homeless - https://youtu.be/Rwmc-b4OjXQ
5. Visit the sick - https://youtu.be/cGMfftWArqA
6. Visit the imprisoned - https://youtu.be/CdtMMor4puU
7. Bury the dead - https://youtu.be/PCHeIqoo3cE

The seven spiritual works of mercy:

1. Counsel the doubtful - Pt 1 https://youtu.be/-C6khBhyU38 and Pt 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdLtbBNi5t0
2. Instruct the ignorant - https://youtu.be/JIZQPk2zeb0
3. Admonish sinners - https://youtu.be/JPme0s-NlxQ
4. Comfort the afflicted - https://youtu.be/lefVvSIJ7-c
5. Forgive offenses -
6. Bear wrongs patiently -
7. Pray for the living and the dead -

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Callistus I - Opt Mem
Readings: Friday in the 28th Week in Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/101422.cfm
1st: eph 1:11-14
Resp: psa 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
Gsp: luk 12:1-7

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1175&r=971

Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/g9BpsSTmoC/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/lefVvSIJ7-c