Christ Will Judge Us on Our Works of Mercy – Mar 10 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Mar 10, 2025, on how we will be judged on our works of mercy toward others, particularly through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Father explains that Lent is a time of mercy, when we not only ask for God's mercy but also perform works of mercy ourselves. The Church recommends three Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, with almsgiving encompassing all works of mercy. Father reminds us that "with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6: 38) and quotes James 2: 13, "judgment is without mercy for the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
He then discusses the judgment that awaits each person after death and the universal judgment at the end of time, illustrated in Matthew 25: 31-46, the parable of the sheep and goats. Jesus Christ, who "in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4: 15), will separate people based on their actions, particularly their works of mercy toward others.
Father emphasizes that the judgment centers on the twofold commandment of love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22: 37-40). While we may deceive ourselves about our love for God, our treatment of neighbors reveals the truth of our charity (CCC 1822). He explains that Jesus specifically mentions six corporal works of mercy in the parable: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. The seventh, burying the dead, honors bodies that were "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6: 19) and will rise again.
Importantly, when Jesus says, "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25: 40), He refers primarily to helping fellow Christians, though we extend mercy to all. As Galatians 6: 10 instructs, "as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Father concludes by mentioning the seven spiritual works of mercy and encouraging us to be merciful like our heavenly Father (Luke 6: 36) to receive the mercy we need.

For Further Reading:

Matthew 25: 31-46 - NAB - The Judgment of the Nations - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25?31
Luke 6: 36-38 - NAB - Be merciful as your Father is merciful - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?36
James 2: 13-16 - NAB - Mercy triumphs over judgment - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/2?13
Galatians 6: 10 - NAB - Do good especially to household of faith - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/6?10
1 Corinthians 6: 19 - NAB - Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/6?19
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2447 - The Works of Mercy - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2447.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1822-1829 - Charity - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1822
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1038-1041 - The Last Judgment - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a12.htm#1038
Vatican - Papal Bull "Misericordiae Vultus" on Mercy - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/papa-francesco_bolla_20150411_misericordiae-vultus.html
USCCB - Works of Mercy Resource Page - https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/the-corporal-works-of-mercy

00:00 – Introduction to Lent and Mercy
00:41 – Judgment Based on Mercy
01:25 – Mercy Before Judgment
02:26 – The Separation of Sheep and Goats
03:56 – Love for Neighbor and Love for God
04:26 – The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy
06:02 – Prioritizing Works of Mercy
07:41 – The Call to Be Merciful

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 1st Week of Lent - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031025.cfm
1st: lev 19:1-2, 11-18
Resp: psa 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Gsp: mat 25:31-46

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1653

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