The Works of Mercy

Many Christian traditions formally recognize seven Works of Mercy as obligations that every Christian must perform. The warrant for six of the Works of Mercy is found in Matthew 25.31-46. The seventh Work of Mercy--burying the dead--was later added based upon Tobit 1.16-17.

I've always been fond of Ade Bethune's artwork depicting the Works of Mercy. Bethune was the artist who created the banner for Dorothy Day's The Catholic Worker and was a regular contributor of artwork for its pages.

The Works of Mercy

Feeding the Hungry

Giving Drink to the Thirsty

Sheltering the Homeless

Clothing the Naked

Visiting the Prisoner

Visiting the Sick

Burying the Dead

These are the actions that define the Christian lifestyle.

The irony, of course, is that few Christians actually do any of this.