I'm a Catholic Homeschool blogger and educator with lots of tips for homeschooling, teaching the Catholic faith, liturgical living, and homemaking. Join me at www.oraetschola.com!
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy with Kids
|
Hello! This is the fifth post of a series entitled “Teaching the Catholic Faith at Home Series.” Read the entire series here. Find the whole post for today here. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep! In Matthew 25: 31-46, Jesus talks about separating the goats from the sheep. Matthew 25:33 states: He will place the sheep on his right, and the goats on his left. How do we make sure that we get to be the "sheep on his right" ?? The answer is the works of mercy, and we want our children to be following that Good Shepherd right alongside us. The next step of teaching the Faith at home is living out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. What are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy?Matthew 25:40 gives us some insight into how we can become sheep (and not goats!) In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about how the sheep fed, clothed, cared for Him, and visited Him in prison. The listeners to this sermon are confused, and asked Jesus when, exactly, did they do those things for Him? He clarifies by telling them: ..."Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Ahh, we get it Lord! When we care for others, we are caring for Him! Saint Mother Theresa called this her "5 Finger Gospel." She would hold up one hand and on each finger state, "You. Did. It. To. Me." Saint Mother Theresa is the ultimate model of caring for the poor and the weak. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (CCC 2447):
The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbors in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.
Action Step: A Free PDF for Living Out the Corporal Works of MercyNow, I am sharing a free download with ideas for living our the corporal works of mercy with your kids. Many (if not most) can be done within the home, or can be done outside the home simply (with a little planning). I have also included a tracker for you to hang on your fridge or stick in your planner so you can take everyone out for ice cream when you achieve your family works of mercy goals 🎉 Hit reply and let me know how I can pray for you! To Jesus through Mary, Alexandra PS Are you a homeschooler? Find 10 Helpful Back to School Resources here! Book of the Week: Works of Mercy Coloring Book PDF Instant Download |
Ora et Schola
I'm a Catholic Homeschool blogger and educator with lots of tips for homeschooling, teaching the Catholic faith, liturgical living, and homemaking. Join me at www.oraetschola.com!
Hello! The Catholic Church has so much to offer us in Her feasts and fasts. There are so many to choose from, that sometimes it can be overwhelming to remember them and know how to celebrate them in a simple but meaningful way. Sometimes, those Catholic Feast Days just creep up on us and we barely remember a Holy Day is coming up! Today, I am offering you my new, free Liturgical Living Alerts. These emails will be low pressure accountability for each other to live out our beautiful Catholic...
Hello! This is the fourth post of a series entitled “Teaching the Catholic Faith at Home Series.” Find the rest of the series here. Read the whole post for today here. When I walk into my home, I want to be reminded of Christ's presence there. I want my family and all guests who enter to be reminded of His love and presence. This is what making the home a Domestic Church means to me. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has an entire section entitled “The Domestic Church” starting with...
Hello! This is the third post of a series entitled “Teaching the Catholic Faith at Home Series.” Find the rest of the series here. Read the whole post for today here. Have you caught on that teaching the faith isn't about quizzes, textbooks, and workbooks? It's so much better and so much more! (Although, those things can come in handy when you want to acquire specific knowledge about the faith.) Living the faith IS teaching the faith! One of the most important ways to care for your family...