UNIT 5, LESSON 2

Connection to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

ӹ CCC 1966 – 1970

ӹ CCC 2447

Vocabulary ӹ Corporal

ӹ Mercy

ӹ Spiritual

Learning Goals ӹ Works of Mercy are concrete ways in

which we can live out our Faith.

ӹ There are seven Corporal and seven Spiritual Works of Mercy.

ӹ In Scripture, Christ not only instructs us on what the acts of mercy are; He also provides examples in His ministry.

ӹ As Catholics, we are called to be Christ in the world and build His Kingdom through our actions.

Introduction to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Lord, You are good and forgiving, most merciful to all who call on You.

PSALMS 65:5

Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.

MATTHEW 7:12

BIBLICAL TOUCHSTONES

335

Lesson Plan

ӹ Materials

DAY ONEWarm-UpA. Remind students that we learned this year that from what something is, we can tell what we

ought to do. For example, say: “A man is hungry. We ought to feed him,” or “A child is being bullied. We ought to stand up for him.”

B. Call on a student to offer an original “is” statement, and then call on the next student to say the corresponding “ought” statement. Go around the room, alternating between “is” and “ought.” If students struggle to come up with original statements, you could offer:

ӹ A man is drowning, and you have a life preserver./You ought to throw it to him.

ӹ A new student at your school is lonely./You ought to welcome him.

ӹ A friend is struggling in math, and you are good at math./You ought to help him.

ӹ A man is dying of thirst./You ought to give him water.

ӹ An elderly person is walking onto a crowded bus./You ought to give that person your seat.

ӹ A friend is sick in the hospital./You ought to visit and cheer up your friend.

C. When it becomes your turn, make the statement: “You are created in God’s image and likeness.”

D. The class’s response should be something to the effect of, “We ought to live as the Lord lives.”

ӹ Hunter’s Story — “Coming Home”

ӹ The Corporal and Spiritual Works of MercyMaterials

of muddy water had fi lled the entire

house, destroying nearly everything. As

the water left the house, it dragged all

our clothes, photographs, and furniture

out with it. We found some things in our

backyard or at the bottom of the canal

that ran behind our house. The items

were too broken to be worth saving.

Most of our things were lost forever.

In the weeks that followed, we worked

from sunup to sundown in extreme heat

emptying our house of the muck and

debris. For about two weeks, there was

no electricity, and it was even longer

before we had running water. The

government made everyone live under

a curfew because without lights on the

streets — and with most streets fi lled

with wrecked homes and businesses — it

was too dangerous to drive anywhere.

Wallowing in pity was not an option.

You have to want to help yourself get

back up. I didn’t have time to think

about anything else. Life moved pretty

fast after that.

Focus Questions

1. What happened to Hunter’s home? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does Hunter need? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. How could someone answer those needs? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

176

Hunter’s Story — “Coming Home”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions below.

Hurricane Katrina struck Biloxi,

Mississippi on Monday, August 29,

2005. Before it hit, our family decided

to pack up some things and leave to

stay with relatives away from the coast.

When we left our house, the water

was already covering the street. We

didn’t think the water would rise any

higher — it hadn’t ever in history. We

were wrong.

After the storm, my mom and dad and I

returned home to the back bay in Biloxi.

As we drove down the streets, we saw

houses pulled off their foundations and

fi shing boats sitting in trees. I heard

that my school downtown had been

fl ooded with over 17 feet of water and

would not be able to reopen. As we

pulled into our neighborhood, my house

looked almost perfect. A window had

blown out in the front. Had we been

spared the worst?

I hopped out of our Jeep, my dog, JP,

trailing close behind me. We walked

through our yard to get out of the hot

sun. As I opened the door to our home,

it was clear that my life had changed

forever. During the storm, several feet

175

E. Ask students to volunteer some things they know about how Jesus lived. Accept reasoned answers that evidence Jesus’ self-giving love and sacrifice on the Cross for our salvation. Lead students to the conclusion that in addition to suffering death, Jesus gave us many concrete examples of how to show love to one another. We will study those in this unit and learn about how we can live them ourselves.

ActivityHave students read Hunter’s Story — “Coming Home” (page 175) and answer the questions.

© SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS336

LESSON PLAN

ActivityA. Have students complete The Corporal and

Spiritual Works of Mercy (page 177) individually. They should then pair up and discuss their responses.

B. Call on a few students to share their responses with the class, providing correction as needed.

C. Ask again if there are any of the Works of Mercy that are mysterious or hard to figure out? Aren’t these all what we would want someone to do for us if we needed them to?”

D. Write on the board the Golden Rule that Jesus gives us in Matthew 7:12:

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Formative Assessment A. Have a student summarize the story.

B. Invite students to share their responses to questions 2 and 3. As they do so, record the answers in two columns on the board: “Needs” and “How someone could answer those needs.”

C. Ask students to connect the needs from the first column with the concrete acts in the second column (e.g., the need for food; soup kitchen).

D. Transition the conversation toward why we act charitably. Encourage students to connect this activity to Jesus’ teachings: the greatest commandment, to love one another as He has loved us.

DAY TWOWarm-UpA. Ask students to recall “Hunter’s Story” from yesterday’s lesson, then ask whether they think there

was anything mysterious about determining what Hunter needed and how someone could meet those needs. Students should respond that it was not a difficult process.

B. Refer back to our consciences and how God has written His law on our hearts. If we listen to God’s voice in quiet and stillness, He will help us live out His mercy and love each other as He has loved us.

Focus and Refl ection Questions

1. What does corporal mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does spiritual men?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. What does mercy mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. From where do we get these lists of Works of Mercy?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Refl ection Question: Why do we need both Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy? Why wouldn’t one or the other be enough?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The Works of Mercy are not optional but are absolutely essential to living the Christian life of holiness and goodness.

CCC 2447

178

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Directions: Read the Works of Mercy, looking up any words you don’t know. Then

write them out on the lines provided. Finally, answer the questions

that follow.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are: Write the Corporal Works of Mercy:

• Feed the hungry.

• Give drink to the thirsty.

• Clothe the naked.

• Shelter the homeless.

• Visit the sick.

• Visit the imprisoned.

• Bury the dead.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are: Write the Spiritual Works of Mercy:

• Instruct the ignorant.

• Counsel the doubtful.

• Admonish the sinner.

• Bear wrongs patiently.

• Forgive offenses willingly.

• Comfort the affl icted.

• Pray for the living and the dead.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

177

UNIT 5, LESSON 2 337

LESSON PLAN

E. Connect Jesus’ teaching to the Works of Mercy, reminding students that the Church believes these works to be essential to the Christian life

DAY THREEWarm-UpA. Go around the room and have each student draw a slip from the shoe box or container with

the students’ definitions of mercy . Ask them to consider whether the definition fits with the one they had in mind. Call on a few students to read their definitions aloud and comment on whether they think the definition is correct and complete.

B. Write on the board the definition of mercy provided in the glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Mercy: The loving kindness, compassion, or forbearance shown to one who offends.

C. You might simplify this definition by explaining that mercy is love that keeps on loving even when it is rejected. When we sin, we reject God, but He never stops loving us. His mercy (or His love) is infinite. This is how we are called to love as Christians.

D. Explain that the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are charitable acts we can do for our neighbors. As Catholics, we are called to be Christ in the world and build His Kingdom through our actions. We love God above all, and we love one another as God has loved us.

Activity and AssessmentA. Let students know that for the next several weeks, you will be studying the Works of Mercy in

depth. For today, you will focus on learning them by heart.

B. Give students a few minutes to practice writing out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy on their own papers.

C. After a few minutes, call on students one at a time to write one Work of Mercy on the board (without peeking at their papers!) until you’ve completed the full lists.

ӹ If time permits, conclude by having students draw a picture of their favorite Work of Mercy.

© SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS338

Hunter’s Story — “Coming Home”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions below.

Hurricane Katrina struck Biloxi,

Mississippi on Monday, August 29,

2005. Before it hit, our family decided

to pack up some things and leave to

stay with relatives away from the coast.

When we left our house, the water

was already covering the street. We

didn’t think the water would rise any

higher — it hadn’t ever in history. We

were wrong.

After the storm, my mom and dad and I

returned home to the back bay in Biloxi.

As we drove down the streets, we saw

houses pulled off their foundations and

fi shing boats sitting in trees. I heard

that my school downtown had been

fl ooded with over 17 feet of water and

would not be able to reopen. As we

pulled into our neighborhood, my house

looked almost perfect. A window had

blown out in the front. Had we been

spared the worst?

I hopped out of our Jeep, my dog, JP,

trailing close behind me. We walked

through our yard to get out of the hot

sun. As I opened the door to our home,

it was clear that my life had changed

forever. During the storm, several feet

175

UNIT 5, LESSON 2 339

of muddy water had fi lled the entire

house, destroying nearly everything. As

the water left the house, it dragged all

our clothes, photographs, and furniture

out with it. We found some things in our

backyard or at the bottom of the canal

that ran behind our house. The items

were too broken to be worth saving.

Most of our things were lost forever.

In the weeks that followed, we worked

from sunup to sundown in extreme heat

emptying our house of the muck and

debris. For about two weeks, there was

no electricity, and it was even longer

before we had running water. The

government made everyone live under

a curfew because without lights on the

streets — and with most streets fi lled

with wrecked homes and businesses — it

was too dangerous to drive anywhere.

Wallowing in pity was not an option.

You have to want to help yourself get

back up. I didn’t have time to think

about anything else. Life moved pretty

fast after that.

Focus Questions

1. What happened to Hunter’s home? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does Hunter need? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. How could someone answer those needs? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

176

Answer Key1. Hunter’s home

was destroyed by the hurricane, and he lost everything.

2. Hunter needs shelter, clothing, food, and drink.

3. Students might offer: a refugee center, a soup kitchen, or a food bank, or people might donate food, clothing, money, and their own service to support agencies or provide direct assistance.

© SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS340

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Directions: Read the Works of Mercy, looking up any words you don’t know. Then

write them out on the lines provided. Finally, answer the questions

that follow.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are: Write the Corporal Works of Mercy:

• Feed the hungry.

• Give drink to the thirsty.

• Clothe the naked.

• Shelter the homeless.

• Visit the sick.

• Visit the imprisoned.

• Bury the dead.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are: Write the Spiritual Works of Mercy:

• Instruct the ignorant.

• Counsel the doubtful.

• Admonish the sinner.

• Bear wrongs patiently.

• Forgive offenses willingly.

• Comfort the affl icted.

• Pray for the living and the dead.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

177

UNIT 5, LESSON 2 341

Focus and Refl ection Questions

1. What does corporal mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does spiritual men?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. What does mercy mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. From where do we get these lists of Works of Mercy?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Refl ection Question: Why do we need both Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy? Why wouldn’t one or the other be enough?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The Works of Mercy are not optional but are absolutely essential to living the Christian life of holiness and goodness.

CCC 2447

178

Answer Key1. Relating to the

body

2. Relating to the soul

3. Mercy is love shown to someone who rejects that love.

4. From the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

Reflection Question: Accept reasoned answers.

© SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS342

Hunter’s Story — “Coming Home”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions below.

Hurricane Katrina struck Biloxi,

Mississippi on Monday, August 29,

2005. Before it hit, our family decided

to pack up some things and leave to

stay with relatives away from the coast.

When we left our house, the water

was already covering the street. We

didn’t think the water would rise any

higher — it hadn’t ever in history. We

were wrong.

After the storm, my mom and dad and I

returned home to the back bay in Biloxi.

As we drove down the streets, we saw

houses pulled off their foundations and

fishing boats sitting in trees. I heard

that my school downtown had been

flooded with over 17 feet of water and

would not be able to reopen. As we

pulled into our neighborhood, my house

looked almost perfect. A window had

blown out in the front. Had we been

spared the worst?

I hopped out of our Jeep, my dog, JP,

trailing close behind me. We walked

through our yard to get out of the hot

sun. As I opened the door to our home,

it was clear that my life had changed

forever. During the storm, several feet

UNIT 5, LESSON 2 175

of muddy water had filled the entire

house, destroying nearly everything. As

the water left the house, it dragged all

our clothes, photographs, and furniture

out with it. We found some things in our

backyard or at the bottom of the canal

that ran behind our house. The items

were too broken to be worth saving.

Most of our things were lost forever.

In the weeks that followed, we worked

from sunup to sundown in extreme heat

emptying our house of the muck and

debris. For about two weeks, there was

no electricity, and it was even longer

before we had running water. The

government made everyone live under

a curfew because without lights on the

streets — and with most streets filled

with wrecked homes and businesses — it

was too dangerous to drive anywhere.

Wallowing in pity was not an option.

You have to want to help yourself get

back up. I didn’t have time to think

about anything else. Life moved pretty

fast after that.

Focus Questions

1. What happened to Hunter’s home? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does Hunter need? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. How could someone answer those needs? _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

UNIT 5, LESSON 2176

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Directions: Read the Works of Mercy, looking up any words you don’t know. Then

write them out on the lines provided. Finally, answer the questions

that follow.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are: Write the Corporal Works of Mercy:

ӹ Feed the hungry.

ӹ Give drink to the thirsty.

ӹ Clothe the naked.

ӹ Shelter the homeless.

ӹ Visit the sick.

ӹ Visit the imprisoned.

ӹ Bury the dead.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are: Write the Spiritual Works of Mercy:

ӹ Instruct the ignorant.

ӹ Counsel the doubtful.

ӹ Admonish the sinner.

ӹ Bear wrongs patiently.

ӹ Forgive offenses willingly.

ӹ Comfort the afflicted.

ӹ Pray for the living and the dead.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

UNIT 5, LESSON 2 177

Focus and Reflection Questions

1. What does corporal mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does spiritual men?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. What does mercy mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. From where do we get these lists of Works of Mercy?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Reflection Question: Why do we need both Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy? Why wouldn’t one or the other be enough?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The Works of Mercy are not optional but are absolutely essential to living the Christian life of holiness and goodness.

CCC 2447

UNIT 5, LESSON 2178