John Cavanaugh-O'Keefe

Restoring the Works of Mercy John Cavanaugh-O'Keefe

None of the teaching of Jesus Christ is supposed to be understood on a literal level alone. And Indeed, almost none of it is ever scrutinized on a level level alone. But there has been an exception. An extraordinarily rich part of the teaching of Jesus is often memorized and studied and scrutinized as literal ALONE. The Lord's sermon about the Last Judgment is often presented as a list of "corporal" works of mercy. The sermon is about the literal works of mercy, serving the body -- corporal. But like all the rest of the Lord's teaching, it also applies to the soul and the spirit."Restoring the Works of Mercy" explores the meaning of the Lord's joyful invitations and stern warnings in his words about the Last Judgment, in chapter 25 of Matthew's Gospel. The Lord asks that we feed the hungry. That includes people whose stomachs pinch. But this service also includes feeding the mind and the heart and the soul and the spirit. It includes proclaiming the word of God, It includes drawing people togethr for a banquet -- now and soon and forever. The Lord asks that we give drink to the thirsty. That's about water, of course. But it's also about responding to the great thirst of the human heart and spirit: "As the hind longs for the running water, so my soul longs for you, my God."