Title:
Doing works that offer mercy: a pastoral approach toward restoring God's right relations in our lives and in the world
Author:
Susan Cesare
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2009
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
reformatted digital
Abstract:
The comfortable and consumerist lifestyle of middle class America and its radical ability to impact the Christian's ability to see the poor was the subject of this thesis. Particular consideration was given to the ancient tradition of the corporal works of mercy as a viable tool to stimulate our dulled vision and to reopen our hearts to people on the margins. Further attention was given to how the works of mercy can assist the individual to rediscover an inherent passion for justice, renew one's vision of God, and reclaim a more authentic interior life. It was shown that engaging the poor through the works of mercy not only provided a graced moment for all involved, but also a transformative experience. Last, this thesis explored how the works of mercy offer a means to respond to the call to virtue and to better realize Jesus' promise of abundant life (John 10:10). The nature of today's consumer society and its connection to a greater marginalization of the poor and to a loss of our interiority were aptly supported by the writings of DeSanta Ana (1981), Haughey (1977), Kammer (1991), and Kavanaugh (2006),(2001). In exploring the history of the works of mercy, their place in Catholic Church tradition, and their relevance for today, the writings of Finley (2003), Keenan (2008) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) were used. The relationship between the call to mercy, the cardinal virtues, and living the abundant life was explored through teachings of Thomas Aquinas on ethics, in the writings of Kreeft (1992) and Wadell (1992). It was found that the tradition of the works of mercy is powerfully rich, and though noticeably forgotten in today's practice, is in need of rediscovery. Future research on this topic should include the spirituality beneath the works of mercy with greater attention to social spirituality, as well as methods to develop these ministries at the parish level, with particular emphasis on the how to address the mechanisms of structural and systemic injustice.
Subject:
Corporal works of mercy
Subject:
Church work with the poor--Catholic Church
Subject:
Church and social problems--Catholic Church
Degree:
Master of Arts
Level:
Master
Discipline:
Spiritual and Pastoral Care
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
Use and Reproduction:
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Identifier:
CesareS-09
