What does it mean to be a Catholic? Besides having faith in Jesus Christ and his church, being a Catholic means being inclined to mercy, which is 'the willingness to enter into the chaos of another.' Over the centuries Catholics have defined themselves by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick. This book explores not only the seven corporal works of mercy, but also the seven spiritual works as well. It considers how we invoke mercy throughout the Eucharistic liturgy and how frequently mercy enters into ordinary life, in the way we care for our families, and the way we care for ourselves. Interspersed are three meditations on mercy: on September 11, on being a priest in light of the scandal in Boston, and a new meditation on the world of HIV/AIDS.
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Psalm 136 insists that God's mercy endures forever. James Keenan gives flesh and blood to that scriptural act of faith in this brilliant medley of story and reflection. Keenan's work is a stunning example of how a deeply learned theologian sensitive to the pastoral needs of people serves the People of God in urging us to make real the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. (Lawrence S. Cunningham )
The Works of Mercy is a new spin on an old and worthy topic: a distinctive Catholic morality. Keenan brings together social problems, personal ethics, and Catholic prayer and liturgy to create what might be termed a 'moral spirituality.' In this wonderful and wise treatment, the corporal and spiritual 'works of mercy' are no mere works—they are joyful orientations of Christian faith and hopeful pathways of human solidarity. (Cahill, Lisa Sowle )
The Works of Mercy is a remarkable book which weaves together clear-sighted social analysis and profound theological insight. It is rich in anecdote, bringing to the surface the complexity and richness of the everyday, and from which Keenan's incarnational theology is wrought. This beautifully written book is a joy to read. (Linda Hogan )
Father James Keenan, SJ, is both one of the brightest and one of the most accessible of Catholic moral theologians. He brilliantly combines vast learning, a lucid writing style, and the ability to offer real-life examples, to enable his readers to live virtuous, compassionate and joyful lives as Christian men and women. (James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints )
The Works of Mercy is a new spin on an old and worthy topic: a distinctive Catholic morality. Keenan brings together social problems, personal ethics, and Catholic prayer and liturgy to create what might be termed a 'moral spirituality.' In this wonderful and wise treatment, the corporal and spiritual 'works of mercy' are no mere works—they are joyful orientations of Christian faith and hopeful pathways of human solidarity. (Cahill, Lisa Sowle )
The Works of Mercy is a remarkable book which weaves together clear-sighted social analysis and profound theological insight. It is rich in anecdote, bringing to the surface the complexity and richness of the everyday, and from which Keenan's incarnational theology is wrought. This beautifully written book is a joy to read. (Linda Hogan )
Father James Keenan, SJ, is both one of the brightest and one of the most accessible of Catholic moral theologians. He brilliantly combines vast learning, a lucid writing style, and the ability to offer real-life examples, to enable his readers to live virtuous, compassionate and joyful lives as Christian men and women. (James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints )
About the Author
Fr. James Keenan, S.J., holds the Gasson Chair in the Theology Department at Boston College. He is the author of several other books including Moral Wisdom: Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition, and over two hundred articles, essays, and reviews.
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This review is from: The Works of Mercy: The Heart of Catholicism (Church Book (shw)) (Paperback)
Fr. James Keenan, SJ states, "Our entire theological tradition is expressed in terms of mercy, which is defined as the willingness to enter into the chaos of others". If you are searching for reasons, or satisfying a Christian interest, the book quenches the thirst for knowledge. You are left with better insight to Christian belief. The way Fr. Keenan expresses his thoughts and opinions, opens the mind of the reader to contemplation and understanding to what should be obvious to us all.
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