Spiritual Works of Mercy

A Reflection for Proper 25 C Church of the Holy Trinity, Hertford, NC October 19, 2025 Thomas E Wilson, Guest Celebrant Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Spiritual Works of Mercy In the Hebrew Testament lesson for today the prophet Jeremiah is watching his people go into exile in Babylon. They will leave the Promised Land, not as punishment but as a new beginning to recover from their arrogance, so that they may once again return with a new heart to the promised Land. They will go into exile, to put the past behind them and learn how to live in community with each other. They will have to leave the old antagonisms and boundaries behind so a new sacred space might be cultivated by them. In the new land, they will learn how to live into Mitzpah; “The Lord watch between thee and me while we are absent one from another”. The hope is that they will learn how to be merciful to one another. In Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, Paul is probably in prison and awaiting his execution in Rome. He knows that his days on earth are numbered, but the ministry will continue with Timothy’s ministry. As I was reflecting on this Letter, I remembered what it was like for me when a little over seven years ago, I was coming up to the mandatory Rector retirement age of 72 and I was going to have to leave the church which Pat and I had fallen in love with. The theory is that the mandatory retirement age is an act of mercy for a parish and the Rector, to save the church from the pride of a Rector who wanted to be immortal. I had to leave, for the good of the church, but I trusted that the church would continue without me. I have enjoyed the time I have had with you at The Church of the Holy Trinity. You have been kind to me over the years. The tradition of the church over the centuries is that we are called to be merciful as Christ was merciful. The church has been fond of the use of seven, so they pass on to us the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy that I came across and wanted to share with you 1) Counsel the Doubtful: Everybody has doubts, or moments of doubt. It does not mean that we are bad people or miserable sinners; but it does mean that doubts have crept in. There are days where I know that I am not a good enough person. When I was married I was amazed that Pat, my wife, could even love me, when at times I sure did not like myself. But, lousy as I am; God and Pat, loved me. It doesn’t say much for their taste; but it says that they made decisions to look at me with eyes of love, Love is a decision, not a feeling. 2) Go Deeper in Faith: Faith is a daily exercise which means that showing up at church on Sunday is not a bad thing; it just isn’t enough. It means that we have to go deeper into prayer; maybe more listening and less reciting. Read, Mark, Learn and Inwardly Digest Scripture and Theology. We do not need to quote in order to regurgitate, but we need to reflect, keeping our minds, and hearts, open. 3) Don’t Judge; Remember, and Repeat: “You and I are not elected as Judges of our neighbor”. The position of Judge is already taken and each of us has spent more than one time on the wrong side of God’s Bench and hope for us. 4) Pay Attention to Their, and Your, Heart: It is the Heart that we are called to hear. Most of us are not trained as Psychiatrists, or even if we were, we are not called to be their therapist. We are called as a brother or sister in Christ to let them know that we care. 5) Forgive as if your life depends on it; because it does. If we carry around a bunch of guilt, it means that we are not able to see the joy of life. When we forgive; we move from a combination of Vengeful Judge and Miserable Sinner to Caring Neighbor. 6) Leave bitterness at the station! Our job is to be able to leave behind the hurts that were given to us. Life is a short enough trip without taking a bunch of foul smelling suitcases with us. We need to travel light. We are not alone in our travels. There is a Power Greater Than Ourselves taking each step with us. 7) When in Doubt: Pray! In each service at church, there are times when we are invited to pray, aloud or silently, for our own needs or the needs of others. God is not at all interested if your grammar is correct, but God cares joyfully if hearts offer hope for healing.