14 November 2019

The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - IX. OF THE SECONDARY ACTS, OR THE EFFECTS OF CHARITY; OF JOY, PEACE, MERCY, KINDLINESS, ALMSDEEDS AND FRATERNAL CORRECTION (C)

(C)
 
Is there any other effect which attends the principal act of charity besides these two interior effects?

Yes, there is another interior effect which follows this act which is called mercy (XXX.).
 
What is meant by mercy?

By mercy is meant a special virtue distinct from charity, and of which it is the fruit, whereby we sorrow for the misery of our neighbour as something possible to ourselves, or at least as if the misery in some sense were our own, and this by reason of the friendship which unites us to our neighbour (XXX. 1-3).
 
Is this virtue of mercy a great virtue?

Yes, for it is a virtue which belongs to God par excellence, not indeed in so far as there is any feeling of sorrow or of sadness (which cannot be in Him), but as regards the effects which this feeling moved by charity produces (XXX. 4).
 
Among men, does this feeling belong above all to the most perfect?

Yes, for the nearer one approaches to God, so much the more must mercy have root in him, inclining him to give help to all around him according to the extent of his means, whether they be spiritual or temporal (XXX. 4).
 
Would the practice of this virtue be a great help towards the establishment and the strengthening of social peace among men?

Yes, indeed this would be so.


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