What is that act of charity called which consists in doing good through the means of mercy?
It is called almsdeeds (XXXII. 1).
Are there divers kinds of almsdeeds?
Yes, there are two great kinds of almsdeeds: those that are spiritual and those that are corporal (XXXII. 2).
What are corporal almsdeeds?
Corporal almsdeeds are the following: To feed the hungry; to give drink to him that thirsts; to clothe the naked; to give hospitality to the stranger; to visit him who is ailing; to set at liberty those in captivity; and to bury the dead (XXXII. 2).
And what are spiritual almsdeeds?
Spiritual almsdeeds are prayer, teaching, counsel, consolation, correction, and the forgiving of an offence (XXXII. 2).
Are all these almsdeeds of great worth?
Yes, and indeed we see by the Gospels that at the day of judgment the sentence of eternal damnation or eternal reward will depend upon them.
When is there a strict and grave obligation of performing an almsdeed?
Always when our neighbour is in pressing need, whether spiritual or corporal, and when we only are able to help him (XXXII. 5).
Although there may be no pressing need for helping our neighbour, is there any strict and grave obligation to make use of the spiritual and temporal goods one has received in superabundance from God with the view of bettering our neighbour or society?
Yes, one who has received spiritual and temporal goods in superabundance from God is in duty bound to act in this way (XXXII. 5, 6).
Next - 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 (F)
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