my dearly beloved, for it is written: Revenge is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord' (Rom. xii. 17-19; comp. Matt. v. 39-41).—Examples: Jacob and Esau; David and Saul.
29. What sort of people does Holy Scripture particularly recommend to our love?
The poor, widows and orphans, and in general all those who are in corporal or spiritual need.
30. How are we to assist them?
By the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy' (Matt. V. 7).
31. Which are the 'Corporal Works of Mercy'?
The Corporal Works of Mercy are these seven: 1. To feed the hungry; 2. To give drink to the thirsty; 3. To clothe the naked; 4. To harbor the harborless; 5. To visit the imprisoned; 6. To visit the sick; 7. To bury the dead.
32. Is it also a duty to perform corporal works of mercy?
Yes, it is such an indispensable duty that Christ condemns the unmerciful to everlasting fire.
'Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire. For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you covered me not; sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. . . . Amen I say unto you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. And these shall go into everlasting punishment' (Matt. xxv. 41-46). With regard to the dead, the Holy Scripture says: 'My son, shed tears over the dead, and neglect not his burial ' (Ecclus. xxxviii. 16).
33. What good things are promised to those who give alms?
Temporal blessings,1 and especially spiritual graces, in order to obtain forgiveness of their sins and life everlasting.2
1'He that giveth to the poor shall not want; lie that despiseth his entreaty shall suffer indigence' (Prov. xxviii. 27).—Example: Tobias. 2'Alms delivereth from, death and the same
