Instructing the ignorant, the second spiritual Work of Mercy

The Works of Mercy through the eyes of a biblist

Let us delve into the second spiritual Work of Mercy by returning to the reflections of biblical scholar Carlo Miglietta. During the meetings starting Monday, July 17, 2023, we will discuss all the works with our gathering friends and seek suitable tools for their dissemination across the world.

The second spiritual Work of Mercy is «instructing the ignorant»

The biblist points out that whoever performs this work is similar to:

• God, who «teaches mankind knowledge» (Ps 94:10); «teaches the humble his way» (Ps 25:9); «Your decrees are very trustworthy» (Ps 93:5); «I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes… Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart… Your statutes are always righteous» (Ps 119:99, 111, 144); «Many and great teachings have been given to us through the Law, the Prophets, and the other books that followed» (Sir 1:1).
• Jesus, who «taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes» (Mt 7:29); «He taught in their synagogues» (Lk 4:15); «I have always taught in a synagogue or at the temple» (Jn 18:20); «You taught in our streets» (Lk 13:26); «These are the words of him who is… the Amen, the faithful and true witness» (Rev 2:8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14).
• The Apostles: «The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught» (Mk 6:30); «For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you» (Mt 10:20).
• John the Baptist: «John taught his disciples» (Lk 11:1).
• The Prophets. Moses: «Speak to the Israelites and say to them» (Ex 31:13; Lev 1:2; 6:18; 7:23, 29; 17:2; 18:2; 19:2; 23:2, 10, 24, 34; 24:15; 26:2…); David: «The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue» (2 Sam 23:2-3); Jeremiah (Jer 13:13, 15; 23:38; 34:2; 35:2…), Ezekiel (Ezek 3:1, 11; 11:5; 14:4; 17:2; 20:3…); Haggai (Hag 1:2; 2:2, 21), Zechariah (Zech 1:3; 7:5; 11:4).

The biblist also reminds us that whoever instructs the ignorant listens to the Word of God

Below are some excerpts:

• «Speak, elder, for it is your privilege, but with sound knowledge, and do not interrupt the music» (Sir 32:3).
• «If anyone loves righteousness… she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and courage, than which nothing is more profitable to human life» (Wis 8:7).
• «You, however, must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine» (Tit 2:1).
• «The grace of God… teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age» (Tit 2:11-12).
• «The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort» (1 Cor 14:3-4).
• «If serving, let us serve; if teaching, in the teaching» (Rom 12:7).
• «Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God» (1 Pet 4:11).
• «God has appointed in the church… teachers» (1 Cor 12:28; cf. Eph 4:11).

The biblist leaves us at the conclusion of this work with a stirring question: do we know how to be «fishers of men» (Mk 1:17), recognizing those who teach our brothers and sisters and proclaiming to them the beatitude of Mercy: «Blessed are the merciful» (Mt 5:7)?

Knowing is freedom

Knowledge is a condition that enables us to be free and responsible persons; indeed, whenever there is an attempt to curtail the freedom of an individual or a community, efforts are made to keep them away from the knowledge of truth. At the same time, a lack of understanding causes people profound suffering.

The word «ignorant», which strictly means «one who does not know», often bears a very negative connotation in society. Human questions and yearnings express deep anguish and solitude.

We therefore realize the crucial role played by educators, teachers, catechists, and parents. Each of them has an essential contribution to make, through words that must always be accompanied by the testimony of their own lives.

Photo by Zach Wear – Unsplash

Source: Carlo Miglietta – The Works of Mercy