“The works of the heart” – The fourth spiritual work of mercy

A brief meditation by Msgr. Paolo Giulietti, Archbishop of Lucca, on the fourth spiritual work of mercy, to live it concretely in daily life.

“The works of the heart” is a booklet written by Msgr. Paolo Giulietti on the occasion of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy announced in 2015, when he was still auxiliary bishop of Perugia and Città della Pieve.

Ten years have passed, but the reflections of the current Archbishop of Lucca regarding the works of mercy remain deeply relevant.

The intention is to revisit these brief meditations on the fourteen works to bring them into everyday life: what spazio + spadoni calls the “ReEvolution of the works of mercy”.

Consoling the afflicted

Despite polished images of perfectly happy individuals and families, the reality of sadness dwells with increasing intensity in our country, as shown by the constant rise in people suffering from mental health conditions.

Growing opportunities for entertainment and gratification can do nothing against an endemic affliction that asks not to be exorcised, but to be welcomed with mercy and healed through consolation.

It is possible to offer true comfort to those who live in sorrow, by virtue of the “joy of the Gospel”: namely, the possibility of giving meaning and hope to every situation, in the light of Easter faith in the risen Crucified Christ. Through silent and active closeness, through the sharing of the Word of salvation, through compassionate participation in the roots of grief… affliction softens and opens up to hope.

Against the illusory promise of a society that eliminates every cause of unhappiness through scientific and technological progress, stands a much more realistic view: sorrow is part of the human experience, yet it can be confronted and overcome if one receives and embraces sound reasons to keep living. Sharing these reasons with our brothers and sisters is—today more than ever—a great act of love.

Image created digitally by spazio + spadoni

Source: Giulietti, P., Le opere del cuore