172. Alms
172. ALMS
What are “almsdeeds,” i.e., the works of love, if not just giving away money?
We reckon seven corporal almsdeeds, namely,
(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 sick,
(6) to ransom the captive,
(7) to bury the dead. . .
Again, we reckon seven spiritual alms, namely,
(1) to instruct the ignorant,
(2) to counsel the doubtful,
(3) to comfort the sorrowful,
(4) to reprove the sinner,
(5) to forgive injuries,
(6) to bear with those who trouble and annoy us, and
(7) to pray for all (II-II,32,2).
Traditional lists like this are helpful because (1) they make the general concept very concrete and unavoidable instead of a safe abstraction, and (2) because they do not leave it up to us to make our own lists, which would probably fit our own inclinations more than others’ needs.
Cultural conditions have changed very little since St. Thomas’ day. The most important human needs are constant. (We don’t literally need a single one of the many inventions that have made our lives easier since the Middle Ages.) There is not a one of these fourteen deeds that does not have its contemporary equivalent. And all are major needs, crying needs. For instance, “to clothe the naked” is not confined to literally naked people, who were rare in the Middle Ages, as they are now, but it moves us to share the many pieces of clothing that we do not really need and use with people who do really need and can use them. For most of us who are not desperately poor, this almsdeed, like most of the others, costs us very little sacrifice, and only a little time and effort. “To harbor the harborless” refers not merely to boats but to unwanted children and orphans and the homeless, especially victims of natural disasters and pregnant women who need support to be encouraged keep their babies. There are many excellent Catholic organizations devoted to such needs. And literally millions of “the sick” pine away in loneliness in nursing homes. Yet we tend to minimize our visits even to our own extended family.
Some of these works require special authorization, e.g., “to ransom the captive” and “to bury the dead”; and others require discretion and timing to be effective, e.g., “to reprove the sinner.” (See #174, below.) But everyone should pick at least one from each list and make it a habit, not just a one-shot, temporary conscience-relief pill. Teachers have the advantage of getting paid for “instructing the ignorant”. They also have the disadvantage of a stricter judgment on themselves: see James 3:1.
“To forgive injuries” is necessary for everyone at all times, and is so important that Our Lord made a point of repeating only that one petition in the Lord’s Prayer, and making it a condition for salvation! For He commanded us to pray for our own damnation if we do not forgive those who sin against us: “forgive us our trespasses as (to the extent that) we forgive those who trespass against us.” The commonest examples of “forgiving injuries” is the very next almsdeed, “to bear with those who trouble and annoy us”, usually unwittingly—a habit as (obviously) useful as it is (surprisingly) difficult.