Publication date:
26 April 2017Length of book:
178 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersDimensions:
237x160mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9781442247130
The Works of Mercy introduces readers to the seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy, inviting readers to explore mercy in our everyday lives. James Keenan defines mercy as “the willingness to enter into the chaos of another,” and it is one of the central elements of the Christian faith. Over the centuries Christians have defined themselves by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the sick. The book explores the traditional works of mercy and also looks at how mercy enters into ordinary life, in the way we care for our families and the way we care for ourselves. The third edition features more inclusive language to resonate with readers of all backgrounds, new case studies and examples—from health care to the prison system, and new material on how Pope Francis and his papacy reflect mercy.
James F. Keenan, SJ, is one of the church's most vibrant, influential, and sensible theologians. His work on mercy and compassion, as well as his larger work on moral theology, has had a profound influence on my own life. His writings, based on Scripture, tradition, and experience, are accessible, inviting, faithful, provocative, and inspiring. Father Keenan has helped to teach me how to think about life, and, more importantly, how to live.