Victor R. Claveau, MJ
See CCC §1458, 1473, 1815, 1829, 1853, 2044, 2447
The three eminent Good Works are Prayer, Fasting, and Alms-deeds.
Prayer, Fasting, and Alms-deeds, are called the eminent Good Works, because they are remarkable above all others for the precious fruits they produce. They are especially pleasing to God, because they devote to Him, they give to Him and His service, all that we are and all that we have. By prayer we offer Him our souls and hearts, with all their affections. It is this which God wants supremely, a return of our love for His love. By fasting we offer our body with all its powers and senses. By alms-deeds we use for God’s glory and honor and service, our earthly possessions.
Prayer means raising the mind and the heart to God. It means praising God; it means thanking God; it means begging God’s pardon; it means asking God for things of body and soul. To pray is something all of us can and must do.
Prayer can take many forms:
Spiritual thinking is prayer. Dwelling upon some phrase from Scripture, some incident in the lives of the saints, some happening of daily life that has a spiritual idea in it – these are forms of what is called meditation or mental prayer.
Prayer need not be long and formal. We have hundreds of short prayers, ejaculations as we call them, which can be said in the twinkling of an eye, which can be said almost everywhere and any- time during the day or night, which can be said without prayer-book and without kneeling down. Some examples: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph;” “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours;” “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.”
Vocal prayer takes the form of the Rosary, Litanies, and of the many expressive and uplifting thoughts in our manuals of devotion.
Fasting has a wider meaning of penance and self-denial: It means primarily observing the laws of fast and abstinence of the Church. It means denying ourselves certain lawful pleasures. It means taking up certain painful duties or tasks. It means doing difficult things, even though we do not have to do them. It means bearing labor and trials with patience. It means manful resistance of temptation.
The effects of fasting and penance in general, are remarkable: It appeases the anger of God at sin. It subdues the passions. It inspires good thoughts and desires. It renews and revives the spiritual man. It obtains the pardon of sin.
It atones for past sin. It clears the intellect. It often benefits bodily health.
Faith that shows itself in frequent, fervent prayer, and in large-hearted self-denial, such as fasting and abstinence, will save you and will save the world.
Alms-deeds means giving aid to our neighbor-and neighbor means every other human being – for God’s sake. It means sharing the gifts of God with the children of God. It takes many forms:
Giving food and clothing to the poor. This is not a mere theoretical suggestion, something reserved for saints and saints alone. There are many Catholics who give clothing, new and used, to people who can use it. There are Catholics who feed poor families. You don’t read about these charities in the papers or the parish report, but you will hear about it when the eternal records are read.
Supplying money for food and clothing. Many know not what to give, or to whom to give it. They give to those who do know the needy and their needs. Every pastor is acquainted with families or individuals who can use help, although they never ask for it.
Alms-deeds includes any kindness shown to others. This may be in the form of taking care of a child or invalid while others go to church.
Corporal works of mercy are alms-deeds. So, too, are the spiritual works of mercy. They all take time and effort, and usually mean some sort of sacrifice.