(292-294) Works of Love VII
Mercifulness, a Work of Love, Even if it Can Give Nothing and Is Capable of Doing Nothing
“Mercifulness has nothing to give”
When we give and feel we're charitable
We can our receiving targets distract
From the power they possess in the merciful
No matter how poor, they can enact
Our giving can thus become indecent
Steeped in this clear injustice
In our generosity, we can be complacent
With our money we may steal their substance
The poor and wretched are rebuffed
When we are silent about their mercy
To feel and act in their love's enough
In their clear and caring courtesy
To have a heart within the bosom
Has no need of money in the pocket
Here we may learn a divine lesson
We can't take mercy to market
Mercifulness has nothing to give
Thus the poor are thereby capable
It's not money that makes mercy live
As we see in a Jesus parable
An old woman gave two pennies
To her it was the greatest sum
While the wealthy give from their plenty
Her's is the greater the mercy done
Those who give mercy out of poverty
Surely they must give the most
In that way, they achieve a majesty
That the wealthy may have lost