Ew. You can’t sit with us.

Pope Francis was a shining example of a man who followed these teachings well and faithfully. If there is a heaven, I think he deserves to be there.

Sometimes I think of all the poisonous teachings from my Catholic childhood I rejected, and then I remember the Works of Mercy. Whether or not there is a heaven for me to end up in, I believe that these are the instructions for a good, moral life. If we humans can have purpose, this is it.

The spiritual Works of Mercy demand forbearance, forgiveness, instruction, comfort.