By Kateri Rogers, 4th grade
“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40
This verse reminds us that what we do to others is also what we do to God. As Christians we want to respect human life, and we do not want to sin against God or one of our neighbors. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are ways that we can care for and cherish one another. These are three ways I can protect and cherish human life, by praying for people that they respect the dignity of others, by teaching people about respecting life, and by supporting people who are in need.
Praying for others is a Spiritual Work of Mercy, and we know that prayers can help people. I can say prayers such as a rosary or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy for an intention. I should pray for the doctors who think aborting babies is right. I can talk to God about women who are thinking about having an abortion and ask that they understand that a baby is a human and that they get some help if they need it. I can ask God to help change people’s hearts, so they cherish human life.
Teaching people about God is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. God loves us so much. I can teach people about how a person is a person, no matter how small. God is so sad when we disrespect one another because we are His children. I can remind people about how life is so beautiful and how God loves when babies are born because He made each one of us.
Helping those in need is a Corporal Work of Mercy. I can support people by giving food to the Lord’s Diner and giving baby supplies to A Better Choice. I can donate money to places that help people without homes. I can even just smile at someone walking by. If someone is sad, I can go over and talk to them. If I see someone that nobody is talking to, I can go invite them to sit with me and my friends. By helping others, I can protect and cherish human life.
Matthew 25:40 reminds us that God wants us to protect and cherish human beings. I do this when I pray for people, talk to people about how to protect and cherish and value human life, and when I give to people in need. These are all Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Some of these things are hard to do and some come easily, but all are important. God is happy when we do these things, and it makes us feel good. God loves it when His children are loving and caring to one another. These Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy care for people and make them feel valued; God is overjoyed when we do these acts of mercy.
Kateri Rogers won second place in the elementary school category of the Culture of Life Studies Program’s 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest.