Works of Mercy

James F. Keenan, SJ, is Canisius Professor and director of the Jesuit Institute at Boston College. He is the author or editor of a number of books, including University Ethics: How Colleges Can Build and Benefit from a Culture of Ethics and Moral Wisdom: Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition.

• Chapter One: Mercy Distinguishes Christian MoralityPart I: The Corporal Works of MercyChapter Two: The Corporal Works of MercyChapter Three: Visit the PrisonerChapter Four: Shelter the HomelessChapter Five: Feed the HungryChapter Six: Give Drink to the Thirsty Chapter Seven: Bury the DeadChapter Eight: Visit the SickChapter Nine: Clothe the NakedPart II: A Meditation on Mercy in Light of September 11, 2001Chapter Ten: Amazing GracePart III: The Spiritual Works of MercyChapter Eleven: The Spiritual Works of Mercy Chapter Twelve: A Reconciling SpiritChapter Thirteen: Being VigilantChapter Fourteen: PrayerPart IV: A Meditation on Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of MercyChapter Fifteen: Role Reversals and the Scandal of MercyPart V: Mercy and the Eucharistic LiturgyChapter Sixteen: The Entrance RiteChapter Seventeen: The Liturgy of the WordChapter Eighteen: The Liturgy of the EucharistChapter Nineteen: CommunionPart VI: A Meditation on HIV/AIDS in a World in Need of MercyChapter Twenty: HIV/AIDS in a World in Need of MercyPart VII: Mercy and Ordinary LifeChapter Twenty-One: Entering into My Own ChaosChapter Twenty-Two: Entering the Chaos of Family LifeChapter Twenty-Three: Entering the Chaos of the WorldPart VIII: A Meditation on Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving DayChapter Twenty-Four: Thanksgiving for Tender Mercies

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.