Sheep or Goat? A Corporal Works of Mercy Lesson Plan

This lesson plan aims to teach young people about the Corporal Works of Mercy, seven actions that are focused on helping others in physical need. The idea is rooted in Catholic teaching but has broader humanitarian appeal. The lesson will go through each of the seven actions: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.

This Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan uses a mix of discussion, activities, and real-world examples to make the concepts relatable. The objective is to not only educate but also to inspire action. Practical exercises are included to help students understand how they can apply these principles in their own lives.

By the end of the lesson, the youth should have a good understanding of what each of the Corporal Works of Mercy involves. They will also learn why these actions are important and how they can incorporate them into daily life. The lesson is designed to be interactive and engaging, keeping the interest of young learners while imparting valuable knowledge.

For more about the Corporal Works of Mercy, see here.

Start this Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan on service by playing Sheep and Goats (see the complete instructions).

Follow up with a couple of questions:

• Was it easy to get all of the sheep to one side?
• What strategy worked best for you?
• How well did your team work together?

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us about Judgment Day, and uses the image of sheep being separated from goats.

Matthew 25:31-46 (The Judgment of the Nations) – the Gospel Reading for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – Year A

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.

And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’

He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’

And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

This gospel reading might make you feel confident, uncertain, or both. But fortunately the Church provides us for some guidelines for how we can serve Christ by meeting the physical needs of others. These are called the Corporal Works of Mercy.

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit those in prison
• Bury the dead
• Give alms to the poor

So let’s look at each of these and think about how we can practice them.

Let’s start with feed the hungry. We all hear of people in our communities who lose their jobs or for one reason or another can’t just go to the store and buy the food they need to sustain themselves.

• Have you ever volunteered at a foodbank or soup kitchen?
• What is one practical thing you could do to help somebody who is hungry?

Next is give drink to the thirsty. With water readily available to us from the faucet, we might not consider that thirst can be a problem.

• Have you ever considered that there are people in the world who are thirsty?
• Why might somebody be thirsty and how can we help?

We should shelter the homeless. There are homeless people throughout our communities.

• Have you ever encountered a homeless person?
• If so, how did it make you feel?
• What are some ways we can help provide shelter for those who don’t have it?

What about visit the sick? Being sick is miserable, and a visitor can help take their mind off of how they feel.

• Have you ever known somebody who was seriously ill?
• Are you comfortable visiting someone who is sick?
• If you can’t visit somebody in person, how else can you help?

Visit those in prison. This can be difficult, because most of us can’t just go to a prison and visit a random person.

• Do you think prisoners deserve our help?
• If you can’t visit a prisoner, what is something else you can do to assist?

Bury the dead. This doesn’t mean pick up a shovel and dig a grave. Most of us will never do that.

• What are some ways we can help bury the dead?
• Have you ever grieved the death of a loved one?
• How can the community comfort those who are grieving?

And finally, give alms to the poor.

• What are some ways you can give alms to the poor?
• How can you take a leadership role in helping those who don’t have enough?

So we’ve discussed some very practical ways that we can help others. And when our judgement day comes, we can hear Jesus say “whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

• How does thinking of Judgment Day make you feel? Why?
• If you were to die today, what are some of the good things you have done for others which you might be judged on?
• What are some areas of your life you might want to change based on today’s discussion?

For this week’s assignment, you’re encouraged to choose one Corporal Work of Mercy and put it into action. The objective is to stretch your boundaries a bit; aim for something that’s new or slightly outside your comfort zone. You could opt for feeding the hungry by volunteering at a food bank or maybe visit a nursing home to spend time with the elderly.

The idea is to actively engage in a deed that you wouldn’t normally do. By taking on this challenge, you’ll not only be helping someone else but also broadening your own perspective. Make sure to reflect on the experience, considering how it felt to help and what you learned from the activity.

Conclude the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan by offering prayer intentions and the The Prayer for Generosity (printable copy).

Lord, teach me to be generous;
Teach me to serve you as you deserve,
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to seek reward,
Except that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.

If you want to send an activity home to remind the youth to pray for those in need, you could use Paper Towel Roll Prayers to do that.

Themes for the Corporal Works of Mercy Lesson Plan

• Catholic Doctrine: The lesson is rooted in the Corporal Works of Mercy, which are integral to Catholic teaching on how to lead a virtuous life.
• Spiritual Growth: The Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan aims to deepen students’ understanding of their faith and how it calls them to serve others.
• Moral Education: The lesson emphasizes Catholic ethical principles, teaching students their moral responsibilities as followers of Christ.
• Prayer and Reflection: Part of the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan involves moments for prayer and reflection, encouraging students to internalize these teachings.
• Sacramental Life: The lesson ties in with the broader sacramental practices of the Church, linking acts of mercy with spiritual fulfillment.
• Christian Community: The Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan aims to build a sense of community among students, fostering an environment where Catholic values are shared and lived out.
• Biblical References: The Corporal Works of Mercy are backed by biblical teachings, and this context is explored in the lesson.
• Faith in Action: The lesson plan encourages students to apply their faith practically, demonstrating how Catholic spirituality can and should lead to active charity.
• Divine Love: The lesson aims to show how acts of mercy are a reflection of God’s love, and how fulfilling these acts can bring one closer to God.

Background Material for the Corporal Works of Mercy Lesson Plan

The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses the Corporal Works of Mercy within its teachings on the Christian moral life, specifically emphasizing the virtue of charity. These acts are listed under the discussion of the Seventh Commandment and the teachings on social justice.

Paragraph 2447 explicitly lists the seven Corporal Works of Mercy and frames them as an expression of Christian love and responsibility.

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:

CCC Paragraph 2447

In paragraph 2449, the Catechism goes on to the Final Judgment scene from Matthew 25:31-46. This biblical passage describes how Jesus will judge individuals based on how they have cared for the “least of these,” linking the Corporal Works of Mercy to eternal salvation.

The Catechism presents these works as not merely acts of human kindness, but as requirements for spiritual growth and grace, tying them into the larger fabric of Catholic doctrine and community life. Scripture provides additional guidance.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:14-17

This quote from James 2:14-17 emphasizes the importance of action alongside faith. It challenges the idea that faith alone is sufficient for a good Christian life, stressing that actions, specifically acts of mercy like feeding the hungry or clothing the naked, are necessary for a complete expression of faith. This aligns closely with the Corporal Works of Mercy, which are essentially faith in action. According to Catholic teaching, performing these works isn’t just a good deed but a religious obligation that complements faith.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:17-18

This passage from 1 John 3:17-18 also insists that love must be demonstrated through actions rather than just words. It questions the authenticity of a person’s claim to love if they see someone in need and do nothing about it. This calls to mind the Corporal Works of Mercy, which are explicit ways to show love for our neighbors by attending to their physical needs. Like James, John argues that love and faith aren’t abstract concepts but should be tangibly manifested in how we treat others.

Both of these New Testament passages serve to underscore the importance of the Corporal Works of Mercy in the life of a Christian. They advocate for a faith that is lived out through tangible acts of love and charity, affirming that this is not just a nice idea but a requirement for anyone who professes to follow Christ.

Music Suggestions for the Corporal Works of Mercy Lesson Plan

• Do Something
• A Rightful Place
• Hold Us Together
• They’ll Know We Are Christians
• The Servant Song
• If We Are the Body

Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Lesson plans are meant to give a framework for introducing information to youth. This Corporal Works of Mercy Lesson Plan is part of a larger set. Most of these also include reflection questions for small group sharing. These help youth think about how to apply what they have learned to their everyday lives.

What is the main goal of the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan?

The main goal of the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan is to educate youth about the seven actions that focus on aiding others in physical need, and how to apply these principles in daily life.

Who is the target audience for the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan?

The Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan is primarily designed for young people. It’s suitable for middle school and high school students, as well as youth groups.

How long does the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan take to complete?

The duration can vary depending on the activities chosen, but generally, the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan takes about one to two hours to complete.

What materials are needed for the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan?

You’ll need basic classroom supplies such as a whiteboard or chalkboard, markers, and handouts for discussion points and activities. Some activities may require additional materials.

Do you need a religious background to participate in the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan?

While rooted in Catholic teaching, the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan has a broader humanitarian message and can be valuable for people of various backgrounds.

How interactive is the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan?

The lesson plan includes a mix of discussions, activities, and real-world examples to keep students engaged.

Can the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan be adapted for different age groups?

Yes, the lesson plan is flexible and can be adapted to suit the learning levels and needs of different age groups.

Is there a follow-up activity recommended after completing the Corporal Works of Mercy lesson plan?

Yes, a week-long assignment is suggested where students pick one Corporal Work of Mercy to practice, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones.