What does the catholic church mean by 'works?' what is it's definition? ?

The good things you do for others, including alms giving, ministering to the sick, helping those in need, etc. . God Bless...

Both "Spiritro" and "I'm a a Catholic Too" are correct.

"I'm a Catholic Too" has correctly listed the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and given scriptural references from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which all truly faithful Catholics (who know about it and have access to) have a copy of.

and

"Spiritro" correctly describes and explains that we must be in a "state of grace" in order for these works to have supernatural merit. This is also described in the Catechism.

You ask good questions.

I admire those souls on Yahoo Answers who take the time to give true, solid answers to questions about the Catholic faith, which is so very often misunderstood by many who have not read or studied the Catholic faith.

As Dennis C, John M, and others have stated, it is not a sin to criticize individual Catholics for mistakes they make, or the Catholic church for mistakes it makes. Is it a sin to criticize the Catholic church for mistakes it has made in the past? No, but it doesn't accomplish anything either, any more than it does to criticize today's Germans for the actions of the Nazis before most of them were born... or to criticize today's Mongols for the actions of Genghis Khan when he conquered Asia and parts of Europe. If you criticize the church, criticize it for its actions today; but at least try to be of fair mind, and remember all of the good it does, too. The Church may make mistakes, but it is after all made up of flawed human beings... and most of those flawed human beings are innocent of any mistakes made now by the Church--and certainly innocent of any it made in the past. Many of those same flawed people also give much of their time and money to charity, to help those in need. The Catholic Church runs more charitable organizations in more places in the world than any other single entity. Criticism for its own sake is unnecessary, and usually serves to make the one criticizing feel better about their own shortcomings at the expense of someone else. Constructive criticism is meant to help the one being constructively criticized fix their mistakes--not change their beliefs, not convince them that they're going to hell or "are not Christian". Snide, hateful criticism meant to convey misinformation and bigotry should be ignored, and rightfully so. Genuine, constructive criticism should be taken seriously, and with gratitude. It is unfortunate how many people do not know the difference.

Works is like the relection of Faith. Faith is something you believe ina concept a theory or theology But works is how u practicsed it For example if i say that i believe in Transubtation The body and Blood of Christ but after Mass i go around and receive the Protestant Communion

I am not praticising what i preach

I am practicisng what i preach For Saint James said If a man has faith but no works What use is it Can he be saved of he does no works and if a man has work but faith what use is it

Works can be divided into few categories work of Mercy, works of Charity works of sacrifice and many else

Do not listen to the heretic Protetsnat and Luther . Luther was not even sure if Faith and works culd save him so he choose Faith instead minus works and thats why he turns out to be one of the modern architechts of antisemtisim. ony Faith and works can save you

By the way the Catholic church belongs to Chrrist our Risen God for whatevere you bound on Earth you bound in Heaven whatever u lose of Earth you lsoe in Heaven So u are insluting Christ and wait the Holy Spirit who lives in JEsus Christ Church

Remember what our incarnated God said that if u curse the Holy spirit you will neverbe forgiven

So where can you go now when your so called minister does not do confession

Amen

WORK

Continues exertion directed to some recognized purpose or end. the exertion may be physical or mental, and the purpose may be determined by the one who workds or by someone else, who in turm may have his or her own motive for assigning the task. Christianity does not look upon work as demeaning or evil, as though leisure were more worthy of human dignity. Work ennobles a person's character and assimilates one to the Savior. "We believe by faith that through the homage of work offered to God man is associated with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, whose labor with his hands at Nazareth greatly ennobled the dignity of work. This is the source of every man's duty to work loyally, as well as his right to work; moreover, it is the duty of society to see to it that, according to the prevailing circumstances, all citizens have the opportunity of finding employment" (Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, III, 67).

He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food must do likewise. (Luke 3:11)

But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. (Luke 11:41)

If a brother or sister is ill clad and in lack of 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 does it profit? (James 2:15-16; cf. 1 John 3:17)

All Christians (including Catholics) are called by Jesus to perform works of mercy.

We come to the aid of our neighbors in their bodily and spiritual needs by these charitable actions.

The spiritual works of mercy include

• Instructing

• Advising

• Consoling

• Comforting

• Forgiving

• Patiently forbearing

The corporal works of mercy include

• Feeding the hungry

• Clothing the naked

• Visiting the sick and imprisoned

• Sheltering the homeless

• Burying the dead

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2447: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2a...

With love in Christ

Good works are helping others, Living a holy life using Jesus Christ as our example.

Works are not our salvation, Jesus Christ is.

It takes a really strange thought pattern to think that living like Jesus taught us and like he did will lead us to hell.

Chris has never been able to explain this, and he seems bent on bearing false wittiness against Catholics because he has had it explained to him, yet he continues misstating what our works are and what part they play in our Salvation.

"Thou Shall not bear false wittiness" is one of the 10 commandments!

We all need to Pray for Chris.

Peace and God Bless!

To answer your question is not at all difficult as it is as simple as Christ said you call me Lord but do not do as i say. And if Chris is a representative of the Christian beliefs i'm certain he would be only seeing himself in a Mirror he has got to be one of the most hateful and liars that i have read in many years out side of the Hateful lieing Chick tracts.May GOD have mercy on Chris's soul.

Works- giving to the poor, food baskets, blood donations (we have the occasional blood drive at our Church), Rice Bowls during Lent, Angel Tree during Christmas and just general giving of ourselves to others.

Acts. Same as in the other Christian churches.