Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job

by Kerry Weber

When Jesus asked us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and visit the imprisoned, he didn’t mean it literally, right? Kerry Weber, a modern, young, single woman in New York City sets out to see if she can practice the Corporal Works of Mercy in an authentic, personal, meaningful manner while maintaining a full, robust, regular life. Weber, a lay Catholic, explores the Works of Mercy in the real world, with a gut-level honesty and transparency that people of urban, country, and suburban locales alike can relate to. Mercy in the City is for anyone who is struggling to live in a meaningful, merciful way amid the pressures of “real life.”
For those who feel they are already overscheduled and too busy, for those who assume that they are not “religious enough” to practice the Works of Mercy, for those who worry that they are alone in their efforts to live an authentic life, Mercy in the City  proves that by living as people for others, we learn to connect as people of faith.

Genres: Faith, Religion, Memoir, Nonfiction, Catholic, Spirituality, School

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2014

Reviews

[El · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just remembered today that I was supposed to read this book for tomorrow for this thing I'm doing this semester at the university where I work. I believe my actual words to that reminder of this assignment was, "Well, that's not going to happen."

There's more to this story. But the point is I sat down with it tonight, and because of Weber's easy-breezy way of writing, and the fact that it's less than 200 pages, I was able to read this in just a couple hours, finishing just in time to meet my regular bedtime. I made it happen.

Longer review to come at a later time.

Later time: So there's this thing I do at the university where I work that involves a group of faculty and staff choosing to sit together once a month in a room with a nun and talk about Catholicism in the world today, the history of Catholicism, and the role of Catholicism in our university (a Catholic institution).

No, I'm not Catholic. But I loved this little group - I learned a lot and more importantly it was just a nice environment to be in because no one proselytized or tried to convert anyone else. It was a nice and safe conversational space.

We talk a lot about Mercy at the university - what does it mean? are we being Merciful? Can we do better for each other and our students?

Reading this book was one of the last "assignments". It's a quick read which is good because, as previously stated, I didn't get to it until the night before we met to discuss it. But I was able to read it in one sitting and discuss it with the group without feeling like a failure.

The book itself was a bit more superficial than I expected. The author decided that for Lent one year she was going to practice the Corporal Works of Mercy. And then she wrote about her experiences. It's not that the idea is bad, but I'm always a little suspect whenever someone does something from a place of religion but then wants to write a book about it. That's just me, I get that. I also found some of her choices for how to fulfill the Works a little questionable. "Give drink to the thirsty" turned into handing out water at a marathon, for example. It's not that runners don't get thirsty, but I feel there are better ways of providing water to people who are unable to provide for themselves than that. (Not to mention the extra cups of water was just dumped on the ground at the end of race instead of, oh, I don't know, handing them out to people who need it.) Most of the other Works were handled better than that, which made the water one especially feel like Weber was just ticking boxes off of a list she had.

If you pick this book up looking for a checklist on how to accomplish the things mentioned in the subtitle, you will be disappointed. That's not what this book is, and that's okay. What Weber does is show her readers that everyone can accomplish the Corporal Works (if they are so inclined) no matter what their lives are like. It just takes a little time, energy, and, at times, ingenuity. It can be a part of your everyday life! Which, of course, is obvious and we don't need a 20-something telling us. But reminders are never a bad thing either.

The reminder that people don't often talk about, however, is that you can do all of those things and not be religious! It's good to be a good person, even for no other reason than it's just, well... good to be a good person.

It's a fine book, but certainly not something I would have picked up on my own. But, anyway, go be good people, and if you're not sure how to be a good person, maybe this book can help you. Though I encourage you to look inside and look around your community if you really don't know how you can show mercy.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without much hard evidence to back up the following statement, I will say that there seems to be more books written about Catholics in the 20-30 year old demographic than by and for that population. Kerry Weber is one of the rare exceptions giving voice to this generation of young lay Catholics trying to establish their lives in a secular world while staying true to their faith amid the balance of relationships, career, and the rest of life’s mundane responsibilities. In “Mercy in the City” Kerry chronicles her attempts at living out the seven Corporal Works of Mercy as part of her Lenten observations. (To recap, those are Jesus’ commandments to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead.) Along the way, Kerry discovers that some of these works are difficult to find inroads to in our modern world, while other opportunities are all around us in places we may not even recognize. As one of Kerry’s friends puts it “So, you’re pledging to do stuff you should be doing anyway?” However, the lesson we learn through Kerry's example is that we all should be doing these works, but how many of us are? The book is sprinkled with her wit and insight throughout. I found myself reading with highlighter in hand to capture some of her more notable observations. Perhaps my favorite was “…at the heart of the Corporal Works of Mercy is making yourself available to those in need, even when it isn’t convenient, even when you don’t expect it.” I love how Kerry drops pop culture references into her serious reflections (the Muppets make more than one appearance), and she makes little side comments that can only be classified as #CatholicHumor. I look forward to pestering all of my Catholic friends in the young adult crowd to pick up a copy of “Mercy in the City” and join Kerry Weber in the journey that she invites us all to accompany her on.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice brief Lenten memoir of 40 days of good deeds and following God in NYC.

[Donna Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to use for our young adult Lenten small group! It was whitty, relatable, and inspiring filled with beautiful imagery!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this slim book of witty and wise essays on living out mercy in an urban environment. The stories take place during Lent, so it would be great to read then.

[Claire Gilligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet! And nicely written.

At first I was disappointed that it was as fluffy as it was (which mostly means that I'm not the target audience), but this turned out to be a nice Lenten devotion as well as some good stories: Premise is that she sets out to do all the Corporal Works of Mercy during Lent one year.

The author has a wonderful ability to take a mundane moment and point out the obvious-now-that-you-mention-it parallels to the spiritual life, in a way that somehow avoids coming across as heavy-handed. Those are definitely the highlights of the book.

A lot of people tell good stories. She told a pretty good story, but told it very well. Worth a quick read for sure.

[kav (xreadingsolacex)]

I don't feel comfortable rating this book, so I'll just leave my thoughts here a simple as possible:

This book wasn't for me, but I could see how it could appeal to some.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with others that this book is not a deep book and it would have been nice to see Weber share a bit more deeply the impact of her Lenten experience. However, I think she did a great job planting a seed for all of us. I am not Catholic, but I certainly appreciate all that she shares about her spirituality. I am challenged to think differently and start doing what we have been commanded to do more intentionally in my life.

I think she makes some great statements that should give us all pause. "And as I reread that list of works, I realized the path of mercy was one I needed to walk more deliberately."

I loved reading about her experience at the homeless shelter and the prison. Her honesty also adds a lot to what she she shares - not once does she present herself as "holy" or having it all together. Definitely worth a read - let this book be the start of something beautiful in your life!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit of background:
I received this book as an Easter (maybe also Lent) present from my mom. I've consistently struggled since age ~12 with my Catholic upbringing and how to involve it in my life. I don't really believe in God, and I could go on for days about injustices the Catholic Church has perpetuated throughout the ages (not to mention in modern times). Despite all of this, I'm called by Catholic social teaching, the catholic worker movement, and liberation theology.
Kerry Weber gives an honest portrayal of the earnest steps she takes to continue her religious and moral journey. This book is relatable and articulates the struggles faced by people wanting to help others in a humorous fashion.
There are several little gems in this book about the ruts we fall into when trying to serve communities. I'll probably revisit this book when I want to shake up my thinking and routine and make sure I'm not becoming complacent or complicit in harming others.
Weber does bring with her an ostensibly privileged background but engages in breaking down her own stereotypes and biases regarding homeless people and incarcerated folks. She could work on her treatment of the mentally ill- the only mention of mental illness was pointing out her internal dichotomy of homeless individuals as "crazy" or "Christ-like" and then relaying an anecdote about a man with schizophrenia punching her boyfriend in the face. I know how challenging it is to break down preconceived notions, but people with mental illness do not need to be portrayed as violent any longer when rates of violence are the same among people with mental illness and neurotypical people.
Overall, I'd recommend this to young Catholics to remind them that the Church is accessible and that there are people who work hard each day to be better and help others.

[Aileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the author has funny anecdotes, I'd categorize this read as 'Catholic Lite.' More traditional Catholics will find many issues with the thoughts and actions here, but ... we're all on a journey. Prayers to the author and those who read this for staying on the narrow path.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a gift from my old church one Easter, who knows how long ago. I'm not sure why, but last time I was home, something drew me to it in my "to read" pile, so I threw it in my bag before running to catch my plane. Unlike other books the church has given as gifts over the years, this one doesn't thrust Catholicism down your throat as much as the others did. I'd say that's why I enjoyed it, but, if I did, I'd be lying.

I found it very easy to relate to the author/narrator, in a weird way. She's clearly far more in tune with her religious life than I ever claim to be, but I found myself having some of the same problems she did, and she really inspired me to try and work harder to improve them. While I never, specifically, set out to complete the Corporal Works of Mercy, I was always very active within my community, but it fell to the wayside after I graduated college. It wasn't because I became any less charitable with my time, but that I didn't have the opportunities available to me that I once did. Organizations seem far more comfortable looking to schools and churches for help, but churches aren't always the best about letting people know about these opportunities.

I'm getting side-tracked though. Weber has an excellent little paperback on her hands. She makes herself relatable, as an author, and doesn't alienate non-Catholics in her writing, despite some strong religious overtones. This book is more of a spiritual journey with some self-discovery as opposed to outright religious propaganda. This could have been written by someone in any of the religious denominations under the Christian umbrella and, until some things are mentioned specifically, you almost forget which one actually is writing it.

I think it also gives some nice insight into Catholicism for those curious about the religion, not necessarily for conversion purposes, but for general knowledge about your basic Catholic. Not the ones in the papers, good or bad, just your normal, every day Catholic.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who feels a little stuck or who is looking for a way to reconnect with their former, more charitable self. It's a very calming read, and may give some an unexpected reprieve in these stressful times.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began to read, I was brought back to my early memories of practicing Lent. Weber, however, explains that 'giving up' something for Lent--means using the ABSENCE of something desirable (beer, sweets) to make one mindful of the PRESENCE of people we come across all the time who might need a hand. She decides to focus on feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty (not her beer), clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, burying the dead-- the corporal works of mercy--- as her focus for the forty days preceding Easter. Then she needs to figure out how to do that in NYC while doing her work, socializing with friends, looking into online dating possibilities, and just living her ordinary life.

Her style is light and breezy and good humored, and she makes her point without drama , in a credible way. This is not your New Year's Resolution or some sentimental do-gooder exercise. This is figuring out how to live her faith in today's world in the setting that she is in.

I had doubts when I began reading, because intentional inspirational reading is not my thing.
But well, I rated it five stars. Well done, Kerry Weber.

[Pam Cipkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerry Weber is the managing editor of America Magazine, and she set out to perform the corporal works of mercy ("feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and those in prison, etc.) during Lent. As a 30-something Millennial, Weber discusses the difficulties of fitting in volunteer work with a busy work schedule, a social life, and dating. She doesn't want to make this effort to complete the works of mercy look like a marathon or a stunt, or make her seem overly pious and insincere to family and friends. But "how," she asks, "does one make the works of mercy count without burning out?"

Weber's journey is interesting. She works a breadline, spends the night in a men's shelter, visits San Quentin Prison, and interviews gravediggers. She also manages to sponsor a friend through the Catholic Church's Rite of Christian Initiation, and go on a few dates, during this whole process.

While this is a somewhat lighthearted look at performing the Works of Mercy, Weber manages to provide some insightful thought as she endeavors to complete her task. She comes to realize that it's just not about consciously going out and doing this work: "...at the heart of the Corporal Works of Mercy is making yourself available to those in need, even when it isn't convenient, even when you don't expect it. I need to recommit to this, I think." She also quotes Teddy Roosevelt when trying to answer that question of, "How can I possibly do this amidst my busy life?" by reiterating Roosevelt's words of, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronicling her own Lenten journey to complete all the corporal works of mercy, Kerry shares poignant stories and practical advice for how to imitate Christ and see Him in others. Kerry’s style is conversational and authentic; reading this book felt like talking to a friend. I finished it in one sitting, and loved every page! I recommend this book to anyone who loves the Catholic Worker, and if you enjoyed this book I recommend The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day and Embracing Weakness by Shannon K Evans.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy in the City is less of an "How to" and more of a collection of personal reflections as Weber outlines a lent in which she attempts to complete all seven of the Corporal Works of Mercy while living in New York City. Though short, it contains some surprisingly deep insights and Weber is a relatable narrator. This book was not what I was expecting when I picked it up, however it was still enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for some spiritual motivation.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most uplifting and motivational books i’ve read in years. I feel like someone who isn’t religious, but who cares deeply about service to others, would get just as much out of this book in spite of the name. She speaks to so much of the human condition and how much we can learn about our communities and ourselves by helping others.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in conjunction with a Lenten book study at St. Raphael. Kerry Weber sets out to practice each of the works of mercy during Lent. Kerry lives in New York City and it takes place primarily in Manhattan. She recounts her experiences as she examines and practices each corporal work of mercy.

[Stephanie McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny & poignant and written by a 20-something Catholic seeking to make sense of the world. She embarks one Lent to complete the corporal works of mercy. A great Lenten read but would be great at any point in the year. A reminder to all of us to “do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Love each other greatly and live with compassion.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for weekly reflection and study over soup at my church. I thought it was really fun to read and could relate a bit to the young woman author. I also learned a little bit more about the Catholic faith and practices.

[Kirsten Leedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book for anyone to read, but Catholics may get the most from it. The author takes us on her journey to complete the 7 corporal works of mercy during Lent. I appreciate how she shares her failures (are they really failures?) and successes.

[Elizabeth Farnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so SO good! FINALLY, a Christian book that isn’t shoving the faith at readers. This book is so well-written and so intriguing. I want to try to do the corporal works of mercy for lent next year now. I’m so impressed by the book and Kerry Weber seems like such a down-to-earth, genuine person!

[Madison Lapke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and simple book that is extremely relatable and easy to read! I love Catholic theology, but it can sometimes get too dense and this was a perfect read to break that up. Encouraging and relevant for a 23 year old single catholic girl :)

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a fun, whimsical, light read with nuggets of wisdom tucked in the chapters. A great book to read before the Lenten season begins. It’s short..I read it within a few days time. Would recommend.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little surface level but a quick, easy read that might help some readers connect to the struggles of how to be a disciple of Christ in the world. I appreciated her honesty in her reflections. Less "how to" more "personal reflection" but I am ok with that.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this book. Thought provoking.

[Erin Farrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

i really like the idea of this book. i really do. i will take the idea to heart. i think there is more here, there is more to this than the book revealed. anyway, 29 books to go.

[Melissa Le Roux · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s well written and thoughtful insight about the world around you. Made me want to volunteer or just be more thoughtful in my day to day approach.

[Nora · Rating 2 out of 5]

my cousin gave this to me for christmas and it was short!

[Penny Foy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a woman's Lenten journey in NYC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm shadowing an FYE (First year experience) class and they were required to read this book. The chapters are easy to read and the author writes in a way to keep you interested.