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"That said, it is important to remember that, while admonishing sinners is certainly one of the works of mercy, the subject here is comforting the afflicted. There is something in us that sometimes likes to invert these two imperatives. It is called "cowardice." There's a sort of mob mentality that can take over and spur us to admonish the afflicted and comfort the sinner, especially the wealthy and powerful sinner."

Think of something like Project Rachael. How awful would it be to hit a poor, aching, confused heart, knowing she had done something awful, with the kind of self-righteous, damned-to-hell spiel that would make her want to run away from the very help she sought! One must, at least for awhile separate the person and the act, and see the agony inside that needs healing first. When the woman threw herself at Jesus' feet and wept, he didn't kick her in the head. He gave her the chance to express her sorrow and love; he admonished the people who would have had her taken out; then He forgave her, with the admonishment to go and sin no more.

Conversely, a person in addiction may need a tough-love intervention. This has to be an accountability for what the person has done and how it has affected others, as well as the person themselves. Yet it must be done with Christian charity, remembering the focus is the addict's welfare. Looking down at others and taking pride in, even enjoying, the opportunity to chastise another in the name of being a Christian, is simply not Christian, and may be the person's ruin, not their salvation.

When seeking to show mercy, we need to pray for discernment as to what to do and how to do it. We need to pray for the grace to do good for the greater honor and glory of God and the good of souls: not for our own edification.