The spiritual works of mercy are in themselves
better than the corporal works of mercy.
This is so because the soul of man is more noble than his body. But in particular cases, the corporal works
of mercy may be better and more necessary than the spiritual works of
mercy. A starving man needs food more
than he needs instruction.
Walter
Farrell, O.P., S.T.M. and Martin J. Healy, S.T.D.