Among the innumerable truths forgotten since the Second Vatican Council, we may count the following teaching about good works performed in a state of mortal sin:
Are good works available which are performed in the state of mortal sin?
Good works performed while in a state of mortal sin avail nothing in regard to eternal life, writes St. Lawrence Justinian, but aid in moderating the punishment imposed for disobedience and the transgression of God’s commandments. They bring temporal goods, such as honor, long life, health, earthly happiness, etc.; they prevent us from falling deeper into sin, and prepare the heart for the reception of grace; so the pious person writes: “Do as much good as you can, even though in the state of mortal sin, that God may give light to your heart.“
New Sherwood 
Then again, good works performed just to be seen and praised by men, as I suspect in that Obama photo-op above was, will avail you nothing in eternity. The gushing of a few media pundits in the here and now will be all you receive.
–Michael W. Perry, Chesterton on War and Peace
LikeLike
It’s not “then again”, but just as stated in the post: “Good works performed while in a state of mortal sin avail nothing in regard to eternal life.”
LikeLike