The fourth pillar of Discipleship and Stewardship is Service. The Synod describes this pillar with the following words:
Service – to serve each other, especially those in need, by practicing charity and justice.
I find that one of the most challenging passages in the Gospel is found in Matthew 25:31-46, sometimes called The Judgement of the Nations. In Matthew’s Gospel, this is Jesus’s final teaching before the Passion Narrative, and it addresses one the most pressing topics – what is expected of us with regards to our salvation. Jesus first commends those who have served those who were in need, explaining: “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. (Mt 25:40) But, to those who did not serve those who were in need, they are condemned with the following words: “what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” (Mt 25:45)
The reason this passage is so challenging is that it forces me to humbly acknowledge the many times when I have failed to recognize Christ in others and failed to be of service to them. Sure, I am aware of the many times that I have offered charity to those in need, but there are many times where I fail in this. I suspect this is something with which many, if not most of us, struggle in our lives.
Although the Gospel I just referenced gives some specific ways of serving those in need (known as the corporal works of mercy), there are many ways in which we can serve others. In fact, even among those traditional works of mercy, there can be a wide variety of ways in which they are practiced. A great resource on creative ways of practicing the works of mercy (both corporal and spiritual) is the book You Did It to Me: A Practical Guide to Mercy in Action by Father Michel Gaitley, MIC.
The first work of mercy Jesus mentions is feeding the hungry. Here at our parish, there are different opportunities for doing this. A couple of months ago, we hosted a Stuff the Truck event, which provided needed food for Catholic Charities here in town. Some of our parishioners have been involved in preparing meals for the Helping Hands shelter in the past. It is not uncommon for us to encounter unhoused people on and around our campus. Knowing that you might encounter such people, it can be a good practice to bring along some food that you can give to them, as I know some of you have done.
Speaking of our brothers and sisters who may be unhouse or experiencing other challenges in life, I know that it can be difficult to know what to do. Each one of us should use our conscience to discern what might be the right thing to do. Just because somebody is asking for money does not mean that that is the most appropriate thing to give to them. One thing we should not do is simply ignore them. By this I mean that we should not be afraid to greet them, give them a smile, and perhaps even ask their name. So many go out of their way even to avoid eye contact. But acknowledging somebody with a smile, their name, such that they know that they are seen, can go so much farther than we realize. Always remember those words of Jesus, that when we offer even this seemingly small act of charity, not only do we do it out of love for them, but we do it out of love for Him.
Father Alford