Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr. Emmanuel Menguito, SVD – Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City
Monday 1st Week of Lent
Photo is from wikimedia commons
Some years ago, I was introduced to someone who has contributed a rather good amount for the construction of the parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish here in Tagaytay. (It is such a beautiful church now.) The man and I talked about serving the Lord, and he shared with me an apostolate he was doing at that time. It was an apostolate that he was doing together with other kind-hearted Catholics who were friends of his. Every Sunday, the group would feed the street-children loitering in and around Luneta. Aside from just feeding them, they would teach them catechism and give them lessons on Christian values.
He was sharing with me all of these I believe, not to brag about himself but to show to me in all humility and thankfulness to God that he was given a chance to serve the “least ones” in our society. Before we ended our wonderful conversation, he left me some words of wisdom when he said: “I have been blessed by God, Father, so in return I have to be a blessing to others.”
There are a million and one ways by which you and I could serve the least of our brothers and sisters as the Gospel for today demands. We just have to open our eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of those who are less fortunate than anyone of us.
The traditional seven corporal works of mercy (which are based on today’s Gospel) are actions we must do in order for us to be called blessed by the Father. Feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, visiting the sick, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead are but a few specifics action Christians can do in today’s world.
The modern world has created much complexities but each complexity brings about areas where we can practice works of mercy and charity. Are you willing to give time, effort, and even resources to do works of mercy and charity and be a blessing to others.
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