Student Daily Reflection

Ez 34:11-12, 15-17
Ps 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6
1 Cor 15:20-26, 28
Mt 25:31-46

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Helping others around us is a key part of being a Catholic. Everyone is a child of God and thus needs to be treated as such. Today’s gospel from Matthew illuminates this idea with the words of Jesus telling the crowd that they need to be helping others. By serving those who are the most in need of our aid we are helping God. If we simply look the other way when we see someone in trouble or who needs our help, we are supporting the problem.

Although sometimes there are many other things in life that may seem more important, whether it be school, a job, relationships or anything else, we must find time to do things for others in the community. This service to others can be something that is a recurring activity done on a weekly basis through an organization or something that is done because an immediate problem is seen and action needs to be taken. Both of these instances demonstrate action taken to assist the people of God.

Due to my life as a student, I more frequently participate in the community service that is done on a regular basis. I have volunteered at many organizations that assist people in need of my help throughout my life. I have volunteered at the Child Saving Institute, Assumption Guadalupe School, Siena Francis House, and various other places. I have assisted many people who need my help whether it be with homework, learning English, or simply showing them that someone cares about them. It is through these encounters with others who needed my assistance that I was able to help the people of God in the way that God wishes me to serve my neighbor.

I need to work on the service to others who I happen to encounter out in the world. I frequently fall into the mindset that there is someone more capable or more trained who should be helping this person. In these cases doing nothing is not the answer. Even if it is making a call to find someone who can help, or acknowledging the problem and the person, the recognition shows the person that someone cares. I need to not be afraid to help someone for fear that I cannot help them enough!