Responding to the Gospel's call to serve

Here are a few photos from last night's session of Good Cheer. Will Schenck spoke about responding to the Gospel's call to serve. Often times, he pointed out, we can be roped into the mistaken idea that service is only "valuable" if it "hurts". In other words, that there needs to be a large amount of self-sacrifice involved in order to be worthwhile. That's simply not true.

We have to remember that Christ will provide enough time, talent, etc. for us to be of service at every step along our Christian journey. At some points along the way, we may be able to donate more money to charity and the service of others than we can today. But while in college, we are not without the means to give back: we're gifted with time and talent. Giving of our time and talent - even in very simple ways - can (and should) be our response to the Gospel's call to serve.

The Sant'Egidio Community with which Will and his wife are involved, provides wonderful ways to do this in their weekly prayer group and group visits to local nursing homes. But there are certainly other ways. The Leap Frog Program allows college students to serve by tutoring and interacting with first and second grade students from the local schools. More Than a Meal - a community-wide effort - offers free meals, tutoring and games each Tuesday from 7 until 9pm at the Stone Center on Washington Ave. to local families in need (call 662-801-4712 for more info). These are just a few of the numerous opportunities available for regular service to those in need. Please prayerfully consider how God would have you get involved.