Last weekend, the Gospel for Mass was Matthew 25:31-46. This Gospel contains Christ's last parable to the people. In this, He discusses the importance of the deeds that would separate the sheep from the goats and the General Judgment. I will concentrate on the deeds, which are feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, welcome the stranger, help the sick, and visit the imprisoned. Last night at youth group, we discussed the ways we can participate in these actions.
Let us first look at the first one: feed the hungry. How do we, in our communities, feed the hungry? A lot of kids in my youth group laughed at this first one, because most of us have multiple younger siblings whom we're constantly helping. Thus, "feeding the hungry" can be something as simple as washing an apple for a little kid. A "big" way of feeding the hungry would be to volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate food to a cause, send money to a charity to help with food for the children of Africa, or anything else of the like.
The second one is similar to the first one and is "give drink to the thirsty." Again, to use the little kid example, if you get a cup and pour some watch for your sibling or child, you are "giving drink to the thirsty." Similarly to feeding the hungry, other ways to do this are to participate in soup kitchens and activities that would ultimately sooth the thirst in the thirsty through time and money.
The third one, clothe the naked, is another blessing upon someone actively involved with children (or even a spouse, for that matter!). What is really important to remember with these acts is that they are so important both in small ways (in the home) and big ways (community or around the world). My youth group goes to the local Christian Life Center and helps sort clothes. In that way, we are participating in clothing the naked. Other ways would be to donate old clothes and give money to causes that support clothing the naked.
Shelter the homeless is important. If you are the "bread winner" of the family, part of your salary goes to supporting the house you live in (as well as the food, drink, clothing, etc!). Other ways to shelter the homeless would be to build houses for others. Some groups even travel to foreign lands to build houses for others. If you cannot afford to travel to Nicaragua, another good thing would be to participate at your local homeless shelter. Other ways would be to welcome someone into your home if they have no where else to go. That person could be a friend, relative, or even a stranger.
Welcoming the stranger...whether that be into your home, your community, your school, your workplace, your place of worship, etc, it is always important to welcome the stranger. Sometimes welcoming the stranger could be something as simple as letting your little sister or little girl come into your room when you're in the middle of something. An example a (male) college student gave for this was to escort random girls places on campus. Often times (coming from personal experience), when someone is new in a group, they feel awkward and out of the picture. How relieving it is to have someone explain "the joke" or involve the stranger in the discussion. Welcoming someone into your community is important because most people long for a sense of belonging.
I know many on here are medical majors, so I'm sure you likely spend a good deal of time aiding and visiting the sick. Our youth leader mentioned how she was visiting her grandmother in the hospital and how there was this man who asked three nurses to take him to his room, but they were too busy. Finally, she went up to him and volunteered to wheel him to his room. This was one way to care for the sick. Visiting sick relatives or friends in hospitals and homes are good. Maybe you could bring a dinner (and thus feed the hungry and visit the sick, all in one move!). Another thing to remember is that "sick" is not limited to physical sick. It also includes mental, emotional, and spiritually sick people. The Peace Corps travel oversees to help people. In addition to feeding, giving drink to, clothing, sheltering, and welcoming, these brave people help the sick. One way they do so is by spreading AIDS awareness to PREVENT people from becoming sick. Other ways to help the sick would be to volunteer at a nursing home or hospital.
As a few girls in youth group ingeniously pointed out last night, visiting the imprisoned does not only mean people in the jails (although it does mean that, too). As one girl pointed out, "I don't think too many of our parents would like us going to prisons and visiting the people there." Visiting the imprisoned, just like caring for the sick, also means those who are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually "imprisoned." Maybe someone is anxious over something and thus "imprisoned" by anxiety. To calm their fears would, in a sense, be "visiting the imprisoned." Naturally, there is the "real" "visiting the imprisoned," where you can actually go to a prison and visit with them. Some of them are missing their families, I am sure. Listening to them tell tales of home can be an enormous comfort.
Thus, there are many ways we can participate in helping others in our homes, our communities, and ultimately, our world. These examples are some guidelines to go by. Remember to do all things in love and great benefits will come out of them. As great as your action may be by volunteering at a shelter or nursing home, I think you will find yourself changed from your experience. Remember how beneficial charity and love can be and what a great impact they can have on yourself and others. Change the world, because it's as simple as pouring a glass of water.
