I recently watched a movie where there was a sentence that caught my imagination. It more or less said, “The more difficult the trial, the greater the glory.” I believe that, indeed, competing, being the best of your class is wonderful. If you compete for your district and win, that is even better, but it is even greater when you compete representing your city or your country…How great triumph is!

And yet, the things that are costly, but do not provide glory are harder. For example, at home, when we are told to go to Mass, to Bible classes or to the youth group and we say, “Ah, mom, dad! How come you want me to do that when today is my day to go out with my friends, to play ball, or to go with my girlfriend to the park?”

Each practice—be it sport, community help, religious education class, part time work on weekends…all this and other tasks will bring a benefit or final triumph. The greater and more enthusiastic the involvement, the more satisfaction you will feel.

But sometimes we might say, Why am I going to Bible classes if the neighbor is not going and he seems to be perfectly happy? Why should I help the community if the neighbor never helps and even so you can see she is all right? Why work on weekends if my cousin never does and he always has the latest cell phone?

What we do goes without material rewards many times and sometimes people who are being helped are not rewarded or given a check.

But we look at Jesus, the model for our lives, who always served. If you serve with love, you will see you feel better inside of you. You will feel well in doing good things. You will have the best aid for inner peace. The vocation to serve, to know that you can give something to your community or to your neighbor…even the person you don’t know but help anyway, that is what feels the heart of satisfaction and gives richness to the soul.

Receive a hug in God and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Amen.