(Note: On my blog, I occasionally feature other peoples’ writing–such as their poems, excerpts from their books, or interviews with them. Today’s reflection is written by Sister Valerie Sweeney, SND, a good friend of mine. Her reflection grew out of a conversation we had recently.)
Many of us are probably familiar with what Mr. Fred Rogers’ shared with the children watching his TV show. One day he said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”
Following the recent devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, I was moved by videos on Facebook and Youtube of people there pulling survivors from the rubble. Some of them were professional rescue teams with special equipment and trained dogs. But others were family members and ordinary people using their bare hands to dig. All of them were working at enormous risk to their lives. When someone was brought out alive, the joy that erupted never failed to bring tears to my eyes. In today’s world when life often seems expendable, what does it teach us when people will work so hard to save one person?
Those who were rescued from the rubble remind me of Lazarus, called forth by Jesus to live again. What emotions will they have to deal with as they reclaim their lives? Everything they owned has been destroyed, but they are so grateful for the gift of another day. Yet, there may also be a sense of guilt that they survived when so many others didn’t. Now, of course, the time for rescue is past, but the people still work to recover the bodies of their loved ones to bury them with dignity and bring closure to their search. Next comes the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding.
This is only one example of ordinary people helping each other. I am reminded of the many citizens in Minnesota who demonstrated in the bitter cold for their immigrant neighbors. These people were afraid to leave their homes, so ordinary citizens helped them by walking their children to school, bringing them groceries, and picking up their prescriptions. These helpers were people like you and me stepping up to serve because they saw a need.
We can all be helpers. We don’t need professional qualifications to do so. I am a chaplain in a nursing home, and daily I witness our residents helping each other in selfless ways. I have seen them bend over in their wheelchair to pick up an item that another resident dropped. They will notify a server if a tablemate needs something. They often welcome each other to activities with a smile and a cheerful greeting. And that’s not to mention the countless acts of service done every day by our nurses, care partners, pastoral care team, and culniary and housekeeping staff.
Jesus reminds us to be helpers in Matthew 25:35-40 when he says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Think of the ways you have been a helper to others. Some ways may seem small, like zipping up a child’s jacket, getting the mail for an elderly neighbor, sending a get well card or a text to an ill friend. Others may take more time and effort, like driving someone to a doctor’s appointment, mowing the lawn for a neighbor recovering from surgery, visiting a family member in a rehab center. Sometimes the help we offer is invisble and unacknowledged. Our prayers can be a powerful way to send help to people and places around the world.
For reflection:
Who or what inspires you to reach out to help others?
How do you fit little acts of service into your busy day?
Who has been a helper for you? Have you ever acknowledged them for their help?
How do you feel when you’re on the receiving end of the helping equation? It is easier for you to give than to receive? If so, why do you think that is?
Sister Valerie chose this song for today: “Make Me a Servant,” written in 1982 by Christian songwriter Kelly Willard. Willard says that one day at home, she felt the Holy Spirit gently urging her to have “a little more of a servant heart.” She went straight to her piano and wrote this song. Sung here by the Maranatha Singers, the lyrics are repeated like a mantra, and the images offer more ways we can be of service to others.
Sister Valerie and I welcome your comments below–about the reflection, the questions, the video, the photos. We love hearing from you!
33 Responses
Thanks, Val, for the meditation. Having my recent bout of cancer, I experienced countless forms of kindness over and above the ordinary nursing care. Meals cooked, laundry done, cards, emails, texts, visits, daily promises of prayer, extra support at work, others picking up the slack. It makes me more conscious of helping others, reaching out a hand. And most of all it makes me grateful for the community that I’m privileged to be part of.
Thanks for your powerful response, Eileen. It’s so true that receiving help from others often inspires us to “pay it forward.”
Good morning Sr. Melannie and everyone,
Thanks again for the inspiring Monday message. The song and the pictures were a good reminder to follow what Jesus tells us to do. Serve others whether in big or small ways. I regularly babysit some of my grandchildren, but also give rides to church for people. Small things done with a smile are also important- holding the door for someone, thanking the cashier at the grocery store, there are countless ways to make a small difference that can help others believe in the good in the world.
Kathy, you are absolutely correct that “small things done with a smile” can make a big difference.
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, Sr. Valerie…
Good morning, all…
I once heard a priest say that Jesus’ words are as relevant as the headlines in today’s newspaper. Your beautifully crafted and timely words, Sr. Valerie, confirm that priest’s assertion. Matthew 25 is everywhere we look!!! Often when Pope Leo speaks of the plight of immigrants and how they should be treated with respect and dignity, certain politicians claim he should “stay out of politics.” To which most of us would respond, “You all need to stay in the gospel!”
“Make me a servant…” A mantra for the world!
So true, John. If everyone lived by gospel values, the world would be a different place.
Good Morning All!
What an inspiring message on a Monday morning!! I am going to do my Dad’s banking today followed by a visit to him in memory care. These are small tasks but Dad spontaneously said recently to “thanks for everything” out of the blue. It made it all worthwhile. Thanks be to God.
God bless you for being such a loving helper for your dad, Kathleen!
Lord, make me a servant today! Absolutely beautiful.
Thanks, and blessings to you, Christine!
Hi to you both! I love your thoughts. Our parish is what you call a synodal church. Three centeral city parishes are synodal parishes. At ours, the theme song is The Servant Prayer, different than the one you have but the same theme and message. Thanks for the reflection and the song. Such a good thing to wake up to on a Monday morning. Lord make us all servants!
Amen!
Thank you Sr. Valerie and Melannie for another thoughtful reflection and music. I too am deeply moved by the plight of people devastated with loss after terrible natural disasters and those who reach out to help in any way they can. I try to be thankful for every bit of help and kindness I receive too. Saying a simple thank you isn’t really a simple action, is it? A smile, an acknowledgement, a prayer are all following our Lord’s reminder to be helpers. And we never know how those simple words may have blessed the receiver.
Thanks for your beautiful thoughts, Loretta. Yes, we may never know (until eternity) how our seemingly simple words and actions touch others’ lives.
God continues to use each of us to touch more lives than we could ever imagine. And it would be a shame for for us to seek to know that number because then it would become about us and not about the other. Bless you both for a beautiful reflection and reflective song. A beautify prayer.
Blessings,
Father John
Thank you, Father John, for reminding us that service needs to be focused on the other.
Yes, wonderful reminders of how to be Jesus “with skin on”, Sr Valerie! In my mind these are all ways of being “love in action”….being a servant sounds arduous, but “loving” sounds beautiful to me.
In reflecting on this, I realize that when I am the one giving my love, it seems minimal, but when I am receiving, it seems monumental……whatever love someone shows me is a huge gift…..perhaps mine is more than I think ……..thanks be to God!
I, as so many others say week after week, so look forward to your pleasant, thought provoking blog each Monday…..yours are some of the shoulders on which I stand, Sr. Melannie, so thank you!
That’s an interesting insight you share, Mary, and I have felt that way myself. In God’s eyes, all service given with love is priceless.
Thank you for sharing. Your experiences give me hope. May God continue to bless you.
What a beautiful song! I will most definitely keep that one on repeat. One of my favorite quotes is- It’s the little things that matter most. If we would all lead with empathy, & serve with heart the world would be a better place. Thank you for this blog, I will pass it on to share smiles with others.
Thanks for your response, Michelle. You’re right – empathy is essential and little things are not little at all.
Dear Melannie and Valerie, Thank you for a lovely reflection and a reminder that the little things we do matter. Love the song too.
Thank you, Diane. May the song continue to resonate in your heart!
Thank you Sr Melannie and Sr Valerie for your blog this week. It seems to me that those who seem to have little to give really give the most like the widow in the gospel who gave from the little she had while others gave of their excess. I have been deeply blessed both giving help and receiving help. Both humble me and make me aware of God’s touch in my daily life.Thanks again Sisters. May God bleed you both in your ministries to others and may He bless us all!
Thanks for reminding us of the widow’s mite, Martha. Gifts that may seem small in our eyes can have a measurable value.
So great to read Valerie’s reflection! I have such lovely memories of our time together as chaplains at St. Vincent’s and when you visited me in England after I returned home. You’re one of my favorite Americans! May love, joy and peace be God’s continuing blessing on your excellent ministry.
Wonderful to hear from you, Kath! You helped me get started in the ministry of pastoral care, and I’m so grateful for all I learned from you, and our friendship that continues across the miles.
Sr Valerie and Melannie, I try my best to be always vigilant for small ways to be sentive to and aware of the small things I can do to help people who I see throughout the day. Thank you for reminding me of how meaningful these small acts of kindness can be to others, with or without a thank you. God bless both of you!
You are so right, Mary, that being sensitive and aware of the needs of others is the foundation for being a helper.
Thank you. Reminds of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Ignatian Spirituality of “Finding God in All Things”.
God is Everywhere. We need to be keep looking.
A beautiful reminder that we can find God everywhere, Christina, if only we take the time to look.
Thank you……I like the idea of looking for the helpers amongst a tragedy. I have been fortunate to be a helper throughout my career and retired life. I know one day I will need someones help and hopefully be humble enough to accept it gracefully. Through illness, loss, and hardship, I believe following rules in life, at home, workplace and our country has always blessed me.
So true that humility can make it easier to accept the help of others, Charlene. And to accept it gracefully is even better!