“When one realizes that life, even in the middle of so many contradictions, is a gift, that love is the source and the meaning of life, how can they withhold their urge to do good to another fellow being?”
Pope Francis
When I was in high school the Office for Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese was my home away from home. It was actually through the OYYA community that I was first connected to a tiny new apostolate called Catholic Leadership Institute, where I met my wife, and where I discerned a vocation to serve the Church. So, when I received an invitation for an OYYA reunion, there was no way I was going to miss it. A wonderful group gathered for Mass and fellowship. While many had not seen each other in a decade or more, in many ways it felt just like it did when I was in high school. As the only one in attendance who was a direct beneficiary of their service, I listened as many of the former staff recounted their favorite stories and howled at funny memories. One person chuckled, “We thought we worked hard for those kids, but God was working harder on us!”
In ministry and service, we can easily get caught up in the moment. However, I wonder how often we miss the fact that God, in His infinite love and plan, may have arranged it all just so we, the servants, could know Him more deeply. My reunion experience reminded me that I wasn’t the only direct beneficiary in that room and that the disciple doesn’t serve because he is so good, but because God is so good. How is God working on you as you work for others?
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