The true meaning of service
Sr. Meseret is currently in the United States for further studies at St. Bonaventure University. During her recent spring break, from February 28th to March 6th, she participated in a service trip with some of her fellow students.
Here is her recount of the experience.
We went to Philadelphia, where the Franciscan friars run a homeless shelter. They open the house every day to provide meals, showers, and other necessities. Our trip was meant to help the homeless and connect with people in need through service and conversation.
Meeting these people was a deeply meaningful experience for me, especially during Lent. This enriching trip fostered our communion in spreading the love of Jesus throughout the world and motivated us to interact with marginalized people in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, particularly in the Kensington community.
During our stay in Philadelphia, we served the homeless, interacted with inn guests, visited the History Museum of Philadelphia, and attended daily Mass.
In addition to serving guests and participating in activities, we had the wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better, build strong bonds, and reflect and share our insights each evening. In particular, we were able to deepen our understanding of how to be humble and simple servants of God.
It was not just about serving and being present, but about understanding how human beings deal with the challenges of their lives. We learned the true value of empathy, compassion, and attention to each person's needs. It was a time of reflection and meditation for us who traveled together.
This enlightening experience led us to understand how much more sensitive we need to be towards our hungry brothers and sisters who live among us. This experience also taught us the importance of caring for others and welcoming them into our homes, rather than just sharing our resources with them.
We have the passage from the Gospel that we always hear in our churches, in which Jesus encourages us and asks us to do for our neighbor: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). This passage from the Gospel invites us to care for our brothers and sisters around us in our communities selflessly and compassionately.