Walking the Camino - Almsgiving Through Service at Church

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Matthew 9: 37
Take a quiz:

The phone rings.  Caller ID shows that someone from Church is calling you.  What do you do?

a) Think of an excuse quickly because you know that they are looking for volunteers.

b) Realize that because you are not going to tell the truth you will have to go to confession, and since it’s Lent you will have to go to confession anyway, if you have time, so that’s okay, but you don’t have time.

c) You don’t answer the phone and let it go to voice mail because you don’t have time to help out at church.  (Whew!  You don’t have to lie because you didn’t answer the phone.)

d) Answer the phone, but you do feel guilty because you don’t want to help out, I mean don’t have time.

e) You answer the phone and politely say “No” to the appeal for help.

f) You answer the phone and agree to help.


Almsgiving is not only the sharing of our physical wealth, but it also involves giving of ourselves, through service, to others in the area where we live and in our church community. 

We are all given unique gifts or charisms by the Holy Spirit.  The gifts are ours to use for ourselves, but they are also meant to be used in service to others.  Charisms can range from celibacy to hospitality to intercessory prayer.  Volunteering in your church community is a magnificent way to use these God given charisms.  Do you make time to use your gifts, even in a small way, in service to your church?

Not everyone can sing in the choir or cantor at Mass, but have you considered the bell choir?   Have you thought about becoming a lector at Mass?   Again, this isn’t a gift for everyone, but have you considered becoming a sacristan?  Would you be more open to helping out in a single event when you are called by the church secretary knowing she really does need your help?  Is there a way to involve your entire family and volunteer at church?  How about asking to be called for the prayer chain at church.  You can involve your entire family in intercessory prayer.

When you open your heart to the Holy Spirit, His abundant graces flow from Him to you, and He fills you with His love. Use your gifts whether you volunteer to help serve at a soup supper or make a few phone calls recruiting volunteers for an activity at Church. Open yourself  to His Unending Love.  God will never be outdone.  Choose an activity.  Give of your time.  You will be blessed. 

Service may be the hardest part of walking this Camino, but as you walk and give of your time and talents, you live the gospel and evangelize.  St. Francis of Assisi said, “ Preach the Gospel at all times.  When necessary, use words.”  Follow this example of almsgiving.  Volunteer at church.  Your help is needed and appreciated.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
Amen.