2 timothy 4:1-2

Every year, my college has a giant "Day of Service". It seems like everyone participates, too. Nearly 5,000 students, faculty, staff, and alumni. And if you don't participate, you will most likely be shunned. Well, you won't be shunned... but it's not okay to skip out. It's almost a social expectation to be involved.

I love the Day of Service. Everyone gathers in the Pavilion for a send-off, and hundreds of groups are sent in and around the city to help with various partners in their projects. It really is a beautiful thing - the community of it, the giving back, the early morning Wawa coffee and muffins.

But I really think it is missing something.

We all gathered in the Pavilion, and we were sent off. Why? Why were we sent out? What was the reason behind our service?

Not once was our Catholic heritage mentioned in why we serve. Not once was the name of Jesus mentioned at the send-off. Not once were we told that the real reason why we should help others is because they are children of God and we are called to love them like our sisters and brothers. There was a prayer, but the Sign of the Cross was not implemented. I think we took the diet approach to explaining our service.

Reflecting on the readings this week, I connected St. Paul's writings to St. Timothy with this year's Day of Service:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

We aren't only Catholic when it is convenient. We can't only proclaim Christ when we feel like it.  We can't avoid talking about Jesus as the reason as our service and only focus on "giving back to the community."

There is a reason. Jesus is the reason. The true reason for our service as a Catholic community. And if we don't share that with our student body, with our college community, and scream it with our lives, we are missing the point. We can't stop talking about Jesus when we think it would be inconvenient or wouldn't reach the entirety of those involved.

Jesus must be our motivation for service, and we should embrace that and share with everyone we know on the rooftops at the top of our lungs.

I'm not saying we can't do service without recognizing Jesus - I'm saying service is not complete without embracing the fact that Jesus is the reason we serve.

Serve, whether inconvenient or convenient, and do it in the name of Jesus. Convince. Encourage. Reprimand. Share the Good News. Love.

Live with Joy.