A Lenten message of helping the poor

During Lent, we are asked to think about what we can do to become better human beings. Many Catholics practice fasting from secular items that distract us from God’s presence in our lives. This practice brings us new life, an ability to see what God might want us to change in our lives to improve it, which will help both ourselves and others.

Lent can be a prayerful and reflective time to help us learn to feast on virtues that we can use even after Lent to help others in need. Jesus says in Matthew 25: “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.” Jesus teaches us that if we support our brothers and sisters with their corporal and spiritual needs, it will please him. He will bring us life everlasting. 

At Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School, our campus minister organized a retreat day that reminded us of the major themes of Lent and our vocation to serve the poor. During the retreat, the entire school went through activities that were enjoyable. While having a fun time, ND-BG became more educated about some of the hungriest nations in the world. We heard that every hour, hundreds of children die from hunger; statistics that inspire call for change in our actions. At the retreat, many of the activities involved collaborative problem solving. By participating in these activities, the ND-BG students became better human beings, perhaps without even realizing it. Alone, one may be able to make a difference, but we are far more likely to achieve our goals if we work together.

1 Corinthians tells us that “We are all one body.” We are all united under Jesus Christ, and therefore each of us are called individually to help each other. We each have our own part in solving the problems the world brings us. By learning to work together to solve problems, our ND-BG community became more able to work together to help others in need. We learned important lessons that will help us to help the poor. 

Our mission continues! We have only begun collecting money for the CRS rice bowl, which directly benefits the hungry overseas. As Catholics, we are reminded, especially during Lent, that we are obliged to help the poor. If we work together, we can accomplish anything, which became evident at ND-BG. If we let go of the distractions that our world brings us and love one another as Jesus taught us, we can feed the hungry. If we try our best to fast from evil and feast on loving others, God’s love will always triumph. If we let God touch our hearts, to take a moment to ask God for help, He will bring us the happiness that we all desire. For with God, nothing is impossible. 

Noah Decker is an 11th-grade student at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School.