While we were in Missouri last week my wife and I attended a fundraiser to assist an individual with immense medical bills as she fights brain cancer. We arrived shortly before the event officially began and had a chance to look around before the crowds arrived. Raffle items lined the walls. Generous individuals and businesses were striving to make this fundraiser a success with the donation of these items for the raffle. The restaurant where the event was being held was also donating 20% of all proceeds as well. The gathering was a clear reminder of the many good people who step up to help others when times are tough.
The amount of pain and suffering that is present in our world is almost incomprehensible. We see news stories on television or read accounts in the media about poverty in third world countries. We see natural disasters bringing devastation and destruction to communities across the globe. We see wars and violence on a continual basis. We see the slaughter of Christians in the Middle East. The suffering is real.
We can feel helpless when we survey the magnitude of the suffering. We may think, “What can I do? I am only one person.” It is evident that I do not need to go to another country to witness pain. There are days when the local hospital is filled to capacity. Is there anyone I could go visit while they are in the hospital? Is there anything I could do for them at home while they are ill? When was the last time I visited someone in the local nursing home? Have I visited anyone lately who is lonely because they are homebound?
We have ample opportunities to live out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in our day-to-day lives. Are we seizing these opportunities?