Devotions for Kids: Don't Wait, Just Help

Devotions for Kids is a series meant for sharing so that everyone - family and community - can spend time in God's Word together with the children in their lives and grow in faith.

"Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."

Luke 14:15

In our Catholic faith, there are seven actions we can participate in to help people who are physically in need.  They are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.  These are called the corporal works of mercy and each one is important because it can help us to share the light of Christ with others.  Today we're going to learn about a saint who practiced these works often, especially feeding the hungry.

Saints are holy men and women who lived their lives in service to God and are now living with God in heaven.  One of the newest saints is St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young man who was very interested in serving others even though he himself had been born into a wealthy Italian family and had all he needed.  From a young age, Pier Giorgio was well known for going out into his community, connecting with those who were poor and in need of food, and making sure they were fed.  He didn't wait until he was older or felt more ready to help other people, and he didn't ignore the gift that God had given him in being able to help; he chose to help people and then he did it!  In today's Gospel, Jesus is teaching us that we shouldn't wait either.

When you see someone who needs a friend at school or on your sports team, don't wait for someone else to start talking to them, be a friend to them yourself!  When a family member is working around the house, don't believe that you aren't strong enough to help them, ask what you can do!  When your chuch has a holiday food drive or fundraiser to provide for those in your community who are hungry, don't ignore the invitation to serve, do what you can to get involved!  Your friends, your family, your community, and most especially God will be grateful that you did.

Let's pray:  God, sometimes I feel that because I'm young, I can't do much to help.  I sometimes feel like I'm not big enough or ready enough to help or serve other people.  Give me eyes to see that in every moment, You have given me a purpose and You have a plan for me.  Help me to find ways I can be of service and give me what I need to do it!  Amen.