By Jonathan Camiolo

 

Last week I had a chance to go to New Orleans on a Mission Trip to build houses and help the area that was so affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  I was one of fourteen that traveled to the area and arrived on game day, where the BCS Championship game was being played - LSU vs. Ohio State.  New Orleans was kicking and full of life as we drove in the heart of the city and even across Bourbon Street with fans from all over!  

 

We ventured outside the center of the city and found ourselves in the 9th Ward, one of the most devastated areas by the flooding.  It was improved over the last time I was there one year ago, but there was still so much work to do.  Hope was still alive in this poor and seemingly destroyed area.  It was good to see that.  We also got to see the “Pink City” that Brad Pitt and Angelina Joli have been raising money for…interesting!

 

The week was a success as we worked 30 miles from New Orleans building houses with Habitat for Humanity.  The work was hard but very rewarding and the joy of seeing a house start to look more and more like a home was a feeling that is hard to describe.  We worked well as a team and surprised our work site crew with how efficient we were – I was very proud of the adults and college students I served with from my parish.

 

John the Baptist was a servant and lived his life in the service of God.  When Christ was finally baptized and John knew he had prepared the way for Him, there was a joy in him.  The last line of the gospel this week comes from John, “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”  His mission was complete and his life’s service to God had come to fruition.  He must have been very satisfied and felt rewarded at that moment to see the Savior, the Son of God before him.  

 

Service to God and service to our neighbor will always bring joy!  It may not always be easy, but the reward it that God will show us His face and allow us to experience a deep consolation, rewarding our efforts.  If you have never served before or volunteered, now is the time.  Serve God with your life, and love others with your abilities – I promise it is rewarding!  Once again…Think (What are my gifts?). Pray (Why did God give me this gift?). Decide (How can I use them?). Change (Build the Kingdom of God on earth).  

 

You are loved!