“Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.”  – Philippians 2:1-5

In today’s Gospel, Jesus criticizes religious leaders for not allowing John the Baptist’s message of remorse and regret to change their hearts and actions. Jesus calls us to do more than pay lip service to the Gospel; He reminds us that our actions speak louder than words.

Our faith teaches us that we need to care for our brothers and sisters, wherever they may be. We need to live the lessons of the Gospel, and take action in a world where too many turn away.

Luis from Connecticut is another compassionate member of our global family. Moved by his faith, Luis decided to support two-year-old Amos and his family in Kenya. Amos’ mother, Elizabeth, is a widow, caring for her elderly mother and four small children. A lifetime of poverty and deprivation has taken a toll on her health and she struggles to give her family what they need. Thanks to Luis’ commitment, this family now has regular access to nutritious food and clean water. His actions are alleviating their suffering and improving their health.

When our actions are in conflict with our words, we begin to lose our humanity. People like Luis inspire us to do more, not only praying for the poor but taking action on their behalf.

We pray that others will find the grace to put the words — “I wish I could help” — into action. With God’s help and the power of prayer, we make a difference in the world.

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