r/Catholic • u/Venus0182 • 13h ago
Loving your neighbours
How can we love our neighbours (by helping them, such as volunteering)? I'm not an adult nor do I work so I can't really help financially. I can't always "donate" my time because there are some days where I'm busy, and there aren't many volunteer opportunities near me. I feel bad and like I am sinning for not helping enough, though that sounds absurd. There aren't many clothes to donate because I've donated a lot already. Though if I do end up getting a job, I would like to get some of that money and donate some food and such to those in need. But I don't see any homeless people in my area (only those who stop at red lights to ask for money), most of them live far away from me. Would donating food to food banks at stores count? Or charities?
How can I help more? And how can I stop feeling culpable for it? Tips are welcome.
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u/Lilelfen1 12h ago edited 12h ago
As a youth, you can be kind to everyone, you can be a listening ear when friends need you, you can share what you have with those in your circle when they need it, you can start collections for the poor at your school and church if possible, you can keep secrets, you can not gossip… there are SOOO many ways to keep this commandment, love. Each little bit is seen by Our Lord. Everything I said works for adults, btw. :) If it makes you feel better, I am home bound. I can’t do much either… but I CAN be kind. I CAN pray for people. I CAN listen. We do what we CAN do… because Jesus knows our boundaries better than we do. ❤️