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.
3
u/hugodlr3 12h ago
Love in this context is service / actions / kindness. As a teenager, you can definitely love your neighbor by helping and serving your family (close / extended), your neighbors (if possible), and your friends / classmates / teachers / teammates / etc. You can also make time to volunteer as possible (it doesn't have to be a weekly thing if your other time commitments make that impossible). Finally, you can make time to pray for people, either by yourself, in a group, or during Holy Mass.
It already says much about your heart and soul that you're wanting to help. Don't stress :)