Lent 2018: Reflections from Current and Former Volunteers 2018 Lenten Reflection Guide | Page 7

M y volunteer program, SOME (So Others Might Eat) is an
interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help the poor
and homeless of our nation’s capital. We meet the immediate daily
needs of the people we serve with food, clothing, and health care.
We help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as
affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling,
to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day,
SOME is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time.
Today’s Gospel includes some of the most well-known lines in the
bible. John 3:16 states, “God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” I view
this as God giving his Son to help the rest of humanity so they do
not have to perish and will have eternal life. He loves us so much and
wants the best for us. Another verse states “But whoever lives the
truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done
in God.” I believe this verse is telling us that we should practice our
faith and show God’s love by helping others. I do my best to live out
this Gospel as I volunteer with low-income senior citizens at the SOME
Senior Center. I get to plan enjoyable activities and interact with the
seniors – talking to them about wellness, playing bingo with them,
ensuring they get a healthy meal, and just spending time talking with
them and getting to know them. I want to bring some light into their
lives. I also learn from the seniors – they have so much to share.
Focus on:
Spirituality
To me, Spirituality means faith. This Gospel tells us that we should whole-heartedly
place our faith in God. If we have faith in him, we will have eternal life. If we practice
our faith by living the way God wants us to live, including serving others, he will
be pleased with us. We need to believe that he sent us to this Earth for a purpose,
whether it is to volunteer, or to pray for another or just to share his word.
Service Suggestion
I encourage everyone to volunteer. Find a program that speaks to your heart. Look to
groups like Catholic Volunteer Network for lists of opportunities. Pray about it – ask God
to guide your service and to give you strength when things get challenging. If you can’t
commit to a long-term program, volunteer for a day. Volunteering not only impact others
but can change the course of your life.
About the Author: Jacqueline Martilla, currently serving with So Others Might
Eat (SOME)
Jacqueline Martilla is originally from Long Island, NY. She received a Bachelor’s
degree in Social Work from Marywood University in 2016. She is currently a year-
long volunteer with SOME (So Others Might Eat) Volunteer Corps.
John 3:14-21
“For God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who
believes in him might not
perish but might have
eternal life. For God did not
send his Son into the world
to condemn the world, but
that the world might be
saved through him. Whoever
believes in him will not be
condemned, but whoever
does not believe has already
been condemned, because
he has not believed in the
name of the only Son of
God.”
~ prayer ~
My prayer for you all today is to
reflect on what God has done for
you and what you can do for God
and for your fellow brothers and
sisters in Christ. Remember, “But
who ever lives the truth comes to
the light so that his works may be
clearly seen as done in God.” Pray
to God that you can be the light
to someone who may be in the
darkness.