I will be leaving in a few days for a mission trip to South Texas, deep south Texas. We will be working there with the poor. Helping in whatever way we can. I have a number of thoughts running through my head as the time for departure draws near. A common theme coming from Pope Francis is the need to reach out to the poorest and neediest of our society. I wonder, on this mission, trip who is reaching out to who. Are we seeking the neediest or are we the neediest?
How will this all come together? I am not in charge of this trip. So, I have to surrender some control and trust that all will be taken care of. I know we will be near San Juan, TX. That is about it. There is supposedly a hotel that we will be staying at and we will be fed. I am driving down there but don't know where we are going exactly. This makes me a bit nervous but not worried exactly. This has been done before and it will all fall into place, it always does.
I have heard a little about the people and conditions down there. Will I be up to the challenge? Will I be able to put my own selfish desires aside for a while, for these people?
I don't really know what I will be doing or much of anything about this trip but I find myself excited for the opportunity. The times in my life when I have felt most satisfied and fulfilled have been when I was able to put myself aside for the service of others. I can't think of a better way to spend spring break.
I have no doubt that this will be one of those times where no matter how much we help the people down there, we will undoubtedly feel that we have received even so much more in return. For to give of oneself will help to reach that place in us that can only be filled with the love of God. As St. Francis says, "It is in giving that we receive".
