Gisele Bundchen once said “Everyone has an hour in their day to go and do something for somebody else; I don’t care how busy they are.” While I’m sure that there will be those who would disagree with her, it is certainly an idea worth serious consideration.

Most of us, in the normal course of any given day, do something for ourselves or our families that could easily and simply be expanded to help others without little additional effort on our part. Case in point, after a recent snowstorm, after clearing my driveway with a snow blower, I noticed a neighbor clearing her driveway with a snow shovel. It took less than five minutes for me to clear hers. I went on to clear another neighbor’s driveway who I knew had spent the night clearing nearby highways. It took but a few minutes of my time to complete the task. Fifteen minutes of my time, time I didn’t miss.

There are many ways that we can help others, no matter how busy we believe we are. The most important thing to consider is how what we are about to do might benefit others. It really is that simple and in most cases it costs no more than a few minutes of time. But to the recipient it will be a wonderful priceless gift.

Over the past few years I have had the great honor to know and work with a wonderful group of people who regularly give of their time to others. Not once have I heard a complaint or demurral, rather what is always expressed is joy and immense satisfaction. Who are these givers of time who unselfishly give of themselves to help others? They are your neighbors and fellow parishioners who serve at Church as Sacristans, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; they are those who lend their voices in song, serving in the choir; they are those who take the time to visit and take Holy Communion to the elderly and home bound; they are those who offer their time to help our students at our school; they are those who give an hour or two to stuff envelopes, count money, or clean and decorate the church; they are those who gift us with their marvelous cooking skills, providing us with many delicious meals.

With few exceptions, these willing volunteers and donators of time and treasure provide immeasurable benefit to others without expending a great deal of time on their part. We owe each of them an enormous debt of gratitude, although few if any wish to be acknowledged for their service because they don’t do it for any recognition or thanks. They do it because they see a need, they do it out of love of their neighbor, and they do it for the joy they see in the eyes and faces of those they serve.

Asked why they do it, you will get different responses, but perhaps they are reminded that “… 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” [John 3:16]. No one should feel compelled to make such a sacrifice, but an hour of your time should be more than doable.