Photo was taken at the Regional Park, Ballincollig, Co.Cork (Irl)

Allanah Calvert a student in Colaiste Choilm, captures the beauty of this duck in lovely sunlight and highlighting the importance of taking some time out in our busy schedules.

Thought on Sunday – November – 20/11/2011

The following reflection called ‘Unsung Heroes’ is by Triona Doherty

Have you ever seen the TV programme Secret Millionaire? In each episode a millionaire leaves his or her luxury life behind, takes on a secret identity, and lives undercover in a deprived area to find out who needs their help. They work alongside local people, discovering individuals and projects they think deserve a share of their fortune, before coming clean and surprising them with monetary gifts to help them in their work.

Often those who most impress the benefactor are those who are quietly working for the benefit of others, who give generously of their time and talents to make a better life for those in their local community. They are the ones who, in spite of their busy lives, are also the most welcoming and helpful to the undercover millionaire.
They are not in it for the money. They are not generous to the visitor among them because he is rich or because they expect to get something out of them. They are the people who see a need and do something to tackle it, and their simple acts of generosity lead to great rewards.

Jesus expects us to treat everyone we encounter with sensitivity and generosity. Today’s Gospel reminds us of our responsibility to care for our fellow man; to feed the hungry, make strangers welcome, provide for those who are without, visit those who are sick or imprisoned. There are simple acts of mercy we can carry out each day. Such love for others is love for God: as the Gospel tell us, ‘In so far as you did this to the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.’