A man came to the parish office and asked to see the pastor. When they met, he informed the pastor he had just moved into town and was looking for a parish where he could feel like he was being fed.

The pastor told him he would be most welcome into the parish, but if he really wanted to be fed, he would have to take off the bib and put on an apron!

I don’t know what happened next. The pastor was really making a good point. He was simple saying people who get involved in serving in a parish are those who received the most. People will often tell us they receive much more than they give. This is true in many service organizations — those who give of themselves find the greatest satisfaction in belonging.

Today there seems to be fewer people being involved in a parish or in many organizations. When asked, they often say they get nothing out of belonging. But one has to wonder — are they coming wearing a bib? What a difference it would make if they came wearing an apron!

Dr. Albert Schweitzer once gave the commencement address to those receiving their doctorate degrees at the University of Berlin. He told them, “I know all of you will be successful, some will become famous, some very wealthy, but only those of you who have learned to serve will find happiness!” What Dr. Schweitzer was telling them was, “Put on the apron!”

God bless.