Day 13: Genuine Connection

“Mary is an example of a young person who wastes no time on seeking attention or the approval of others …she sets out to find the most genuine of all connections: the one that comes from encounter, sharing, love and service.” – Pope Francis

Little Friends for Peace helping men from the Fr. McKenna Center create a culture of peace.

The other day, Sam asked me a question in an interview for Little Friends for Peace: how has your direct service experience with FMS shaped your Catholic faith? After a brief pause, I stated that I don’t think my work at LFFP has transformed how I view my Catholic faith, but instead, LFFP has given me a space where I can experience and live out two of the most important pillars of my faith life: seeing Jesus in others and being the heart of Jesus for others. To sum it up, love. Through LFFP and this year of service with FMS more broadly, I have been called to live out love, specifically through genuine connection. 

Mary is the best example of this kind of love. When the angel Gabriel visited her, Mary, even though she was probably frightened and surprised, obeyed God’s will and brought love incarnate, Jesus, into this world. In the aftermath of this news, Mary immediately makes a long journey to her cousin Elizabeth to share in her good news of finally having a child. Through the Visitation, Mary brings the greatest gift of all to Elizabeth— Jesus. Overall, Mary’s love for Elizabeth urged her to bring Jesus to her cousin and offer Elizabeth the grace of accompaniment and service which comes when we have Jesus within us. 

As Catholics, we are called to imitate Mary and bring Jesus to others – to bring love to others. In my daily life, I find that genuinely connecting with others is how this love is so often illuminated. At work, I connect with students of all ages, men experiencing homelessness, and volunteers by making the people who I encounter in peace classes and clubs my entire world and focus when I am interacting with them, because at that moment they are. At home, I find so much love during our house dinners, workouts in the basement, evening prayer, and our various weekend outings around DC. On the streets, I love to smile at passersby and say hello. On the metro and bus, I expressly offer my gratitude for the workers and drivers. As I spend this year in DC away from my family and friends, I connect with my friends and family by sending postcards of museums and sites from around DC where I spend my time, so I can share my experiences with them. 

In all these actions, I grow in love, I hope I spread love, and I see the love of God through others who I encounter.

Question for Reflection: Where can you create genuine connections by sharing the love of God?

DC Service Corps class of 2025-2026 with FMS Program Manager Julia Pinto on their Fall Retreat.