The words of Jesus to His disciples ring with renewed significance: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. . . . This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34). With these words, the entire Christian calling is conveyed in a simple, profound definition of charity.

As Christians, we are called to serve others in any way we can. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us to use whatever gifts we have to serve others. We all have gifts, talents, and blessings we can use to serve others, whether simply donating food or volunteering to serve in church; service doesn’t have to involve money or material items. I read of one Christian community that using the challenge “Nerve to Serve.” The challenge is to use the gifts each one of us has received, though they are different from one another and may be uniquely yours, to serve another: neighbor, friend, or stranger.

We celebrate and encourage those ongoing efforts in all their unique expressions. God, in His grace, has blessed us with everything we need to faithfully follow the challenge. God has blessed us with everything we need to change the world. God blessed us with everything we need to be the persons who serve and share with those around us. Many of us experienced that in a powerful way Halloween evening when we gathered to share conversation and company. May the days and weeks ahead find us sharing compassion, empathy and our unique gifts with those we meet.