by Claudia Windal

Created on: August 20, 2008

It is easier to get into heaven than it is a poorly rated college. Jesus taught us to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. I'll only continue because the requirements for this article are a minimum of 400 words!

How do I treat myself? That can be embarrassing in the light of my religious vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience. I share an apartment with another sister and we have yet to miss a rent payment or a meal. We don't walk for recreation and rarely spend money on eating out, movies, or the like. On the other hand, the roof doesn't leak, we don't believe we have criminals in our building, the landlord likes us (despite the Green Wing Macaw), and we extravagantly have high speed internet!

Jesus asked the disciples when they fed him when hungry or gave him drink when he was thirsty and they were astounded responding, "when did we find you hungry or thirsty and not give you food or drink?" Jesus responded, "Whenever you do this to the least of our sisters/brothers, you do so unto me."

This certainly can complicate that "easy" entrance requirement to heaven! I have chased inebriated folks off the steps to the funeral home I operate. Occasionally it crosses my mind that I might have chased Jesus away, but rarely do I allow those thoughts to linger. I watched a morbidly obese gentleman jockey three heavy bags while waiting for traffic; I didn't offer him a ride because "you can't trust anyone these days." Did I leave Jesus trying to balance those bags? I often meet homeless folks in the poorer neighborhoods of the Twin Cities. They ask for money and I do reach into my pocket for change. Seventy cents won't by much for them. It costs me more for a simple meal than that; I can't get a "value" meal at McDonalds for less than $1.00!

Our lives are not meant to be lived in isolation. We have responsibilities for our neighbors (both those whom we know and those we don't know). Recently, I put my house on the market. As I near 60, I feel the need to simplify my life. My realtor has seen several areas in the house that have need attention and friends of hers have come over and scrubbed for several hours. The time and supplies have been volunteered. I grumble some days when the Macaw throws too much food out of his dish and onto places I must vacuum!

Opportunities to reach out in love surround me. As a priest and a licensed funeral director, I meet people every day in grief, concerned about funeral costs, needing transportation of a family member to a distant reservation,

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