- Present the aim of your work with conviction.
- Conduct yourself with generosity, not for the financial compensation or thanks you may receive, but because you believe in your work.
- Don’t depend too much on the economic means at your disposal.
- Above all donate the peace which you carry inside and the kindness that you have developed in your heart.
- In your relationships with others, be spontaneous, but not ingenuous.
- In the most difficult moments, don’t lose your courage.
- If things go well, don’t become conceited, but keep your feet on the ground.
- Don’t be afraid or ashamed of your choices, even if they are countercurrent.
- Don’t worry too much about tomorrow, but rather work today for today.
- Don’t be afraid to sacrifice your life, every day, for the cause which you have chosen.
The ten rules given by Jesus to the apostles as they left for their missions can be taken literally by all those who perform a social activity, especially volunteers, just as the Apostles were volunteers. I have translated them however into a language more secular. First of all because I believe that these evangelic words are useful to everyone, even to non-believers. Furthermore all those who are working for a world more just, are working for the “Kingdom of God,” which is the kingdom of justice and peace.
To these rules I would add the offer of one’s own life for the cause of justice one seeks to serve. But this is heroism, a special vocation often faced by volunteers of the gospel, but also not unknown among social volunteers.
ETHICAL ASPECTS OF VOLUNTARY WORK
Testi di Padre Callisto