I have to be out of town today, so I had to cancel the normal 11am Mass. Long story; nothing to worry about. Recently, however, a parish family had a challenging situation arise that they were not expecting. I have asked a few times already, and did once again the other day: "Is there anything we can do to help?" The answer was the same this time as it was last time. "No thanks, Father, so many people have been reaching out and helping; we're good."
It made me feel a deep joy to know that others are already doing what is expected of us as a parish; they are helping one another in their times of need. It gives me some extra confidence to go out of town, because I know, even though laymen cannot do priestly duties, they are still doing what they can. There is nothing of a "let someone else do it" attitude showing at all. Some people might still be struggling with that, but they are the minority, not the majority (as in many places, even Catholic parishes, these days), and we are all on the journey to Heaven at different places.
In today's gospel, Jesus talks about "practicing piety" and says we must have the right motivations. We cannot do pious and godly things so that others will pat us on the back, but rather so that we please God and continue on the path of salvation. I do not know who has already "reached out" and helped, but that is the point. People just did what needed to be done. It does not need to be every parishioner, but enough responded that the family in question recognized the love.
That is what our holiness must be shown in: actions of love that help to support one another and build those relationships that will last for generations. At one point in time this family needs help, at another time it is that family instead. Each will have needs, and each has a certain ability to help with those needs; that is how God designed the parish family: one body, loving each other as Christ has loved us.