In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
“Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don’t really want to smile at. Do if for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power. Smile at one another. It is not always easy. Sometimes I find it hard to smile at my sisters, but then I pray.
God loves the world through you and through me. Are we that love and that compassion? Christ came to be His Father’s compassion. God is loving the world through you and through me and through all those who are his love and compassion in the world. There is much suffering in the world—very much…In these times of development, the whole world runs and is hurried. But there are some who fall down on the way and have no strength to go ahead. These are the ones we must care about.”
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories, and Prayers (Novato: New World Library, 1997) 13-14.
As I make final preparations for traveling to Egypt I am asking God to prepare my head, heart, and hands to serve others with love and compassion, I am also asking God to help all readers of the Daily Meditations to do the same thing this Christmas season.
Father in heaven, fill us all with love and compassion and love to help the weak with all the strength and resources we can marshal! Do this by your Holy Spirit. Make us people of peace who shine like lights in the world. Hear my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.