Doing the right thing isn’t always easy nor do others easily recognize it. Too often our good intentions are misunderstood, and our acts of mercy are misinterpreted as being selfish acts. However, I believe that the majority of us want to add value to others’ lives and make a difference in the world with our faith. And we must not allow other’s criticism and cynicism deter us from helping, caring and giving to others.
Mother Teresa embodied an amazing spirit of love, grace and compassion for all human beings, especially the poor and outcast. While recovering from tuberculosis and teaching at a high school in Calcutta, she heard a call from the Lord. The request from the Lord was to live and work among the poor.
Read More: Pray with Compassion for Others
Uncertain of how she would accomplish this, Mother Teresa still obeyed. Four years later, she was back in Calcutta, not working at the school but working and living in the slums. Her endless love and generosity not only impacted everyone around her, but the whole world.
No, we are not expected to be Mother Teresa, nor would the Lord want us to be anyone other than ourselves, but we must aim to do what is right in the spirit of Christ. And we mustn’t allow anything or anyone to distract us from the spirit of Christ who has taught us the meaning of love, grace and compassion.
Mother Teresa wrote: “The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.”
She also wrote: “If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.”
In the end it is between you and God. The needs of our world and communities remain many, but the goodness of God that lives through us provides hope that together we can do good things with great love for others.
How can we together do good in the spirit of Christ? Please share with us.
Lord, help us not give up on doing what is right in our communities and in the world.
