"When I pick up a person from the street, hungry, I give him a plate of rice, a piece of bread. But a person who is shut out,who feels unwanted, unloved, terrified, the person who has been thrown out of society -- that spiritual poverty is much harder to overcome. Those who are materially poor can be very wonderful people. One evening we went out and we picked up four people from the street. And one of them was in a most terrible condition. I told the Sisters: “You take care of the other three; I will take care of the one who looks worse.” So I did for her all that my love can do. I put her in bed,and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hand,as she said one word only: “Thank you” -- and she died. I could not helpbut examine my conscience before her. And I asked: “What would I say if I were in her place?“ And my answer was very simple. I would have tried to draw a little attention to myself. I would have said: “I am hungry, I am dying, I am cold, I am in pain, or something. But she gave me much more -- she gave me her grateful love. And she died with a smile on her face. Then there was the man we picked up from the drain, half-eaten by worms and, after we had brought him to the home, he only said, “I have lived like an animal in the street, but I am going to die as an angel, loved and cared for.” Then, after we had removed all the worms from his body, all he said, with a big smile, was: “Sister, I am going home to God” -- and he died. It was so wonderful to see the greatness of that man who could speak like that without blaming anybody, without comparing anything. Like an angel -- this is the greatness of people who are spiritually rich even when they are materially poor."
by Mother Teresa
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrowful, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
This email really got me re-examining my approach to life. More often than not, we brush off forwarded emails such as these without giving it much thought because it's just one of those forwarded emails but when we stop to ponder, even just a little more, the depth of its message surfaces and hits us where it matters most.
When the waves and storms of life hit us, do we handle it with grace? Do we acknowledge that trials and temptations are necessary for our growth? Do we seek to glorify Him through our well-being and even at our worst moments? Do we stand strong in the faith? Or do we falter and seek to draw pity on ourselves, diverting all due attention to ourselves with the wrong intentions?
How do we live a selfless life in such a self-centered world?
How do we see the beauty in ugly?
It's no easy task but it is a challenge to be met.
3 comments:
aye aye aye!
hmm.. yea, it does make me think of the challenges i faces. suddenly, i feel that the challenges i have seem small and not to be complained about.
yeaps,it was a good wake-up call for me too..
jas & em, thanks for commenting! :)
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