At His Service

Mother Teresa. Speak her name and immediately one gets a picture of unselfish love, devotion, and advocacy on behalf of Calcutta's poor, orphaned, sick, and dying. Being a great admirer of her work, I was reflecting on the satisfaction she must have derived from finding what she deemed to be her purpose in life. Webster defines purpose as, among other things, an "end to be attained", and I can think of no greater way to live one's life than to fulfill the purpose God intended.

In the closing days of his life, the Apostle Paul wrote: "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). One could say that he faced his executioner knowing full well that he had done the things God had called him to do. Unfortunately, a lot of Christians are still trying to find their calling, but certainly it has to be more than mere living. To that end, I'm reminded of the great prayer of St. Francis of the Assisi. As you contemplate on the words, I pray that it will become your prayer, and that you will be receptive to what it is that God would have you do while in your sphere of influence.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.