Mother Theresa on Humility and Service

(from my concepts and practices of Nursing class on Spiritual Care)

Are we truly humble? When we refuse to judge and criticize others. When we foster kindly thoughts toward others. When we rejoice in the good others accomplish for Jesus. When we find an excuse for the failures of others. When we are happy and cheerful with the poor, the sick, and the dying. When we have joy in the hour of humiliation. Then we are truly humble after the heart of Jesus.

Serve God joyfully. Let there be no sadness in your life: the only true sorrow is sin.

As you grow, you have still to learn. I'm still learning though I am fifty-three years in the convent. I am learning from you. We have to learn from each other. Jesus took a little child and put him in front of the apostles. Love begins here. That little kindness, care, compassion, that is the hidden treasure, the growth in holiness. We know here it is, let us go for it!

People all over the world offer Mary, our mother, beautiful gifts and cover her altar with flowers. We have no material gifts to offer her but let us give her flowers or kindness, the flower of a welcoming smile. On the beautiful fest day, let us crown her with the fragrant flowers of love, gentleness, meekness, and humility toward one another.

Self-knowledge puts us on our knees and it is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God produces love, and knowledge of self produces humility. Self knowledge is a very important thing in our lives. As St. Augustine says, "Fill yourselves first, and then only will you be able to give yourselves to others."

There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. It is a danger if we forget to whom we are doing it. This is where the respect and love and devotion come in, that we give it and do it to God, to Christ and that is why we do it as beautifully as possible. The beautiful experience that we have by serving, we must pass on to people who have not had it. It is one of the great rewards of our work.

We have absolutely no difficulty regarding having to work in countries with many faiths. We treat all people as children of God. They are our brothers and sisters. We show great respect o them. Our work is to encourage these people, Christians as well as non-Christians, to do works of love. Every work of love done with a full heart brings people closer to God.