February 12, 2006

After Jesus healed the mother-in-law of St. Peter, the first thing she did was to get up and "minister to them" (Mark 1:31). Setting the table and serving food is not an anti-climax to a miracle: all the “signs” of our Lord were for the purpose of showing who he is and who we are in relation to him and one another. This is the instruction he gives the apostles in the Upper Room. God’s grace is given so that we might serve rather than be served. Our ultimate service is given to God in worship of him. Without that, communal service levels down to philanthropy but does not rise above it. Pope Benedict says in his first encyclical that the saints “constantly renewed their capacity for love of neighbor from their encounter with the Eucharistic Lord, and conversely their encounter acquired its realism and depth in their service to others.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta could not be defined as a social worker, worthy as such work may be. She insisted that she did not serve the poor, but that she served Christ in the poor. This is why her understanding of poverty scandalized many prosperous agnostics. For her, the worst poverty is loneliness and contempt for innocence. The sad poor are those who have everything except love, and those for whom sin is not a social problem.

This is expressed well in a letter from Sister M. Vineeth of the Missionaries of Charity who works in a shelter established by Mother Teresa on Washington Street. Our "Giving Tree" supplied some needs, and various parish offerings help the Sisters during the year:

Dear Fr. Rutler,

Thank you and all the parishioners who provided Christmas gifts for the men in our home, Gift of Love. Most of the men, homeless when they come to us, are really the poorest of the poor, and appreciated very much the gifts they received. Also we gave some gifts to a few of the residents who were formerly in our home. We are very grateful you made it all possible.

I would like to share with you two sayings of our dearest Mother Teresa:

“Suffering is increasing in the world today. People are hungry for something more beautiful, for something greater than people round about can give. There is a great hunger for God in the world today. Everywhere there is much suffering, but there is also great hunger for God and for love for each other.” “Small things done in great love bring joy and peace.”

Thank you Father and all in your parish for showing us God’s love. Please pray for us. We pray for you and your intentions. May God grant you many graces and blessings ni this New Year.

Sincerely in Christ,

Sr. M. Vineeth, M.C.