One of my favorite saints, who I personally believe is one of the greatest saints in history (and I know others will surely agree), is Saint Mother Teresa. She truly made a difference in the lives of others not only by serving Jesus Christ in her actions but by her words. I find one of her quotes to be very beautiful indeed. This quote that I love so much holds much truth. In the quote, Saint Mother Teresa says, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
As I reflect upon this simple yet profound quote, I remind myself of another important truth about which, sadly, we seldom think. This truth is that who you are, not what you do, matters most. Let me explain.
When we hear the phrase “go make something of yourself”, what do we think? Do we see ourselves pushing ourselves harder and harder on getting an education and putting in the hours to climb the corporate ladder? At gatherings, do we question our loved ones about all things work and personal success? But what about God? We must think of God who is, in fact, the reason for our very own existence.
I think that so many of us get caught up in work and education and say that work is our life, instead of realizing that Jesus never asks us to go to college or to become doctors or lawyers. Those aspirations are wonderful goals full of meaning and purpose. However, some people are not physically, emotionally, or mentally able to do these things. Do their lives mean any less than our own? No, we must not compare ourselves with each other. We must come to realize that, whenever we have crosses to bear in this life, Christ only asks each one of us to become saints. Becoming a saint is possible!
As Mother Angelica, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network said, “We are all called to be great saints. Don’t miss the opportunity.”
After all, making Christ a priority in our lives is imperative. We should see that attending Sunday Mass, daily prayer, yearly Confession, as well as the spiritual and corporal works of mercy are important to help us grow in our interior life.
Who we are, not what we do, is what counts. We are children of God and are made in His image and likeness. We were created by love Himself. We should always remember these beautiful truths. We should remember that before we could even talk or walk or do anything “on our own”, God loved us into existence.
I think that that the following scripture passages fit to serve as a reminder of who we are in God’s eyes.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:14, 15
“Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God, Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:6-9
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15: 8-10
“What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
In the end, love as God loves by treating everyone with respect. Not everyone can do great things, but everyone can fight for Love in our own way. As we should.
