“ It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” – Mother Teresa.
It seems that in today’s contemporary world, materialism has taken control of the very essence of humanity. Perhaps things are not as we wish them to be. All we have to do is read the news to realize that world leaders are taking extraordinary steps to achieve economic goals that are dramatic for the most part. We see many times that while few find success, others descend to levels of indigence. If financial troubles drive people to question life, spiritual poverty intoxicates the very purpose of existence.
If there is something that I find comforting about the charisma that the nuns of Calcutta have is their love of God put to action—bringing hope to those in dearth—lifting those who have fallen, and encouraging those who are demoralized with faith. I reflect on the picture of Mother Teresa holding an infant in her arms. The child is at ease, and the pain has diminished. Yes, there are good people in the world who have found inner riches by giving to those in need.
Christmas is a particular season for anybody, anywhere, who is candidly Christian. Saint Francis’s Peace Prayer puts forth words of solemn truth. “ Lord, make me an instrument of your 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; where there is sadness joy.
” If we want to make life a little better, Christmas is an excellent time to start. It’s when you can showcase your very best to those who conveniently become blind and deaf to the surrounding troubles. The world needs people to rise to the challenges of responsibility and brotherhood – after all, what we strive for spiritually, is becoming shining stars by aiding those who have fallen.
Retired Admiral William McRaven and Clinical Psychologist Jordan Peterson reach the exact truth about finding people who help you advance. The first is “find someone to help you paddle.” And the second, “make friends with people who want the best for you.” Mother Teresa did the same thing decades earlier when a small group of girls joined her to serve the neediest. It wasn’t easy, but the gift spread to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. India’s government was mindful of the labor that Mother Teresa and her team of nuns did by serving the poorest, and discarded by society – she was honored with a state funeral.
Remember, Christmas has no setbacks if you’re willing to bless those in need.
By Jerónimo Boza Chiriboga