Optional Memorial of St. Teresa of Calcutta
You’ve likely heard the saying “What would Jesus do?” (WWJD) that became quite popular some years ago with wrist bands, bracelets and t-shirts sporting the message. Well, reflecting on today’s optional readings for the Memorial of St. Teresa of Calcutta (also known as St. Mother Teresa), I found myself asking a similar but different question – What would I do if this person were Jesus?
This question was especially prompted by today’s often-quoted gospel reading from Matthew (25:31-46), also known as The Judgment of the Nations in which the righteous say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?” etc…and the reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Then the negative of that, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” (vs 45) And the judgment that follows: “And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (vs 46)
It’s hard to ignore the message there. This is the life that St. Teresa of Calcutta lived, especially after responding to the “call within a call” to “be poor with the poor, and love (God) in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor.” Which, for Mother Teresa, began with those who were dying on the streets of Calcutta.
Granted, we each have our own unique call. We are not all called to be a Mother Teresa, but we are called to live the Gospel in our unique way in our particular lives. And perhaps the example of St. Teresa of Calcutta and the question, “What would I do if this person were Jesus?” might help us hear and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable around us. For whatever we do for the least of our sisters and brothers….
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us – Amen.
—Eileen Miller