Subject: Mother Theresa – a prayer

From: (NevFam)

Before anyone asks why I wrote one for Diana and not for Mother Theresa…

You asked for my hands

that you might use them for your purpose.

I gave them for a moment then withdrew them

for the work was hard.

You asked for my mouth

to speak out against injustice.

I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.

You asked for my eyes

to see the pain of poverty.

I closed them for I did no want to see.

You asked for my life

that you might work through me.

I gave you a small part that I might not get “too involved”.

Lord, forgive me for my calculated efforts to serve you

only when it is convenient for me to do so,

only in those places where it is safe to do so, and

only with those who make it easy to do so.

Father, forgive me

renew me

send me out

as a usable instrument

that I might take seriously

the meaning of your cross.

(Joe Seremane, South Africa)

Mother Theresa would not have wanted us to mourn, she was ready to meet her God. She did not need the sort of forgiveness that the prayer asks for – she did not offer calculated service to God. A fitting tribute to her would be our recognition that our lives fall so very far short.

She inspired countless thousands of the poorest people to have hope in the reality of the Kingdom of God:

Beyond the darkness, there is light.

Beyond the griefs and pains of the moment

is the promise of food and freedom for all.

Beyond our current distress is the dream

of a tapestry through which is woven the rainbow colours

of truth, freedom and love.

And in the centre of this tapestry is the Son of God

who became human to uphold the Kingdom

of justice and righteousness.

(Karl Gaspar, Philippines)

Amen!

Phil

In the beginning was the Word.

Well, actually, in the beginning was the clearing of the throat.

(Terry Pratchett, quoted from memory)