Date: Sunday, August 28, 2016
We have a custom on the Monday after the picnic as we clean up, sort things out and check out the inventory to make sure perishable food is not wasted. I called Sr. Johnice at the Response to Love Center. She came with Mike in a small pick up van. She was delighted to have the burgers, hotdogs and vegetables to serve to persons and families in East Buffalo. Chatting together Sr. Johnice said she was going to Rome for the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta on September 4, 2016. Mother Teresa inspired Sr. Johnice and the Felician Sisters to start their mission of charity and mercy in 1985.
Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping the very poor in Calcutta, India. Many came to join her as Missionaries of Charity. Recognition of her good work brought popularity. Becoming a “celebrity” was a cross for her to bear. She tried to explain that she was “a pencil in the hand of God.” On the day when Mother Teresa was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, she rose for Mass, an hour of prayer and meditation, and next the regular cleaning of her sari, the floors and toilets. “I am a specialist in that, probably the world’s best specialist in cleaning toilets.”
In our world where celebrity is prized, humility is not appreciated as a virtue. Humility is often misunderstood as putting oneself down or groveling in the dirt. Humility is better explained as honesty. It is derived from the word: “humus” meaning “earth.” With our feet on the ground we can keep a proper perspective of our own worth in the eyes of God. Humility and self-knowledge go hand in hand. Jesus says: “I am gentle and humble of heart.” (Mt 11:29) In the Bible a humble person is strong, able to love and to forgive.
In our Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a wedding reception and places of honor. Jesus goes on to say that when we have a lunch or dinner to invite the poor, the cripple, the lame and the blind because they cannot repay us. God’s blessing will come upon us as we extend kindness and respect to the less fortunate. We are all children of God.
On Monday morning Marge Schultz picked up non-perishable items and bags of potatoes for FISH of East Aurora. Poverty is not just found in East Buffalo but it also hidden in our own community. Humility recognizes physical, moral and spiritual poverty in all of us. Humility recognizes the capacity for great compassion in us as well. Mother Teresa would tell people wanting to come to India to help her to do God’s good work close to home. There is much to be done. God has confidence in us – humble servants!