Small Things With Great Love

We are continuing our series on ‘the Masters’ looking at people who have had a profound impact throughout the history of the Christian faith. We first looked at Augustine in the 5th century and his confession of guilt and confession praising God. Its a model for all of us as we reflect on our past and see how God is at work in all of life. Last week we looked at Martin Luther who declared that ‘faith alone’ was all we needed to be saved. He helped move the church away from some clearly flawed practices, like sacerdotalism, or paying money to be forgiven of your sins. We were left with this idea that truly faith is all you need to be saved, but I bet that didn’t quite sit right with some of you. Some folks would say, “wait, what about our actions?” Don’t we have to do something with our faith, otherwise its meaningless?

In our Masters small group study on Monday we wrestled with this idea. The book of James even says in chapter 2 what good is faith without works? If you see someone who is sick or starving and wish them well what good is that? And he concludes in verse 17 “Thus…faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” How can we declare faith alone saves if we also need works? I’ll note that Martin Luther hated the book of James. He called it ‘the book of straw’ because he felt like it corrupted this important rediscovery that it is truly faith alone that saves. So let’s work this out - and who better to turn to than a woman whose works brought grace and dignity and faith to hundreds of thousands of people. We turn to our next master - Mother Teresa. Her devotion has transformed so many, and her guiding scripture was the one we are about to hear. Kathy/Eric is going to read from the Gospel of Matthew. This is the story of final judgment at the end of the world. Jesus was with the disciples after teaching at the temple there and the disciples are describing how beautiful the building is. And Jesus turns to them and says all of this is going to be destroyed. There won’t be a stone left here. He describes how difficult life will be for those who see this awful destruction and how important it is to watch carefully for Christ’s return. After a couple of parables that point out this important lesson he then turns to the judgment of the nations. Hear now the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25:31-46.

Matthew 25:31–46 NRSV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

And from 1 John 4:20

1 John 4:20 NRSV

Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.

This is the word of the Lord for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Let’s pray as we consider this Saint and scripture today. God, may we be an inclusive community passionately following Jesus Christ. May we have faith that is alive, Lord. Teach us what true faith looks like as we seek your wisdom today. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Mother Teresa is not her real name. She was born Agnes Gonxha (gonja) Bojaxhiu (boy-uh-jew) in Albania. Her childhood was chaotic with her citizenship changing from the Ottoman empire to Serbia to Bulgaria to Yugoslavia all without moving. Her father died when she was just 8 years old and it was in the next few years that she heard of the missionaries serving in India. At 18 she left home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland to learn English and then to be a missionary in India. She would never see her family again. But her vows were so important to her. She was a teacher at her convent school and eventually became the principal of the school. She loved what she was doing, but she was more and more dissatisfied with what was happening around her. Calcutta was in deep poverty. Muslims and Hindus were in conflict and one particular day known as ‘Direct Action Day’ led to the Calcutta killings of 1946, leaving 4,000 people dead.

Just a few weeks later she was on a train to Darjeeling where she was ordered to go for rest and recovery after nearly working herself sick. On her way to the retreat center in the Himalayas she heard the call of God - that she was to go back to Calcutta, go into the streets and minister to the poorest of the poor. She heard God say, “come carry me into the holes of the poor…come be my light.” By 1948 she had left the order of nuns she was a part of, and with their permission, began ministering in the streets. Her goals was to, “help them live their lives with dignity and so encounter GOd’s infinite love, and having come to know him, to love and serve him in return.” This was her second calling - the first was into her vows of justice and peace with the Loretto sisters, now, on her own, they were vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and free service to the poorest of the poor.

She took a basic medical course so she could offer physical relief for those in pain. After a few months of work on the street of Calcutta she found a building to be the headquarters for her missionaries of charity. This lasted just a short time before dozens of young women joined her and she needed more space! It was a tough first year though; she had no income, had to beg for food and supplies. In her loneliness and struggles she wanted to return to her old convent, but she did her best. Anyone in need was welcome with no regard to race or religion. She worked with local government officials to turn an abandoned temple into a hospice center. There the Quran was read to muslims, water from the Ganges was given to hindus and Catholics received last rites. As more hospice centers, orphanages and leper houses opened, more women joined and donations began to pour in. By the 1960’s they expanded to other countries. In 1982 during a war between Israel and Lebanon 37 children were trapped in a hospital. They eventually agreed to a cease fire so Mother Teresa could be escorted in to the hospital to rescue the children. She would go on to win the Noble Peace Prize, but in her speech she shared the reason she did all that work. It was not for riches or fame; she said that it was because at our “hour of death we would be judged on what we have been to the poor, to the hungry, naked and the homeless.” She went on to describe how Jesus “makes himself that hungry one, that naked one, that homeless one, not only hungry for bread, but hungry for love, not only naked for a piece of cloth, but naked of that human dignity, not only homeless for a room to live, but homeless for being forgotten… Whatever you did to the least of these, my brethren, you did it to me.” She closed her speech by sharing that the poor are great people, lovable people who deserve our respect. She shared a story of a man she will never forget, “a man from the street, who was covered with maggots; his face was the only place that was clean. When they brought him into their home for the dying, he said just one sentence: I have lived like an animal in the street, but I am going to die like an angel.” He was loved and cared for, and died a beautiful death.

Today more than 5,000 sisters 500 brothers and 600 missions are a part of her order, with schools and shelters in 120 countries. Many would credit her with transforming the lives of thousands upon thousands of lives for the better. When we look at Matthew 25 we can see how understood these words in a simple and literal way, caring for any and all as though they themselves were Jesus the Christ in hidden form.

Now many people will tell you, myself included, that these verses from Matthew are more likely to be referring not to how we treat the poor, but to how we treat missionaries - people who leave their homes and families to tell the world about Jesus. If you treat them well, even if they are hungry or thirtsy, have no clothes or are put in prison for preaching, that’s when you know you are part of God’s family. You support God’s people; you are doing what you can to further the Good News of Jesus Christ. But Mother Teresa and other advocates for the poor, often use this passage to say we need to support all people who are poor, all who are hungry, thirsty, or imprisoned, and I have to say, who am I to disagree with Mother Teresa?

There are plenty of other verses that support this same idea. Proverbs 19:17 says “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” In Luke 14 Jesus says, “when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.” These are very general statements about helping everyone who is in need. The problem is that lots of verses in the Bible are actually specifically prioritizing family members and Christians. Whenever you see “brothers and sisters” its not usually talking about humans generally. Its saying brothers and sisters in your family, or, brother and sisters in your spiritual family, the church. So I don’t want to miss that; that’s the first thing we need to make sure we are doing, but Mother Teresa obviously felt called to help all those who were poor or suffering.

She saw that in helping others she was doing something for Christ. She was making the connection between the image of God that is in all people and God’s love for his creation. God’s love doesn’t end just because we don’t believe in him yet. We are all on the way; we are all journeying and God loves us from start to finish, coaxing us to a deeper, fuller relationship with him. Poverty doesn’t make a person less worthy of that love; in fact, it might make them even more special. One verse in 1 Samuel says God raises the poor from the dust…and they will inherit a throne of honor” (1 Samuel 2:8). So she took on this task; she wanted to raise up the poor to their seat of honor even in this life. She gave them dignity by treating them the way God would treat them. She loved them the way God wants all of us to love them.

Now I think this is commendable. We would do well to live our lives modeling Mother Teresa, prioritizing the poor and marginalized. And I think she helps us see what faith alone looks like. At our Bible study on Monday we were wondering about faith and the works we do. I posed whether faith alone really was enough and I love that we had two people that said, “well it could be.” If there is no opportunity to do good works, if you put your trust in God and then you die, faith alone will save you. God requires nothing else. And one person said, “yeah, there was that thief on the cross. All he did was defend Jesus and Jesus said, “today you will be with me in paradise.” We’ve got some theologians in this church! Faith is enough, but…but the very natural result of faith is that we do works. That’s why the Apostle James says faith without works is dead. Faith that never manifests itself with love toward others, never works to lift the poor out of poverty, never seeks a better way to be with others…that is no faith at all. Faith flows outward; it turns into blessing others. If it doesn’t something went wrong.

When it came to Mother Teresa, her works were very evident, but there was actually a lot of controversy about her after she died. She had written hundreds of letters and they were saved and reviewed. Eventually a book came out simply titled “Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light.” In it, were all these letters expressing doubt and darkness. After she began working with the poor she felt like God was absent. God never spoke to her; she was not joyful in prayer or communion. She said it was like she was abandoned by God. The only time this was not true for her was a five week period about twenty years into her ministry to the poor. She had prayed to feel God’s presence and she did…for five weeks…and then she was right back to the darkness and spiritual loneliness she felt before. When one of her letters expressing her spiritual doubt was read out loud to some of the sisters in her mission and their mouths hung open. They couldn’t believe it. Maybe this is the first you are hearing of it and you can’t believe it! Is doubt like that acceptable for people of faith?

I know when I have shared some of my spiritual struggles people have been angry and even upset with me. ‘Why does the pastor have any doubt? Why is he struggling?’ As though there can never be any doubt in true faith. John Chrysostom gave a name to what Mother Teresa and others like her have experienced. He called it ‘the dark night of the soul.’ It is considered a stage many spiritual masters go through. Sometimes doubt looms large in person’s spiritual journey to God and the solution is not to ignore it or deny it. Sadly, when many people experience this sharp sense of being separated by God, either through doubt or tragedy, their instinct is to reject God. They say “God does not do what I thought God does, so he must not exist!” Mother Teresa, I think, shows us a better way; that when doubt comes, when people are hurting and suffering seems overwhelming, the right path is to deepen your faith by helping others.

We don’t always have to solve the problem of doubt to be faithful. We don’t have to have all the answers to know that helping God’s beloved creation is the right thing. Though many incredible people have had their dark night of the soul, some for days and weeks and months, others for years and years, Mother Teresa is clearly the most dramatic example of it. Its no wonder she asked for her letters of question and doubt to be destroyed, but I actually see how they are a gift to us; they let us see that doubt is not the opposite of faith. Doubt and struggle is part of the journey that leads to deeper and fuller spirituality. Doubt builds better faith; it leads to this quote from Mother Teresa; “Not all of us can do great things, but we can [all] do small things with great love.” Better faith leads to great love.

That’s true in our church as well. You can do something is small as giving someone some soup and it can change a life. Some women in the church had their annual women’s retreat a few weeks ago, and my wife came back telling me this amazing story. She said, “did you know this happened?” And she told me about Carol and Charlotte delivering some soup to a women named Michelle. Now I talked to Michelle and asked if I could share her story with you, and she said yes. Several years a couple of ladies from the church were asked to deliver some soup to a couple. The man had just been sent home from the hospital and these ladies, Carol and Charlotte said yes, of course they’d deliver some soup! So they go and they go, and they keep going. After some time and communion and pastoral ministry this gentleman died, but Michelle was left on her own. She was still getting visits, but she was deeply struggling with alcoholism. It got to a point where the doctors said this is going to kill you, and those ladies visiting were still bringing soup and got her a Bible she read and highlighted. Carol told me how Michelle had called her one day and said, “will you bring me to New Bridge.” She needed a ride to the treatment center so she could get the care she needed. Carol took her, and kept in touch. Michelle got things turned around and she got her own apartment. A couple years ago several of the ladies from our church went over to her house and brought lunc hand some Christmas decorations. They helped in these small ways, but they did it with great love. I think Michelle’s success is certainly a tribute to her, for her commitment and hard work, but its also a credit to those folks who loved her in small ways and large. They reveal God in this world; they confirm that God is not indifferent. The Lord is commited to the good of all people everywhere. Love the poor, love the marginalized, love those who struggle with addiction and anger and grief. Love those who doubt, because they are on a journey to a deeper kind of spirituality and we need their wisdom and insight in the church.

Let me close with a simple quote, once more from Mother Teresa, who was canonized as a Saint in 2016. She said, “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Whatever we are going through, whether its the best day or the worst. Whether it physical, emotional or spiritual pain, or a day filled with joy; whether surrounded by people or feeling alone, let us love more. Its the call of God and its the lesson we learn from the masters. Amen? Amen.

creed

Matt. 25 probably about missionaries (not the poor) and how we are to welcome them as we would welcome God into our homes (growing up I heard it was about the poor, CUMAC uses it, and Mother Teresa quoted it!). Most of the world agrees…its about welcoming missionaries. ....But what if its about the poor and the least among us? (Paul Semendinger wrote a book about one day yankees entitled “the least among them.”)

Other scripture points in this direction (site scripture)

This scripture is essentially saying....if we care for the poor we will be welcomed into heaven. (or maybe…care for someone..appropriately)....so our actions get us to heaven? I thought faith alone was enough?

the story of Mother Teresa

born in Albania

the story

caring for others (Matt. 25)

the doubt

devotion amidst doubt is a kind of faith we can all identify with

(we don’t have to have that huge moment like Augustine, Luther or Wesley)

(some people are very uncomfortable when I, as a pastor, express any kind of ‘doubt’

…but that’s life!)

we all have moments or days or seasons that cause us to doubt (people we admire do something wrong, scandals plaguing the church, or tragedy....Mother Teresa saw first hand the tragedy in the lives of the poor every day. Its no wonder she doubted…but what she did…staying devotedin the midst of that.... that is an example for all of us

What will you do amidst doubt? Will you allow it to be an opportunity to serve others, grow and mature? That’s what Teresa did!

Psalm 113:1–9 NRSV

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

1 John 4:16–21 NRSV

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.