Love in Action Jesus' Love and the Gift of Mother Teresa
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Date
2000-02
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Love in action derives from Christ's love. Everything that is Christian must
proceed from Christ. It is evident from the Gospels that Jesus Christ had a special
concern for the poor. Ile embodied God's special love for them. Jesus Christ presented
himself as God's promise to the poor in his proclamations. Jesus voluntarily became poor
(Phil 2:5-8). Jesus became the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the sick, the imprisoned,
the forsaken, and the unwanted. Ile said, "... you did it unto me...". (Matt 25:31-46).
The poor are hungry fbr our love. Ilmi is the hunger of our poor. We need to practise
love in action. The establishment of God's Kingdom in humanity was Jesus' mission.
Jesus has indicated to us that our love for the poor is also a criterion of growth in perfect
charity. This is what Mother Teresa did in her lifetime. She has shown us love in action.
Mother Teresa's love fiir the poor had a spiritual motive and a solid theological
foundation. It was a deep and personal love of.lesus Christ that motivated her to love the
poor. In the face of the poor she saw the very face of Jesus Christ. It is evident that the
poorest of the poor. materially impoverished people. were the first concern of Mother
Teresa. Those who are familiar \YUJI the essential Gospel message that appears in the
Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:1-17). can clearly sec the affinity between that message and
what Mother Teresa has said and done. It is precisely because the message is ingrained in
each of her daily acts.
Mother Teresa's main objective had been to do all the good she could for the least
of Jesus' brothers and sisters. Abstract reasoning did not lead her to feelings for the less
fortunate. Rather, all she has done, in her own words, is love in action, Not given to much talking, Mother Teresa spoke only when necessary. For her to love was to live in
God.
The Church has to assume the role of its Master, who is Jesus Christ, and to
continue Ills mission today. The Church has to he on the side of anyone who is in need
and open to God's love Jesus Christ and Mother Teresa have to challenge us today in our
pastoral work. We have to ask ourselves if we really share in the lives of the poorest of
the poor.
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Keywords
Love, Jesus, Mother Teresa, Jesus and the Poor, Church and the Poor