On Compassion

By Mother Teresa

"We will never know how much just a simple smile will do"

Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begin with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at all --- Do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power. Smile at one another. It is not always easy. Sometimes I find it hard to smile at my Sister, but then I pray.

God loves the world through you and through me. Are we that love and that compassion? God is loving the world through you and through me and through all those who are His love and compassion in this world.

There is much suffering in the world – very much. Material suffering from hunger, suffering from homelessness, from all kinds of disease, but I still think that the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, just having no one. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.

In the times of development, the whole world runs and is hurried. But there are some who fall down on the way and have no strength to go ahead. These are the ones we must care about.

Let us be very sincere in our dealings with each other and have the courage to accept each other as we are. Do not be surprised at or become preoccupied with each other's failure; rather see and find the good in each other, for each one of us is created in the image of God. Jesus has said it beautifully: "I am the vine, you are the branches". This life-giving sap that flows from the vine through each of the branches is the same.

Be kind in your actions. Do not think that you are the only one who can do efficient work, work worth showing. This makes you harsh in your judgment of others who may not have the same talents. Do your best and trust that others do their best. And be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

The Gospels remind us that Jesus, before he taught people, felt compassion for the multitudes that followed after him. Sometimes he felt even to the point of forgetting to eat. How did he put his compassion into practice? He multiplied the loaves of bread and the fish to satisfy their hunger. He gave them food to eat until they couldn't eat any more, and twelve full baskets were left over. Only then did he teach them.

In loving one another through our works we bring an increase of grace and a growth in divine love.

A chapter from: "In the Heart of the World, Thoughts, Stories and Prayers", by Mother Teresa