Jesus in Disguise

"Truly I tell you, 
 whatever you did 
  for one of the least 
    of these… 
you did for me."
              (Matthew 25:40)

What was it that fueled Mother Teresa as she gave herself away to the poor with the intensity of an Olympic athlete?  A good part of her momentum came from the conviction she expressed in the words, "Each one of them is Jesus in disguise"...

When my mother was in her eighties, her health started failing fast.  But it was hard to get her the help she needed.  Mom fell between the cracks: she wasn't sick enough to be in the hospital, but she also wasn't well enough to get by without a lot of care.  One particular care facility we visited was staffed by Catholic nuns, and seemed especially clean, welcoming and good.  I'll never forget what one of the sisters said to me (and how refreshingly wonderful it sounded):  "I try to care for each of our patients as if she were Jesus, himself."


The special kind of giving we're called to during Lent--the desert discipline of almsgiving-- is rooted in mercy.  That means it's personal.  That's a wonderful thought, in itself.  But here's something really special:  When I open my eyes to the condition of someone in need, and when I respond with compassion and generosity?  I'm not merely getting wonderfully personal with that individual; somehow I'm interacting with Jesus himself.  I have the privilege of loving Jesus as I show love to those who need it.


O, Lord…  Open my eyes and soften my heart!  I'm so good at stepping to the other side of the street.  Give me the courage to look need straight in the eyes.  Give me your heart, with all of its mercy, generosity and love.  Help me to love You by loving those in need.  Help me to recognize them as Jesus in disguise.  Amen!