SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2007

THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus:

As we approach the end of the year and the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we are bombarded each day with opportunities to evaluate the stewardship of our lives. Have we been faithful in giving generously of our time, our talents, and our treasures? Have we been loving and charitable with the gifts God has bestowed upon us? Consider this little story:

Nearly 20 years ago, Mother Teresa visited Australia. A new recruit into the Franciscan order was assigned to be her guide and “go-fer.” The young man, who aspired to become a monk, was thrilled at the prospect of spending so much time with the living saint. He knew in his heart that she could teach him many things about the authentic Christian life.

But as the days of her visit passed by, the young man became increasingly frustrated. Nearly all of Mother Teresa’s time was spent talking and interacting with the constant flow of visitors and dignitaries, and she had no time to talk to him. Each day, more and more people crowded around the saintly woman, and the young man’s private time with her evaporated into the crowds.

Finally, as her visit to Australia ended, the young man asked a final question: “If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk to you and learn from you?”

Mother Teresa, who died in 1997 and was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II six years later, was startled at the question. “You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?” she asked.

“Oh, yes,” he replied with excitement.

“Then give that money to the poor,” she said quickly. “You will learn more from doing that than from anything I can tell you.”

As our Lord Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

-- The Very Rev. Dr. Steve Sellers +