“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”—1 John 3:18
St. Teresa of Calcutta’s passion was to love, help, and care for the “poorest of the poor,” as she called them. She began by going into the slums of Calcutta and helping the lepers, the poor, the sick, and the dying. This tiny woman, less than five feet tall, had only prayer and love as the tools for her calling. She once said, “Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” You and I can spread love by taking two simple steps: Step one is prayer, and step two is focus. Before you meet someone or are in contact with him or her, first pray for God’s love to shine through you. Then try to focus on that person’s situation, needs, and thoughts. They will sense your genuine concern and love for them. How to start? First, smile when you meet him or her; second, truly listen; and third, speak the truth with gentleness. That’s the way to create a friendship and bring others into the joy we have in our relationship with God. The result? No one will ever come to you without leaving happier.
Lord, help me to spread love today—your love in me and through me. Help me to truly love everyone I meet. Amen.
—from the book Three Minutes with God: Reflections and Prayers to Encourage, Inspire, and Motivate
by Monsignor Frank Bognanno