Amazing Grace in Mother Teresa

Yesterday  I  came across an unbelievable story of grace and forgiveness from the life of the late Mother Teresa.  It was so powerful it stopped me in my tracks, and I found myself reflecting on the story throughout the day.  Here it is,

 

One day Mother Teresa went to a local bakery to ask for bread for the starving children in the orphanage. The baker, outraged at people begging for bread from him, spat in her face and refused. Mother Teresa calmly took out her handkerchief, wiped the spit from her face and said to the baker, “Okay, that was for me. Now what about the bread for the orphans?”
The baker, shamed by her response, gave her the bread she wanted.

Ask yourself how you would have reacted in that situation.
After reading that wee but potent story of non retaliation with a view to redeeming someone, these words of Jesus came to mind, no doubt words that informed Mother Teresa’s choice to forgive and redeem.
Matthew 5

43-47“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

48“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

43-47“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

48“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

About coachdelmonte

I am an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) with the International Coaching Federation and graduate of Coach U International, focusing on personal, ministry and professional coaching with a focus on getting solid, timely and focused results. If you are interested in a complimentary session to see if partnering with me would assist you in becoming your best version of yourself, contact me at coachinglifeonlife@gmail.com

Posted on March 21, 2011, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.

  1. Sometimes we have to absorb violence to end violence – something to this effect was said by Jean Vanier. Cut from the same cloth!

  2. hey eric

    thanks for the good comment by jean vanier. Much appreciated insight.

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