The Greatest Will Be the Least…
St. Francis was a radical in his day—was even perceived as a heretic—because he offered a fresh view of the Christian life by living as a beggar, believing in providence, and closely following the teaching of the Gospel. But what was also unusual about him was that he reformed his own religion from within the institutional Church rather than by breaking away from it.
Mother Teresa’s life has many similarities to that of Francis. Her path is also through poverty, simplicity and allowance to the teachings of Christ, and because of this she has been viewed as a progressive in the present fundamentalist framework of the patriarchal Church. Yet she preaches her love and peace on action in a world still lacking in strong female leaders and from one of the largest and poorest and most polluted cities in Asia.
—Mother Teresa
A Simple Path
The paradoxes of the Gospel abound, none perhaps as stirring as Jesus’ teachings that the greatest among men would be your servant. Francis and Teresa discovered the wonder and awe of this truth in living lives of service; choosing to live like their Savior Jesus, who “didn’t consider equality with God something to use to His advantage, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Phil. 2:6-7). No matter our stations in life, roles and responsibilities, ministry gifts or endeavors, the heart of a Christ follower should be that of putting others first, before our own interests, that God get the glory. Let’s go love someone sacrificially today. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics