On Love and Kindness
Saint Teresa of Calcutta
From: LOVE: A FRUIT ALWAYS IN SEASON- Daily Meditations by MOTHER TERESA
Edited by Dorothy S. Hunt, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1987
Thoughtfulness, the kindly regard for others, is the beginning of
holiness. If you learn the art of being thoughtful, you will be more and
more like Christ; His heart was kind and gentle, and He always thought of
others. Our vocation, to be beautiful, must be full of regard for
others. Jesus did good wherever He went. Our Lady at Cana thought only
of the needs of others and told Jesus about them (LC, 34-35). (page 53)
Be true Co-Workers of Christ. Radiate and live His life. Be an angel of
comfort to the sick, a friend to the little ones, and love each other as
God loves each one of you with a special, most intense love. Be kind to
each other in your homes. Be kind to those who surround you. I prefer
that you make mistakes in kindness rather than that you work miracles in
unkindness. Often just one word, one look, one quick action, and
darkness fills the heart of the one we love (SV, 324). (page 55)
“Love is patient. Love is kind.” Because I love Jesus, am I kind?
Because I love Jesus, am I gentle? Let me empty myself of all
selfishness to enable God to fill me with His love (Unpub). (page 196)
The child needs love and care to fulfill God’s desire of loving the world
through the child. To harm the child is an act against God’s creation
(RL 5). (page 209)