Sue's Musings

Originally I was reading this book for our presbytery book club, but as I got further and further into it, I thought this was something that just might be of interest to those of us trying to lead our churches in being faithful to God as we move into the future. In many ways, that is what Mother Teresa’s story is about – being faithful to God in all circumstances. She made a vow early on to never deny Jesus anything – and that vow had an immense impact on her life and ministry – and one that exacted a cost that was far more than she ever anticipated. This is that story of living that vow faithfully, and the story of the tremendous cost it took on her.

In a way, as you read the book, it might make you wonder why it seems so complicated to lead the church in these changing times. Is it really as complicated as we make it out to be? We spend a lot of time making sure we have the right tools, the right programs, the right answers, before we make a move. In reality – I wonder if that search for the “right” things are really excuses not to do what we know God is calling us to do, because we fear the cost will be more than we want to pay? Just a question…. Even though the logistics of starting the Missionaries of Charity and nurturing it and leading it as it expanded had it’s own challenges, the task was very simple: to quench Jesus’ thirst by ministering to the poorest of the poor and unseen no matter who they were or where they were.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, clergy or not, who wants to think more about what God is calling you, or your church, to do.