As God loves, helps, gives and serves (20 October)

My five-and-a-half-week journey to Europe was a wonderful experience with many highlights. One thing that struck me was the influence of the Christian Church in every country we visited. The beauty of the churches, Christian paintings, frescos and sculptures that Roslyn and I saw were awe inspiring. However, they also made me think deeply about how the church has used its wealth over the centuries, especially in the face of poverty amongst so many of its members.

We visited Èglise de San Marcello al Corso – one of the more than 900 churches in Rome. The church has a side chapel dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, in which we found this prayer written by her:

Allow me to love as You love, to help as You help, to give as You give, to serve as You serve, to save as You save, twenty-four hours every day. Amen.

Today we celebrate Harvest Festival, which has been celebrated since ancient times.  Harvest Festival provides us with the opportunity to give thanks for all God’s goodness towards us and to share with others part of God’s prosperity to us.  It challenges us to abandon greed and look to the needs of others – to love, help, give and serve as God loves, helps, gives and serves.

Grace and peace to you all

Chris