Oct. 19th, 2003 saw the beatification of Mother Teresa, whose Missionaries of Charity cover the Globe in their work with and identification with the poor.
A revealing insight on today’s Gospel is given by one of her congregation. Attending a First World conference on the poor, she spoke at the closing session of her emotions over the previous afternoon which was left free for people to shop and relax until an evening gourmet meal. A miserable time was spent angrily watching the opulence all around, and thinking of so many who had not. Come evening, she sat on the Conference Bus while the others dined. It was a long time, with many thoughts running through her head and asking the question: “Would Jesus be in there eating and drinking and having a good time?' She had the horrible realisation that he would be, that the fault was in her. “There was coldness inside me. I had become like the older brother of the prodigal son, doing all the right things, but having no celebration in my heart."
Fasting, as Jesus prescribes it, also includes fasting from bitterness of heart. Mellowness of heart is a non-negotiable within the spiritual life. Why? Because otherwise, like the older brother of the prodigal son, we might succumb to the temptation that T.S. Eliot describes: "The last temptation that's the greatest treason is to do the right thing for the wrong reason."
We do not just need the right truth, we also need the right energy.
(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )