Serve with Your Whole Heart

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

It is Jesus you love and serve with your whole heart.


Catherine was very clear that women did not come to Mercy to follow her, though she was a dynamic person, but rather to serve Jesus through the ministry of serving people. Hers was a different spirituality, one of walking with Jesus in the poor who were served. Hers was a spirituality of being on your feet; prayer in action. That did not mean she neglected times of prayer, but that prayer was enhanced by the ministry. Ministry did not take away from prayer, so she did not have the tension of contemplation verses action. She uniquely combined the two.

Today, that spirituality can be also fostered, but it takes a very clear and specific formation and learning how to blend the two. Often we do one and neglect the other to some extent. With the stresses of today, we also can do violence to ourselves or others by saying I have to take care of self first or the total opposite; we take care of others to the detriment of taking care of ourselves.

The balance is a cutting edge at times. At other times is is a very clear path. Today I will ponder what it is I am doing. How do I balance both and still have a "running with Jesus" attitude that is healthy and life-giving to myself and to others.

How about you?

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