It was never between you and them, Anyway.

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Somebody recently posted this quote from "Mother Teresa" on Facebook.

It is phrased in the language of Christian Morality, which is frustrating because of course the so-called Church has appropriated to itself the teachings of Jesus, sort of copyrighting the entire thing.  Teresa manages to articulate in simple language some of the problems we face with right conduct, and right action.

An important idea within modern Christian teaching is that of forgiveness, which affects how we behave towards one another.  If we were perfect in every way, we would not have to forgive anybody, because of course we would automatically do what is right every time.  But being the people we are, our history with each other interferes with what we feel we should be doing, so, in a brilliant stroke, Jesus focuses on forgiveness as an important first principle.  And Jesus makes clear that forgiveness doesn't depend on being deserved; you just do it automatically.

Many of the remaining suggestions have to do with how we imagine our actions will be received.  Are we hesitant to be kind, because we would be misunderstood as having ulterior motives?  Just do it, says Teresa.

As we grow older, we accumulate a store of knowledge about ways in which we might be taken advantage of.  But be forthright notwithstanding, says Teresa.  It might not be good advice for any but the most saintly.

For those of us who do not believe that the Big Daddy in the Sky is watching, and totting up points for us, doing good is often associated with being given credit by our fellow creatures.  This is a big problem, because credit is usually not forthcoming, and if it is, in the degree to which we feel we deserve it.  To do one's best, without regard to possible credit being awarded is a tough assignment.  But once you set your hand to the plow, checking on your credit just gets in the way.

Then, of course, there is the problem of futility.  We recycle, we clean up graffiti, we try to reduce our footprint, but all around us people gleefully undo everything we do.  The latest in this direction is the new fad of 'blowing coal', which is this amusing trick of owners of diesel truck revving up their engines as they pass hybrid, or fuel-efficient vehicles, just to annoy the perceived "tree-hugger" driving it.  No matter how much one does, it seems never to be enough.  But, says Teresa, do it anyway, and I must say, we don't have an alternative.

Teresa, of course, gave a lot of her life to helping the poor in Calcutta, though detractors were persistent in pointing out numerous shortcomings in her service or her lifestyle.  I seem to remember that she was accused of being harsh, of not being impartial, of appropriating various comforts to herself, or of claiming undue credit for one thing or another.  In a way, this quote sets out her attitude towards credit and criticism.  But, in the end, these suggestions are good.  It isn't between us and Them, it's between us and us!

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