Scripture: On earth peace, goodwill toward men! (Luke 2:14 NKJV).

Mother Teresa, the little Albanian nun who ministered to the poorest of the poor, amazed the twentieth century with her courage and selflessness. Canonized as a saint by her church, she founded homes in 450 centers worldwide. By the time of her death, her Missionaries of Charity consisted of more than 4,000 sisters who managed orphanages, AIDS hospices, and charity centers, caring for refugees, the blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor and homeless and victims of floods, epidemics, and famine.

A teacher at an Indian convent school for twenty years, her life was changed the day she rode a train through the slums of Calcutta. The city had suffered a terrible famine, and human misery was rampant. Jesus spoke to her heart. “Leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.” She said, “It was an order. To fail would have been to break the faith.”

As world leaders became aware of her work, great honors were heaped upon her. Every word she spoke was repeated and treasured. Outspoken about her beliefs, she dared to tell a U.S. president that abortion was evil—murder by the mother herself.

When she spoke, people listened and Satan trembled. Surely such a fountain of wisdom would tell us how to achieve that most elusive of goals—goodwill between nations. Yet listen to her words when she was given the Nobel Peace Prize. In the presence of the greatest leaders and intellectuals on earth, she was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?”

Her answer still surprises and humbles us. “Go home and love your family.”

Prayer: This we can do, Father—love the families You have given us. Help us love each of them truly and well. In Jesus’ name, amen.