Scripture: Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous (1 Peter 3:8 NKJV).

Mother Teresa’s feet reflected a woman who took on the filth of the world to carry out Jesus’ command to love the poor in a radical way. Shane Claiborne, who spent a summer in the slums of Calcutta with her ministry, wrote the following about one of his experiences:[1]

“People often ask me what Mother Teresa was like. Did she glow in the dark or have a halo? She was short, wrinkled, and precious, maybe even a little ornery–like a beautiful, wise old granny.

“But there is one thing I will never forget—her feet were deformed. Each morning during Mass, I would stare at those feet. I wondered if Mother Teresa had leprosy. But I wasn’t going to ask, of course.

“One day a sister asked us, ‘Have you noticed Mother’s feet?’ We nodded, curious. She said ‘Her feet are deformed because we get just enough donated shoes for everyone, and Mother does not want anyone to get stuck with the worst pair, so she digs through and finds those, often much too small for her. Years of wearing bad shoes have deformed her feet.’”

Mother Teresa’s sandals are now on display in a church dedicated to Saint Dimas, the penitent thief. Her torn, tattered shoes tell of holy fatigue and countless hours spent caring for the destitute and dying.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we can never be this saintly. But we too would like to show the kind of love that places our neighbors’ needs above our own. Please guide our hearts today.

[1] Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. Harper Collins, 2006