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in own comforts. Such a life is nothing less than
slow suicide.
273.âMy mission of being in the heart of the
people is not just a part of my life or a badge I
can take off; it is not an âextraâ or just another
moment in life. Instead, it is something I can-
not uproot from my being without destroying my
very self. I am a mission on this earth; that is
the reason why I am here in this world. We have
to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded, by
this mission of bringing light, blessing, enliven-
ing, raising up, healing and freeing. All around us
we begin to see nurses with soul, teachers with
soul, politicians with soul, people who have cho-
sen deep down to be with others and for others.
But once we separate our work from our private
lives, everything turns grey and we will always be
seeking recognition or asserting our needs. We
stop being a people.
274.âIf we are to share our lives with others
and generously give of ourselves, we also have
to realize that every person is worthy of our giv-
ing. Not for their physical appearance, their abil-
ities, their language, their way of thinking, or for
any satisfaction that we might receive, but rather
because they are Godâs handiwork, his creation.
God created that person in his image, and he or
she reflects something of Godâs glory. Every
human being is the object of Godâs infinite ten-
derness, and he himself is present in their lives.
Jesus offered his precious blood on the cross
