Social Work with a touch of Love

The Commandments of God melt down to “loving God and loving neighbor.” That basic concept was well put into practice by the early Church in a very tangible way. The Acts of the Apostles tell us “All who believed were together and had all things in common (Acts 2:44).” They sold their property and possessions and shared them with all. “There was no needy person among them” because those who had plenty shared it with them (Acts 4:34).

​One of the blessings Jesus spoke in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the merciful” was literally followed by the early Christian community prompting others to wonder, “Look at how much they love each other.”

Thus the Church’s theology of social work follows the model of the early Christian community. Many of the saints from the early centuries to modern times drew inspiration from the spirit of the Apostolic times and devoted their lives in service of others.

Mother Theresa tirelessly worked for the less fortunate of society with the motto of “Doing something beautiful for God.” Her motivation was primarily from the St. Matthew, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Mt 25:40).” It continues to inspire scores of others in the present age.

When Pope Francis visited the Unites States in October, he very conspicuously expressed his priority by skipping the sumptuous lunch with the members of the Congress and going to the homeless shelter run by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Washington DC. His constant invitation to assist the needy demonstrates his vision for a new world. In many of his apostolic exhortations, his concern for the poor and needy of the world takes a prominent position.

The Catholic Church everywhere upholds the same vision. That is why–all over the world–Catholics consider serving at the Lord’s table and serving at the table of the poor as two sides of the same coin. The Mother Theresa Shelter for the homeless, one of the major social work ventures of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, is also founded on the same vision. All the social work we undertake is motivated by the Lord’s love manifested in his self-sacrifice on the cross.

At the Shelter we are not just handing over food and clothing to homeless people. Apart from providing them a place to rest, read, watch TV, use the Internet, take a shower and wash clothes, our assistance goes into higher levels.

Those who have lost their jobs and consequently their home and car are helped to send applications for new jobs, provide them with an address, help them with the formalities of preparing resumes and cover letters, give them tips to successfully do interviews, use Internet to send in applications, etc. We help some to find apartments, assist others in managing their paychecks and get proper treatments both physical and psychological for yet others. Our services are numerous.

The result is very encouraging. Some people have secured jobs and a steady income because of our assistance, found safe places to live, opened bank accounts and saved money, connected with family and live dignified lives. The most encouraging testimony of their rehabilitation is our hiring them as staff at the shelter itself.

There is a very touching story Mother Teresa used to tell. One evening she brought a bag of rice to a Hindu woman, a mother of three children. She knew that they did not have anything to eat the whole day. As soon as Mother Teresa gave the bag of rice to the woman, she saw her running out of the house through the back door. Mother Teresa got concerned, but patiently waited. After a few minutes, the woman came back. Mother Teresa was curious to know where the woman had gone.

“My next door neighbors, a Muslim family, have five little children. They are just as hungry as we are. So I went to give them half of the rice you gave me,” the woman said.

Mother Teresa said everyone, anyone, can offer help to the needy. That is what we try to do at the Mother Teresa Shelter for the homeless–doing something beautiful for God. Mother Teresa’s heart was always open to the spirit of God and loved others with the love of God.

We all can do beautiful things in life if we really care.