O Jesus, You who suffer...

O Jesus,
you who suffer,
grant that, today and every day,
I may be able to see you in the person of your sick ones
and that, by offering them my care,
I may serve you.
Grant that, even if you are hidden under the unattractive disguise of
anger, of crime, or of madness,
I may recognize you and say,
"Jesus, you who suffer, how sweet it is to serve you."

Give me, Lord, this vision of faith,
and my work will never be monotonous,
I will find joy in harboring the small whims and desires
of all the poor who suffer.
Dear sick one, you are still more beloved to me
because you represent Christ.
What a privilege I am granted in being able to take care of you!

O God, since you are Jesus who suffers,
deign to be for me also
a Jesus who is patient, indulgent with my faults,
who looks only at my intentions,
which are to love you and to serve you
in the person of each of these children of yours who suffer.
Lord, increase my faith.
Bless my efforts and my work,
now and forever.

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta, taken from "Mother Teresa: A life for God" by Lavonne Neff.