“There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in – that we do it to God, to Christ, and that’s why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.”
- August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997
- Albanian
- Catholic nun and saint
- Founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in supporting the poor, sick, and orphans
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Quote
“There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in – that we do it to God, to Christ, and that’s why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mother Teresa warns against the risk of falling into routine and losing sight of the deeper purpose behind our actions. While doing good work is important, it is easy to become so focused on completing the task that we forget to do it with love, devotion, and a sense of respect. Mother Teresa teaches that every act of service, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, should be done as if we are doing it for God—because, in her view, all acts of love and care are ultimately for Him. By doing so, we elevate the work and approach it with the highest level of reverence and beauty.
Throughout her life, Mother Teresa consistently emphasized that the quality of the work mattered less than the spirit in which it was done. She believed that when we offer our work as an expression of devotion to God, it becomes a sacred act, no matter how mundane the task might seem. For her, serving the poor and sick was not just about helping others—it was about honoring Christ in every person, and doing the work with the utmost respect and care.
In today’s world, this quote challenges us to examine the intention behind our actions. Whether in our personal lives, our work, or our relationships, it’s easy to fall into the trap of just completing tasks without truly committing to them with love and care. When we approach tasks with a sense of purpose and devotion, we can transform even the simplest actions into meaningful expressions of love and reverence. For example, a teacher who approaches their work with a sense of devotion, not just to educate but to nurture and inspire, can bring beauty and meaning into the lives of their students. Similarly, helping others with a sense of respect and care makes the work feel not like a duty, but a meaningful offering.
