Once a Sister asked Mother Teresa, “Mother, you are spoiling the poor by giving them things for free?  They are losing their human dignity.”

 When everyone was quiet, Mother responded, “No one spoils as much as God himself spoils.  See the wonderful gifts he has given us freely.  Everyone here has no glasses yet you all can see.  If God were to take cash for your eyesight, what would happen? We are breathing continuously and living on oxygen that we do not pay for; what would happen if God were to say, ‘If you work four hours you would get sunshine for two.’  How many would survive? Many in the church spoil the rich.  It’s good to have some who spoil the poor!”

 The dialogue between Mother Teresa and her Sisters gave me pause to consider the word “spoil.’’ It seems to me that the Sister who asked the question uses the word “spoil” to mean to destroy, to reduce the pleasure or the interest level or the beauty of someone or something.

 While Mother Teresa saw God as the spoiler, as a generous, benevolent, and kind benefactor who gives all from the goodness of his heart, because he wants to and can do so because he is a loving God.

 In fact, he is the same loving God who made us from and for love. He  provides all we need to survive in this world and “to be happy with him in the next.” And as Mother Teresa notes: It cost us nothing. He gives it freely.

 My grandparents spoiled me simply by loving and hugging me.  Sometimes they even gave me cookies when my parents were not looking.  I don’t think their hugging or sneaking me cookies was to destroy or hurt me. It was because they loved me. I believe I am a better person today because of those cookies given from their love. I never lost my dignity because  of their gentle acts of generosity.

 While Mother Teresa makes a fine point, I wonder if we ever sat down to reflect on just how much God spoils us.  God made us to love and never stops loving us no matter how vile we sometimes act.

 His mercy and forgiveness are endless.  All we need is to ask and God provides.  Even though we may sometimes act like a baby who has every toy imaginable, but still cries for a toy another toddler is holding.

 Mother Teresa ‘s dialogue from the 1980’s still sounds a prophetic note for our times. She is correct when she points out that God’s unconditional love is never harmful, and can never spoil us.  Perhaps Mother Teresa’s words can also help creation reflect more carefully on its greater role in today’s world.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta painting by Rajasekharan