One of the glorious things about my job as a Spiritual Care Practitioner is that I meet fascinating people and hear the most incredible stories. Some stories are heartbreaking, while others are heartwarming. And every once in a while, there’s a story or a phrase or an important lesson that I can’t seem to shake, so I write about it here.

In a recent conversation, a wonderful woman told me a story her priest told her. (It’s been well shared in the community.) It’s a story about the first time meeting Mother Teresa.

As the story goes, the priest, Mother Teresa, and a few others clergy are on a shuttle headed to a gathering. It’s an important gathering, one in which Pope John Paul II is to give an important talk. As the shuttle rumbles along the road, Mother Teresa asks the shuttle driver to stop the vehicle. She needs to get out.

Uncertain what all the commotion is about, those in the shuttle watch as Mother Teresa quickly makes her way to a man lying on the sidewalk. No one can hear the conversation or is aware of what’s happening between the two of them, but they continue to watch them, aware that they are supposed to be somewhere soon.

Someone calls out to Mother Teresa and says, “We must go if we are to make the meeting in time.”

While waving the vehicle onward, Mother Teresa says, “Tell John I’m spending time with Jesus.”

I’m spending time with Jesus.

Whether or not this is a true and accurate account of a story, I cannot say as I wasn’t there. But to see another hurting and pause, stop and help is to spend time with Jesus, though we may not always recognize it as such.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:35–40, NIV)

As I’ve pondered on this story, I’ve wondered where I’d be sitting. Would I be among the onlookers, or would I be the one to call for the shuttle to stop? Do I see meeting the needs of others as spending time with Jesus?

Lord, help me be open to your invitations to spend time with you.