By Pastor Marc Herbst
October 17, 2024

Find Your Own Calcutta

Mother Teresa’s quote, “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right where you are—in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools,” is often cited as an encouragement to serve others wherever we are, without feeling compelled to travel to distant places like Calcutta (now Kolkata) to make a difference. Charity begins at home.

While there is no specific recorded date or setting for when she said this, the sentiment was woven throughout her speeches and writings, especially when she visited different countries and encouraged people to perform acts of kindness and charity within their own communities. This quote reflects her philosophy that everyone can help the poor, lonely, and suffering, regardless of where they are, and that service is needed everywhere.

Mother Teresa emphasized that profound acts of love and compassion can be practiced in everyday life, regardless of location. Her words are a powerful reminder that we don’t need to go far to impact the world around us positively.

Today, October 17, 2024, marks the 45th anniversary of Mother Teresa receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work and dedication to helping the poor, sick, and marginalized individuals worldwide. In honor of her award in 1979, why not find your own Calcutta? You may find yourself right in Lindenhurst. Your Calcutta, your Lindenhurst, is a place where you can help others. How can you be of service to others in your community?

Consider volunteering your time at St. John’s food pantry (Tuesdays and Thursdays), the thrift shop (Tuesdays and Saturdays), or the Community Supper program (Fridays). You can also contribute non-perishable goods for the food pantry’s Thanksgiving baskets (collections received Tuesday-Thursday, 8 AM-1 PM and following Sunday worship).

We invite you to nourish yourself spiritually, too. Join us this Sunday, October 20, at 9:30 AM, as we give thanks to God for inspiring us to care for those in our own Calcutta.

Blessings,
Pastor Marc

Rev. Marc Herbst
Pastor
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church