# Forgive Anyway by Mother Teresa
*2008-09-09*

> Bill Young shares a powerful prayer inspired by Mother Teresa, reminding us to love and serve regardless of how others respond.

## Opening

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young, and welcome to the 149th episode of Catholic Podcast Ministries – Prayer and Lunch. Today’s lunchtime prayer is a meditation on the words of Mother Teresa.

## The Prayer of Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self‑centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish or ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will gain some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find peace and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, even if it never seems enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God, never between you and them. Amen.

## Reflection

Mother Teresa’s words challenge us to place our ultimate accountability before God, not before the judgment of the world. When we act out of love, we do so for the sake of the Kingdom, trusting that God sees and rewards our fidelity even if human appreciation is fleeting.

*Our love and service belong to God first, so we keep giving, creating, and forgiving regardless of how others respond.*