The lives of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin cause Paul Lickteig, SJ, to consider the limits to serving other people:
I also see the way I draw lines between myself and others. I see the “other” and I see my desires and I say, “God, I will do this much for that person, but no more.” . . . I find that the deeper I go into my understanding of God’s presence in my life, the more I have to consider moving the line. When I draw a line and say “I will do this for you, God, but no more!” I feel God standing just on the other side saying in a gentle way “Just a little further. You need a rest? Sure. When you are ready. But I want you to continue.” This is what I see in Peter, Dorothy, and many, if not all, saints. It is not that they began great, but that they were willing to continue growing. They continued to move the line.
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I read this and this essay in the LA Times came to mind:
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-practice28-2009sep28,0,7631051.story
A doctor who let the line move just enough to help someone walk – no miracles, no great technology, just humility