Mother Teresa's sainthood

MOTHER TERESA-CHILD
I’m delighted to hear Mother Teresa will be canonized a saint this year. Her love and care for the dying has long impressed many with her holiness. But after hearing of her dark periods when she felt abandoned by God and even doubted the existence of God, I think her saintliness is even more noteworthy. To dedicate her life to the destitute of India for over 50 years without the consolation of God’s presence is remarkable. Her acceptance of each person, no matter how dirty or diseased they were, as the embodiment of Christ inspired even the most hardened heart. And her devotion to prayer through years of depression and doubt  endears her to me even more. The ordinary person would abandon good works and prayer and indulge in self-pity or resentment if there were no consolation. Most of us think that when we do good, God will reward us with feeling good. Yet she plodded on with her exemplary life without the assurance that she was blessed in any special way. Few people knew of her darkness and some thought it meant she could not be considered a saint. However, those who were privileged to know her interior life, realized what a courageous, holy woman she was. I got to hear her speak once and she was so humble and so real I knew I was in the presence of greatness. Mother Teresa, pray for us. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Limping to God I come to you, God, weather-beaten and limping, asking for forgiveness for all the times I have failed to be faithful and attentive to all those around me, especially the elderly who have run the race, the poor, the lonely and abandoned, who need my care and concern.     Is there any hope for these old bones? What will it take to change my limp into a surge of energy and a ready step? Teach me to become more caring, more responsive, more aware. Give me eyes to see and the will to act on my good intentions.   Water my dried up spirit and shriveled body, expand my shrunken heart. Give me eyes to see what you are leading me to do even as my bones creak and my legs become unsteady. Make me remember that I am here to serve, to listen, to be ready to be your hands and feet today.   Barbara Mayer, OSB    
Read more
Image
  Inspired by Scholastica Learning from Grief When I read the news headlines today (and most days), I felt overwhelmed with sadness. Most of the news was about shootings, injustices, tragedies, and murders. I wanted to ignore the grief, to put it out of my mind.   But Richard Rohr, a Catholic author, says we need to feel the grief because it has a lot to teach us. It seems the writers of the Psalms knew this. Of the 150 psalms, a third are about grief.   The psalmists grieved being overcome by enemies, losing loved ones, leaving their land, suffering illness, and more. The psalms of lament teach us that there is value in God-oriented exasperation. The psalmists always seemed to know God was with them and would help them survive. Our tears and sorrow are signs of our humanity. Lament is a very deeply spiritual practice. It is important to take time to grieve and to heal from our losses. One author called lament a ritual of cleansing and preparation for what is yet ...
Read more
Image
  Inspired by Scholastica     A Tree’s Lament The fierce winds blew whipping my branches, stripping my leaves. Then I felt a painful crack down my right side ripping open a limb, crippling my strength.   I feared the storm’s wildness raging on-- would it end my life on this peaceful green spot overlooking the graves of women long passed, with old majestic buildings looming behind me?   It holds so many memories of flowing robes and veils, women who devoted their lives to prayer and teaching and serving others.   Maybe my broken wound will heal and not be deadly. Hopefully they will not chop me down completely, let me live a little longer to provide shade and beauty for my monastery home.   Barbara Mayer, OSB              
Read more