Reflection & Quotes

REFLECTION:

As a cradle Catholic, I was immediately exposed to the importance of selfless giving and maintaining an incessant respect for humanity. Those values can certainly be transcribed to the life and work of Mother Teresa. Her initiatives and accomplishments became the cornerstone from which I started to question my own view of what it meant to act courageously and to do good acts throughout my surroundings.

A prayer that Mother Teresa often referred to as one of her favorites also happens to be a prayer that I find very motivating:

Lead me from death to life,
from lies to truth
Lead me from despair to hope
from fear to trust
Lead me from hatred to love
from war to peace
Let peace fill our heart, our world
our universe with peace. Amen

Mother Teresa sought out the poorest of the poor, those who had lost the will or the means to protect and care for themselves; and she graciously committed her whole life’s work to their well-being. Such commitment requires more than dedication, love, and faith. In addition, Mother Teresa illustrated the value of having an open heart even in the face of adversity and fear. The importance of teaching others how to give themselves to the will and work of God was one of the many inspiring lessons Mother Teresa left for the following generations to learn. Her actions constructively questioned the social structures that have existed between the unprotected poor masses and the often negligent, more affluent masses. After reflecting on Mother Teresa’s undertakings, I continue to admire her belief that caring for a person in need is not burdensome, but expected. When she welcomed all into her arms (irregardless of tangible differences), she truly became an instrument of God’s love. Instead of constantly preaching sermons of love, Mother Teresa became a prime example of how the power of love could be a sufficient source of healing.

QUOTES:

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.”