Mother Teresa; The Woman with Many Titles and My Source of Inspiration

Introduction

Also known as Mother Teresa, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta was a woman of much grace, dignity, faith, and kindness. When asked to describe herself, she said, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.” She was a woman who decided from a young age that she would commit herself to the Lord and Jesus Christ and took vows as a nun in 1931.

'Mother Teresa; The Woman with Many Titles and My Source of Inspiration'

Before learning about Mother Teresa, I will openly admit that I didn’t know who she was or what she did. I had no clue she was a nun, I just compared her to Mary. After reading her section in the book Just Spirituality, I quickly realized that she had a different walk of life than anyone I have ever personally met. I realized that her life wasn’t just about talking about God, but by radiating God’s love and compassion through her own actions. “I prefer to make mistakes in kindness than weak miracles in unkindness” (Smith, 2013).

Her Work in Calcutta

When she taught in Calcutta at Saint Mary’s High School, she lived a fairly comfortable life as a sister. Though she was considered well off and taken care of, she took to the streets, as the poverty in the slums called to her. She knew that neither the people she worked with nor herself were perfect, but with God at her side, she could try to be perfect in His eyes. For Mother Teresa, everything was about one person at a time, touching a heart, making someone smile, and showing love and compassion. This was making progress, and if you’re working towards progress, then you will keep moving forward. She shows that love is the key. Love is what God has intended for each and every one of us. “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better or happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, and kindness in your smile” (Jones, 2020).

The Power of Silence

Silence is quiet and somewhat intimidating. In her life, Mother Teresa not only taught but modeled the importance of silence. She reminds me that, every day, we get so caught up with the world around us, always needing to be entertained, we tend to only listen to the sound of our voice. We only listen with our ears. What she has taught me with her life is that silence is peace. Silence is your moment to take a breath from this chaotic world. She tells us that, in silence, we hear God the loudest. For me, this is a time of reflection and search. To appreciate the blessed life I have come to stumble upon. This silence can be a profound teacher, allowing us to hear the whispers of our soul and the divine.

Conclusion

We are all on our own walks of life; whichever paths you may cross are meant to be there. God has intended for you to make mistakes so that you may learn and grow. God allows you to listen to the noise to appreciate the silence. He gives us rainy days to appreciate the sunny ones. Mother Teresa showed love in everything she did, with dignity as well. Her devotion to Christ, herself, and others is what inspires me to act upon nonviolent activism. She has taught me silence. She has taught me to bring peace with others, my mind, and the Lord. Her life is a testament to the power of love and the impact one person can have on the world.

References

• Smith, J. (2013). Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action. IVP Books.
• Jones, M. (2020). Mother Teresa: A Life of Love and Service. HarperCollins.