The Bishop Writes

(From the Oct. 2, 1997 edition of the Inland Register)

Mother Teresa, 87 years of age, died on Sept. 5. We have seen the newspaper articles and the stories on television. We have also engaged in conversation with others about her and her life. She is a remarkable example of the uniqueness of God’s call and the power of the Gospel when lived faithfully and consistently.

Mother Teresa was born and grew up in Skopje, Albania. One day she listened to her pastor ask the question, "What will I do for Christ?" She decided she wanted to serve the poor. Eventually she joined the Irish Sisters of Loretto and was sent to India.

On her way to a retreat, she heard God’s call to serve those in the slums of Calcutta. She began her own Religious community, the Missionaries of Charity. Her community grew rapidly as they served the poorest of the poor. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

I first saw and heard her at the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia in 1974. Her talk to the large crowd of youth there was simple but very direct. Her message was twofold: her love of Jesus, and seeing Jesus in the poorest of the poor.

I was in a group of about 35 bishops who met her briefly about five years ago in New York City during the Knights of Columbus Convention. Her brief message to us again was very simple and direct: holiness of life, love of Jesus, don’t forget the poor.

Several years ago, Time magazine had a theme article about the living saints of our times. On the front cover was Mother Teresa. In one of the latest issues of Newsweek, she is also on the front cover with the question asked: "Sainthood Now?"” Clearly her life and fidelity to God stand as a powerful and continuing reminder of our own call and responsibility for our gifts and call received.

There are three characteristics of her life that are especially important for us to remember.

First, she had a close relationship with the Lord. Her response to leave her native land, to serve the poor -- often in very difficult and trying circumstances -- spoke of a deep relationship with Jesus and a tremendous courage sparked by this intimacy. Her won relationship with Jesus carried over to the presence of the Lord in others. Very profoundly she took to heart Jesus’ words: "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me."

In Oslo when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, she said, "As to my calling, I belong to the whole world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus."

She was fearless in support of the poor. The story is told of her visiting a wealthy industrialist in this country. As she visited him, he handed her a check for $1 million dollars. She looked at it and handed it back. She told him how disappointed she was and how much work needed to be done by her Sisters in serving the poor around the world. He had such a large company. She walked out the door with $5 million dollars.

Second, she possessed great humility. Her lifestyle and simple habit indicated that quality. Every person was important to her. For her, every human being reflected the presence of God. The dying man in the gutter, the leper, the AIDS patient: all deserved honor, respect and reverence. As to herself, she said she was just "God’s pencil with which he writes what he likes."

One time when she was challenged about the usefulness of her working only with the destitute and dying, her quick response was: "I was called to be faithful, not successful."

Third, the way she lived the Gospel was evident in action and lifestyle. Several years ago, when the riots in Calcutta occurred between the Hindus and Muslims, she and the Sisters were out on the streets with the ambulances, ministering to the victims of the violence. Deeply rooted in her outreach was the simple message of loving with the love of Jesus.

A young man was assisting the Sisters in the care of the dying, and this fellow wondered what he could for this dying man. Her simple response was: "Love him with all the power you have."

Each of us is called in a unique way to be a follower of Jesus. May the life and example of Mother Teresa help us to respond faithfully and generously to the Lord. As we begin October, designated as Respect Life Month, her respect for human life should inspire us to live this gift in ourselves and in others to an eminent degree.

May God bless all of you and give you peace.

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