Mother Teresa

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People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind. Think big anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack if you help them. Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Mother Teresa

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 20, 2002

Answers

Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” Mother Teresa MaryLu :)

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 20, 2002.

Kind of a paradox... Satan can only destroy that which has been produced. By doing good we keep him employed, at least til God closes the shop and we all go home.

For lack of an intelligent way to praise her, Mother Teresa rules. Nobody can say anything bad about her, but a few boneheads have actually tried if you can believe it. She walked the walk.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 20, 2002.


Yes, indeed, Teresa did walk the walk in life, through years of charity and benevolence. Although I never knew her personally, her life is a burning tribute to selflessness and heroism everywhere.

Her story reminds me of what is truly important in life, not merely doing good deeds, to try to somehow get the Lord to love us more, but doing good, because of the Spirit who lives inside each one who freely gives his life over to Jesus Christ.

In and of ourselves, we can do nothing. But with the Lord Christ Jesus on our side, there is nothing we cannot do! Amen.

-- Eugene (magnificentextravaganza@yahoo.com), May 20, 2002.


However, I am a bit puzzled by this quote from Mother Teresa:

"I love all religions. ... If people become better Hindus, better Muslims, better Buddhists by our acts of love, then there is something else growing there."

She said something similiar to this in the book 'A Simple Path'.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 21, 2002.


Emerald

She is merely saying that they are being touched by the love of Christ through our actions of love to them. She and her sisters dedicated their lives to make the last days of the dying who were cast out a good death with loving care.

Blessings

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), May 21, 2002.



"...by our acts of love, then there is something else growing there."

Jesus wants us to bring people to Him by our example, not by preaching, and I think this is what Mother Teresa meant. We can say a lot of words and do a lot of preaching, but if our actions are contrary to what we say, how are we going to bring people to Jesus?

I think she felt that a holiness was growing in these people, no matter what the religion. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 21, 2002.


The reason I ask is I mentioned further up about those who would say anything negative about Mother Teresa, and lo and behold, and friend pops by and the subject came up, and he had somewhat of a negative view of her in the particular area of the idea that salvation might be capable outside the Church, or the 'one religion is as good as another' falicy.

Now I'm not one to say that everyone who is not Catholic goes straight to Hell simply because I don't have access to the mind of God and it doesn't show up on my job description. However, I do believe that all salvation comes through the Catholic Church. If I don't say this, then it makes the whole effort of Christ on the Cross null and void. This is a doctrine of ours.

This friend said she carried this notion and expressed in at different times and places, about salvation being capable through other religions. I would have to see it or hear it for myself to be sure.

On the other hand, I'm not inclined to pursue it because I think there are better, more interesting things to look into and I don't want to be an armchair canonizer if you know what I mean.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 21, 2002.


MaryLu

She brought the Holiness to the sick and the dying. They were rejected by their own peers. Mother Theresa and her sisters gave peace back to them with the LOVE of Jesus. That is what Her mission was all about. It is following the beatitudes in real life.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), May 21, 2002.


Fred, You are absolutely right in what you said.

However, I got the feeling that Mother Teresa did not try to 'convert' anyone to Catholicism, she just accepted everyone for who they were - going about her business of taking care of the sick, impoverished and dying. Am I right about that, Fred.

I spoke to an Indian women who owns a grocery store here. She has a picture of Jesus in the store and a picture of Our Lady and of Mother Teresa. I asked her if she was Catholic and she said, "No, but I knew Mother Teresa personally and loved her. The people in India respect her for her holiness and what she does for God. Mother Teresa gave her a picture of Jesus and she keeps it in the store all the time. I found that very interesting. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 21, 2002.


MaryLu You are right. Mother did not want to convert anyone. She only wanted to aid the sick and make their death a good death not a violent one.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), May 21, 2002.


The greatest gift of all to give

The reason that we all do live:

To plant the seed of Love's first light

To bring the savior into sight,

To tell of Him to those who thirst

And prove our Jesus through good works,

To save our brothers from the fall

Is Jesus Christ, my all-in-all.

Remember that, although many religions have good in them, that at the core of our beings, we all need Jesus, and nothing else will do. Instead of worrying about Mother Teresa (let the Lord be her judge), let's think more each day about what our own words and deeds are saying about who Jesus is. Do you really know him?

-- Matthew (formerly known as Eugene) (magnificent extravaganza@yahoo.com), May 21, 2002.


Matthew (formerly known as Eugene),

"Remember that, although many religions have good in them, that at the core of our beings, we all need Jesus, and nothing else will do."

How true this statement is. Hope every Christian/Catholic realise this.

God Bless,

-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 22, 2002.


Friends,
Our good Mother Theresa was not a theologian. If we make the mistake of attributing to her some better knowledge of the spiritual life, or God's revelation; we fall into the sin of idolatry. She had human failings, as all of us must have.

Her naive manner of paying homage to all races and creeds and faiths is not a message from God to His people. She was speaking from the heart! --Would you expect a charism in one special category-- Love-- to grant Mother Theresa a license to expound on ecumenism?

It wasn't her chosen field. Her remark: "I love all religions. ... If people become better Hindus, better Muslims, better Buddhists by our acts of love, then there is something else -- '' is one of LOVE-- not theology. I really think Mother Theresa would be aghast at the thought she would be introducing some unorthodox teaching to us. She never intended to become our teacher; she only wished to be a soul loving every soul she came in contact with. As if these souls, every one, were Jesus Christ in Person.

Mother Theresa came to love. Not to make ecumenical doctrine; or any other doctrine but ''Love one another.'' It isn't fair nor wise-- to hang on her every word, as if the word was from God.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 22, 2002.


Gene

I NEVER said that Mother Teresa wanted to convert nor to adopt their religious views in any way. ALL I said is that she wanted to covey GOD's love through her actions much like the Beatitudes and the lesson taught to us about being the GOOD SAMARITAN. The Good Samaritan did NOT want to convert anyone, but to heal that persons ailments and be on with his life and he even asked that if any debts were owed that he would gladly pay it. Now that is what Mother Teresa did. She gave of herself and asked for nothing in return. She taught that to her sisters. That quality is VERY rare indeed.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), May 22, 2002.


"...to hang on her every word, as if the word was from God."

Was I doing that? I wouldn't be caught dead doing that with anybody.

Other than the reprimanding tone I have no use for, I actually agree with you eugene, that it is most likely simply that her focus was on action and not theology.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 22, 2002.



Hi, Emerald,
Come on, what reprimand? Read my first word. --Friends. I'm not put off by anything that was written up here.

Only the fact that her words were open to some misapprehension made me take time to remark on their true context, or intention.

''I love all religions,'' can be interpreted wrongly. Her faith was not deficient, is what I meant to clarify. If we accept ''I love all religions'' at face value, it waters down the true faith of the speaker.

You can be sure I realise this warning isn't necessary, if only you, or another staunch Catholic reads ''I love all religions.'' You know all about Mother Theresa's faith. But others who may lurk here could have taken it wrongly. That's why I butted in. I had no wish to reprimand anybody.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 22, 2002.


When God judges Mother Teresa, I don't think He is going to find any fault with her at all - How could he? I don't think anyone thinks of 'theology" when they think of Mother Teresa - all one can think about is love, love, and more love, kindness, sacrifice, humility, forgiveness - all the things Jesus is concerned with. She did not look at color, language, economics, she just loved everyone - she followed the rules of the church, was obedient to the Holy Father and most of all, to God himself.

Let us not get carried away with this now....and let Mother Teresa rest in peace. I posted one of her prayers to share with all, I did not intend to tear the women apart with analyzation....

Besides, God did create the Hindus and the Buddhists and He loves them too....even though they may not know him. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 22, 2002.


Alright already.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 22, 2002.

Considero que debe leerse con mucho cuidado el documento Conciliar NOSTRA AETATE, del cual extraje el siguiente párrafo:

La Iglesia católica no rechaza nada de lo que en estas religiones hay de santo y verdadero. Considera con sincero respeto los modos de obrar y de vivir, los preceptos y doctrinas que, por más que discrepen en mucho de lo que ella profesa y enseña, no pocas veces reflejan un destello de aquella Verdad que ilumina a todos los hombres. Anuncia y tiene la obligación de anunciar constantemente a Cristo, que es"el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida" (Jn., 14,6), en quien los hombres encuentran la plenitud de la vida religiosa y en quien Dios reconcilió consigo todas las cosas. Por consiguiente, exhorta a sus hijos a que, con prudencia y caridad, mediante el diálogo y colaboración con los adeptos de otras religiones, dando testimonio de fe y vida cristiana, reconozcan, guarden y promuevan aquellos bienes espirituales y morales, así como los valores socio-culturales que en ellos existen.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), May 24, 2002.


English translation for the above passage from Vatican II's "Nostra aetate," the Declaration On the Relation Of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (1965).

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself. The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men."

-- + (+@+.+), May 26, 2002.


Jmj

It is true that Mother Teresa and her sisters are very sensitive to the religious liberty of the millions whom they serve, that they reject forced conversions, and that they appreciate the good things done and believed by non-Christians.
But there should not be a doubt in anyone's mind that Mother and her sisters know that God's will is that all people be baptized Catholics. They teach the truths of Catholicism to anyone who comes voluntarily asking to learn.

Also, please take note of what she said about baptizing the dying in a Q&A session when she visited lay "co-workers" of the Missionaries of Charity in Japan in 1982. I have seen her speak similar words on televised videotape. (The following comes from a site established by Fr. Anthony Zimmerman, long-time missionary in Japan.)

"I am very happy to be with you, because the co-workers are a part - a very great part of the Missionaries of Charity. We make one BIG family in the world! We have co-workers who work, and have co-workers who suffer for us, we have contemplative co-workers who pray, we have priest co-workers, and youth co-workers; and all of us together make something beautiful for God. ..."

You say that you "are co-workers of Mother Teresa; it's only a name. Actually we are the co-workers of God's love. And so if you want to be real co-workers, you will be doing that work having that God's love, sharing that God's love, living that God's love, and giving that love to others ... That is why it is very important for co-workers to learn to pray. Because prayer will always give us a clean heart and we will be able to see God and to love God in each other. ...

"Question: The source of Mother's power, what is it?
"Answer: Jesus! He has made Himself the Bread of Life. He gives us life.
"Question: How many hours a day do you pray?
"Answer: We have four hours. Everybody in the Congregation has four hours. But if we pray the work, if we do the work with Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, if we do it to Jesus, then we are praying 24 hours. And it is not only possible for us sisters; even in your family if you do the cooking, if you do the washing, whatever you do in your family, do it with Him, do it for Him, do it to Him; whenever you are doing something for your child, for your husband, you are doing it to Him. It is beautiful. You can pray the work the whole day.

"Question: When helping the dying, do you give them Baptism at the moment of death in many cases?
"Answer: Because St. Peter will not allow them inside heaven without a ticket, so we give them a ticket for St. Peter. We say to the people, 'Do you want a blessing?' And because Baptism is a blessing, a Sacrament. We tell them what it means, to the person. And we say: 'Do you want a blessing, by which your sins will be forgiven, and you will see God?' ..."

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), May 26, 2002.


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