Mother Teresa

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The rusting, endless train flew by as children watched and stared. Some wait for the train to arrive, but most patiently wait for it to pass until they can resume playing on the tracks. In one of the poorest areas in India, children seek for entertainment often found in something as simple as train tracks. A woman, only about 5 feet tall, discovered the flaws of the world, and spent a lifetime determined to help and serve others across the nation, making her a hero. "Toward the very end of her life, she wrote a special message entitled 'I Thirst' to the Missionaries of Charity Society. In it she wrote: 'Only one secret: The closer we come to Jesus, the better we will know his thirst.' To quench Jesus' thirst was Mother Teresa's purpose in founding her religious identity. She received this particular 'call within a call' during the now famous train ride to Darjeeling on September 10, 1947" ("Mother Teresa - Her Life and Canonization"). Mother Teresa's "call within a call" was the driving force in her life.  She opened her eyes to a higher perspective, while serving with some of the poorest people in the world. Mother Teresa spent her whole life in the service of others and teaching about love and peace. She centered her life on Jesus Christ and His teachings. If Mother Teresa were still alive, she would be found in the poorest places around the world, serving others and lifting them up, giving the downtrodden and destitute hope for a better life. "On August 17, 1948, Sister Teresa left behind the beautiful buildings and gardens of St. Mary's School, the community of sisters, and the comfort of stability and routine. She took off the religious habit she had worn for twenty years, donned the white sari of the poorest Indian women, and walked out into the streets of Calcutta" ("Mother Teresa - Her Life and Canonization"). The year of 1948 was an important year for Mother Teresa. She left her home in order to dedicate her life to the less fortunate. "For her work among the poor and dying of India, Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. Pope Francis I canonized her on September 4, 2016, declaring her Saint Teresa of Calcutta" ("Mother Teresa"). Mother Teresa is known for her work and her inspiring spirit in the effort in making the world a better place. Mother Teresa left her life to visit some of the poorest Indian women. "At 18 years of age, Agnes waved goodbye to her little family, who she would never see again, and she stepped onto the train alone. She arrived safely in Dublin, Ireland" ("Mother Teresa - Her Life"). From a young age and throughout her life, she remained strong, dedicated, and compassionate. A worthy hero must emulate love towards others, even if they may be different in circumstance or stature. Through her selfless character, loving purpose, and dedication to serve others, Mother Teresa is seen as a hero in the world today.

Mother Teresa spending time with poor children (http://venturesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/ ())

Mother Teresa connected with people on an intimate and heartfelt level. She did not seek recognition or fame, but yearned to recognize what others did not see. Service is seldom convenient, nor glamorous, yet requires time and hard work. Mother Theresa was humble, genuine, and served with her whole soul. Even in her weakest moments, Mother Teresa remained kind and thoughtful. "When she was being cared for in a hospital in San Diego, she lectured the doctors about why they weren't also treating the poor in Tijuana. When she was strong enough to take a shower, she used only cold water because the people she cared for in Kolkata didn't have access to hot water." (Nelson). Even though her body may have been physically weak, her heart continued to be strong. Mother Teresa showed a great amount of selflessness, as she put others needs before her own. Early in Mother Teresa's life, she felt as though her purpose in life needed to involve Christ. "Mother Teresa opened wide the doors of mercy and charity for the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. Mother Teresa directed her Missionaries of Charity to serve 'the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people who have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone." ("Mother Teresa - Her Life"). Mother Teresa sacrificed something that many people find hard giving to others; her time. She felt as though her service was an order from God, and she remained Christlike when serving the poor. Mother Teresa gave people all around the world her time and attention, visiting the needy, poor, penniless. "Mother Teresa had always insisted that her followers live in the same poverty as the people they served. When she considered buildings that were donated too elegant, she had them systematically stripped of such luxuries as carpeting, comfortable mattresses, and even water heaters." (Gold). When serving others, she made herself like them, to reach out to them in a way that is so genuine and humble. Mother Teresa is a hero for everyone around the nation because of her selflessness and humble character.

http://www.wrldrels.org/Pics/MissionariesOfCharity ()

Throughout her life, Mother Teresa showed the world love, through acts of kindness and patience toward others. A quote given by Mother Teresa opened the eyes of another who gained a better outlook on life. "...in Mother Teresa's handwriting: 'You can do no great things--only small things with great love.' 'My heart melted,' Morsch said. 'It dawned on me that serving others is not about how much I know. It's about attitude and availability to do whatever is needed--with love. I learned that shoveling garbage with love is different from just shoveling garbage'" (Nelson). Mother Teresa expanded the perspectives of many people with her words and taught by example. One observer noted and recorded, "'I saw people come to her with frowns and scowls and go away with radiant faces. She had the gift of touching hearts with peace, of anointing them with 'the oil of gladness' (Ps 45:7). Mother Teresa was given the grace to understand that the biggest disease in the world today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for, and deserted by everybody.'" ("Mother Teresa - Her Life"). This reflects the light she was in people's lives, no matter what they might have been going through. She expressed her love for others through her acts of kindness and her love of God. One of the many service projects Mother Teresa took part in shows the time and effort that was associated with it. "In Calcutta, infants were often orphaned, or left to die by desperate parents who couldn't afford to feed them. Sometimes these babies were premature, disabled, or nearly dead from starvation. Some died within hours of arrival at Shishu Bhavan, but Mother Teresa felt strongly that they should be cared for and held so that they could experience love, even if only for a brief time." (Gold). This demonstrates that Mother Teresa believed every person should feel love, even just for a little while. Overall, Mother Teresa's loving heart and willing hands made her a hero to anyone who has felt alone or needed to be lifted up.

(http://forher.aleteia.org/articles/mother-teresa-s ())

Mother Teresa was dedicated, as she lived her life with a strong purpose in life to help the needy. A biography about Mother Teresa found on a database shows the works she did, as she strived to help the nation. "By 1979 her groups had more than 200 different operations in over 25 countries around the world, with dozens more ventures on the horizon. In 1986 she persuaded President Fidel Castro to allow a mission in Cuba. The hallmark of all of Mother Teresa's works--from shelters for the dying to orphanages and homes for the mentally ill--continued to be service to the very poor" ("Mother Teresa." Encyclopedia). Mother Teresa observed and recognized the problems in our world, and was determined to improve it and lift it as much as she could. During the times when Mother Teresa may have been physically weak, she continued to show her dedication. "She was diagnosed with heart problems as early as 1989, but refused to lighten her schedule of travel and work. She always balked at entering the hospital because of the cost of her treatment, insisting that her medical bills robbed the poor of badly needed funds" (Mother Teresa - Her Life"). This shows Mother Teresa's dedication as she continued working and serving. She considered the world's health more important than her own. "The recently proclaimed saint 'opened eyes to suffering, and embraced it with a gaze of compassion. All her being was challenged and moved by this encounter, following Jesus' example, incapable of getting up again alone'" ("Thanksgiving"). Mother Teresa was faithful to her savior Jesus Christ, as she kept Him as the center of her life. Her teachings led back to his life and his example that has inspired many through her dedication to serve.

Mother Teresa is seen to be a hero due to her loving actions, selfless decisions, dedication and willingness to serve. Mother Teresa, throughout her life, sacrificed important things in her own life for the lives of many people around the world, through charities and sharing the gospel. Even when she felt physically weak, she never gave up on doing the right thing and serving countless people. She considered her work to be of God, and centered her life purely on the love of Christ, and lived her life with love and peace. A quote by Mother Teresa is an inspiration to anyone who feels alone, or needs to find comfort in their lives. "Only believe-You are precious to Him. Bring all you are suffering to His feet-only open your heart to be loved by Him as your are. He will do the rest" ("Mother Teresa - Her Life").

 Mother Teresa is an inspiration because she taught the world the importance of love, and that Christ can bring comfort in times of suffering. She and brought hope and light to those around her through her humble service. In a news article, the gospel that Mother Teresa spent a lifetime teaching inspires many people, especially after her death. "'When Mother Teresa left this earth for Heaven, on 5 September 1997, for several long minutes Calcutta was without light,' he said. 'On this earth, she was a transparent sign that pointed to Heaven. On the day of her death Heaven wished to offer a seal to her life and to communicate to us that a new light had been lit above us" ("Mother Teresa"). After Mother Teresa's death, the world was grieving for a great loss, but because of her life, she inspired a great number of people to live with faith and hope. A book on Mother Teresa provides a letter that was written from Mother Teresa's brother in the Albanian military to her. He questioned why she made certain decisions in her life, such as leaving her family to serve the poor. Mother Teresa's response to her brother was, "'You think you are important because you are an officer serving a king with two million subjects. But I am serving the King of the whole world'" (Gold). When you are serving others, you are serving God.

Through the research of Mother Teresa and observing her teachings, I have come to find myself to have a more positive outlook on the trials that happen in my life. She has allowed me to see the good in the world amongst darkness and destruction. She has allowed me to see the good in other people, despite flaws and imperfections. She has inspired many others to find peace and love not only within themselves, but towards others. She has touched my heart through her sweet spirit and kind heart towards the needy, whether it be physically or emotionally. "Do ordinary things with extraordinary love" (Mother Teresa). Mother Teresa has inspired a whole nation, as she touched the hearts of many individuals through her loving, dedicated, and selfless spirit, and is a hero today.