Mother Teresa

Mother Teresahttps://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/153239"[A] hero is someone who rises above his or her fears and limitations to achieve something extraordinary," (Fleming par. 1). Throughout history, civilizations have worshipped heroes and admired them for their prodigious contributions. But not every hero wears a cape, wields a sword, or has superpowers. A true hero is an individual who exhibits motivation and resilience to help others, all while remaining a humble and compassionate person. In modern society, when most people think of a hero, they envision altruistic Superman or Wonder Women and their god-like super strength. However, although a true hero might not always look strong, they will always have inner strength. A hero is drawn to act simply because he or she is determined to be a source of good in the world and proactively solve and prevent problems. Their actions positively impact the lives of people for the better, whether it be an individual person or an entire population. A hero’s actions are rooted in helping others. Overall, a true hero should possess the trait of compassion, exhibit unending resilience, and have the inner strength to pursue their calling.

Mother Teresa and her familyhttps://viralcocktail.com/rare-old-photos-young-mother-teresa-give-glimpse-childhood/Standing at just four feet, eleven inches tall,  Catholic saint Mother Teresa was not a stereotypical hero. Born in Skopje, Macedonia in 1910, her parents named her Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She had two siblings: her sister Aga and her brother Lazar. Her mother Dranafile was a devout Catholic and extremely charitable lady. She would help people off the streets by welcoming them into her home and feeding them. Agnes observed that, and often assisted her mother in her charitable work. By the age of 12, Agnes felt a strong calling from God to serve the poor, and it was this calling that led to her becoming a nun. A hero must possess compassion and demonstrate resilience. Compassion drives the hero to care about the public, and resilience helps the hero to overcome their challenges. Through her selfless and compassionate work, Mother Teresa physically helped thousands, and inspired millions; her resilience to fulfill her calling and encourage peace made her not only a true hero but also a saint.

Mother Teresa caring for children in Calcuttahttps://www.thedailybeast.com/mother-teresa-a-perfect-saint-for-troubled-timesThroughout her life, Mother Teresa compassionately helped millions of people worldwide. Her work with the poor became so popular, people around the world began to deeply admire her. She even received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 because of the worldwide impact of her work, yet she cared only about the poor: “[On the day she received the Nobel Peace Prize], like every other day, she cared most about the poor and the sick. Helping them was what truly mattered to her,”(Sullivan). Despite being honored for her work, her focus never shifted off continuing to help the sick and poor, showing she was devoted and compassionate. The poor and vulnerable mattered more to her than her reputation in the world. Through her compassion, Mother Teresa was able to save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world. Heroes are compassionate and care about others, and since Mother Teresa showed compassion through caring for the poor, she exhibits necessary qualities of a hero. No matter what happened in her life, Mother Teresa cared most about others:  “At the age of 86, Mother Teresa was on a respirator in a hospital, suffering from heart failure and malaria. Doctors were not sure she would recover. Within days she was fully conscious, asked to receive communion, and requested that the doctors send her home,”(“Mother Teresa” p.14). Even though Mother Teresa was gravely ill, she still cared more about helping the poor than even her own health because she demanded to go home despite her condition. This is not just an act of selflessness, but also determination. Because Mother Teresa was determined to get back to the poor, it shows she cares about the poor more than her own life. Her willingness to risk her own fragile health to care for others is an act of deep compassion. In being compassionate, a hero is enabled to care more about greater good of others. Since Mother Teresa clearly portrayed compassion in her life by caring about the lives of others before her own well being and reputation, she is a true hero. Around the world, people deeply admire Mother Teresa for her philanthropic work with the poor, and it is through her compassion she was able to succeed in caring for them.

Mother Teresa praying the rosaryhttps://walkingwithourlord.wordpress.com/tag/mother-theresa/During her life, Mother Teresa was resilient, not only in fulfilling her purpose, but also by encouraging peace through her actions. She faced much adversity in her life, especially when she wanted to start doing her work. From weary superiors to perilous ship voyages, many obstacles stood in Mother Teresa’s way to the streets of Calcutta: “Sister Teresa asked the bishop in Calcutta to let her leave the convent and live in the slums. He did not think this was a good idea at first. He was worried. The bishop wondered, would Sister Teresa stay healthy and safe living with the poor? But Sister Teresa kept trying, and two years later, in 1948, the bishop gave his permission.”(Sullivan p.22). Despite the doubts of her superiors, Mother Teresa kept her goals in mind and refused to give up on her purpose by insisting on going to Calcutta. Not giving up shows strong character and resilience. Resilience is be able to come back from mistakes stronger. A true hero never gives up, making them resilient, and able to overcome difficult and frustrating situations. Because Mother Teresa exhibited resilience by overcoming the doubt others had, she was able to pursue her calling making her a hero. Not only was she resilient in overcoming hardships regarding the fulfillment of her purpose, she was also resilient in her promotion and advocation of peace. “And I think that we in our family don't need bombs and guns, to destroy to bring peace just get together, love one another, bring that peace, that joy, that strength of presence of each other in the home. And we will be able to overcome all the evil that is in the world.”(Teresa p.10). In modern times, hatred clouds much of the world’s thoughts.  Mother Teresa had a heavy influence on the world because of the work she did, and she channeled that into encouraging peace. She did not just encourage peace and love, she embodied it through her actions with the poor. A true hero does not just solve problems, they proactively advocate the solutions, and exemplify their beliefs in their own lives. Even though much of the world had resorted to hate during her life, Mother Teresa remained steadfast to her beliefs, and constantly advocated for peace and love, showing resilience. In being resilient, Mother Teresa fulfilled her purpose and not only advocated for peace and love, but was an example of them as well.

Mother Teresa tenderly caring for a starving manhttps://gerardnadal.com/2010/08/26/will-the-real-mother-teresa-please-stand-up/Mother Teresa devoted her life to compassionately help the poor; she was resilient, touching the lives of millions and inspired love and peace, making her both a hero and saint. Throughout her life, Mother Teresa remained true to herself, unchanged by fame. As a Catholic nun, she devoted her life to living in chastity, poverty, and charity. She served not only the poor of Calcutta, but also God, keeping that as the sole focus of her life.  Like a true hero, she proactively brought about the change she wanted to see in the world, making it a better place. On the day she received the Nobel Peace Prize, a witness noted “Unlike the other women there, she wore no makeup or jewelry. She didn't even change into a new habit for this special occasion. But she stood out among these gorgeously dressed people as the most beautiful person in the room. She was radiant that day as the love in her heart shone for all to see,”(Sullivan p. 14) True heroism does not come from looking the part or saving the world with muscles and brawn. It comes from a deep drive to love, to care, and to make the world a better place through one’s actions. Mother Teresa is an inspiration because she did hard work with great love, and helped people whom others neglected and ignored. From the schools and orphanages she helped to open, to the people and families she individually impacted, Mother Teresa was humble and compassionate, persevering through the trials of her life. As a Catholic teenager, life is complicated as one prepares to truly commit to the church and God through Confirmation. One must learn what it means to be Catholic; to be generous, kind, God-loving, and humble. Mother Teresa is the example of a model Catholic; her work reflected acts of charity God expects all Catholics to do. Mother Teresa is not just an outstanding Catholic; she is an outstanding person. Compassionate. Determined. Humble. These traits led her to become one of the most well known philanthropists in history, and therefore a hero to not only the poor, but to the rest of the world. In the Bible, it is written that Jesus says, "This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you."(John 15:12) That is exactly what Mother Teresa accomplished through her philanthropic work. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you visited me.’”(Matthew 25:35) Mother Teresa humbly and compassionately rose above the hardships and adversity she faced pursuing her calling to fulfill her duty as a Catholic and a hero. She continues to inspire not only me, but the world, by serving as an example of what a true hero should do; lead others towards love and peace through her actions. Those who met her were astounded by her surprising humility, despite her accomplishments. Her impact on my heart and soul is profound, but her impact as a hero to the world is extraordinary.

Works Cited

Fleming, James R. “Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us about Ourselves   

and Our Society.” English Department Website, www.english.ufl.edu/imagetext/archives/v2_2/reviews/fleming.shtml.

"Mother Teresa." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631006438/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=4296893f.

Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.

The Catholic youth Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Catholic edition. Saint Mary’s Press,          2011.

User, Super. “Mother Teresa's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.” Catholic Education

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