Today (when this is posted), we are about twelve years later and wiser. Since this article was written, I have heard some of the criticisms that have arisen about her life and conduct as they have been examined by friends and enemies alike. To some she is not a saint (see here) and for others the formal declaration of her sainthood could not come quickly enough (see here). I don't know enough to say with certainty which record of her life is most true. And, in this regard, perhaps this article needs to be read within the context of its time. Also, perhaps only time will tell with greater certainty whether the honours she has been given are deserved. For my part, however, the point of this article is neither to be found or justified by Mother Teresa's actual conduct or character, but is in the value of the principles discussed in relation to what is and was believed of her.
This article is reprinted as it was edited and published. It does not use the capitalization of pronouns referencing God and Christ that I typically employ, and there are several instances in which I would have used commas instead of spaces, and semi-colons in place of periods.
Mother Teresa's legacy is the work others do
However, a declaration of sainthood is but one way to express esteem for such a remarkable person.
It is an institutional honour granted by the grace and power of her church, in accordance with its doctrines and traditions.
For each of us individually, there is a more subtle and - to my mind - more sublime manner in which to manifest our appreciation for the value of her life's efforts. It is, quite simply, to be like her.
That can seem to be a very tall order. It is one thing to want to "be like Mike." It appears to be quite another to presume to imitate true saintliness.
Yet, this is what the Christian gospel is all about. St. Thomas a Kempis understood this when he wrote his phenomenal work, The Imitation of Christ. Christ himself taught a higher principle, when he said not only, "Follow me," but, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect."
Evidently he expected more of his followers than many of us are ready to admit.
The danger of an institutional declaration of sainthood, and all the daunting conditions and qualifications that attach to it, is this: that few of us might think ourselves able to achieve it. Yet, the truth of the matter is precisely the opposite.
This is the principle that I think Mother Teresa, with her gift for simplicity in our increasingly complicated world, would appreciate.
One need only recall the Saviour's example of the Widow's Mite to understand this principle. She who in her poverty gave little, gave all that she had to the service of God and was worthy therefore to receive God's greatest rewards. She, who received the approbation of Jesus personally, must also have been as saintly as Mother Teresa.
This principle is that
true sainthood is not just in the ability
to do great deeds in far-off lands,
to feed thousands or heal hundreds.
True sainthood is to have
the quality of Christ-like charity,
both actually and evidently in all aspects of our lives. It is to serve the poor and starving among us,
recognizing that there are many forms of hunger,
not just of the body,
and many kinds of need,
not just of money or material things.
Whenever we give ungrudgingly what mites we have of encouragement, kindness, uplifting words, helping hands, testimonies of faith and hope, and other expressions and actions grounded in charity, within our homes and to our neighbours, friends and co-workers, we become closer to true sainthood than many of us imagine.
As Mother Teresa said,
It is not in how much we do, but how much |
The legacy of Mother Teresa will be in the accomplishments of all who seek to do likewise.
The following letter appeared in an issue of the Record some days later:
Having read Michael H. Clifton's Oct. 22 Second Opinion article on the beatification of Mother Teresa, I want him and The Record's other readers to know how much it uplifted me, spiritually and ecumenically. The world has watched blessed Teresa's selfless efforts. Many have tried to emulate them, but most of us have considered them impossible to achieve and so we did very little. |