What Can We Learn From Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Life?

Question

Most of the modern world is familiar with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. It is common knowledge that she devoted her life to the care of the discarded lives of Indian society to the degree that she physically picked up dying human beings and cared for them the best she could in their final moments on Earth. What is not so common knowledge is that she kept a diary, and part of what she wrote was about her prayer life. She apparently spent 35 years praying to God without any indication God even received her prayers. It is reported she wrote that her prayers, while sent to God in heaven, came falling down on her like a multitude of sharp pointy daggers. Shortly before her death, while in the United States, she was witnessed as being "bubbly and full of joy," a stark contrast to the suffering she lived most of her life. Take from this what you will; she is reported to have shared that God was permitting her to experience Heaven while still alive.
I will now share with you some of her wisdom:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered; forgive
them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

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

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build
anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness there may be jealousy; Be happy
anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good
anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give
the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was
never between you and them anyway.

So what can we learn from Mother Teresa of Calcutta's lofe?

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

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

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness there may be jealousy; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

So what can we learn from Mother Teresa of Calcutta's life?

Answer 1

First of all, thank you so much for this marvelous post and the inspiring true words of Mother Teresa. She once said something I'll never forget about the USA,she said we were the poorest nation "emotionally" and she felt more sorry for us than those very poor people she worked with on the streets because we abandon each other for greed. How very true overall in so many ways and we wonder why USA is slipping downhill, rapidly in my opinion. What is it that really counts in life ? She was a marvelous person, I wish I had her humility. You have given me the desire to read more about her. thanks so much and I hope you get only kind answers, or it will prove her theory about USA if the rude people come and bash on her,but they usually seem to be always around. She would have helped them anyways,just like Jesus.

Answer 2

@Divine Oubliette...Yours is Truly the saddest profile I've ever read. Mother Teresa is one of the finest examples of what one filled with the Holy Spirit can accomplish. God Blessed Her.

Answer 3

1Co 13:12 We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known.
1Co 13:13 And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Answer 4

What I learned from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta:

We should follow her example. She lived the words of Jesus; she took care of "these least brothers". When asked about the people that she cared for, she said, "Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

From Matthew 25:
"Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' "

In response to the person who said Blessed Teresa denied contraception to the poor: She also said in regard to abortion, "Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child, and be loved by the child. "

She didn't just talk the talk, she walked the walk. And that is what the Lord expects from all of us. Blessed Teresa was one of God's greatest examples to the world.

Answer 5

I think we can learn that the quality of our inner life is more important than the superficial life we all get so caught up in. People like her do have some special secrets, but as always, their experiences are not so easy to express to those who have never tasted that kind of life.

Answer 6

That you can live an altruistic and sinless life. And be a sparkling example to others.

Answer 7

not to be consumed with the glitter of this world, sharing and giving is better, expect nothing in return, help with a pure heart, with honest intentions.

Answer 8

mother theresa was like a goddess to the poor.She did what she was created to do. iff all people on earth can adapt an attitude like that then we will be in paradise

Answer 9

She denied contraception to the poorest of the poor. That's not a real friend to suffering people.

Answer 10

i heard she was a bit of a show pony.
from someone who met her