When I visited Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), a single person's name flashed back to my mind. She's not just ordinary, but a blessed one in the name of Mother Teresa, who was popularly known as a 'Living Saint' before her death. Her life lived in simplicity, was a testament to her humility and dedication.
Mother Teresa became a global sensation when I was a young child in the Philippines and even became world-renowned in the 90s until she passed away in 1997. Then, we saw Mother Teresa as a simple nun caring for the sick and the dying in Kolkata. Her work, though seemingly ordinary, left an extraordinary impact on the world, a legacy of love, compassion, and commitment to serving needy people.
Since I was in Kolkata, I've considered visiting her place: the main headquarters of the "Missionaries of Charity," the Congregation she founded. That was when I saw the outstanding achievements of a simple nun with extraordinary power, now Blessed Teresa.
What could have made her adorable and famous is her selfless love and compassion for the poorest of the poor, the sick, the abandoned, and the dying. In her early years in Kolkata, she was a teacher in a convent school until she felt a calling from the Divine to look after the needs of the poor people who were hungry, homeless, and dying in the streets due to widespread poverty and famine in the locality.
She lived the 'Corporal Works of Mercy,' a set of compassionate acts that are traditionally carried out by Christians, and had it in action to stand the test of time. She fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, visited the sick, visited the imprisoned, and buried the dead. All of these works were achieved by Mother Teresa when she was living.
Her congregation, the 'Missionaries of Charity,' started with a mission to save the people who needed care on the streets. She had nothing to give financially at first. However, due to her global recognition as a 'Living Saint' and the power of media that highlighted her selfless work, they attracted donations from individuals and organizations worldwide and financial aid from different States and Government Agencies.
Perhaps it was the shortest pilgrimage I had to make to visit the Mother House, where Mother Teresa's tomb is. It is a simple tomb with a chapel inside for visitors to offer a prayer. It is a peaceful place, with people of different creeds coming in to witness the thousands of archives relevant to Mother Teresa's work in the room adjacent to her tomb.
Visitors will also realize how a Spiritually powerful Nun used to live in simplicity in a small room with a tiny single bed. It made me realize that our living status does not matter what we can achieve. Hence, there is no room for self-doubt about what we can accomplish.
Nowadays, people become victims of their lower emotions. Some play the victim in life and degrade people by blaming them for their miseries and misfortune.
Many people are capable and fortunate in life, but they remain empty. They feel unloved and abandoned. This would seem like a global epidemic, but Mother Teresa's dedication to love and compassion speaks for itself.
Like all the successful and accomplished people in history, Mother Teresa has a share of unjust criticism from her critics globally. She had been condemned and ridiculed for her ways of leadership with the founded congregation. However, Mother Teresa stood up for what she believed was right. Like in life, people see the opposing sides and have themselves put into an exemption. In the end, no matter what people say and do, the mirror still reflects back, and the ones who do better are ahead of the game of life like Mother Teresa did.
Blessed Teresa showed her motherly care and taught humanity how to live modestly and simply and remain strong when life seems unjust.
© 2013 Del Cusay
