Reflections on Mother Teresa

Web Posted: October 13, 2003

On October 19, 2003 Mother Teresa of Calcutta will be beatified by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. A recipient of the 1981 Marquette University Père Marquette Discovery Award , Mother Teresa labored among the poorest of the poor, first in India and later all over the world. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation of women, and her work with the abandoned, sick and dying recalls for us the words of the Gospel of Matthew:

'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

Matthew 25:37-40

The following quotes, found in many forms and sources, are widely attributed to Mother Teresa."I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much."

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"Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier."

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"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

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"People are often unreasonable, irrational, 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 unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway."

Adaptation credited to Mother Teresa, based on a composition originally by Kent Keith.