Remembering Mother Teresa

One becomes saint not in one day but through her/his life time. A saint is a charismatic person who is filled with the divine spirit. A saint dedicates his/her life for God and his people. This is consecration, this is sacrifice. A saint is most happy to do that through works of mercy and charity. The world very spontaneously called Mother Teresa a "saint". The world witnessed her deep spirituality and close union with the Lord. Mother Teresa followed the ideals of Jesus: Blessed are those who are merciful; Blessed are those who are pure in spirit; Blessed are those who are pure in heart; Blessed are those who make peace; Blessed are those who mourn.

Ideals are always open to all. People are called to live on ideals; and when we live on ideals, we are on duty. Further, an ideal makes us live by attitude from which an action comes forth. Mother Teresa being endowed with the spirit of God and attitude of prayer, she was spiritually driven by the attitude of the beatitudes. Mother Teresa became a person of prayer, a person totally of and for God. And only a person whose life is deeply rooted in God and His teachings can lead a life of Beatitudes.

To lead a life of the Beatitudes Mother Teresa consecrated her life to God and humanity embracing three religious vows: Consecrated Chastity (remaining a virgin whole life), Poverty and Obedience (completely open and disposed for God and His service). Moved by compassionate love Mother Teresa began her works of mercy and charity among the poor, the afflicted, the orphan, the dying, the unloved, the illegitimate. This was her very embryonic but extremely revolutionary beginning.

Her universal love and charity had no border or boundary. She went to the streets, to the "Bastees", to the dying, to the prisoners, to the drug addicted, to those who are born illegitimately or those who are unwanted. And not withstanding many trials, misunderstandings, misinterpretations, even sometimes rejections Mother Teresa moved forward with her convictions that what she was doing was according to the plan of God. God never wants humanity to be enslaved by sin, sufferings and afflictions -- God wants every man to be free and worship Him freely. The Mother was very much firm in her conviction and so by the power of God's grace she faced and overcame challenges. Surprisingly, thousands of calls came to her from different parts of the world to bring her charity and love to the people poor in different aspects.

Founded on Gospel Values, Mother Teresa's movement of charity and her option for the poor had miraculous effects: peace and joy. According to her the fruit of prayer is Faith, the fruit of Faith is Love, the fruit of Love is Peace and Joy. Wherever Mother and her Missionaries of Charity were and are, there were and are these visible fruits.

Bangladesh is a poor country; poor is many aspects. Mother Teresa came to Bangladesh, opened different houses in Dhaka City and in other towns and villages where Missionary Sisters are continuing the mission-tasks of Mother Teresa. The nature of Sisters' charitable works in Bangladesh are: caring the sick and afflicted, the dying; caring and loving the children many of whom are unwanted or found on the streets; caring and loving the mentally or physically retarded. Sisters go to the poorest of the poor.

Initiated by the Mother the whole life style of the Missionaries of Charity manifests total commitment to and dedication for love and service to the poor. In Bangladesh it is a challenging ideal to be inspired and followed by all.

Beginning from state authorities to the least counted in the society and family we all speak from the stage and pulpit about love and charity. We advice others in a fantastic manner and technique using attractive words and phrases to be dedicated, to be followers of people like Mother Teresa and be in action of selfless service. But the Mother's life brings us back to our conscience an authentic and realistic question: how much, as heads of social, political, educational administration, as heads of religious communities are we inspired by the exemplary life or lives? Do we practice in service what we preach from the stage? Bangladesh needs today dedicated people. The country longs for those who are ready to serve the poor, the sick, the unloved unconditionally, expecting no reward or recognition in return. Serving God becomes a reality by serving man.

Today we commemorate the death of Mother Teresa. Today let us not only pay our tribute to her with flowers, but also be inspired to love and serve the poor wherever we are and whatever environment and circumstance we are in. Let us be inspired by her ideals, by her life as a 'living saint'; by her life that was totally consecrated for God and the poor. Let Mother Teresa bless the poorest of the poor.