Marian Helper • Fall 2022 • Marian.org 15 I quickly responded. “I am so blessed to have them in my life!” Mother Teresa took time with us. A beautiful conversation unfolded. Each word she uttered pierced my heart. I was struck by Mother’s great love for human life which seemed to exude her pores. I deeply experienced her love for us, too — feeling extremely comfortable with her, as if she was my grandmother; someone I had known all my life. Reflecting now, I realize it was Jesus in her Who comforted and blessed me. Nothing could possibly top that day — or so I thought. As my life would unfold, Mother Teresa became my friend, spiritual director, and sweet mother as we kept in touch over the next 10 years. In God’s amazing Providence, I would be with my saintly friend on 12 more occasions, have a phone conversation with her between Calcutta and the United States, and be blessed to receive 22 letters from her. Mother prayed me through two precarious pregnancies, which included heart conditions and a profuse uterine hemorrhage. Though 35 years ago, I’m still unpacking it and trying to share the blessings. When asked, Mother Teresa gave speeches, but for the most part, she didn’t jump up on the nearest table to preach the Gospel to the masses. She was all about meeting each person where they were and evangelizing with God’s love and mercy—one on one. She truly lived Jesus’ instructions: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Recognizing Jesus in everyone, she served Him there. She called the unfortunate, “Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor.” It was so important to Mother Teresa, great saint of mercy, to tell the world about the intrinsic beauty and sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death by preaching against abortion and through rescuing orphan babies and placing them in families after personally caring for them. She encouraged love within the family. Mother often ministered to the dying, sometimes reaching them in their last moments, lifting them up out of gutters, showering them with dignity, comfort, and love. And they smiled at her and closed their eyes to enter their eternal reward. Life is intrinsically valuable and lovely at every moment. At Mother Teresa’s canonization in 2016, a reporter asked me what advice she would give. I said she would tell us to lift our eyes off our devices and pay attention to the person standing before us. We miss out on life and opportunities to serve others (even with a kind smile) by spending too much time on technology and latest status updates. God expects us to be present to the people He gives us to love and serve. Indeed, we are living in times of great change and extensive division. How are we to react, give example, create change, and protect human life? The question of abortion has now gone from the national level down to the state level, to the local communities. How would Mother Teresa guide our pro-life witness? Pro-life witness Now, more than ever, we should become educated about issues surrounding abortion and the sanctity of human life. We need facts from trusted sources. We should be prepared to give a holy and helpful witness when called upon, and know where to send people for necessary help. Mother Teresa, a model of the works of mercy, has illustrated the way forward as Catholics and therefore as pro-life citizens of the United States. Praying, being attentive to needs surrounding us, and taking time to listen and be present helps us discover the silent cries of “Jesus in the distressing disguise” from those who might initially appear all put together. We can offer our prayerful help, time, and resources. Opportunities abound, beginning in the family, setting foundational examples and broadening our reach to help and educate when out and about in our neighborhoods, parishes, communities, and workplaces. Let’s not fear the evil one’s tactics that aim to silence the truth about the intrinsic beauty and sanctity of every human life. Instead, we earnestly and prayerfully arm ourselves with the knowledge and truth of God’s love and mercy and courageously move forward with His grace to impart it to others. As Mother Teresa once told me, “Do everything for the glory of God and the good of His people.” Let’s do that, changing the world one on one — one by one. Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is a Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother. She is an EWTN TV host and author of more than 35 books, including 52Weeks with Saint Faustina (Marian Press, Product code B55-WEEKS) and Divine Mercy in a Woman’s Life (B55-DMFW). Now, more than ever, we should become educated about issues surrounding abortion and the sanctity of human life. We need facts from trusted sources. We should be prepared to give a holy and helpful witness when called upon, and know where to send people for necessary help.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==