I have always been fascinated by Mother Teresa. As a Congregationalist, we don’t believe in saints, but if there ever where one, I believe Mother Teresa should be she. Currently, Mother Teresa is on the track toward sainthood, but now apparently a second miracle must be ascribed to her. A second miracle? How about the millionth miracle? Her miracles are the bringing of a thousand hearts to God. Few else could match her record of conversion. Mind you, I don’t mean the people of Calcutta or the nuns of her diocese. I mean the people of the word. So rarely has a person with such good intention touched so many in the world and inspired them along their path God. Even now when her private notes are published and we hear of her own doubts, this does not weaken her case, but strengthens it. She has shown that she is us and that we can be her. What greater miracle can a mortal offer? Mother Teresa’s miracle of conversion is far more spectacular and far reaching that curing a stomach tumor or a crying statue.
As I think on this more, maybe it is right that the Catholic church does not canonize her. Their sainting a person is just an earthly symbol of an eternal truth anyway. Perhaps if we all personally see her as a saint, this is more a truth than sainthood being bestowed upon her. As for now in the Church, she is considered Beatified. She is the Blessed Mother Teresa. But for me, she will be the best example of a saint. She will not be corrupted by statutes or trivialized with prayer to locate lost items. She will be a beacon, showing us what humanity can be if it chooses. She was and continues even after her death to help us toward walking in Christ’s footsteps. She is a Sherpa, who has walked the path and can help us along our way.
As I think on this more, maybe it is right that the Catholic church does not canonize her. Their sainting a person is just an earthly symbol of an eternal truth anyway. Perhaps if we all personally see her as a saint, this is more a truth than sainthood being bestowed upon her. As for now in the Church, she is considered Beatified. She is the Blessed Mother Teresa. But for me, she will be the best example of a saint. She will not be corrupted by statutes or trivialized with prayer to locate lost items. She will be a beacon, showing us what humanity can be if it chooses. She was and continues even after her death to help us toward walking in Christ’s footsteps. She is a Sherpa, who has walked the path and can help us along our way.
Dear Pope Benedict, Please consider Mother Teresa’s miracle her impact on others. As this impact has lasted past her death and as she continues to inspire and move people toward Christ, this miracle should be her second miracle and therefore move her forward to be canonized as Saint Teresa.
Sincerely,
A non-Catholic but a fellow Christian, who was deeply inspired,
Dawn
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