Prayer of Mother Teresa of
Calcutta
Brother John Raymond
A great model of prayer in the midst of activity is St. (Oh, I
meant Mother. With her it's easy to slip) Teresa of Calcutta. She
couldn't be more active and yet she remains so contemplative.
It is hard to find Mother Teresa without the rosary in her hands.
One time when she was being filmed on a talk show a strange noise
kept coming over the microphone. The technicians discovered that the
microphone under the table was picking up Mother's fingers sliding
over her rosary beads there. I hope her rosary beads are guaranteed
for a lot of wear and tear as she certainly puts them to use.
Besides the rosary Mother Teresa "sees" Jesus in everything she
does and in every person she meets. This is another way she keeps
herself in a continual state of prayer. Keeping oneself focused on
Jesus is prayer. It is a living faith and not just an intellectual
one. So when Mother Teresa gives a poor person something to drink
she does it with a faith filled attitude that she is giving Jesus
something to drink. Didn't Our Lord say that what we do for our
neighbor is done for Him!
Mother Teresa does not like to have her picture taken. But as a
sacrifice she has offered every picture taken for the salvation of a
soul - imagine how many souls she has saved. Through prayer and a
constant orientation towards Jesus Mother Teresa transforms ordinary
actions into supernatural ones. She has really put St. Paul's advice
into practice to do everything for the glory of God. She does more
than just saying prays. Mother Teresa has transformed her daily life
into one continuous prayer. Her choices, her thoughts, her words,
everything is directed or redirected toward God. This relationship
with God that Mother Teresa has developed in her own life has
developed over time and I'm sure with effort on her part. How
beautiful that she could say, "I've never refused God anything." No
wonder she has soared to such sanctity. Would that the rest of us
could make such a statement.
Mother Teresa is not embarrassed to be a Catholic. She doesn't
hide that she is one even in front of the United Nations assembly.
You couldn't get a more Catholic and faith-filled prayer than the
one she recently composed in a message for the United Nations
International Year of the Family. Mother Teresa has called everyone
to unite in prayer for the family during this special year. Here is
the United Nations' prayer she composed:
"Heavenly Father, you have given us a model of life in the Holy
Family of Nazareth. Help us, O loving Father to make our family
another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign. May it be deeply
contemplative, intensely Eucharistic and vibrant with joy.
Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow through family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family especially in
their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make
our hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our
family duties in a holy way.
May we love one another as God loves each one of us more and more
each day, and forgive each other's faults as You forgive our sins.
Help us, O loving Father to take whatever You give and to give
whatever You take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us. St.
Joseph, pray for us. Holy Guardian Angels be always with us, guide
and protect us. Amen."