Today we read about a simple, ordinary woman named Agnes who was born in Albania in 1910. This woman went on to become one of the most famous and beloved saints to live in the last 100 years. You probably know her as Mother Teresa. Her name now is actually Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
She went to Calcutta in 1946 and founded a new ministry to the poorest of the poor. She took in those that society had cast aside as human trash and cared for them, lessened their suffering, and gave them Jesus. She inspired hundreds of girls to join her order and do this work as well, and inspired millions of people all over the world to be kinder and more loving to the poor in their lives.
A little known fact about Mother Teresa is that she suffered from spiritual dryness for most of her life. She had severe doubts about God and received little or no consolation in her prayers for most of her adult life. Yet she worked hard to bring the reality of Jesus into the lives of millions of others. She also made the Eucharist of primary importance in her work, and her sisters were required to spend hours with the blessed sacrament in order to keep their priorities and the spiritual lives healthy. You can read more about St Teresa of Calcutta here.
Have you experienced spiritual dryness? Ever prayed and felt like your prayers are "bouncing off the ceiling"? You're in good company. Even Mother Teresa experienced this. But her faithfulness is an example to us... when the road gets hard and dry... keep going. You'll find Jesus at the end waiting for you.
God, thanks for the inspiring example of this wonderful servant of the poor. St Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
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