Mother Teresa's Story

Mother Teresa's story of humble service in Calcutta (now Kolkata) provides one of the most powerful modern examples of walking in Christ's humility. Let me elaborate on this remarkable demonstration of Christ-like service:

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Albania, Mother Teresa left a comfortable teaching position at Calcutta's Loreto Convent School in 1946 to serve the poorest of the poor. She began her ministry by walking through the slums of Calcutta, particularly in the area known as Motijhil, where she encountered people suffering from leprosy, a disease that caused both physical pain and severe social stigma.

Like Jesus washing His disciples' feet – a task reserved for the lowest servants in ancient times – Mother Teresa chose to serve those whom society considered "untouchable." She would kneel before people with leprosy, gently washing their ulcerated feet, bandaging their wounds, and offering them dignity that they had been denied by society. This act was particularly powerful in Indian culture, where feet are considered unclean, and touching them is seen as deeply humbling.

One particularly moving incident occurred in 1957 when she found a dying man in the streets. His body was being eaten by rats and ants, but no one would touch him. Mother Teresa carried him to her Home for the Dying, cleaned his wounds, and cared for him until he died. His last words were, "I have lived like an animal in the street, but I am going to die like an angel, loved and cared for." This exemplified Jesus's words in Matthew 25:40, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

In 1979, when she received the Nobel Peace Prize, her acceptance speech reflected profound humility. Instead of speaking about her achievements, she spoke about Jesus and the poor: "I am not worthy," she said, and used the platform to speak about the dignity of the poor and the joy of serving them. She even requested that the traditional Nobel banquet be canceled and the money (approximately $192,000) be given to help the poor of Calcutta.

Her humility extended to daily life in her mission. Despite her growing global fame, she continued to:

• Rise at 4:30 AM to pray before serving others

• Wear the same simple white sari with blue borders

• Clean toilets alongside her fellow sisters

• Live in a small, sparse room

• Serve meals to the poor with her own hands

When journalists would ask about her incredible work, she would often respond, "I am just a little pencil in God's hands." This echoed Jesus's words in John 5:19, "The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing."

Her legacy of humble service continues through the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded, which has grown from a small group in Calcutta to over 4,500 sisters serving in 133 countries. They maintain her commitment to serving Jesus by serving "the poorest of the poor," demonstrating that true greatness comes through humble service, just as Jesus taught in Mark 10:43-44: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."

Mother Teresa's life reminds us that walking as Jesus walked means being willing to serve others regardless of our status or recognition, showing that true humility isn't about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less as we focus on serving others in love.

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Blessings,

Pastor JM Raja Lawrence

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

email: lawrencejmr@gmail.com

Mobile: +91 9933250072