I’ve read a few books about Mother Teresa, but I’d still say that Malcolm Muggeridge’s Something Beautiful for God is perhaps the best. I picked it up again last week, twenty-five years after I first read it as a teenager. I’d forgotten what an impact it made on me, and how much her spirituality and faith have shaped my own, almost without me realising it.
There was a very practical effect too. I had a free summer at the end of my first year at university and somehow I got the idea of helping the Missionaries of Charity in London. In the end I spent a month living in their hostel for men in Kilburn (it’s since moved): getting to know the men and the sisters; making soup; driving the van, etc. It was a very blessed time for me. The main UK house of the sisters is still in north London, and it’s lovely to see them if I am celebrating Mass in the local parish church at Kensal New Town.
Back to the book: It’s not really a biography, and even if it were it would be way out of date – the copy I have was published in 1971. It’s a couple of extended essays by Malcolm Muggeridge; a selection of quotations from Mother Teresa; an interview; and some wonderful photos of her and the sisters and the people they care for. But somehow it captures the simplicity of her spirit and of her vision much better than larger books.
Muggeridge, when he writes this, is not yet a believer; so as a reader you share in his own fascination with this woman who speaks of a reality he can’t quite grasp. He’s writing about a truth he sees but can’t yet give his heart to; and this tension and slight distance give a certain clarity to the image.
Here is one of the quotations from the book that struck me all those years ago, and which I can still recite from heart:
Make sure that you let God’s grace work in your souls by accepting whatever he gives you, and giving him whatever he takes from you. True holiness consists in doing God’s will with a smile.
It’s easy to quote…
One of my favourite Mother Teresa books is ‘In my own words’. These quotes I hold dear.
“Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness”
“We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great Love.”
Mother Teresa
This was a poem she kept on her wall, which I treasure.
Mother Teresa’s Anyway Poem
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centred;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
I should like to look up your book.
If we look really really closely we will see that God doesn’t take things from us, Only man does. God gives to us.
The new little hardback book came in the post this morning, In this new edition the colours and the photography are absolutely stunningly beautiful. I cant wait to read it, but it will have to wait. After the customary breathing in of its fresh crisp pages, on the back slip I read my first quote, perfectly revelatory “Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set”. He discribes her as being a burning and shining light in a cruel time.
Just wanted to share my video for the song, ONE LOVE.
The song is a tribute to Mother Teresa and all of her wonderful acts of love.
Marcel Morejon
Very special marcel