Last week, an Italian newspaper reported that Mother Teresa will be canonized in September 2016. While the date has yet to be confirmed by the Vatican, there's no doubt that she will become a saint in the near future.
If you know anything about Mother Teresa, her sainthood isn’t a surprise, because of her dedication to serving the poorest of the poor with great love. Sometimes, when we think of Mother Teresa, we think of an unreachable level of holiness. We think we could never come close to the impact she left on our world. When considering all of the incredible things she did, you might think something like “Well, I can’t do that. I’m not Mother Teresa.” And you’re right, you’re not Mother Teresa. You’re you.
God probably isn’t calling you to form a congregation of missionaries to work in the slums right now. He’s calling you to be a student. But regardless of where you are in your life, Mother Teresa is an incredible model of service and love, and she’s remembered for saying some pretty profound things. Here are some of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes and their application to college life.
“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
Mother Teresa was all about smiles. Greet your professors with a smile, smile at that person you always pass on your way to class, smile at stranger. It’s such an easy thing to do, but it really has the power to bring joy to someone who needs it.
“I have found the paradox. If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only love.”
In college, you experience relationships in a whole new way. You share close living quarters with other people, you’re never far from your friends, and odds are, tensions will sometimes run high. When you add the stress of relationships to the stress of school, it’s easy to lash out to the people who have hurt you, and even the people who mean the most to you. It’s not easy to take the high road, but fighting fire with fire just ends in ashes. Strive to put an end to hurt and to love more.
“Be faithful in small things, because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Do you homework. Take out the trash. Fold your laundry. If you discipline yourself in the the less important tasks, it will make the more important things a little bit easier.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
Sometimes it’s tempting to question if what you’re spending thousands of dollars on and working so hard for even matters. But getting an education isn’t meaningless, and it benefits more than just you. Work hard to earn your degree, and use it to make an impact in the lives of others.
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
In college, you meet people of all different backgrounds. Break out of your comfort zone and get to know someone who’s different from you. You might meet your best friend.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
You’re busy and probably don’t have time to help out everyone who needs it and that’s okay. Instead, donate the money you would normally spend at Chipotle to one of the several Go Fund Me accounts that pop up on your Facebook feed. Wake up a little early on a Saturday and volunteer with an organization on campus. Take some time to offer up prayers for a friend who’s struggling. Do what you can, and do it with love.
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together, we can do great things.”
In college, it's tempting to compare yourself to other people who have better grades or a lot of friends or a cute boyfriend or who just seem to have their life together. Remember that nobody's life is actually perfect, no matter what it looks like from the outside. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and it's so important to remember we are not alone.
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.'"
The best way to follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa on your campus is to follow the teachings of the person she dedicated her life to: Jesus Christ.
