Mother Teresa Reflects on Working Toward Peace
The
fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith;
the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service;
the fruit of service
is peace.
Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let
us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile
five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile
at; do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and
so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the
hearts of all men all hatred and love for power.
Today, if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other-that man, that woman, that
child is my brother or my sister. If everyone could see
the image of God in his neighbor, do you think we would
still need tanks and generals?
Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in
the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own
families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family
to have joy.
Today, nations put too much effort and money into defending
their borders. They know very little about the poverty and
the suffering that exist in the countries where those bordering
on destitution live. If they would only defend these defenseless
people with food, shelter, and clothing, I think the world
would be a happier place.
The poor must know that we love them, that they are wanted.
They themselves have nothing to give but love. We are concerned
with how to get this message of love and compassion across.
We are trying to bring peace to the world through our work.
But the work is the gift of God.
A Note From Photographer Michael Collopy
I was blessed to have known Mother Teresa for fifteen years.
I especially treasure the times I was asked to drive her
around while she was in San Francisco, because it enabled
me to ask her questions. In the course of knowing Mother,
I always saw her receive each person the same way. She saw
the face of God in everyone, always approaching each person
with love, compassion, and the gift of her complete self.
Time was never an issue. I once asked her, "How is
it that you never seem to judge anyone who comes to you?"
She said, "I never judge anyone because it doesn't
allow me the time to love them."
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