Mother Teresa on Humilty

A couple of thoughts this morning from Mother Teresa on humility:

“Each one of us is merely a small instrument; all of us, after accomplishing our mission, will disappear.”

The idea of going to heaven after death was part of Mother Teresa’s belief system. I don’t think she was denying this truth in any way when she spoke these words. I think she was teaching in her very simple way that we are part of something far bigger than we can imagine. No matter how grand are our contributions in the eyes of the world, they are small as one stone in the wall of a mansion. Important because, as Jesus taught, houses should be built on firm foundations. But ours is only one stone among many. If we think our stone is bigger and more important, well, we have an ego problem or we are looking at our accomplishments with the value system the world offers rather than the one our God’s system. The fact is, we have no clue the real intention or the value of what we do in the great scheme of God’s great work. Mother Teresa suggests that we just do the work and trust God for its value.

“I am often asked, after Mother Teresa who? That will be no trouble, God sill find a more humble person, more obedient to him, more faithful, someone smaller with a deeper faith, and he will do still greater things through her.”

I read a lot about Mother Teresa while she was still on earth doing her work. She was aware of the fact that people set her on a pedestal. This quote gives her response to those people. It reminds me of what Jesus said to his disciples: “Those who come after me will do greater things than I.”