Archbishop of Calcutta: Mother Teresa a hymn to life and mission

Archbishop Thomas D'Souza celebrated a mass on the day the saint would have turned 113. Followed by a stop at the tomb of the nun and a prayer to pay homage to an existence "completely at the service of others". Her "reliance" on "divine providence" and having been "chosen" by God.

Delhi (AsiaNews) - Mother Teresa's existence revolves around "life, giving life ... she always said: a life that is not spent for others is not worth living," said Msgr. Thomas D'Souza, archbishop of Calcutta, in a Eucharistic celebration on the day the Saint would have turned 113 (today, incidentally, is also the prelate's birthday).

The function took place this morning at 6 local time in the mother house of the Missionaries of Charity, with a final stop at the tomb of the nun. Her existence, he continues, was "spent completely in the service of others" and looking to the source of life which was "Jesus in the Eucharist".

Reflecting on the first reading, focused on the Book of Ruth, the prelate recalls how the saint depended on "divine providence" and on being "chosen" by God who has always guided her existence and her journey of faith. "She satiated-added-her thirst for Jesus by being with the poorest of the poor" facing "the many challenges" and "giving her life for the mission".

The word "thirst" is the one that best characterizes her life: of God, of Jesus, of his word, of the cross, of humanity. A thirst for God that is a guide to salvation, redemption: "He-says-satisfies this thirst, she is a thirsty mother who has been satisfied in Christ for her whole life".

Secondly, her life was devoted to "complete transparency" and "full authenticity. In today's Gospel Jesus says he is not like the hypocrites, who say one thing and do another."

The prelate observed that the life of Saint Teresa "was authentic because she lived according to the principles of Jesus" and according to the ideal of humility "finding the face of Christ in every poor, indigent and suffering person". Her source "was the Eucharist" and every mass was "an opportunity to carry on one's mission" by working "with fidelity to Jesus until the end of his life".

The archbishop of Calcutta then invites us to reflect on one of the most appreciated quotes from the missionary of Charity: "Life - he said - is an opportunity, take advantage of it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, make it come true. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, keep it. Life is a pain, get over it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, face it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, create it. Life is too precious, don't destroy it. Life is life, fight for it."

At the conclusion of the Mass, Msgr. D'Souza spoke at the tomb of Mother Teresa, lighting a candle and emphasizing once again the importance of "protecting, promoting and defending life".

He concluded: “The mother's life inspires us to protect life in all its phases; today, unfortunately, we hear of killings every day, so we must oppose the culture of death and promote life". Finally, Sister Christie led the assembly in Mother's favorite prayer for Peace: "Let me become an instrument of peace", then the children of the Shishu Bhavan orphanage sang "Happy birthday to Mother".