Reflections

As we journey through life there are so many different obstacles we encounter. Not only do we encounter obstacles but we have many adventures which create many memories for us which we carry for a lifetime.

Some of the memories I personally can call to mind are what I call “landmarks,” they help me to make my ancestry personal and real; such as, my great-grandfather was born in 1858, two years before the start of the Civil War and the same year as old “Rough & Ready,” President Theodore Roosevelt was born.

If you were born in the 1950s or before you might remember the very sad date of November 22, 1963; if asked, you can tell everyone right where you were when you heard the news. For me I was eleven years old and in the 5 grade at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Port Angeles, Washington when the principal came in and announced that President Kennedy had just been killed.

For many, these memories also include the day the space shuttle blew up, the day Pope John Paul II was shot or the day the twin towers went down. Creating memories – OK – but do you remember what happened on September 5, 1997. That was the day Mother Teresa died from a heart attack in Calcutta at the age of 87. Do you remember where you were or what you were doing when you heard the news?

So many people across so many man-created lines and divisions knew who Mother Teresa was. She represented the best in every one of us, doing what we all know needs to be done but, for reasons known to us and to God alone, we do not do it – at least not at the depth of being in which Mother Teresa did. Mother Teresa taught us that we literally can live off of nothing and this is where we can assess our lives in comparison to hers. Do I sacrifice and serve the way I am called by God to do? Do I really trust God enough to surrender everything – and I mean everything – for God?

Another landmark for me was this past September 4. On that Sunday Mother Teresa was canonized in Vatican City as a saint. For the Catholic Church this is like the “seal of approval” in that the church is making an official declaration that the one canonized is recognized to officially be in heaven, hence the title, “Saint.”

The Church demands heroic virtue of those she canonizes; heroic virtues which set splendid examples of holiness to others. As for me, I seriously doubt I will ever be canonized, but I can tell you for sure that I will never give up trying to be holy, like Mother Teresa was. Have you given up? Please reconsider and let the example of Mother Teresa inspire you to great things because you can do all things in Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

Fr. Steve Gallagher

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church