Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a Secret
We have previously discussed Eucharistic Miracles in this column that have centered on a physical change in the Host such as the appearance of human blood or muscle. They cannot be rationally explained so one must consider supernatural causes, i.e. miracles. Are these changes allowed by God to strengthen our weak faith in the Real Presence ? Can we be strengthened by the Eucharist without these visual signs?
When one is properly disposed, the Eucharist strengthens us to do God’s will. This is stressed in CCC 1394:“The Eucharist strengthens our charity, which tends to be weakened in daily life; and this living charity wipes away venial sins.“ Let us look at how this helped at least one great saint.
The most admired woman of the 20th century was chosen to be St Teresa of Calcutta by a 1999 Gallup poll. We all know that she lived a very humble life, loved God and served the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Where ordinary volunteers would lack what is needed to keep their initial enthusiasm going, Mother Theresa had help to keep her and her company of sisters going through the worst of conditions. Where did that help arise?
She is quoted to have said, “The Mass is the spiritual food that sustains me. I could not pass a single day or hour in my life without it. In the Eucharist, I see Jesus in the bread. In the slums I see Christ, in the distressing disguise of the poor—in the broken bodies, in the children, in the dying. That is why this work becomes possible.”
So what gave her the strength to serve the poor for decades? It was frequent reception of the Eucharist, which gave her the ability to live this new life, this life of charity, through His grace.
That grace is available to us as well. Pray that we will be open to this Eucharistic gift at each reception. Lord, allow me to enter more deeply into the mystery of today’s Mass. Lord open my heart to receive the gift of your grace at today’s communion. Let it increase my love for Thee and for my neighbors.
Based on: Joe Heschmeyer, The Eucharist is really Jesus, (El Cajan, CA, Catholic Answer Press, 2023)
