ADVANCING THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
Winning the World for the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Mother’s Lesson:
“One, One, One . . .”
Debra Herbeck
T
wenty-eight years ago, I was a young wife and mother
struggling with my vocation, and a “chance” meeting
with Mother Teresa of Calcutta changed my life. As she
grasped my hand and pulled me close, her words instantly
pierced my heart: “Never forget that your job as a mother is
the most important job in the entire world.”
I knew without a doubt that she was speaking on God’s behalf. Her timely message enabled me to embrace motherhood with renewed joy and determination.
Little did I know then that over the years,
Mother Teresa’s life and practical wisdom
would also become the foundational inspiration for my ministry to young women.
Her simple and revolutionary way of love
has taught me so much about how to help
young women know the personal love of
Christ and how they, too, can be instruments
of his love. Below are just a few nuggets that
have shaped my life and ministry.
“Each individual person has been created
to love and to be loved.”
This profound truth daily points me to the
reason why we endeavor to share Christ’s
love with others. We don’t impose a set of
beliefs or a way of life, but rather we propose an encounter with Love, and in doing
so help others find their true purpose.
Every young woman I meet is “hungry
for love,” even if she is looking for it in the
wrong places. St. Teresa’s example teaches
me how to affirm young women in their inherent dignity simply by being present, by
listening, by never giving up on them—even
when they falter or fail. Doing “small things
with great love” speaks essential truths that
Mother Teresa so beautifully expressed in
her I Thirst letter: “He loves you always,
even when you don’t feel worthy. . . . He is
the one who always accepts you. . . . You are
precious to Him.”
Mother also had the ability to empower
those around her to set aside their fears and
to love others freely. While many came to
Calcutta to serve alongside this saint, she
often challenged people to identify and
love “the poor” right at home. In a narcissistic culture that promotes convenience and
comfort, it’s essential to challenge young
people and give them opportunities to love
and serve others—not just with service projects or mission trips—but daily, especially
within their own families.
“Just begin one at a time . . . one,
one, one.”
We are called to share our faith in an
increasingly dark world. We can often feel
overwhelmed by the enormity of the task
and our own inadequacies. St. Teresa felt
“so small, so empty, so nothing,” an imperfect instrument that God used to write
beautifully. She was never concerned about
numbers but focused merely on loving and
serving one person at a time. She acknowledged that if she hadn’t picked up that first
dying person in the street, she would not
have picked up thousands more later on.
Perhaps I cannot bring the Gospel to the
whole world, but I must begin by choosing
to love one person at a time and teaching
others to do the same through daily faithfulness. One, one, one, turns into many.
Mother’s “one-at-a-time” approach is also
reflected in her loving attentiveness to individuals. The poor had names, stories, and a
destiny as God’s sons and daughters. Many
who spent time with her said she made
them feel as if they were the most important
person in the world. Mother’s message is
surprisingly attractive to young people who
are seeking authentic human connection
that is deeply personal and meaningful.
In an age when we so desperately need
role models, St. Teresa of Calcutta gives us
a powerful example of selfless love that is
both transformative and possible. If each
one of us bears Christ’s love to the world,
one person at a time in simple ways, we
can create a revolution of Love that can
change the world.
Debra Herbeck has worked extensively in youth
and women’s ministry. She is founder and director
of the Be Love Revolution (beloverevolution.com),
a ministry that helps young women know the personal love of Jesus, to live freely and confidently,
and be empowered to spread Love to all they meet.
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