Mother Theresa of Calcutta
published: Friday | October 22, 2004

THE EDITOR, SIR:

Please allow me to share with your readers a story about Mother Theresa of Calcutta. As some readers are aware, Mother Theresa was a Catholic nun who worked among the very poor and was rejected in India and many other countries. She never tired in seeking shelter, food, clothing and medicine for those whom she cared. The story that has been told to me by a priest, who was an eyewitness to this incident involving Mother Theresa, was that she approached a very wealthy businessman in India with both hands outstretched. She begged him to give her something for the poor, including children, in order to feed and nurse them. The businessman instead of money, coughed up phlegm and spat it in her hands.

Mother Theresa, instead of being insulted, humbly said, "Thank you, Sir. That was for me. Now, can you give me something for the poor, especially the needy children." The businessman walked away leaving Mother Theresa with only the coughed up phlegm in the palms of her hands. Many years later, how-ever, the same businessman, who was possibly so moved by Mother Theresa's humility and forgiveness, sought Christ, became a Christian, sold his business, and gave the entire proceeds of the sale to Mother Theresa's work among the poor.

I was moved by this story and felt that I should share it with others. It is, I believe, a testimony to love and forgiveness: two Christian virtues so scarce in our world. The story also reminded me of our own Jamaican Father Richard Ho Lung and the Brothers of the Poor and their selfless love for the poor in Jamaica, Haiti and the Philippines. Let us remember them in our prayers and in our gifts.

I am, etc.,

COL ALLAN DOUGLAS

alldougals@aol.com

14123 SW 129 Path, Miami

Florida, U.S.A.