No Greater Love

Mother Teresa had always been someone who had fascinated me. I had always admired how much she willingly gave herself for the love of the poorest of the poor. But it wasn't until I joined a women's Bible study and prayer group in my community that I actually sat down to read some of her teachings. I was blown away.

This particular book, published seven months before her September 1997 death, is filled with wisdom that anyone -- no matter what their faith -- can and should take to heart. I'll just highlight some of the passages that spoke to me:

"Do we know our poor people? Do we know the poor in our house, in our family? Perhaps they are not hungry for a piece of bread. Perhaps our children, husband, wife, are not hungry, or naked, or dispossessed, but are you sure there is no one there who feels unwanted, deprived of affection? Where is your elderly father or mother? Abandonment is an awful poverty." -- p. 101

"Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater development and greater riches. Children have very little time for their parents and parents have very little time for their children and for each other. So the breakdown of peace in the world begins at home." -- p. 129

"Bring prayer to your family, bring it to your little children. Teach them to pray. For a child that prays is a happy child. A family that prays is a united family." -- p. 129-130

"Remember that the passion of Christ ends always in the joy of the resurrection of Christ, so when you feel in your own heart the suffering of Christ, remember the resurrection has to come. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen." p. 137

"At the moment of death, we will not be judged by the amount of work we have done but by the weight of love we have put into our work. This love should flow from self-sacrifice, and it must be felt to the point of hurting." -- p. 140

There is so much more I'd like to highlight, but if I did that I'd be posting the entire contents of this book on this blog, which I'm sure is a no-no.

The bottom line is this book was an incredibly satisfying read for me, especially because I read it during Lent. I'll definitely be looking for other books of hers.

Where Did The Time Go?

I realize that the lack of posts on this blog make it appear as if I haven't been reading. The truth is, I have been reading -- a lot of Scripture, as well as some cookbooks. (Apparently, reading Scripture and Bible study books makes a person crave things like lemon bars.)

Anyway, when I finally looked at the calendar I realized that Spring has sprung. Time again for another Spring Reading Thing challenge, hosted by Katrina. Without further ado, here are the books I hope to finish reading by June 20.

1) Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte. I've wanted to read this book since I read (and fell in love with) Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. I just hadn't gotten around to picking up a copy from the library until now.

2) The Tale of Despereaux, Kate Dicamillo. I read this book several years ago, but want to read it again. No, I haven't seen the movie -- yet. Finished reading on 6/6/09. Review to come. And yes, I've also seen the movie now.

3) Interior Castle, St. Teresa of Avila. (In progress.)

4) Finish reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. (In progress.)

5) No Greater Love, Mother Teresa. Finished reading on 3/27/09.


I may pick up more books if time allows. Interior Castle, I hear, isn't exactly something a person can -- or should -- breeze through. I plan to take my time with that one.

So, what's on your "to read" list?