|
"Tiny woman
with strong hands"
The legacy of Mother Teresa is monumental yet
simple, and it is because of this simplicity that the real
message of her life may be abandoned by many people caught up in
her great celebrity status and notoriety.
Mother Teresa cared little for the honors and
attention heaped upon her by the world. She would have just as
soon done without any of it, though she knew how to use even
that masterfully to bring attention to what mattered most, care
and love for the poorest of the poor and those forgotten by the
busy world of computers and money.
Many forget this tiny woman with the strong
hands labored for decades, driven only by God and an
unfathomable faith, before winning the Noble Peace Prize and
getting people's attention.
I knew Mother Teresa from her numerous
letters, messages, prayers and cards sent to us personally about
our mission to bring the arts and music to the institutionalized
population of America. Those letters were encouraging and kind
and totally focused on us.
I know I am one of thousands who received
personal contact from her, but that's not the point She
responded.
She lived what she believed.
In a world that cares little for anything but
the cost, the surface appearance and the bottom line, Mother
Teresa stood out like a shining jewel. In a world where religion
is reduced to rules, emotion and fitting into acceptable
philosophies, Mother Teresa was the real thing a true Christian.
Her legacy will live on, but her tiny sandals
will be hard to fill.
Bob Rowe, founder
Renaissance Enterprises
Kalamazoo, Mich.
|
The Pope, The Catholic Church,
& Atonement
Monday's gathering of penance
for past sins of 'the church,' was indeed a
significant event in history and religion.
Perhaps even monumental.
NEVER before in recent church
history, has any pontiff, publicly acknowledged
any past, or present wrongs in any spirit of
repentance as has John Paul ll. This, I believe,
is the crowning jewel in a long and accomplished
papacy, spanning over two decades.
I don't believe the
significance of this event has even begun to
sink in as people, everywhere, voice their
opposition, opinions, and support.
I well understand the anger
some people feel that his (the popes) statements
did not go far enough, or include enough of "the
wronged-through history," however, any long and
great journey has to begin with one single step
in the right direction, and that's what this
was.
In an era where there is more
polarization than ever between people of
differing opinions, instead of building walls of
division, our greatest challenge in the 21st
century will not be of a technological nature,
but it will be to find, nurture, and strengthen
TRUE spirituality between all people, and in
doing so, find a way to preserve, protect and
foster the growth of the human family into the
22nd century!!
Bob Rowe
Founder
Renaissance Enterprises
Kalamazoo, Michigan |
|
|
