Friday 9 April 2010

Search Your Calcutta

I read Mary Poplin 's 'Finding Calcutta ' recently and it triggered
a mini revival in my heart.
I strongly recommend this book to all my readers
because I know all of you want
to make a difference with your life.

I have read a lot about Mother Teresa and have visited the local Missionaries of
Charity Malnutrition Center, but was never
shown this panorama of her life and work.
The book made me think about my own commitment to
serving Christ and my willingness to
suffer for Him.
And look at people around me through the eyes of Jesus.
About the Book
"Find the sick, the suffering and the lonely right there where you are. . . . You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see." --Mother Teresa
Lifelong educator Mary Poplin, after experiencing a new found awakening to faith, sent a letter to Calcutta asking if she could visit Mother Teresa and volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity. She received a response saying, "You are welcome to share in our works of love for the poorest of the poor." So in the spring of 1996, Poplin spent two months in Calcutta as a volunteer. There she observed Mother Teresa's life of work and service to the poor, participating in the community's commitments to simplicity and mercy. Mother Teresa's unabashedly religious work stands in counter cultural contrast to the limitations of our secular age.
Poplin's journey gives us an inside glimpse into one of the most influential lives of the twentieth century and the lessons Mother Teresa continues to offer. Upon Poplin's return, she soon discovered that God was calling her to serve the university world with the same kind of holistic service with which Mother Teresa served Calcutta.
Not everyone can go to Calcutta. But all of us can find our own meaningful work and service. Come and answer the call to find your Calcutta!

(All the above photos have been taken from the Internet)

Here are some reviews

Having been the spiritual director of the Missionaries of Charity in Asia for many years, I read Mary Poplin’s book with keen interest and fond memories of these remarkable women. Finding Calcutta is a love story between God and two women, Mother Teresa and the author. In describing her encounter and the lessons learned with ‘God’s pencil,’ Mary Poplin has penned ’something beautiful for God.’ This book not only captures the spirituality of Mother Teresa and her sisters but also reminds us of an important principle in spiritual formation that God taught its author: our own Calcutta is most often right smack where we are.” — –Albert Haase, O.F.M., director, School of Spirituality at Mayslake Ministries, and author of Coming Home to Your True Self: Leaving the Emptiness of False Attractions


“If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a worldly California academic curious enough to volunteer in Mother Teresa’s Calcutta Mission, prepare to be surprised. After struggling to translate her experience there for a secular audience, Dr. Poplin has ended by translating her readers into Mother Teresa’s own unfamiliar, spiritual dimension. Watch out–you will not be able to keep from meditating.” — –C. John Sommerville, author of The Decline of the Secular University


“In this poignant, elegant, humble memoir, Poplin gives us far more than Mother Teresa or even another Mother Teresa story. She gives us instead the Jesus and the Christianity that operated through Mother Teresa. Poplin’s experience of finding Calcutta irrevocably changed her soul. It will change yours as well.” — –Phyllis Tickle, former religion editor, Publishers Weekly, and compiler of The Divine Hours


“Mary Poplin seeks to integrate her experience with Mother Teresa into her work and life and to come together with others who hunger and thirst. This book can be a platform to gather those of us so disposed so that the flame is not lost and will continue to produce abundant fruit, fruits of eternal life.” — –Father Angelo Devananda Scolozzi, U.F.W., Centro de Espiritualidad Madre Teresa, Chihuahua, Mexico


“Mary Poplin takes us on a pilgrimage toward clarity about who we are and what our life amounts to. The pilgrimage is simultaneously through Calcutta and through the heart of the ’sophisticated’ dynamics of university life in America. As it proceeds we gain a better understanding of the social forces that govern the university in the name of intellect–but falsely so. It will be of special help to those engaged in academic life, at whatever level. They will find here a guide who has been grasped by God and enabled to see that life and the surrounding cultural world for what they really are, and what under God they could be.” — –Dallas Willard, professor of philosophy, University of Southern California, and author of The Divine Conspiracy and Hearing God


Not everyone can go to Calcutta (now renamed Kolkata). But all of us can find our own place of service. Come let us find our Calcutta.

11 Fertilize my soul:

Marie said...

It's importen to find our place in life.

I wish you a nice weekend my friend :)

Gerry said...

What a strong entry with a very significant title. I have so often sought the words and thoughts of Mary Teresa when I became discouraged with my long years of protesting abortion propaganda in this country in the media and newspapers. For a long time it seemed like they were proselytizing for abortion even in the media. Mother Teresa and her work for all people no matter how poor or insignificant is a great inspiration to those trying to protest the killing of the unborn as though they were excessive tomato plants. The human being is too complex to destroy in that way. To have Mother Teresa represent the teachings of saving all lives has done great good in the world. These photos are very powerful also. Thanks a lot Amarita for your strong entries.

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Last time I read the article about situation of Ukrainian and Polish Gypsies, also called Roma. Most of their children don't go to any school, sometimes because they parents didn't go to school and sometimes they are so poor, that they often haven't anything to eat or any clothes.
Mother Teresa maybe wasn't ideal. Maybe (this is argument some fanatics protestants) she wasn't orthotox. But she made for the world much more than most of politicians or non-practising Christians, who only talk very much, but they do nothing or very little even for their family.
Heartly greetings :)

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
Indeed, neither has to go far to find her own Calcutta.
"Here I am, send me." should me my answer to that challenge.

Well, I at least can keep my eyes open.
That's something.
From Felisol

Debra said...

Amrita,

I dearly love Mother Teresa. I am going to order this book, if I can find it. Thanks so much for this post and may the Lord help us all "to find our Calcutta".

Blessings

Amrita said...

Dear friends thank you for your valuable responses. We must work while its still day, when night shaqll come we will not be able to work, as its written in the Word..Faith and works go hand in hand.

Gerry I know you raise a voice against abortion and its good.

Dear Zimbabwe, I saw on the news the terrible plane crash tragedy in Poland. I grieve for your country.

Amrita said...

Dear friends thank you for your valuable responses. We must work while its still day, when night shaqll come we will not be able to work, as its written in the Word..Faith and works go hand in hand.

Gerry I know you raise a voice against abortion and its good.

Dear Zimbabwe, I saw on the news the terrible plane crash tragedy in Poland. I grieve for your country.

Amrita said...

Dear Debra, I think you can get it on Amazon.

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

There are both used and new copies available on Amazon. Thanks, Amrita, for sharing this information about the book.

Amrita said...

Dear Elizabeth, try to get this book. I am sure you will be blessed. Mary Poplin reminds of you somehow.

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I will try.