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Holiness is not the luxury of the few; it is a simply duty, for you and for me, because Jesus has very clearly stated, 'Be ye holy as my father in heaven is holy.' So let us pray for each other that we grow in love for each other, and through this love become holy as Jesus wants us to be for he died out of love for us. One day I met a lady who was dying of cancer in a most terrible condition. And I told her, I say, 'You know, this terrible pain is only the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Jesus on the cross that he can kiss you.' And she joined her hands together and said, 'Mother Teresa, please tell Jesus to stop kissing me.

Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhi)#1

LoveMother teresaFaithSufferingChristianity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Holiness is a universal duty rooted in love, illustrated by reframing suffering as a spiritual connection to Christ.
In plain terms
Holiness is for everyone and grows through loving others and enduring suffering.
What can you take from it?
View suffering as a potential spiritual connection and grow in love.

Where it applies

  • illness
  • spiritual counseling
  • devotion

Putting it to work

  • pray for others
  • accept pain gracefully
  • seek holiness

Questions to consider

  • How do you reconcile faith with intense suffering?

Another view

Describing pain as a kiss from God may feel dismissive to those in acute physical agony.

More from Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhi)

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  2. Be kind to each other in your homes. Be kind to those who surround you. I prefer that you make mistakes in kindness rather than that you work miracles in unkin…

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  3. Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.

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