Many people are determined to leave a mark on the world. You can see their mark carved into soft stone, tree trunks, painted on fences... messages like 'John was here', 'M.K. loves J.S.'... These days it may be the work of a spray can and a vacant wall or railway carriage - anywhere, in fact, that seems to invite the graffitist to make a statement for the rest of the world to see. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu died at the age of 87. We know her as Mother Teresa of Calcutta who founded the Missionaries of Charity. Members of the order take four vows, poverty, chastity, obedience and pledging service to the poor, whom Mother Teresa described as the embodiment of Christ. In a 1974 interview she said: "I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?" She certainly made her mark in the world, and in 1979 received the Nobel Peace Prize. It is said that she told Prince Michael of Greece, "The other day, I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven. And St. Peter said, 'Go back to Earth. There are no slums up here'." God has also left his mark by by coming into this power-crazy, self-important world of ours in the person of Jesus and reaching out with love and compassion and healing power to all those who came to ask for His help. Think about it. What mark would you like to leave in the world? Some of us will be remembered for our violent temper or our alcoholism or our laziness or our gambling addiction. Now is the time to make our mark and be known as people who can change and fulfil their potential as human beings. There is no shame is gaining wisdom and changing the way you live. You may leave a sizeable mark in this world.
