Tolog Review: Where There is Love, There is God

Where There is Love, There is God
by Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, PhD
reviewed by Alexandra Tighe, class of 2017

Where There Is Love, There Is God is a collection of excerpts from the writings of Mother Teresa. Although originally intended for other sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa's order, this book is filled with advice and guidance for all of us to become not only better Catholics but better people in general. The book and each chapter open with an introduction by Brian Kolodiejchuk that explain what Mother Teresa did as a Missionary of Charity working in the slums of Calcutta and what the chapter’s focus will be. The chapter’s aren’t chapters in the traditional sense, though. They are just groups of Mother Teresa’s excerpts and advice that address similar issues. Mother Teresa speaks about a lot of things including what things keep us from loving God and how we can get closer to Jesus. Mother Teresa often repeats the idea that Jesus is present in all of us, his children, especially the neglected and suffering. She also says that poverty isn’t the worst thing that the people she tries to help suffer from. The worst part, she says, is the feeling of neglect and being unloved. Her mission in life was to make these people feel like they were wanted and loved and therefore make them aware of God in their lives as well. Mother Teresa’s mission in this book is to help the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity bring love to others in the best way they can. She teaches of the liberation that confession and lack of worldly possessions bring and how important forgiveness and selflessness are. She also speaks of the importance of humility which doesn’t mean saying that you aren’t good at anything but instead means that you tell the truth and have a meek heart. I have really enjoyed reading Where There is Love, There is God because it is truly relaxing. It’s straightforward and the short excerpts from Mother Teresa's writings allow for you to refocus your faith a lot in a short period of time. You could read just one or two of the little excerpts a day and get yourself thinking again. Just five minutes worth of reading can make you want to change your entire life. But you don't have to be religious to get a lot out of this book because it teaches how to be a better person in every aspect of life. In this book we get a unique and rare look at the way Mother Teresa thought and taught. Normally I don't like non-fiction books but I really enjoyed this one and would happily read it again soon!  If you like books that will get you thinking, you'll love this book!