Allah, as seen by Muslims, is defined quite differently than our God, Who is Three Persons, but Allah is being asked to help the Missionaries of Charity, who are mystically espoused to Second Person of the Trinity. No matter. Their nuptial love has taken them to a country where all but 250 citizens follow Islam.
Sister Rosarius, an Indian, is trying to find a wheelchair for [Alia] Ibragimova. Rustam, Ibragimova's husband, told UCA News: "I will pray to Allah for the sisters all the time if they find a wheelchair for my wife. It will be the only way for her to move."
Taisia Lagunina, another resident, awaits cataract surgery. The 77-year-old widow was left alone in Tajikistan when her son went to Russia. "The sisters save my life," she told UCA News. "With my 43-somoni pension, I can't buy all the medicine I need. God bless them and their work."
Besides helping patients deal with medicinal and other needs, the nuns offer something less easily measurable as well. Brauer Elena, another patient, stressed this when she said, "The sisters help us a lot not only by buying the medicines we need but also by showing somebody cares about our lives."
Tangible love. Practical affection. Life-giving charity. The truths of our faith given flesh in Tajikstan. Mother Teresa, shower graces on this corner of the world and show them the true face of "Allah."
I thind it's very important to be clear here: the Catholic Church teaches explicitly that the God of the Muslims _is_ our God. See CCC no.841, quoting Lumen Gentium: "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and TOGETHER WITH US THEY ADORE THE ONE MERCIFUL GOD, mankind's judge on the last day." [my caps, of course]
Posted by: Abigail | Tuesday, 16 October 2007 at 08:31 AM