# Day 21 – Be the One with Mary (Mother Teresa)
*2018-03-29*

> Bill reflects on the death of his beloved cockatiel, explores Mother Teresa’s call to “be the one” who consoles Jesus through Mary, and offers a prayer for the Holy Spirit’s help.

## A Personal Loss

I’m sad to share that my 14‑year‑old cockatiel passed away today. I’ve often talked to him as if he were a companion on my spiritual journey. When I asked, “Do you see my guardian angel?” I felt a sense that an angel was on my right side—just as we picture Jesus at the Father’s right hand. It reminded me that the guardian angel may be right beside us, urging us to look to the right and see God’s presence.

## Day 21 of the 33‑Day Morning Glory Retreat

Today is the 21st day of our 33‑day “Morning Glory” retreat, the final day devoted to Blessed Mother Teresa. Tomorrow we begin the fourth week with St. John Paul II. Mother Teresa’s spirituality centers on the phrase “be the one” – to be the one who consoles Jesus, especially through Mary.

## What “Be the One” Means

The phrase comes from the offertory verse for the Feast of the Sacred Heart: “My heart was filled with reproach and misery; I looked for one who would share my grief, but found none.” Mother Teresa responded, “Be the one who consoles Jesus.” She taught that we must let Mary, the spouse of the Holy Spirit, help us understand and satisfy the thirst of Jesus for love.

To console Jesus as the Head of the Mystical Body, we become apostles of joy—bringing joy to the heart of Christ, especially through Mary’s joy. To console Him as a member of His Body, we respond to the universal thirst for love in every person, rich or poor, believer or non‑believer, with a gentle smile that says, “I am glad you exist.”

## Mother Teresa’s Three‑Verse Formula

Mother Teresa summed up her approach in three short verses: total surrender to God, loving trust, and perfect cheerfulness. In practice, this means smiling at Jesus from the foot of the cross, offering our love even amid suffering, and trusting that Mary will guide us to be the one who consoles both Christ and His neighbor.

## Prayer of the Day

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary, help me be the one to console Jesus with Mary. Amen.

*Through Mary’s help we can become the one who consoles Jesus by sharing His love with every thirsty soul.*