Something Beautiful for God

By: Malcolm Muggeridge

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon, Leonard Muggeridge

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is the work that introduced Mother Teresa of Calcutta to the Western world. Malcolm Muggeridge paints a profound and moving portrait of a lady whose love for Christ and the needy has deeply impacted many a life - including the author’s.

“For me,” says Muggeridge, “Mother Teresa of Calcutta embodies Christian love in action. Her face shines with the love of Christ on which her whole life is centered, and her words carry that message to a world which never needed it so much.”

©1971 the Mother Teresa Committee (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“Muggeridge’s genius lies in his ability to resist both pat formulas and watered-down intellectualizations. He adeptly balances a clear exposition of faith against a respect for the profundity of the Christian mystery. Instead of trying to defend or explain Christianity, Muggeridge tries to help us to see the world through the unique vision of an exemplary Christian. By so doing, we can grasp Christianity’s truth via the power of our imaginations.” ( Christian Century)

Story of an amazing woman, must read.

This book is a must read. Everyone needs to know what Mother Theresa did and what she started. Her strength of character, her integrity, her faith are all awe inspiring. However, the interviewer/narrator voice is beyond painful. It is so slow I had to listen to it at 2X speed.

Listen with your heart.

The audio version of this book is very special because you actually get to hear Mother Teresa speaking as well as other missionary sisters that Malcolm Muggeridge interviews.

Muggeridge is in the process of doing a documentary for BBC on Mother Teresa. This was in 1969 but throughout the process he is very moved by the mission of Mother Teresa, so much so that a few years later he converted to Catholicism. But one cannot convert to a religion, one has to see through the eyes of another faith in God and the action that follows with one's faith. Only then can one choose to make a decision on commitment.

Mother Teresa is steadfast in her commitment in bringing God's love to all who need it and that is everyone one of us. Mother Teresa is a mouthpiece for God.

In listening to Mother Teresa's story through Malcolm one gets the distinctive impression that this love that Mother Teresa has, has no boundaries but like everyone of us on this path, she had her doubts. Towards the end of her life she experienced many years of the dark night of the soul.

One of the most poignant moment in her life was her second calling. Teresa was already a religious when she received her second calling, the call to the poor lonely outcasts of Calcutta.

Having already dedicated her life to Jesus, she was comfortable in her environment but looking past her well organized life and vocation she saw much that needed to be done to bring Jesus' love to the marginalized people of Calcutta.

After being discharged of her duties in her religious order, which took 2 years, she left her very loved companions and never looked back.

She had no big plans, found a place to live, found some children that needed her and her new life began. One of the first missionaries of the poor of Calcutta with thousands to follow.

Oh my!

Humbling. Beautiful. I have been intrigued by Malcolm Muggeridge. Now I am captivated by Mother Teresa.

will read again

I thought this book would be very boring as it is for our homeschool but I was quite surprised how lovely it is.

Like the feeding of the five thousand!

For such a short book it is filled with everything that is good in a human heart. On my travels in India I heard it said not by a Christian, but a Hindu, Mother Theresa is a saint. I have never doubted this. How the Roman Catholic Church can beatify a Pope in our lifetime and not her defeats me. I only have to look at a photograph of Mother Theresa to feel hope. I have seen two Popes in my 64 years and felt myself making excuses for them. Perhaps I miss the point.

Spectacular

This is amazing. It brings the truth of Mother Theresa into time immemorial. She is a true Saint and the greatest woman of the modern world.
Excellent readings and portrayals.

Great content

The content is great, but the second narrator, a woman, is not good. In speaking Mother Teresa’s parts, the woman switches between accents ranging from British to Eastern European, then Indian. Unfortunately, that distracts from the beautiful words of Mother Teresa. Still worth a listen!

Beyond Anything I Can Describe, But I Will Try

I listened to this book about Mother Teresa in one sitting. I had watched the film many years ago, and it, too, was wonderful, but in no way compares with the book. The simplicity and raw beauty of Mother Teresa that Malcolm Muggeridge captures is singularly something to behold and listen to. He doesn’t “polish it up”, just lays it out for us in a way that bares the soul to God’s love and mercy, crushingly so. When I look the book up on Amazon, it is under Catholicism . . . but it ISN’T . . . Catholic, that is . . . it is pure Christianity, needing no label whatsoever, other than being the hands and feet of our Lord. . . it is pure Jesus. One day, one hour, one MOMENT and one child at a time. That she is resting at the right hand of the Savior, having heard “well done, my good and faithful servant” I am certain of. In this world of 2020, pandemics, politics, hatred, strife, and lies, we NEED to hear the words of Mother Teresa . . . anew. For this, my friends is the ONLY way we can spread the love of Christ, by touching the lepers, rescuing the down and out, loving the dying of this world, caring for each and every child, and letting these words of Mother Teresa settle deep into our hearts: "How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers." "By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems." "Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child, and be loved by the child. From our children's home in Calcutta alone, we have saved over 3,000 children from abortions. These children have brought such love and joy to their adopting parents, and have grown up so full of love and joy!" These quotes by Mother Teresa cannot be said to be high ideas or wishful thinking. Because she lived what she said. She never condemned the broken, but loved and accepted them . . . in fact held them in her arms as they died. She nursed their wounds, regardless of their faith . . . or lack of faith . . . their sins . . . she simply LOVED. In a world that is overwhelming, dying of poverty and disease, Mother Teresa was NOT overwhelmed. She drew strength from the only ONE who can feed and strengthen us. She didn't try to solve the problems of the world. She loved, one person at a time. And in doing so, SHE CHANGED THE WORLD. They will know we are Christians by our LOVE. God help us to be just a little of what Mother Teresa was.

Unspeakably Beautiful Life, Average Speaker/Writer

Mother Teresa is a spiritual master in the work of Christ's mercy. Listening to a short biography of her work and a brief introduction to her thought was enlightening and convicting. I appreciate Muggeridge for providing this work for all of us in the modern era.

A blessing to listen to

So greatful for the audio book. I am touched by the life and love of Mother Teresa. In the end, after all analysis one has to realize that what she said is the truth. I hope I carry with me a thing or two from her life, to serve fellow man as an expression of love to my LORD.

Divine service to Jesus

A wonder read, touched my heart to know God still is able to use anyone. if any soul is willing, the potter is able to mould the clay to what He deems fit.