Christians: what do you think about the news about Mother Teresa?

Question

Why do you think she lost faith? Has your view of Mother Teresa changed in any negative sense since reading?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/23/eveningnews/main3199062.shtml

Answer 1

Many saints throughout history had times of trouble. The message from God is that many holy people have had to face difficulties, but they have fought them despite the darkness.

Sydney Columban priest Cyril Hally describes Mother Teresa's doubts as the "dark night of the soul". "It is a purification process. Doubt is part of the growth of holiness," he said, adding that it is also a part of sainthood.

Answer 2

To me, it seems like she was in what you might call a "spiritual valley" at that time. Even the best of us go through that at one time or another. She was probably grieved from seeing so much suffering in and around her for so long, which she always strived valiantly to relieve... she really took on the cares of the world, because she cared so much about God's children.

Referring to this quote: "What do I labor for?" she asks. "If there be no God, there can be no soul. If there be no soul then, Jesus, You also are not true."

It was either an admission of doubt, or her way of publicly crying out for help in her endeavors and for others to see why she has labored so that others may see the fallicy of saying: "there is no God"

Has anyone here not ever had one moment of doubt in their lives? I think not...

I still very much admire Mother Theresa.

Answer 3

Of course Mother Teresa was unable to detect Jesus in her life. It's because he isn't there!


If he ever lived at all, he's long since dead. Dead, dead, dead! Crucified, dead, and buried. Dead and never coming back, despite bragging about how he would. Didn't come back then, hasn't come back since, isn't back now, and won't be coming back in the future.


Why not? Because, for those who missed the point the 1st time around, he's DEAD!

Oh, the irony of it all! Mommy Teresa, who wasn't actually a mother but wanted the title so desperately she devoted her entire life to fraudulently perpetuating the idea that a 2000-year-dead man was still alive, is now being lauded for essentially being the world's most famous liar! I would laugh, except the centuries of killing and torturing those who - just like Teresa - doubted the existence of this long dead man just make me cry.

Answer 4

There is a very big difference between losing faith, and having what St. John of the Cross called the "dark night of the soul" -- when someone who once experienced a profound union with Christ finds themselves unable to experience His presence any longer; "...the darkness in which all modes of prayer and spiritual practice become arid, and all consolation in the love of God seems lost. Even in the desolate dark night of the soul, indeed especially there, St. John of the Cross taught, God is present, purifying the soul of all passions and hindrances, and preparing her for the inconceivable blessedness of divine union." (Carol Zaleski)

It is relatively easy to remain faithful when one senses the nearness of God; it is much more difficult, and painful, to persevere in faith when one cannot. In such a situation, one either abandons God ... or abandons oneself to Him. Mother Teresa did the latter.

Answer 5

I read the Time article this morning and I think it is a misinterpretation to say she lost faith. She went through long periods where she didn’t feel the presence of God and felt doubt. This puts her in the same company as most others of faith. I read Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle recently and some of these things seem similar.

If God is only imaginary as some suggest, wouldn’t we have more control over this? Shouldn’t we be able to summon Him whenever we choose? But we can’t. When we don’t feel His presence I think He is telling us to move closer.

Answer 6

It hasn't changed my view of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta in the least. Many Christians go through what is called "the dark night of the soul". I've gone through it myself. It's a way that God strengthens his followers (and weeds out the ones that are only in it for good feelings), by taking away the crutches of good feelings and surety, and seeing if the believer still follows Him. It also seems, from the history of the Saints, that those most Saintly are also those that suffer through the worst and darkest nights...

Answer 7

I think the same of her as Abraham Lincoln who was also tormented night and day with depression and the thoughts of suicide.
Great people pay a high price!
We sit here and make judgments in our air conditioned homes while they are laboring to free slaves, feeding the poor and seeing such detestable sites it has caused them to question their faith.
I say, Praise God for the Grace given to us by His Son Jesus Christ. Praise God Mother Teresa and Abraham Lincoln wasn't saved by their works but their faith. She never lost faith or she wouldn't have lived like she did.
Many great people suffer great battles for the greater good.
She is an example to follow.

Answer 8

I'm pagan however it gives me strength to know EVERYONE questions their faith sometimes. This makes her more human. I think after reading this my thoughts of her have gone up. Free thinkers no matter the religion have the right to question. This added credibility to her and her cause. Thank you this is a refreshing story

Answer 9

Mother Teresa was a living saint and she will be greatly missed.

May she rest in peace.


.

Answer 10

There is also another story that shortly before her death she asked for evil spirits to be cast out of her. None of this means that she had stopped being a Christian. Many a Christian has serious doubts about his/her faith and needs evil powers expelling. See “Pilgrim's Progress” by John Bunyan where he describes 'Doubting Castle', belonging to 'Giant Despair'.
However, some other things she is reported to have said appear to deny that she had any belief that Christ is God.