Some would like to think so. The new book “Come Be My Light” by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, a proponent of her sainthood, collects into one place her letters about her private, inner conflicts written to confessors and superiors. In a video clip by ABC News, an atheist was shown saying that her long-lasting doubting thoughts are proof that people don’t need faith to do extraordinary things like she did.
I have not read the book, but my first reaction to that logic is: if she did lose her faith, why did she not leave the consecrated life and continue doing the good work as an atheist? A person committed to doing so much good would have had to be honest with herself and discontinue being a nun if she did not believe in it. But those who seek God and have been given the gift of faith know that she did not lose it. We know that those who are very close to God, like Mother Teresa, sometimes experience a “dark night of the soul” as St. John of the Cross would say. Hers lasted many years. Through suffering, doubts, and temptation, God draws us deeper in His Love. Because she was such a force of good in this world, I’m sure she also suffered much from the attacks of the devil. It would have been a nice victory for him if he could have tempted her into some scandal or disbelief. Fortunately, that was not the case.
It is truly inspirational to know that Mother Teresa tirelessly served the poor and fought for the pre-born with such passion and conviction, in spite of these doubts that plagued her mind. Because of these sufferings, she will be that much more of a powerful intercessor for those of us who suffer from doubts as she did.
May her example continue to inspire all, believers and non-believers alike.
Pax et Bonum,
Daniel
I agree Jay! Mother Teresa's life is truly inspirational to many, and I know especially for my wife and I for many years now.
I suspect this book may mark a re-formation of the modern world's understanding of the character of spirituality and what constitutes a spiritual life. As Mother Tersa said herself, this longest of dark nights that was her experience may likely have been her experience of Christ's dark night - and was what compelled her to do the amazing work she did.
The fuss over the book - whether she "really" had faith or not - misses the poiont of a deep spirituality that runs through the biblical text itself. This isn't a matter of "faith, or no faith," but a matter of a faith experienced as darkness, abandonment, etc. Folks may want to remember that it is from the one Holy Bible that come such texts as Psalm 88:14-19
But I cry out to you, LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why do you reject me, LORD? Why hide your face from me? I am mortally afflicted since youth; lifeless, I suffer your terrible blows. Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have reduced me to silence. All the day they surge round like a flood; from every side they close in on me. Because of you companions shun me; my only friend is darkness.
And Pslam 8:
O Lord, our Lord. how Majestic is your name in all the earth...
And Lamentations 2:5, 20-22
The Lord has become an enemy, he has consumed Israel: Consumed all her castles and destroyed her fortresses; For daughter Judah he has multiplied moaning and groaning..."Look, O LORD, and consider: whom have you ever treated thus? Must women eat their offspring, their well-formed children? Are priest and prophet to be slain in the sanctuary of the LORD? "Dead in the dust of the streets lie young and old; My maidens and young men have fallen by the sword; You have slain on the day of your wrath, slaughtered without pity. "You summoned as for a feast day terrors against me from all sides; There was not, on the day of your wrath, either fugitive or survivor; Those whom I bore and reared my enemy has utterly destroyed."
And Isaiah 11:1-4a
But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted..."
It is a life of faith that considers and holds the tension in texts describing the human experience with God - and sometimes, someone is gifted (I dare say) with the gift of Christ's experience of abandonment..."My God, my God. Why have you abandoned me?"
Peace!
If we use the term "winter faith" to describe the spirituality of those who express dismay at their feeling of abandonment (Mother Teresa, St John of the Cross, Lamentations) and "summer faith" to describe the spirituality we are more accustomed to (Psalm 8, Isaiah 11) - then we can ask some interesting questions:
1. What sort of faith, if any, do we manifest to those around us? Do we dare share our winter faith that perhaps does not have the full force of reason and immediate beauty?
2. If the non-Christian world only sees a summer faith (the latest round of misunderstanding over Mother Teresa suggests this is the case) - do the atheists perhaps have a point when they reject a "summer-only" faith as shallow?
3. When the story of Mother Teresa's darkness strikes a chord with atheists, might they also have (alongside their haughty disdain of Christianity) a legitimate appreciation for the "winter faith" that we would do well to imitate in some ways?
4. In our zeal to demonstrate that Mother Teresa did not lose her faith, might we have forgotten to realize that the atheists may have latched onto something we have neglected?
Yes Burnt! I think you're right on! It is not very "American" to imagine "winter faith" as you put it, let alone acknowledge it, or even dare to live it when it comes our way rather than try anxiously to get out of it, or hurry through it.
For the most part, even our lectionary ignores "winter texts" in favor of "summer texts."
Again, the biblical witness to the formative character of "wilderness faith" is so important. That's what I think.
Pax!
Here is a reflection on Mother Theresa by someone who ACTUALLY knew her well--Father Benedict Groeschel.
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=848
In Truth,
Matthew
Those who truly give off their shirt for some else, do so, not because they love them, they do because is the appropiate thing to do, and expect nothing in return. Thats uncondicional love. God has no part in it!
Manue
I understand that your statement is your "opinion" but this feeling does not prove that God has no part in love.
In Love
when we were one
Your are Great. And so is your site! Awesome content. Good job guys!