www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Mother Teresa's spiritual desert

AMEN BOB, AMEN!

Bob,


Didn't G_d say in the OT that we could put HIM to the test by following HIS law? I am not saying I am following HIS law, but I don't think I am heretic. Shouldn't I get a "C" for effort? "C" is a passing grade...

Ray,

I believe that God always gives us that which is best for us. Sometimes it is better for us not to have the kind of tranquility we seek. Perhaps, it is best for some of us never to have that in this life. We may not fully understand but who can understand the full scope of divine providence?

Joe

Ray S.:


Didn't Jesus say, in answer to the Enemy, that we ARE NOT to put the Lord Our God to the test? (Matt 4:7) "You shall not put the Lord, Your God, to the test." (cf., Dt 6:16)

I don't understand your reference to yourself as a "heretic." We do not obtain gifts or are refused gifts from God based on that kind of status. Both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches affirm that the Holy Spirit blows where He wills and bestows His gifts on whomever He pleases. So this one has me puzzled.

The idea of our own "effort" is precisely the point. We do not EARN the gifts of God, as if we could even do so. A gift is precisely that--something given without the giver being obligated or the recipient having any claim on the gift.

Some of us get simple, short glimpses, if you will, of the good things God has in store for us in the life to come. Some struggle to even persevere to the end--such, it seems, was the case of Mother Theresa, if her letters are to be believed. I have come to the conclusion that everything that happens to us here in this pilgrimage--the good, the bad, the happy, the sad, and the glad--is for the sole purpose of having us turn to God: for thanksgiving, for petition, for contrition, and for pure adoration of His Majestic Providence toward us.

Sometimes the pilgrimage is marked by long periods of such dryness and a sense that we are abandoned by God that people cannot pray, they cannot feel any comfort, they cannot seem to believe that God even exists. Sometimes the pilgrimage is filled with a sense that God is near, that great joy is something that fills us and will last indefinitely. In all this, God is refining us along the path that He wished us to have from all eternity and He will explain it to us in the Kngdom if we but surrender, use His grace, and persevere. There are no grades here; just a call to holiness within His Church and with the means He has given His Church to mediate to us.

In Christ,

BOB

I heard the information about Mother Theresa the other night on the NBC news at 6:30. Somehow, being surrounded by the abject poverty, inhumanity and apathy that is a city like Calcutta would have to deeply affect anyone. Even if they were already a saint. How can one see the suffering day after day, year after year and know that what she did for decades was only a drop in the bucket and in the long run doesn't even show up as a blip on the radar screen of humanity? How does one continue? I don't know. But the fact is that she did continue. And set an example for others. Saints were people too. Everyone doubts at one time or another. I know her doubts lasted longer than a day or two, but the grinding poverty and problems she say daily would have to get to anyone sooner or later.

No one said being a Christian made things easy or perfect. Jesus did not promise that if you believe in him your earthly life will be wonderful and without any problems or doubts or bad days. He promised something else. And maybe that's exactly what happened to Mother Theresa.

Tim

Amen, and well said. I find it immensely inspiring to me, a sinner, that someone as holy as Mother Teresa was plagued by doubts too. And yet, she persevered. She kept doing good and confessing the Gospel despite the doubts. And that's why it's called: faith.

-- John

The full fruits of Mother Teresa's labors will not be realized until we are long gone from this earthly existence.

I don't think I have ever doubted the existence of God. I have wondered, at times, why there is so much evil in this world and how He could permit it all. Then, I need to remind myself that God's ways are far above my own comprehension, and it is not necessary to understand, but to believe and act upon that belief.

This morning I was asked to proclaim a pericope from the Letter to the Hebrews: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13. I share it because I think we all forget how we, as Christians, should look at pain, suffering, tragdey, etc.

What about Mother Teresa's Orthodoxy?

There have been criticisms because while she certainly held a nouble labour by aiding the pour and for that reason she must have gone to Heaven. it's said that some declarations she made do not meet the standards of Roman Catholic Orthodoxy.

It's said that she held views that ressemble religious indifferentism and false ecumenism, that she did not do enough to convert the poor Pagans in India to Christianity, even though she helped them.

If she would have combined her support of the poor with an intense apostolate to convert those poor souls in India who are still worshiping idols that ressemble devils and cows, she would have been one of the greatest saints of all history.

Mexican,

I suggest you contact the Congregation for the Causes of Saints if you dispute the decision they came too. I'm sure St Teresa of India is a Saint despite those really terrible omissions that you have brought up <rolls eyes> She did more for those "poor souls" as you choose to call them then anyone you or I have EVER done in charity and love for God.
She IS a Great Saint!

Mexican:

Glory be to Jesus Christ!! Glory be to Him forever and ever!!!

I think in this day and age that evangelization has to take a new face than simply preaching to the poor pagans. Populations have education today that they did not have in the past and world-wide access to television, the internet, etc. With that in mind, it's much more difficult to simply preach.

In the past, missionaries did what St. Teresa did: first they started to show what the fruit of Christian love is about and then let their example draw others to Christ. India is a Hindu country with a long history and a rigid social system. By stepping out of the Hindu religion, one loses his social status and becomes the lowest class--the untouchables. So to become Christian takes a lot more courage than it did for those in Europe, the Americas, or Africa. That St. Teresa received a state funeral is testimony to the profound effect she had on the society she lived, worked, and witnessed in.

In Christ,

BOB

Evangelizing can take many forms. Has anyone of us ever watched even a part of a Jerry Falwell or other televeangelist program? Did the hand clapping and singing and hand waving and "testifying" convert you from your faith? Did the slick television production techniques and canned laughter/applause really convince you this person was correct and had the answers? Did the music sway your soul and make it soar? Did the people being "cured" of their health problems grab you by the throat and make you want to watch more? Why? Words are cheap. Actions speaks louder than words. The Holy Spirit is found in many things but not cheap television effects. And when a televangelist says something such as "God told me that if you don't donate 2 million dollars within a certain amount of time, he'll call me to heaven!" Honestly. Let the Holy Spirit take him. She can deal with him, I'd rather not.

Mother Theresa knew that putting a condition on helping the poor is a terrible way to present God's love. Which is unconditional with the exception of "loving they neighbor" and a few others. Which is in exact contradiction to many tenets of other religions which have a caste system, such as India. To try to convince the poor that by accepting food they have to turn their backs on a culture and traditions thousands of years old...well...I sure wouldn't want to do it. Not for some food. Would you convert from your religion to Hindu if you were hungry and someone promised you food if you converted? I doubt it. Martyrs died rather than convert, with or without food. And sometimes pretty terrible deaths.

My wife plays the organ/piano in churches for some extra money and I recall sitting in during a Lutheran service and a guest speaker was a missionary who spent decades in Korea. How did he and his wife convert Koreans to Lutheranism? Not by being conditional. But by just being there and showing the example of Christ and his attitude towards everyone. And a predominantly Buddhist/Taoist society is inward looking, very personal and ignoring other's and their problems in society for the sake of the "self." While Christianity is the exact opposite. They converted people by giving and giving and giving, all without expecting anything in return. It worked quite well for them. They shared their food, their fuel in winter, their clothes, everything they had. And the Koreans took note.

The conquistadors tried the heavy handed approach with the natives in Central and South America. Look where that lead. The sad part is the missionaries truly did think that burning natives alive was better for their souls than allowing them to remain pagan. Talk about your distorted messages of "love thy neighbor!"

Tim

TIM:

Couldn't agree with you more.

BOB

Tim,

I don't know where you get the idea that the Spanish Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries shared the views of their secular confreres, but I think that is mostly modern urban legend. Perhaps there were some with a less than Christian attitute (I'm not aware of any), but the overwhelming majority of them were self-sacrificing believers in the Gospel, who frequently defended the Indians against the ravages of those seeking wealth and power. Perhaps not the same simplicity of life of Mother Teresa, but still pretty simple.

Michael

Are there anti-proselytization laws in India?