Have y'all heard the news regarding letters from Mother Teresa? -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 10:51:16 08/24/07 Fri
Author: Catie
Author Host/IP: h69.42.91.75.ip.alltel.net / 75.91.42.69
Subject: Have y'all heard the news regarding letters from Mother Teresa?

Apparently she had some serious doubts, had a lack of "feeling" of God and questioned him. The more she did, the further she felt from God. She wanted the letters destroyed upon her death.

Does it upset you, as a Catholic, to know this about her? For me, FWIW (a Joanism), :) - without getting the full story, it makes me admire her even more. I don't know a lot about her, aside from her selfless deeds, but the fact she admitted her doubts, knew her limitations, and longed to be a true servant, makes me know she longed to do God's work and be of his service regardless of what the world expected. I admire that greatly.

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[> clarification: -- Catie, 11:02:05 08/24/07 Fri [1] (h69.42.91.75.ip.alltel.net/75.91.42.69)

"Apparently she had some serious doubts, had a lack of "feeling" of God and questioned him. The more she did, the further she felt from God. "

I mean the more she offered of herself, and did for the Lord's work the further she felt from God- And Not the more she questioned him, the further she felt from God.
That's very important to clarify.

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[> [> I admire/ed her too. A very special human being! :-) -- Barb, 12:30:48 08/24/07 Fri [1] (clgrtnt5-port-135.dial.telus.net/161.184.48.135)

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[> [> I think the letters point to her fidelity and her humanity. -- Joan, 14:04:04 08/24/07 Fri [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

So few people have ever had perfect faith. It's a goal, but it's probably nearly impossible to attain.

Questioning is normal. God gave us an intellect to use. Questioning is a normal part of life of a thinking person. So why wouldn't it be a normal part of that person's faith life?

I think it's important to note (I haven't read the letters, I'm going by only what you wrote, Catie), that she felt "further" from God. It sounds like she didn't doubt that God exists, but she didn't have a feeling of God. She didn't feel close to him.

When we think of our marriages, how many times have we not felt so close to our spouse. Other times we feel so interconnected. We make it through those times of distance because we know and trust the other, even when we don't "feel" close at the moment.

I bet Mother Teresa, as a bride of Christ, got through those times in the same way--by knowing and trusting her God. He would always be there.

Joan

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[> [> [> Joan....I very much like and appreciate what you said...... -- Barb, 14:48:11 08/24/07 Fri [1] (clgrtnt4-port-64.dial.telus.net/161.184.46.64)

about marriage. It is a truth. No matter how many people would profess differently, I think you are right on target! :-)

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[> Re: Have y'all heard the news regarding letters from Mother Teresa? -- Neysa, 14:31:48 08/24/07 Fri [1] (user-38lcie4.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.73.196)

I heard that before and it just showed Mother Teresa's, human side. How she struggled with her faith. I really don't think anyone has a perfect faith. Everyone struggles with their faith.

Mother Teresa was a gem. For me you could just see the holiness radiate from her. When she spoke her words were so beautiful. I guess because of that we couldn't or wouldn't even want to imagine that this dear saintly nun had any struggles with her faith. I also think that when we see priests and nuns who are very holy, we think because they are a priest or nun that they don't struggle with their faith like a lay person. When infact they struggle with it more.

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[> [> Nobody achieves the state of perfection. I don't believe.......... -- Barb, 14:44:53 08/24/07 Fri [1] (clgrtnt4-port-64.dial.telus.net/161.184.46.64)

Mother Teresa would want to be perceived as having perfect faith. She was human and struggled as we all do, and I think she probably appreciated and respected that.

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[> I agree. She walked in great faith. The marriage statement, so very true. -- Catie, 16:07:16 08/24/07 Fri [1] (h69.42.91.75.ip.alltel.net/75.91.42.69)

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