Devon Dick

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, Roman Catholic monk, posted 95 theses on a door, causing much consternation within the Roman Catholic Church. Luther questioned the practice of indulgences which allowed the sale of pardon for sins. Now, 490 years later, the letters of a Roman Catholic icon and potential saint could cause similar ripple effects.

Mother Theresa in her letters published in the book Mother Theresa: Come be my Light pours out her heart and some are now doubting whether she should be elevated to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. She, who is a doubting Mother Theresa, has left some persons doubting her.

Mother Theresa, late Catholic nun, whose work among the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India and around the world made her a candidate for sainthood, has revealed in letters, that she felt abandoned by God. At times, she was deeply tormented. Mother Theresa said that in 1946 Christ spoke to her directly and told her to become a missionary in the slums to cater to the least fortunate. However, in some letters she reveals that she felt spiritual dryness for 50 years. Mother Theresa, who appeared to be so calm and happy in public, has revealed arid spirituality. She said she was wearing a 'mask' to hide the emptiness she also felt. It was also reported that in the Eucharist she did not feel the presence of Christ.

Jesus as the 'Absent One'

She also referred to Jesus as the 'Absent One'. In her intense spiritual darkness, she obviously must have cried, 'my God, my God, why has thou forsaken me' Ps 22:1. The Psalmist also felt abandoned by God. In addition, Jesus used those words on the cross as he faced imminent death.

Elijah, who feared for his life at the hands of evil Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, prayed to God to take his life 1 Kings 19: 1-5. It is, therefore, not unusual for Christians in the face of great challenges and burdens to feel abandoned by God. Mother Theresa is no different and should not be crucified for that. She should be commended for her honesty for sharing her spiritual suffering with God and her superiors.

However, doubt is a different matter. The Bible says that doubt is a sin. It is a lack of faith in God. Doubt is different from uncertainty. There are some things we do not quite understand. Some things are beyond our comprehension but doubt is really a sign of lack of faith in God. But we who are Christians must remember that we all fall short of the glory of God. We do sin. We do have lack of faith. We have fears. And, we doubt the ability of God to protect, provide and to empower.

What does Mother Theresa's experience teach us about doubt? It is highly possible that most Christians, as they journey through life, will experience things that will shatter one's faith in God. What do we do when we experience these barren times? It is a time to go back to basics and practise the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, worship, reading and meditating on the Word of God and do acts of charity. Since there is a God, he can and will understand the pain of doubt and will reveal himself until we apprehend his presence and power.

In 1979, Mother Theresa won the coveted Nobel Peace prize but she was in danger of not getting the main prize - the crown of righteousness. This is a warning to all. Good works cannot save us, as is clearly stated in Ephesians 2:9, 2 Timothy 1:9 and Titus 3:5. 1 Cor. 13 indicates that love must be the motivating factor for doing good works and for the exercising of spiritual gifts if we are to experience fulfilment in our deeds. Therefore, let us give priority to a correct relationship with God who is Love and this Love will be transmitted to our fellowmen through our acts of righteousness.