Mother Theresa's Dark Night of the Soul

The last few days I've been catching up on the Christian apologetics blogosphere. One of the most interesting thimgs being commented on is Time magazine's recent article on Mother Theresa and her "crisis of faith". The wave of discussions rippling through the blog continuum ranges from highs of thoughtful discussion to lows of anti-Catholic and atheistic hate.

Among the best discussions were those found at Titus One Nine, an Anglican-Episcopal blog. At T19 the discussion focused on the the wonderful gift that God had bestowed on Mother Theresa. The comments were full of love and intelligence. Little wonder that Kendall Harmon's T19 blog is a daily read for me.

Among the worst discussions were those found at Slice of Laodicea and Godless Kiwi. The Godless Kiwi's comments are understandable and could likely be excused under the concept of invincible ignorance, that is, "ignorance" in the apologetic sense. There is no such defense or excuse for the uncharitable behavior and comments found among the Slice commenters. As Christians they know better.

In contrast to the Anglicans, the Reformed Christians of Slice started with name calling (Caffowick), misrepresentations ("she worshiped the pope"), and general anti-Catholic bigotry ("the woman lived by a pernicious and Satanic doctrine"). To be fair and charitable, there were notable exceptions, including Rick ("I think her uncertainty - and in the face of that still trusting God, still going about her love for others - is part of what made her real.")

One thing I noted among the Slice audience was that no one seemed to recognize in the article John of the Cross' famous work Dark Night of the Soul. This was in complete contrast to the T19 audience were the similarities to John of the Cross were immediately recognized and discussed. Perhaps Anglicans are better read in regards to the early Church.

For those not familiar with John of the Cross' famous Christian classic, the first chapter begins with this memorable paragraph:

INTO this dark night souls begin to enter when God draws them forth from the state of beginners—which is the state of those that meditate on the spiritual road—and begins to set them in the state of progressives—which is that of those who are already contemplatives—to the end that, after passing through it, they may arrive at the state of the perfect, which is that of the Divine union of the soul with God. Wherefore, to the end that we may the better understand and explain what night is this through which the soul passes, and for what cause God sets it therein, it will be well here to touch first of all upon certain characteristics of beginners (which, although we treat them with all possible brevity, will not fail to be of service likewise to the beginners themselves), in order that, realizing the weakness of the state wherein they are, they may take courage, and may desire that God will bring them into this night, wherein the soul is strengthened and confirmed in the virtues, and made ready for the inestimable delights of the love of God.

I encourage those who have not read John of the Cross, to read through Dark Night of the Soul or Ascent of Mount Carmel and then revisit the Time article. You'll be surprised at what you see and read with the perpective of Church history.

Source: Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith