Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu known to the world as Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a woman that was tormented most of her life with doubts as to the existence of God.
This is revealed in a new book entitled “Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light”. In letters to superiors and confessors, Mother Teresa disclosed decades of spiritual darkness; feeling abandoned by Jesus, calling Him “the absent one.” She claims to have had a “mystical” experience with Jesus in 1958 and when that ended, she no longer felt his presence. Mother Teresa continued her work in the slums of Calcutta, though, even when all she claims to have experienced was spiritual darkness and rejection by God. While I’m not denying that saints of God can experience depression from time to time (C.H. Spurgeon was said to suffer from depression), that is not what marks one that has true communion with the Triune God. Here are some Scriptures of what God wants for and gives to his children:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23)
“Then he said to them, “… And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11)
“May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!” (Psalms 20:5)
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalms 32:11)
“Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” (Psalms 33:1)
I did a search on the word “joy” and in the English Standard Version there were 171 verses in the Old and New Testaments with the word “joy” in them, most of these passages were commands to have joy. I found 152 verses when I did a search on the word “rejoice”, here are a few:
“And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house…” (Deuteronomy 26:11)
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!” (1 Chronicles 16:10)
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)
I found it ironic that the title of the book, in part, is “Come Be My Light”. How can one be expected to be someone’s light when their own life is filled with darkness and why would you want one who is in darkness to guide you? If one’s light is full of darkness, then they are not a saint at all. Jesus said: “…If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:23), “Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” (Luke 11:35), and “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
So, what kept Mother Teresa in her vocation of heling the poor in India? Quite possibly it had to do with the doctrine of the Catholic Church that says that one is not saved by faith alone, but one must do good works in order to be saved. This form of works righteousness, whereby one participates in their own salvation is one of the great heresies of all time. Scripture tells us plainly that salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ alone, not a result of works so that no one can boast. Grace is a free gift and is totally underserved, we cannot produce it. Grace gives us the faith to believe on Christ and grace produces repentance that is necessary for salvation along with faith in Christ Jesus.
Does this then eliminate good works? Absolutely not!! Good works are the result and fruit of being “in Christ” not the reason for being “in Christ”. The Jews of Jesus’ day depended on their righteousness to gain them favor with God and so do many in the world today. Trust in Christ for righteousness because none of your accumulated “good works” can ever atone for even one of your sins. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Tags: , Catholicism, Saint
