The ‘Atheism’ of Mother Teresa [Dark Night of her Soul?]

CERC ^ | September 9-15, 2007 | FATHER RANIERO CANTALAMESSA

[Salvation]

Please read the story!

The author is NOT saying that Mother Teresa was an atheist!

[Salvation]

**“Christianity of the future, will either be mystical or it will not be at all.” Padre Pio and Mother Teresa are the answer to this sign of the times.**

An interesting statement, to say the least!

[Jeff Head]

But he is saying that she was a "mystic", and that was where I stopped reading.

"placing her at the side of the greatest mystics of Christianity"

My faith and common sense tells me different. She and the other saints were not mystics...they were servants of the living God, despite their weaknesses, and inspite of them, with His help and guidance.

[Salvation]

What is your definition of a mystic? How do you know she was NOT a mystic?

[Salvation]

**In the latter sense, we can say that the mystics, in the night of the spirit, are “a-theist,” that Jesus himself on the cross was an “a-theist”, without-God.**

Interesting observation.

[tiki]

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10663b.htm

[Jeff Head]

Generally, and traditionally, mystics are people involved with mysticism, which has (aagain, traditionally) overtones of the occult.

Anyhow, that's my impression and feeling when I hear the term mystic, as opposed to a "saint" who is definitely aligned with God in Heaven.

As to what I know regarding Mother Tereasa, I do not know for a surety, and never said I did...I simply said my faith and common sense tells me different.

"By their fruit ye shall know them".

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

If you read the article again, it identifies the word “mystic” with those people who suffer this absense of God or Dark Night of their soul.

I do appreciate your interpretation of the word, but I do not think it is the only definition.

[Jeff Head]

Just sharing my own thoughts and opinions on the matter, nothing more or less.

IMHO, God the Father withdrew from the Christ so He could suffer the pains of all, including loneliness and a feeling of abandoment, among others I am sure...so He could carry our sins, and our hurt, and redeem them and atone for them perfectly.

I have no doubts that in principle, God from time to time does the same for us, so our faith can be purified, even as He was made pure.

Did that happen to Mother Tereasa? Could well have...it is between her and her Maker. I do know this...her fruit bears testimony to her continued faith, depsite whatever hardships.

[Salvation]

Here is what my thesaurus brought up;

Mystic: spiritualist, medium, shaman, sage

Mysticism: religion, theology, religious studies, spirituality, holiness

You are choosing the medium, shaman part and igmoring the spirtualist,

plus you are ignoring all the difnitions of mysticism — none of which have to do with the ococult.

[Salvation]

Oops.

ococult.
occult

[Candor7]

In the latter sense, we can say that the mystics, in the night of the spirit, are “a-theist,” that Jesus himself on the cross was an “a-theist”, without-God>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A survey of realized human beings will show that sainthood requires one to stand in the phenomenal world as a manifestation of the devine, and that means to stand alone.

I could go on and mention saints from several different religions who "became" God, but then that would be heresy to so many , that I will refrain from subjecting myself to such castigation.

Once a saint "is" God in their every moment, I am not sorry to say that God is satisfied with simply leaving them on their own, as has been the case repeatedly down through milennia.

The Buddha chose that from the very beginning, making his life somewhat extraordinary. Gandhi also suffered from the same lonliness prior to his death, and he was a saint.

It is that quality that makes access to the Saints through prayer a devine gift. Thank goodness ( or God if you prefer) for that.

I also find the observation quite interesting, and a mark of realization for the benefit of all human beings.

[Salvation]

I’m confused by your statement.

Saints to not become a “god”.

They are still a human being experiencing a deep absense of God in their lives.

[Jeff Head]

Not ignoring anything...just indicating what my impression of the traditional meaning is as I was brought up.

I believe that over time, the definition is shifting to have less of an occult overtone...though that part of the definition still remains officially there.

[jacero10]

Generally, and traditionally, mystics are people involved with mysticism, which has (aagain, traditionally) overtones of the occult. This is a completely ridiculous assertion. Mysticism has to do with various profound interior experiences of God. Sometimes these are ecstatic experiences, sometimes they are periods of spiritual dryness. But the word has nothing to do with the occult. You need to do some reading in the long traditions of Western civilization because your grasp of basic terminology is severely lacking.

[pray4liberty]

It's been said that the closer one gets to God, the more sinful one feels. It's also been said when you feel the most lonely, that is when God is closest to you.

Mother shared the intense suffering of Jesus when he said, "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?" Her prayers to share in his suffering were in fact answered.

[jacero10]

I believe that over time, the definition is shifting to have less of an occult overtone...though that part of the definition still remains officially there. No. No. No. During the Spiritualist movements of the 19th Century (palm readers and mediums, etc.) the fakes claimed to be mystics. But they were never mystics. And, the ancient meaning of the word mysterion in Greek is translated as sacrament. Thus, the word has a long, deep and rich history in Christianity. The occult sense is not and never has been its essential meaning.

[the808bass]

It's been said that the closer one gets to God, the more sinful one feels.

Thus the apostle Paul begins his writings identifying himself as "chief among apostles." And ends his writings identifying himself as "chief among sinners."

[pray4liberty]

And ends his writings identifying himself as "chief among sinners."

He's not alone in that! (pointing finger at self)