I don't watch much TV, so the gym is my main venue for it if I get it at all. And today, on every channel, the captions all had the phrase Mother Teresa in them. Mother Teresa? How can she make news? She passed away ten years ago.
Then I understood--her papers had been released publicly, and revealed that fact that she was a human.
I am not trying to be smug or belittle anyone's shock that she had doubts about God. For those who are devout, there is a strong need to have the impression that some are not like most, wavering in the beliefs and sometimes of little faith.
But she did have moments of doubt, as revealed in these recent findings. She toiled and struggled and sacrificed, but she did question her savior throughout her life it seems. Does that lessen her accomplishments? Does that mean she was not a good Catholic? A good person?
In my eyes, no. It means she was genuine, and in this world that is the hardest thing one can do. Being brave enough to be oneself, at least in private, was a bold move for a woman as well known as she.
According to today's Daily News, she wanted the letters destroyed. Against her wishes, they were kept and published under the authority of the Church. I must admit I am surprised by that, and see it as a bold move on their behalf. In such a time of struggle for the Catholics, it seems such a move could give their enemies ammunition--one of their most recognized icons doubting God.
So in a way, this has changed my impression of a few pre-existing ideas. Teresa was as mortal as I am. And the Catholic Church surprised me that they did not bury this; the Catholics appear to be secure in their faith that her good works far outweigh this revelation.
