September's discussion focused on the life, work, and faith of Mother Theresa. Angela A. presented a brief history of Mother Theresa's life, followed by a motivating account of her spiritual gifts, works, and struggles. Many remember Mother Theresa as a Servant of God who worked tirelessly for the poorest of the poor, and those who often had no voice in society. As a child, Theresa was surrounded by the poor. Her mother and father often took in those less fortunate, feeding, clothing, and housing them when no one else would. This selfless example led to Mother Theresa's ultimate calling -- to form an order of uncloistered nuns who taught children in the slums, ministered to the poor on every level, and indeed lived as they did. Their continuing example calls us all to reconsider what he have, what we need, and what we give and do for others.
Prayer is another area in which we can learn from Mother Theresa's example. Angela shared with the group that Mother Theresa spent more time in prayer the busier her day was. She knew that she needed extra support and guidance in those moments, and gave God the time He deserved and allowed herself to Hear Him. As busy wives and mothers, this is a lesson we all need to hear. There are always "reasons" to put off, shorter, or skip altogether, our daily prayers and devotions, but it is precisely in those busy moments that we most need to make time for Our Lord.
One element of Mother Theresa's spiritual life that many may not be aware of is the estrangement she often felt from Christ when she ministered to the poor. It is difficult to imagine that a women who was clearly with God in all she did could still feel such spiritual dryness. Rather than allowing such feelings of abandonment pull her away from God and from those in need, however, Mother Theresa identified this feeling as a direct result of her being so close to the Lord, and as the work of a Devil who wished to create distance and destroy her relationship with Christ. Thus, Mother Theresa should serve as a reminder to us all that even when we feel God has "left us," He is always there. In fact, he is often most with us when we feel alone.
According to Mother Theresa, Spiritual Poverty, that "feeling of being unwanted and unloved, is the greatest poverty of all." Thanks to Angela for another excellent discussion!
- Maria File
No comments:
Post a Comment