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Good morning. 

Nearly thirty years ago today, Pope John Paul II visited Mother Teresa’s refuge for the sick and dying in Calcutta.  Here were two icons of the 20th century in the one place.  Certainly examples of Mother Teresa’s work and witness were extolled by many at that time and not just among people of faith.

The Pope was met with the veneration accorded to his status but the suffering he witnessed and the care offered by the Community reduced him at times to silence.  He was only there for thirty minutes, but during that time was given opportunity to help some of the eighty or so people there of all faiths.

At times, a Vatican spokesman told reporters the Pope was so disturbed by what he saw he couldn't respond to Mother Teresa as she spoke to him.

All kinds of reflections have emerged about Mother Teresa herself since her death.  Commentators have written about her faith, her dedication, her presence of mind, her personality.  Sometimes these suggested that there were moments when she found it difficult to articulate her beliefs.  It would be surprising if that had not been the case.  Someone who has lived alongside such suffering and who has witnessed the poverty and injustices of the world and disease at such close quarters, you think would find themselves in a place where words are inadequate.  St John of the Cross wrote about a dark night of the soul – not necessarily a place of sadness, but a deep place where description is inadequate and where a person may come closest to God.  Words from a prayer by Janet Morley:

And you held me and there were no words
And there was no time and you held me
And it was like fullness and it was like aching for God
And it was touch and warmth
And darkness and not time and no words
And in the darkness I was not lost
And you held me.  (Janet Morley)