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John of the CrossSaturday, December 14, 2013
Psalm 80:4 Reveal Thy presence, Perhaps the most eloquent poet ever to write in Spanish, the life of John of the Cross is celebrated today in every corner of the world, especially in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. John's short 16th century life was marked by great suffering and great joy. While imprisoned for nine months in a Toledo monastery cell by his own Carmelite abbot, he wrote most of his most famous poem, "Spiritual Canticle." A few years later he finished his second masterpiece, the poem "Dark Night of the Soul." John could be called the "prince of mystics" because of his understanding and expression about the journey of a soul seeking union with God. In Ascent of Mount Carmel, he discovers the power of nada (nothing): In order to arrive at having pleasure in everything, Desire to have pleasure in nothing. We know from the beginning God will not be pinned down by what we say or think or "know" about him. When Moses asks for his name, he says only, "I am that I am." This statement of BEING frustrates our determination to see God as another "thing" in our world. Instead, God makes it clear that he is NO thing; He simply Is. This is difficult to say in words. John found some poetry to express some of the depth of this mystery; and for that, I for one am profoundly grateful. When we turn to you, Lord, bless our eyes with just a glimpse of what we long to see. If I turn away in fear, give me strength to look once more, and then again and again and again. |