Tuesday, August 1, 2023

John of the Cross

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

John of the Cross says, “At a certain point in the spiritual journey God will draw a person from the beginning stage to a more advanced stage. At this stage, the person will begin to engage in religious exercises and grow deeper in spiritual life. Such souls will likely experience what is called 'the dark night of the soul.' The 'dark night' is when those persons lose all the pleasure that they once experienced in their devotional life. This happens because God wants to purify them and move them on to greater heights.”

Haven't you been in a place in your devotional life when you did not feel the intimacy of God that you had grown accustomed to? When we experience those times, we usually become consumed with our shortcomings. We think that God is far away because we have done something wrong—we’ve offended him. John of the Cross says that we can experience a time when we lose pleasure in our devotion because God wants to take us deeper. He says that there comes a time when God removes the consolation to teach us virtue and prevent us from developing vice.

Whether you agree or disagree with him, James makes it clear in his writing that there is growth that comes from our trials. The psalmist also alludes to this "dark night" in Psalm 42 when he questions if God had forgotten him, but looks forward to a time when he will praise God again.

PRAYER: Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Lord, I hope in you; for I shall again praise you, my help, and my God. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Foster, R. J., & Smith, J. B. (2005). Devotional classics: Selected readings for individuals and groups. HarperSanFrancisco.