A Brief Introduction
When I read John of the Cross now after decades of struggle in the spiritual journey, I look back to my seminary days. I wonder what, if anything, I understood from my class on John of the Cross. Today, I can understand the common idiom: “You don’t begin with the classics. You slowly grow into that wisdom.”
Early on, it was easy to experience John as a negative force far removed from the ordinary human experience. Now, John sparkles with a gospel intensity and a gifted intelligence that brings clarity and wisdom to the pilgrimage to God. In the end, John makes clear that it is all about love.
If you wanted to grasp a central theme of John’s work, the idea of conversion away from self and towards God would be an excellent place to start. His writings and message are movement away from sinfulness to the furthest limit of love. He delves into the complexities of the human person as he exposes the growing withdrawal from self-absorption to the final stages of union with God. It is a simple journey from self to God. On the other hand, it is an incredibly complex journey brilliantly described by John. The gospel reality and all its simplicity and lucidity lays out the call to walk with Jesus with extraordinary force and escalating beauty. John is all gospel in his teachings.
John showed how the theological virtues play a critical role in the purifying process of contemplation. The role of dark faith is foundational to all his work. Likewise, he shows how the interaction between faith and love draw the human effort into one action seeking God. John sees faith and love as virtues that either grow in the quest for God or they stagnate and die. The road to God demands continuous effort both in times of darkness and in times of light.
John’s teachings demand an unremitting process of destroying idols. This is the road to freedom in Christ. This road brings us to intimacy with Christ. This is the consequence of the many purgations and the growing wisdom that comes from contemplation. This liberation from all the obstacles that have kept us from God now open up endless new horizons of love.
Now we understand the depth and wonder of Christ’s command to love our neighbor as Jesus as loved us. Now we have new ears to hear the cry of the poor at home and in the distant lands. Now we can hear the cry of the earth in a way that God invites us to encounter the divine presence in all of God’s creation both animate and inanimate.
The true thrust of John’s message is a purgation and enlightenment through the powerful and prayerful experience of contemplation. This personal liberation leads to the ability to truly embrace Jesus’ gospel call to life and love.
Early on, it was easy to experience John as a negative force far removed from the ordinary human experience. Now, John sparkles with a gospel intensity and a gifted intelligence that brings clarity and wisdom to the pilgrimage to God. In the end, John makes clear that it is all about love.
If you wanted to grasp a central theme of John’s work, the idea of conversion away from self and towards God would be an excellent place to start. His writings and message are movement away from sinfulness to the furthest limit of love. He delves into the complexities of the human person as he exposes the growing withdrawal from self-absorption to the final stages of union with God. It is a simple journey from self to God. On the other hand, it is an incredibly complex journey brilliantly described by John. The gospel reality and all its simplicity and lucidity lays out the call to walk with Jesus with extraordinary force and escalating beauty. John is all gospel in his teachings.
John showed how the theological virtues play a critical role in the purifying process of contemplation. The role of dark faith is foundational to all his work. Likewise, he shows how the interaction between faith and love draw the human effort into one action seeking God. John sees faith and love as virtues that either grow in the quest for God or they stagnate and die. The road to God demands continuous effort both in times of darkness and in times of light.
John’s teachings demand an unremitting process of destroying idols. This is the road to freedom in Christ. This road brings us to intimacy with Christ. This is the consequence of the many purgations and the growing wisdom that comes from contemplation. This liberation from all the obstacles that have kept us from God now open up endless new horizons of love.
Now we understand the depth and wonder of Christ’s command to love our neighbor as Jesus as loved us. Now we have new ears to hear the cry of the poor at home and in the distant lands. Now we can hear the cry of the earth in a way that God invites us to encounter the divine presence in all of God’s creation both animate and inanimate.
The true thrust of John’s message is a purgation and enlightenment through the powerful and prayerful experience of contemplation. This personal liberation leads to the ability to truly embrace Jesus’ gospel call to life and love.
