Tag Archives: John of the Cross
Transformed in the Beloved
Mystical Marriage Transformed in the Beloved Friday, May 14, 2021 The infinite love that is the architect of our hearts has made our hearts in such a way that nothing less than an infinite union with infinite love will do. It’s the setup in the beginning. . . . That infinite love creates you as… Continue Reading Transformed in the Beloved
Love and Friendship
Friendship and Grace Love and Friendship Sunday, April 11, 2021 When you looked at me your eyes imprinted your grace in me; for this you loved me ardently; and thus my eyes deserved to adore what they beheld in you. . . . Let us go forth to behold ourselves in your beauty. —John of… Continue Reading Love and Friendship
The Way of Unknowing
Unknowing The Way of Unknowing Friday, February 5, 2021 Descriptions of the “dark night of the soul” from the Spanish mystic John of the Cross (1542–1591) have become the marker by which many Christians measure their own experience of unknowing. He fits an entire life spent exploring God’s mystery into memorable poetry, and even dares… Continue Reading The Way of Unknowing
Fruit of Our Labor
Giving Birth to Christ Fruit of Our Labor Thursday, December 10, 2020 When we are engaged in some form of contemplative practice, we are more able to bring Christ into the world. By emptying ourselves, we are more able to embody God’s presence for others. Professor and Episcopal priest Vincent Pizzuto writes about how contemplation… Continue Reading Fruit of Our Labor
The Dark Nights
Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part One The Dark Nights Thursday, October 22, 2020 His silence is a kiss, His presence an embrace. But now he is fading, fading. And I am alone . . . —Thomas Keating, “Loneliness in the Night” I don’t think anyone can get to my (Richard’s) age without deeply empathizing… Continue Reading The Dark Nights
John of the Cross: Poet, Pastor, Mystic
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross John of the Cross: Poet, Pastor, Mystic Friday, April 24, 2020 Father Iain Matthew is a contemporary Carmelite priest from England and author of The Impact of God: Soundings from St John of The Cross. My copy is all marked up, so brilliant are his insights on… Continue Reading John of the Cross: Poet, Pastor, Mystic
Made for Infinite Love
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Made for Infinite Love Thursday, April 23, 2020 Jim Finley, my friend and fellow teacher at the CAC, began studying the mystics at the Abbey of Gethsemani at age eighteen, with Thomas Merton as his novice master. He remembers when he first read this excerpt from the… Continue Reading Made for Infinite Love
Prayer in Captivity
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Prayer in Captivity Wednesday, April 22, 2020 In 1567, when Teresa of Ávila was 52 and deeply involved in her attempts to reform the Carmelite Order and create the Discalced (or “barefoot”) Carmelites, she met the newly ordained John of the Cross. Though he was only 25… Continue Reading Prayer in Captivity
Praying in Our Time
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Praying in Our Time Sunday, April 19, 2020 As of today, like many of you, I have been in self-isolation for several weeks. Honestly, it is a bit like when I sometimes go on a hermitage during Lent; except now, of course, my prayers are with the… Continue Reading Praying in Our Time