Tag Archives: John of the Cross
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
The Path of Descent
The Path of Descent The Path of Descent Monday, March 23, 2020 The CONSPIRE 2018 conference focused on the Path of Descent as the Path of Transformation. Suffering is a universal experience occurring across space and time, revealing the “big T” Truth that going down, going through, and going into the unknown can be powerfully transformative. In the meditations this week I will be sharing the wisdom offered by my fellow teachers at the CAC, whom I also call my friends. I hope you will trust their insights as you… Continue Reading The Path of Descent
The Meaning of Spiritual Love
Love: Week 2 The Meaning of Spiritual Love Wednesday, November 7, 2018 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 behold in you. . . . And let us go forth to behold ourselves in your… Continue Reading The Meaning of Spiritual Love
Searching for Love
Love: Week 1 Searching for Love Friday, November 2, 2018 All Souls’ Day John of the Cross (1542-1591) is one of many Christian mystics who writes about being loved by God in an intimate way. My friend and fellow CAC faculty member James Finley reflects on John’s Dark Night of the Soul as a journey… Continue Reading Searching for Love