Theology and Contemplative Prayer
May 12, 2013 by Anthony Lilles
Filed under Catholic Spirituality, Church Teaching, Contemplation, Mysticism, Prayer, PsuedoSpirituality, Spiritual Theology
Contemplation needs scientific theology and theologians need contemplation. Historically, contemplatives who have presumed otherwise unwittingly submitted themselves and those they influenced to all kinds of demeaning irrationality. At the same time, whenever theologians believe they can conduct their investigations without prayer, their body of scholarship becomes less capable of building... Read More
Forsake Not the Discipline
February 26, 2013 by Anthony Lilles
Filed under Ascent, Catholic Spirituality, Conversion, John of the Cross, Lent, Meditations, Scripture, Seasonal Meditations
“Forsake not the discipline” These words are reported as among the very first and very last teachings of St. Antony of the Desert by his spiritual son, St. Athanasius. The Christian life is not something we master – but it does give us everything we need to master ourselves in the new and unrepeatable circumstances each day, each moment, brings. Every day we must choose... Read More
Spiritual Liberty in the Night
February 21, 2013 by Anthony Lilles
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Conversion, Featured, Free Will, God's Will, John of the Cross
In order to secure our true liberty, even while we were enslaved to sin, Christ suffered the night of death and ransomed us by His blood. This is why the Lord respects human freedom, even when it is the source of great sorrow. Aware of our frailty, God does not overpower our freedom but delights to work through it in a very gentle and beautiful way. As a result, it is easy to frustrate... Read More
Nescivi – A Cry of A Heart in Love with God
February 16, 2013 by Anthony Lilles
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Contemplation, John of the Cross, Scripture, Suffering
“Nescivi!” This is the Latin for what it seems the Shulamite Bride of the Canticle of Canticles sings in 6:12. The passage is difficult to translate. One 16th Century Doctor of the Church, Saint John of the Cross, understood it to be the declaration of a lover captivated with thoughts of her Beloved. The Latin means “I no longer know (anything)” although some modern... Read More
Love Songs in the Night
February 14, 2013 by Anthony Lilles
Filed under John of the Cross, Love, Prayer
With rich biblical imagery, St. John of the Cross describes the soul as a jubilant bride who sings mysterious verses and wants nothing other than to live in intimacy with her bridegroom. She ventures out with courage while the beauty of night cloaks her from anyone and anything that might prevent her from finding the One for whom her heart longs. This living icon of the Church, tenderly... Read More
The Prayer that Blazes from the Deepest Center
February 9, 2013 by Anthony Lilles
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Divine Union, John of the Cross, Prayer
Christian prayer is meant to blaze forth from the Deepest Center of the soul. In his powerful Living Flame of Love, St. John of the Cross explains this Deepest Center. Many spiritual writers recognize the need for interiority that a term like the Deepest Center suggests. Sometimes, however, what certain authors describe as the center of the soul is difficult to distinguish from one’s... Read More
Wisdom for the Ascent – 1 – St. John of the Cross
March 25, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Ascent, Dark Night of the Soul, Divine Union, John of the Cross, Mortification, Self Denial
THE soul must of necessity—if we would attain to the divine union of God—pass through the dark night of mortification of the desires, and self-denial in all things. The reason is this; all the love we bestow on creatures is in the eyes of God mere darkness, and while we are involved therein, the soul is incapable of being enlightened and possessed by the pure and simple light of God, unless... Read More
River of suffering – St. John of the Cross
And I saw the river over which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of heaven and the name of that river was suffering: and I saw a boat which carries souls across the river and the name of that boat was love. PS: This poem is attributed to St. John but I have not been able to find the source. If you know the source, please email me at RCSpiritualDirection@gmail.com About... Read More
Sayings of Light and Love #25
December 15, 2011 by Dan Burke
Filed under John of the Cross
Withdraw from creatures if you desire to preserve, clear and simple in your soul, the image of God. Empty your spirit and withdraw far from them and you will walk in divine lights, for God is not like creatures. Saint John of the Cross More ”Sayings of Light and Love” About Dan BurkeDan is the founder of Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction and author of the award winning book, Navigating... Read More
Sayings of Light and Love #24
November 10, 2011 by Dan Burke
Filed under John of the Cross
The fly that clings to honey hinders its flight, and the soul that allows itself attachment to spiritual sweetness hinders its own liberty and contemplation. Saint John of the Cross More ”Sayings of Light and Love” About Dan BurkeDan is the founder of Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction and author of the award winning book, Navigating the Interior Life - Spiritual Direction and the... Read More
