Posted on March 25th, 2012 by Dan Burke
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 we first cast that love away. Light hath no fellowship with darkness, for as St. John saith, ‘The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.’
John of the Cross, S., Zimmermann, B., & Lewis, D. (2010). The Ascent of Mount Carmel (15–16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Tags: Dark Night,
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Mortification,
Self Denial,
St. John of the Cross,
Wisdom for the Ascent CATEGORIES: Ascent of Mount Carmel,
Dark Night of the Soul,
Divine Union,
Mortification,
Saint John of the Cross,
Self Denial
Posted on December 15th, 2011 by Dan Burke
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”
Posted on November 10th, 2011 by Dan Burke
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”
Posted on September 27th, 2011 by Dan Burke
Those who do not allow their appetites to carry them away will soar in their spirit as swiftly as the bird that lacks no feathers.
Saint John of the Cross
More ”Sayings of Light and Love”
Posted on September 22nd, 2011 by Dan Burke
A bird caught in birdlime has a twofold task: It must free itself and cleanse itself. And by satisfying their appetites, people suffer in a twofold way: They must detach themselves and, after being detached, clean themselves of what has clung to them.
Saint John of the Cross
More ”Sayings of Light and Love”
