We will be celebrating the Feast of St. John of the Cross on Monday, Dec. 15 this year, because his Feast Day falls on Sunday, the 14th. In light of his upcoming feast let us continue our focus on his "Sayings of Light and Love."
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.
After reading this, we could ask ourselves the question: "Do I have a spiritual sweet-tooth?"
In the writings of St. John of the Cross, he brings up this subject often, and one could say it is one of the main themes of his "Nada" spirituality. The subject he brings up often is, of course, detachment.
St. John of the Cross teaches us that the soul must detach itself from worldly pleasures through mortification, trials, and penance. But we must ask ourselves, do we take up these things on our own, or do we wait for them to come about?
The life of a Carmelite has a penitential aspect to it, and while our Holy Mother St. Teresa tells us that we should not go looking for crosses, that we should accept the cross of the trials of every day life, I believe we can mortify ourselves in little ways throughout the day.
Here are some ideas:
Conversation-Listen, instead of thinking of what you will say next. Do not seek to have the last word or to be right in a discussion.
Personal Time-Offer up some personal time to make a phone call or visit a loved one or friend in need.
Meals-Go without our favorite food, even if it is calling our name!
Sleep-Get up an hour early and pray the Rosary or chaplet of Divine Mercy for the poor souls, or the souls who will die that day.
Prayer-God may be calling us to contemplation-St. John of the Cross says we should not be attached even to our prayer life. We must be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide us into a deeper union with Christ, even if we are fearful of letting go of our regular way of praying.
Complaining-Let's mortify ourselves by not complaining about people, situations, food, etc.
St. Teresa says that self-indulgence and poverty do not go together. As lay Carmelites, we have professed poverty. This holy poverty should include detachment from spiritual consolations and sweetness. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us not to give in to every whim of the senses.
May St. John of the Cross intercede for us for the gift of detachment and true poverty of spirit.
St. John of the Cross, pray for us!
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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