John of the Cross was a 16th century Spanish Catholic of the Carmelite. order. The Carmelite Order, founded around the 12th century at Mt. Carmel, was inspired by the prophet Elijah. Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand" (1 Kings 18:15, ESV). The Angel Gabriel says something very similar in Luke 1:19: “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!"
The order was inspired by Elijah's life, for they saw in him a person who "prayed without ceasing", for he was always "practicing the presence of God" (to use Brother Lawrence's phrase - also a Carmelite).
In this selection, John de la Cruz offers us tremendous insight into the experience of prayer, especially when we experience spiritual desolation, or what he calls "The Dark Night of the Soul." We enter the Christian life with certain expectations of what it will be like. We use the language of finding "new life" and "joy" in Christ, but we find soon enough that our experience or feelings don't always align with the vocabulary of our faith, or the expectations we have for what this Christian life is like.
As you read and annotate this selection, mark what most stands out to you. What questions does John raise for you? Respond to the following on your blog and journal:
The order was inspired by Elijah's life, for they saw in him a person who "prayed without ceasing", for he was always "practicing the presence of God" (to use Brother Lawrence's phrase - also a Carmelite).
In this selection, John de la Cruz offers us tremendous insight into the experience of prayer, especially when we experience spiritual desolation, or what he calls "The Dark Night of the Soul." We enter the Christian life with certain expectations of what it will be like. We use the language of finding "new life" and "joy" in Christ, but we find soon enough that our experience or feelings don't always align with the vocabulary of our faith, or the expectations we have for what this Christian life is like.
As you read and annotate this selection, mark what most stands out to you. What questions does John raise for you? Respond to the following on your blog and journal:
- (B): Reflection Question #1, p. 38 of DC.
- (B): John of the Cross doesn't use the language of "assumptions" and "expectations" of what we think prayer or the spiritual life will be like, however, he does imply that we have them. Try and locate as many as you can and briefly describe them.
- (J): Reflection Question #3 & 5, p. 38 & 39.