"A Word from John of the Cross"

Sayings of Light and Love, Prologue

The Sayings of Light and Love by Saint John of the Cross read like, or rather, speak as a Word from an Abba in the deserts of Ancient Egypt, where all monasticism finds its origins. These “words” were cherished by the disciples of these spiritual guides, who sometimes had to wrench them out of their monastic mentors.

The sayings were always directed to an individual at a particular moment for a very specific need or lesson. The disciple, after receiving a word from his Abba, would sometimes hold onto that single piece of advice for the rest of his life. It would become a guiding word. This was the case for at least two reasons. First, the Abbas were always reticent to speak or teach because of the silence and humility of their monastic commitment. Second, the words being short pithy statements were not always accessible in their meaning in the first instance of being uttered.  It took time to unpack the significance of the saying; and then, when understood, it took a lifetime to live it out in the concrete.

Spiritual guidance is an art. Some call it the art of arts for there is nothing more beautiful than a soul created in the image and likeness of God. John of the Cross knows that the art of spiritual direction must be undertaken with skill and delicacy. Although John of the Cross offers advice in bite-sized statements, they are never casual or careless. They are insights that hit the mark and get right to the heart of the matter.  Nor are these maxims mere sound bites to catch the attention of the mind for a moment. We really have to try to listen, and assimilate the word spoken so as to receive substantial spiritual nourishment – nothing less than God’s light and love for the soul as it journeys by faith on the way of prayer. Listen now to the prologue of the Sayings:

“Lord, you love discretion, you love light, you love love; these three you love above the other operations of the soul. Hence these will be sayings of discretion for the wayfarer, of light for the way, and of love in the wayfaring. May there be nothing of worldly rhetoric in them or the long-winded and dry eloquence of weak and artificial human wisdom, which never pleases you. Let us speak to the heart words bathed in sweetness and love that do indeed please you, removing obstacles and stumbling blocks from the paths of many souls who unknowingly trip and unconsciously walk in the path of error…” (Sayings of Light and Love, Prol.)

This is just an initial word from St. John of the Cross. As you read the Sayings of our Father in Carmel, hopefully you will find light for your spiritual journey, and the strength of love to make that journey. Perhaps, there is a word among his many sayings intended just for you, that speaks to your heart, and that will guide you in the way of prayer for a lifetime.