When the darkness comes: On the Feast of Saint John of the Cross.

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Gospel: Luke 7: 18-23

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind. 
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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As we draw closer to the celebration of Christmas, and the days of the year grow darker, we honor the life of John of the Cross, a 16^th century mystic known for his writings about the soul’s journey to God. 

In nearly every journey, he says, one encounters some level of spiritual darkness… that feeling of God being absent. 

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It may happen when we lose a loved one. When stuck in quarantine. When under added amounts of stress. When battling temptation. Or when our prayer life runs dry.

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God doesn’t disappear in these moments; quite the opposite.

Sometimes God allows the darkness – the feeling of his absence- to settle in to test our spirit. To give us opportunities to reject temptation. To persevere in prayer. To wait patiently for his consolation to return.

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When has my prayer life run dry? Or when have I felt like God was absent?

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Saint John teaches us to never give up hope. When the well runs dry, double-down and re-commit yourself to the Lord.

As we read in scripture:

“God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10: 13).

Even the most difficult days can draw our soul closer to God. Sometimes it just boils down to perseverance, trusting God is present, even when we cannot feel his embrace.

Saint John of the Cross, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) anastpaul.com (2) reflectionsonthesacredliturgy.com (3) Prince of Peace Church