The Doctrine of John of the Cross 3

one

We have been learning from the great spiritual doctor of the Church, John of the Cross that the purpose of life is transforming union with God, which is meant to begin in this life, not after death and purgatory. God wants us to not only share in His life, but also the corresponding delight and joy of tasting it here on earth. I’m so proud of you for your commitment to Rosary for it is a meditation that puts you well on the way. But too few desire or strive after union with God either because they think it is not possible for them to achieve. Well, John would be the first to tell you – it is for you. You were made for this and nothing less will satisfy.

The way to reach transforming union with God is to unite your will to the will of God. Of this John writes: “Here we have the reason for stating that two wills become one. And this one will is God's will, which also becomes the soul's. If a person were to desire an imperfection unwanted by God, this one will of God would be undone because of the desire for what God does not will.” Ascent 1, XI, 3

So, the way is simple, it is to desire and do and accept the will of God and He will do the rest.

two

Ok, I want the will of God. How can I know what it is? God

makes his will known to us by the Commandments and the moral

law which teach us what not to do because sin will destroy us. The virtues tell us what to do and God has given us a conscience to know the difference between right and wrong, if we form our conscience according to truth and then listen to it with honesty. The duties and responsibilities of our state in life also tell us the will of God. And so does our human nature. God designed us to need to three levels good and to pursue these in a balanced way is to seek the will of God. Further, all that God allows into our life that we cannot change is an act of His permissive will. Even those things that are most difficult to endure or understand God works for good for those who cooperate with him. Finally, God makes his will known to us through inspirations he gives.

three

I want union with God, I want to be united with his will. But my

problem, and I’m sure it’s yours as well as that sometimes we

want other things more. Our soul is a house divided.

We have misplaced desires and disordered attachments, what

John calls “appetites,” and these become blockages that prevent

us from being united to the will of God.

·       The need to always be right, or to win, or for things to be perfect – perfectionism is deadly.

·       The fear of failure, of rejection;

·       We can have a disordered attachment to our plans, our way, to things we have built, to our children, to our image and plan for their life.

·       Maybe its your health or health of a loved one – eventually we almost must be detached from our health and our very life to go to perfect union with God.

·       Are you attached to the way to wish your spouse would be rather than who they are?

·       We can have a disordered attachment to any good thing

·       Especially in all those things we try to find our identity, security, and happiness in all the wrong places…

John writes

It makes little difference whether a bird is tied by a thin thread or by a cord. Even if it is tied by thread, the bird will be held bound just as surely as if it were tied by cord; that is, it will be impeded from flying as long as it does not break the thread. Admittedly the thread is easier to break, but no matter how easily this may be done, the bird will not fly away without first doing so. This is the lot of those who are attached to something: No matter how much virtue they have they will not reach the freedom of the divine union.

four

John of the Cross continues: It is a matter for deep sorrow that, while God has bestowed on them the power to break other stronger cords of attachment to sins and vanities, they fail to attain so much good because they do not become detached from some childish thing that God has asked them to conquer out of love for him and that amounts to no more than a thread or hair. What is worse, not only do they fail to advance, but they turn back because of their small attachment, losing what they gained on their journey at the cost of so much time and effort. Everyone knows that not to go forward on this road is to turn back, and not to gain ground is to lose. This is what our Lord wanted to teach when he said: The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters [Mt. 12:30].

five

I see so much that I am not able to conquer in myself, temptations and sins that have had power over me for years. I seem powerless to change myself. Listen to Jesus: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses…So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.

The strong man is Satan who holds me prisoner by my sin. I am not strong enough to break free. But there is one stronger, Jesus, who can defeat Satan. Fearlessly and honestly admit those temptations, sins and disordered attachments that hold you down. Then tell Jesus, “Listen, Lord, I’ve been trying but I’m not making any progress here, I am too weak. Please, Lord, You come and conquer my attachment to sin.”

We must do our part but the way to overcome our attachments is not by self-reliance, not by our effort alone – that is pride. The most effective way to put all our effort into relying on Jesus.

I have been encouraging you to practice becoming aware of the presence of Jesus and Jesus will give you the strength to overcome your attachments.  

Our effort is to constantly invoke Jesus to help us do better.

Let me once again remind you to use the Jesus prayer when temptation strikes: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

Or just say the name of Jesus until the temptation fades.