Once upon a time on a Dark Night…I would understand if you did not want to read on.

A Classic by St. John of the Cross (1542-1591).  It is an excursion of the soul on the path of being led by Christ in the way of his cross and resurrection.  I will be doing my best to provide a reflection/summation of each chapter throughout the 40 days of Lent.

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The soul relates the way and manner in which it goes in to mortification (death to self and to all things) in order to attain to the living and delectable love of God.  It is referred to as Purgative Contemplation…

To passively receive the gift of awareness to meditate, walk about, ponder, and muse (not be amused).  In order that my soulful (helpful) and more often soulish (hurtful) perceptions of myself and how I see this world can be purged, cleaned, renewed, and reconfigured to reflect the glory and oneness of how I, others and this whole life was made by the Creator, Redeemer, King to reflect divine union.

This rite of passage, which again must be understood as to be passively welcomed, is a arduous engagement within the soul whereby it is strengthened and confirmed in the virtues, and made ready for the inestimable delights of God’s love.

The dark night brings with it the cleansing of our soul and the purifying of all our imperfections.  It is an ongoing process of recovery.  The recovery is not in overcoming that which is evil or sinful (a necessity I grant you), but a recovery of the being made, known, loved, understood, appreciated and grateful for the image of God and the union of life with him in Christ by the Spirit.