Intro ~Dark Night of the Soul
Well, I read it and prayed about it. I am reading the book online and you can find it linked in the title.
The introduction includes a brief history and goes in depth into the original premise of St. John's Dark Night. It seems to be a very personal walk with a great deal of introspection.
The first stanza is:
On a dark night, I find it hard to see. As a new believer, there is so much I don't know and yearn to know, but there is joy in what I have discovered so far. Everything has fallen into place. My heart is at peace. I feel the joy of God's presence and it is precious to me.
Getting into the chapter, St. John of the Cross explains the new believer's relationship is very much like a mother and infant. As an infant is not ready for meat, but begins being fed mother's milk, so a new believer is being eased into faith. Initially, the new believer makes sacrifices ...but perhaps for appearances sake? Or to fit the mold of what they think a believer 'should be'? The full focus is not yet on God's view, but still on earthly matters. This time is a time of easy transition, but when the faith is secure...God starts moving and growing...stretching the believer by challenging thoughts and ideas...perhaps some preconceived notions. This is likened to a mother weaning her child from breastmilk and the child beginning to get to the first real food of scripture.
He suggests that the "seven deadly sins" are somewhat of a journey of study for the new believer. One that the believer must recognize within himself and deal with each one within himself individually. He starts with pride.
The introduction includes a brief history and goes in depth into the original premise of St. John's Dark Night. It seems to be a very personal walk with a great deal of introspection.
The first stanza is:
On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings- oh, happy chance!- I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.
On a dark night, I find it hard to see. As a new believer, there is so much I don't know and yearn to know, but there is joy in what I have discovered so far. Everything has fallen into place. My heart is at peace. I feel the joy of God's presence and it is precious to me.
Getting into the chapter, St. John of the Cross explains the new believer's relationship is very much like a mother and infant. As an infant is not ready for meat, but begins being fed mother's milk, so a new believer is being eased into faith. Initially, the new believer makes sacrifices ...but perhaps for appearances sake? Or to fit the mold of what they think a believer 'should be'? The full focus is not yet on God's view, but still on earthly matters. This time is a time of easy transition, but when the faith is secure...God starts moving and growing...stretching the believer by challenging thoughts and ideas...perhaps some preconceived notions. This is likened to a mother weaning her child from breastmilk and the child beginning to get to the first real food of scripture.
He suggests that the "seven deadly sins" are somewhat of a journey of study for the new believer. One that the believer must recognize within himself and deal with each one within himself individually. He starts with pride.
posted by Dancer | 1:47 PM
1 Comments:
Thank you. Both are very good verses to think about when meditating on pride.
God bless you.
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
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