St John of the Cross can seem intimidating at first. His poetry feels mysterious, and his writings on the “dark night of the soul” might sound discouraging. But this 16th-century Spanish mystic offers counsel for anyone seeking a closer relationship with God. Here are three practical ways to engage with his spiritual insights.
- Read his poetry, not just his treatises. John’s poems like “The Dark Night” and “The Living Flame of Love” capture the beauty of God’s love in vivid, accessible language. Read them slowly, perhaps during morning prayer. Let the images wash over you before tackling his theological explanations. Poetry opens the heart in ways prose cannot. E. Allison Peers’ classic translation remains widely appreciated for its clarity and faithfulness to the original Spanish.
- Listen to what the “dark night” teaches. John describes times when prayer feels dry and God seems distant; he says, it is often a divine invitation to something deeper. When you experience spiritual dryness, listen for what God may be teaching you. He may be weaning you from spiritual consolations to deepen your trust. This reframing transforms frustration and discouragement into patience and attentiveness.
- Pray with his teaching on detachment. John emphasizes freedom from disordered attachments, but this does not mean rejecting all earthly goods. In prayer, ask God to reveal what you cling to for security beyond Him… perhaps social media validation, the approval of others, or control over outcomes. Invite God to gently loosen your grip on one attachment at a time.
John of the Cross isn’t reserved for contemplatives in monasteries. His wisdom addresses universal Christian experiences: feeling spiritually dry, desiring deeper prayer, and learning to love God beyond feelings. You will discover a compassionate guide who walked this challenging path to holiness himself – who embraced the ‘Ascent of Mount Carmel’, persevered through ‘the Dark Night’, to finally stand before ‘The Living Flame of Love’ and cry out:
O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul in its deepest center!
Since now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!
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