Posted on 07/07/2009 8:22:10 AM PDT by Salvation
Featured Term (selected at random):
General term in mystical theology to identify every form of purification through which God leads persons whom he is calling to a high degree of sanctity. It is called "night" to distinguish a person's normal spiritual condition of seeing, although dimly, by the light of faith; whereas in mystical purification a person is deprived of much of this light. There is a "groping in the night." It is called a "dark" night to emphasize the intensity of withdrawal of God's illuminating grace. The purpose of such purification is to cleanse the soul of every vestige of self-love and unite a person more and more closely with God. As the intellect is thus mortified, the will becomes more firmly attracted to God and more securely attached to his divine will. This purification, however, is only a means to an end, namely, 1. to give greater glory to God, who is thereby loved for himself and not for the benefits he confers; 2. to lead the one thus purified to infused contemplation and even ecstatic union with God; 3. to enable the mystic to be used more effectively by God for the spiritual welfare of others, since the more holy a person is the more meritorious are that person's prayers and sacrifices for the human race.
Nothing I have experienced, though, is akin to what some saints have experienced.
When I saw this I thought of two people, one a saint, one a blessed and the books they have written. I have read the second one but not the first one.
Any comments, anyone?
Saint John of the Cross — “The Dark Night of the Soul”
Blessed Mother Teresa — “Come Be My Light”
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Salvation, I understand very well what you mean.
Hello Salvation,
Until I had heard about this concept, I had always assumed that when it was night, it was because I had sinned against Him, and that it was my fault that I could not see Him.
Of course, that is sometimes the case!
But...what a comfort it was to learn that sometimes, the darkness is allowed by the Lord - because He loves us, and wants to help our faith and love for Him to become purified and grow stronger.
So after I discovered this (and it wasn’t that long ago), it makes the dark nights easier to bear. That, plus the certainty that the morning will dawn again. Either here, or, in the most extreme of trials, most certainly in eternity.
Thanks for the reminder.
Molly K.
**sometimes, the darkness is allowed by the Lord - because He loves us, and wants to help our faith and love for Him to become purified and grow stronger.**
Excellent point and post.
Christ is always drawing us closer — He uses different ways to do it with different people.
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