[Beginners] are, in fact, as we have said, like children who are not influenced by reason, and who act, not from rational motives, but from inclination. Such persons expend all their efforts in seeking spiritual pleasure and consolation; they never tire, therefore, of reading books; and they begin, now one meditation, now another, in their pursuit of this pleasure which they desire to experience in the things of God. But God, very justly, wisely and lovingly, denies it to them, for otherwise this spiritual gluttony and inordinate appetite would breed innumerable evils. It is, therefore, very fitting that they should enter into the dark night, whereof we shall speak, that they may be purged of this childishness.
-Saint John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul
No comments:
Post a Comment