Senior Religion: Dark Night of the Soul
On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings—oh, happy chance!--
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.
In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised—oh,
happy chance!— In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.
In the happy night, In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart.
This light guided me More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me--
A place where none appeared.
Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!
Upon my flowery breast, Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.
The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my senses to be suspended.
I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.
St. John of the Cross writes eloquently that the pure hope and faith is encountered when the soul has a "dark night"- a moment that questions God, and is so scared to lose Him.
Have you ever experienced a "dark night" where you questioned God, beliefs, and traditions?
Reflect.
Christian Leadership:
Imagine that your house is broken into --- you and your family are taken from it because of your religious affiliations. Write about your feelings, your questions, and how your faith would/or wouldn't shine through. Why would you feel scared?
On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings—oh, happy chance!--
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.
In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised—oh,
happy chance!— In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.
In the happy night, In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart.
This light guided me More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me--
A place where none appeared.
Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!
Upon my flowery breast, Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.
The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my senses to be suspended.
I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.
St. John of the Cross writes eloquently that the pure hope and faith is encountered when the soul has a "dark night"- a moment that questions God, and is so scared to lose Him.
Have you ever experienced a "dark night" where you questioned God, beliefs, and traditions?
Reflect.
Christian Leadership:
Imagine that your house is broken into --- you and your family are taken from it because of your religious affiliations. Write about your feelings, your questions, and how your faith would/or wouldn't shine through. Why would you feel scared?