Saint John of the Cross was born in 1542 in Fontiveros, Spain. He was raised in a very poor family and was sent to work as an apprentice. He was a frail man and spent all of his free time either in prayer or visiting the sick. Because of his devotion to the Blessed Mother, he joined the Carmelite Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. After meeting Saint Teresa of Avila, they both sought permission to open the first monastery of the Discalced Carmelites to promote an even more austere spirituality. Spiritual joy is contagious, and soon other monasteries sprang up. Saint John was imprisoned and tortured when disruption emerged between the Carmelites and he miraculously escaped and fled to Saint Teresa for protection. The sisters loved listening to him and he recorded his thoughts in poetry and prose so that the Carmelite nuns might be led to higher paths of mystical prayer.

In recovery, we often refer to “hitting bottom” as a dark night of the soul. While Saint John describes the soul’s mystical journey toward God by purgation, illumination, and union with God as a life’s work, the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous lead us in the same direction. We purge ourselves from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments as we climb the steps toward recovery and higher spirituality. What a gift for us to have received the wisdom of recovery, which aligns so much with the wonderful wisdom of one of the Church’s great saints, Saint John of the Cross, whom we celebrate today.

Reflection Questions

• What has been purged from your life since starting recovery? 
• What still needs to be purged from your life and how can you invite the Lord to help you with this as we progress through Advent?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 45:6C-8, 18, 21C-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 7:18B-23

Reflection by Marcia G.