St. John of the Cross was a Spanish mystic (16th century) who wrote a poem whose title is translated “Dark Night of the Soul.” It describes the journey the soul will take to be in relationship with God. Even though it was written nearly 500 years ago, it continues to have a strong influence and speak truths about the faith journey we must all undertake at different points in our lives.
Today, we often think of the dark night of the soul as some sort of spiritual crisis we go through as we seek to discern truth and be in a right relationship with God. Sometimes this crisis comes about because of loss, difficulties in life, or other experiences that can cause us to question what we originally believed to be true. I have yet to encounter anyone who has never experienced loss, doubt, fear, or questions when the darkness seems to set in.
What St. John of the Cross discovered and wrote about in his poem is that even though we all experience that darkness at times, we don’t have to stay in the darkness separated from God. We can still know the presence of God through the mystery of God’s grace.
I am reminded of the beginning of John’s gospel where he writes:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
We are the people who believe in the good news of resurrection. We believe light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. When we experience the dark night of the soul in our own lives, we can trust in the goodness of God’s light that we will come out on the other side. Even Jesus experienced a dark night of the soul while hanging on the cross wondering why he had been forsaken. But three days later, that would all change forever.
Rev. Josh Attaway, Edmond Campus Pastor
