Heat of the Summer Dark Night of the Soul VII

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Setting of Writing Spain 1500’s

Style of Writing Poetry not Expository. There is a caution to both latitude and rigidity.

Ex/ Shakespeare is written in verse, which I enjoy, but it takes a great deal of effort, especially in the beginning, to follow his work with fruition. Medieval English (Medieval Spanish) different culture norms and historical references. Also, the writer and intended audience have a higher degree of education than I possess. With great effort I can read some Greek and some Latin.

When the educated of Shakespeare or John’s day read Latin, it means the ability to compose in the manner of Cicero not just following along at a Latin Mass. Aristotle was quite the fashion and reading his works in the language written, Greek, was the norm.

Truths that stand the test time. John of the Cross is universal, keeping graced knowledge ever ancient ever new. Modernizing Scripture tickling ears of the Modernist. Dante, universal language, authors worthy to bear the weight of translation.

Problem with Shakespeare language and culture idoms. Shakespeare community better actors and higher expectations of the audience. That made the difference.

Modern era arrogant presume we do better do more. Modern doctors think they have all the answers. 1500 Ignatius discern problem with body and soul.

  1. Practical Application There is a terrible laxity about entering heaven. There is a mistaken heresy that no one goes to hell and if someone manages to get themselves there, they had to be a really, really bad person, Hitler bad. Friends nowhere in SS does this idea occur. Our Blessed Lord said many people are in hell and few make it to heaven. BVM Fatima see hell with lots of people.

The simple reason is that God cannot abide sin. There is no yin and yang. A spot of bad in good. Nope. Only good and we, wounded by original sin are very comfortable with bits of bad and good.

Before we can enter heaven, the removal of all vestiges of sin[1] has to happen.  It can happen in this life or it can happen in the next — through purgatory.  But here is better.  For the sooner we let God root out unhealthy attachments, the sooner we can get on with the business of being saints.[2]

John’s Dark of the Soul led to his profound encounter with Christ and set him on the path to sanctity. And John’s purification got about this business.

And there’s no better business than that.

Society never understand DNS, society eschewing any type of suffering. If you suffer, we kill you. A person suffers should grow into compassion. Rather put them out of their misery.

We think a human and an animal are the same. Man can offer up suffering in union with the Cross. Animals do not grow in virtue. Animals can do tricks. Animals cannot decide to be virtuous.

Suffering not of our choosing, put upon us, underwent suffering, and became a doctor.

How much physical violence, run double marathons, double their weight, scale mountains, wont off it up for glory of God.

Addendum

Catholic News Agency has a nice bullet point style discussion of sin and its kinds, various types, and the Capital Vices. I include the first few lines to remind us all of what must be accounted for. The link for the complete article is in the footnotes.

  1. 274. How is sin divided? 
  2. (1) Sin is divided into the sin we inherit called original sin, and the sin we commit ourselves, called actual sin. (2) Actual sin is sub-divided into greater sins, called mortal, and lesser sins, called venial.
  3. 275. In how many ways may actual sin be committed? 
  4. Actual sin may be committed in two ways: namely, by willfully doing things forbidden, or by willfully neglecting things commanded.
  5. 276. What is our sin called when we neglect things commanded? 
  6. When we neglect things commanded our sin is called a sin of omission. Such sins as willfully neglecting to hear Mass on Sundays, or neglecting to go to Confession at least once a year, are sins of omission.
  7. 277. {51} Is original sin the only kind of sin? 
  8. Original sin is not the only kind of sin; there is another kind of sin, which we commit ourselves, called actual sin.
  9. 278. {52} What is actual sin? 
  10. Actual sin is any willful thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the law of God.
  11. 279. {53} How many kinds of actual sin are there? 
  12. There are two kinds of actual sin—mortal and venial.
  13. 280. {54} What is mortal sin? 
  14. Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God.
  15. 281. {55} Why is this sin called mortal? 
  16. This sin is called mortal because it deprives us of spiritual life, which is sanctifying grace, and brings everlasting death and damnation on the soul.

[1] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55445/lesson-6-on-sin-and-its-kinds  accessed July 8, 2023

[2] https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/spiritual-life/understanding-the-dark-night-of-the-soul.html  accessed July 4, 2023