The Feast of the Carmelite Mystic - St John of the Cross.

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord." (Cf Matthew 16: 24 - Communion Antiphon).

Monday 14th December 2020, 3rd Week of Advent is the feast of St John of the Cross. (1542 - 1591). Spanish Carmelite. Priest and Doctor of the Church. Called Doctor of Mystical theology because of the depth of his understanding and writings on mysticism. Author of the classic: "The Dark Night of a Soul."

St John of the Cross read our key Scripture for today as if it was addressed to him personally by Jesus. He took up his cross by embracing severe bodily mortifications. He endured terrible persecutions from his confreres in his religious community. They imprisoned him for nine months, flogged him publicly and imposed other forms of maltreatment.

You may be scared if you think that if you respond to Jesus to pick up your cross and follow Jesus, you may experience the same thing as John of the Cross. Not necessarily. Just like your DNA is unique to you, so is God's plan for your salvation. You are unique and irrepeatable. God has designed your own cross which will fit on you aptly. With the help of the grace God promises to provide, you will find your burden light and your yoke even sweet.

What do you like to boast about? Family, health and looks, bank account, job and status, houses, cars and boats? If you consider yourself the sheep of Christ and who hears His voice, you may hear like our Carmelite:
"May I never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6: 14).

O that today you will listen to His voice, harden not your hearts.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com