Stanzas
The sermon describes the soul's journey through the dark night of faith, where it is guided by the Spirit and transformed by love, ultimately leading to union with God.
St. John of the Cross beautifully describes the soul's journey through the dark night of faith, highlighting the detachment and purgation of self that leads to union with the Beloved. The soul finds joy and fulfillment in the darkness, guided only by the burning love in its heart, ultimately reaching a place of intimate union with the Beloved. This profound union transforms the lover into the Beloved, bringing a sense of peace and contentment that surpasses any earthly joy.
Text
Wherein the soul sings of the happy chance which it had in passing through the dark night of faith, in detachment and purgation of itself, to union with the Beloved.
1. On a dark night, Kindled[67] in love with yearnings -- oh, happy chance! --
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.[68]
2. In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised -- oh, happy chance! --
In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. I remained, lost in oblivion;[69] My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.
Sermon Outline
- The Dark Night of Faith
- The Guiding Light
- Union with the Beloved
- The transformative power of love
- The surrender of self
Key Quotes
“Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn, Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!” — St. John of the Cross
“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.” — St. John of the Cross
“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
Application Points
- The soul must surrender to God and let go of its attachments in order to experience spiritual growth and transformation.
- The heart's inner light is a guiding force that leads the soul through the dark night of faith.
- Union with God is the ultimate goal of the dark night, where the soul is transformed by love and surrendered to God.