St. John of the Cross emphasized that our efforts in the spiritual life are necessary but not sufficient unto salvation. In other words, our sanctification is impossible on our own. Does this mean that we should not pray without ceasing? Does it mean that we should not take up our cross daily and follow? Does this mean that we do not buffet our body to make it our slaves, as Paul says? Does this mean that we become comfortable and complacent, or do we say with Paul, "Knowing that I have not yet achieved the goal, I press on... in Christ Jesus!". Our effort in the journey of salvation is a grace given to us so that we learn to burn with love for the Other for the sake of the Other. We are being prepared to see God!, or what the Fathers of the Church called, The Beatific Vision. This is why Paul said, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Jesus told the crowd, "No one has seen the Father but the Son..." We are being prepared for this moment, to see the Father. Every day we wake up this side of death, we are given time, as Jesus said, "to be holy as your Father is Holy." In this life of sin and its consequences, He is especially at work within us to ready us for that all consuming moment, and He wants us to work with Him. Seeing the Father is no small matter. This is why He gave us His Church and the Sacraments, it is all for our wounded souls. Even now, we can be consumed in His nearness! St. John of the Cross knew deeply that our salvation is a gift from our Beloved, and that He alone is our salvation. Because of this, let us press in more and more to the bosom of our Beloved Lord and cry for mercy and courage in this journey to see God!
wkm
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