Memorial of St. John of the Cross

Readings of the Day

To fully grasp the message of Matthew’s brief Gospel reading, it might be beneficial to review the preceding scripture passages. Jesus has just led Peter, James and his brother John down from the mountain top. The apostles are still recovering from having witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus. They have seen Moses and Elijah. If that isn’t enough to leave them awestruck, they have heard the voice of God proclaim, “This is my Son, the Beloved, my chosen one; listen to him.”  

The disciples query Jesus. He tells them that there will be suffering. Matthew relates that the disciples understand that Jesus is speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Today we wait in anticipation of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Dare we venture into thoughts of suffering in the midst of a joyous Advent? Knowing that this is the Feast of St. John of the Cross, it might be worthwhile to invite St. John to enter into our reflection. We might let our minds wander and visualize Salvador Dali’s artistic depiction of John’s image of Jesus suffering on the Tree of Life, hanging in the pain of execution. This is not an easy image to erase.

Perhaps the painful images today of brothers and sisters across our desecrated Mother Earth, including here at home, suffering injustice, racism, hunger, migration and homelessness is reason enough.

Jesus came to show us the Way by loving one another. No exceptions! John of the Cross translates this for us: “Where there is no love, pour love in and you will draw love out. Contemplation is nothing else but a secret peaceful infusion of God which if admitted will set the soul on fire with the spirit of love.”

May we joyously share our love with brothers and sisters this Advent season.

Stan Fitzgerald is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Church, San Jose, CA and is involved in social ministry at his parish and deanery. A founding member of a Dayworker Center, he mentors the local Jesuit Volunteers and is active with Catholic Charities and the Catholic Worker House.

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