Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 14
Wherein is proved the fitness of these signs, and the reason is given why that which has been said in speaking of them is necessary to progress.
Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of Christ we know today.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 12
Which treats of natural imaginary apprehensions. Describes their nature and proves that they cannot be a proportionate means of attainment to union with God. Shows the harm which results from inability to detach oneself from them.
Chapter 13
Wherein are set down the signs which the spiritual person will find in himself whereby he may know at what season it behoves him to leave meditation and reasoning and pass to the state of contemplation.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 10
Wherein distinction is made between all apprehensions and types of knowledge which can be comprehended by the understanding.
Chapter 11
Of the hindrance and harm that may be caused by apprehensions of the understanding which proceed from that which is supernaturally represented to the outward bodily senses; and how the soul is to conduct itself therein.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 8
Which describes in a general way how no creature and no knowledge that can be comprehended by the understanding can serve as a proximate means of Divine union with God.
Chapter 9
How faith is the proximate and proportionate means to the understanding whereby the soul may attain to the Divine union of love. This is proved by passages and figures from Divine Scripture.
In the long road to healing, we will experience with Jesus feelings of darkness, abandonment, and of being left unprotected. Where is God when we cry with Him, “My God, my God, what have you forsaken me?”
Out now! My newest book with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers: Ignite, Read the Bible Like Never Before. Get a preview of the introduction and first chapter here.
Ps 27:10, Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is according to a Augustinian* personality approach.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Augustinian: 26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
or
Franciscan: Listen to the hymn Stabat Mater. This is a 30 minute exercise. There are lyrics here. Hit play when you have time to sit in meditation; then click on the link with the lyrics and sit in meditation with the lyrics and music.
Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)
If you are not Catholic, have you considered that Jesus’ mother is also your spiritual mother (Rev 12:17)? What does that mean for you in your woundedness?
If you are Catholic, how does Mary’s title, Stabat Mater speak to you? How does she show you Jesus in your woundedness?
Have you invited the Stabat Mater, our Blessed Mother, into your wounds?
What do you want to say to her about that?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
In your journal or on your journal page (get a free page to the right), write down your thoughts and feelings about this musical composition/ this verse. What’s the main thing God wants you to know? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about His presence in the mysterious darkness surrounding Jesus at His crucifixion?
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Abba, Father, show me what it means to be embraced by a true mother.
Visit here for more on Sonja’s “LOVE the Word” journal
*LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 6
The three Theological virtues perfect the powers of the soul, and bring them into a state of emptiness and darkness. Proofs from St. Luke and Isaiah.
Chapter 7
The straitness of the way of life. The detachment and freedom necessary for those who walk in it. The detachment of the intellect.
Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of Christ we know today. Hosted by Kris McGregor
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 5
Wherein is described what is meant by the union of the soul with God. A comparison is given.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 4
How the soul must be in darkness, in order to be duly guided by faith to the highest contemplation.
Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resources, as well
