Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Today's Readings

Our first reading today is from Isaiah 45.                                

In order that they know from the shining of the sun      
and from the west that there is no one besides Me;                       
I am the Lord and there is no other.      Isaiah 45:6 

                                              ולְמַ֣עַן יֵֽדְע֗וּ מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וּמִמַּ֣עֲרָבָ֔ה כִּי־אֶ֖פֶס
                                                    בִּלְעָדָ֑י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין עֽוֹד:

Somehow, the last words of the opening stanza always bring me peace:
I am the Lord and there is no other.

Those words hearken to the simple prayer:
Be still and know I am God
Be still and know I am
Be still and know
Be still
Be

What comfort and guidance those words provide.
We do not have to look anywhere else for our Good.
Love, light, truth, and peace reside in our God who calls us.

Today is the feast of St. John of the Cross. Subjected to the harshness of imprisonment in a cold cell, with little room to move, poor food, and little light, he composed a profound reflection on God and the journey of the soul to union with the Divine. In his imposed silence and solitude, he listened to and for and in Holy Silence. From then on, his life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love.

One discovery of his: “In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but on how well we have loved.”

During this Advent season,
May we find moments to rest and be with God, our Creator,
Open,
Listening in the Silence:
Be still and know I am
There is none beside me.

Turn to me and be safe,
all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other! Isaiah 45:22

Mary Beth Wisniewski

Associate Director of Wellness Center, Cardinal Stritch University