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Sunday 20 October 2013

The Dryness of the Dark Night Two

Sometimes, in the Dark Night, God brings one to a taste of His Great Love. We do not will this or even ask for it. This just happens.  This good is not continuous in the Dark Night.  And, one does not even perceive the Love of God in the beginning.  One merely becomes more aware of the desire to please God above all things and above all people.

The detachment and objectivity which comes are graces of this purification of the senses.   One sees one's smallness and misery more and more.  The purpose of all this is the emptying of self so that God can fill one's heart and mind and soul.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Muledeerleavenworth.jpg

When one is empty, one is unhindered...without attachments. This is also called holiness. One also sees that most people are better than one is....a good sign of the benefits of the Dark Night. To get to this stage, one must face a great deal of humiliation. There is no holiness without humility.

The Psalms of David provide all of us with the great journey of the Dark Night into complete Union.

Psalm 41

Douay-Rheims 

Unto the end, understanding for the sons of Core.
As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God.
My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
My tears have been my bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?
These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me: for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God: With the voice of joy and praise; the noise of one feasting.
Why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance,
And my God. My soul is troubled within myself: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim, from the little hill.
Deep calleth on deep, at the noise of thy flood-gates. All thy heights and thy billows have passed over me.
In the daytime the Lord hath commanded his mercy; and a canticle to him in the night. With me is prayer to the God of my life.
10 I will say to God: Thou art my support. Why hast thou forgotten me? and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me?
11 Whilst my bones are broken, my enemies who trouble me have reproached me; Whilst they say to me day be day: Where is thy God?
12 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.