„Du wirst umso mehr etwas sein, je weniger du in allem sein willst.“
Der Berg der Vollkommenheit
Zitate von Johannes vom Kreuz
11 10
Johannes vom Kreuz
Geburtstag: 24. Juni 1542
Todesdatum: 14. Dezember 1591
Andere Namen: San Giovanni della Croce
Johannes vom Kreuz war Unbeschuhter Karmelit, Mystiker, Heiliger und Kirchenlehrer; sein Grab befindet sich in der Karmelitenkirche in Segovia in Spanien.
Photo: Unknown author / Public domain
Zitate Johannes vom Kreuz
„Besser ist es, die Zunge zu beherrschen, als zu fasten bei Wasser und Brot.“
Merksätze von Licht und Liebe
„Der harte Mensch wird in seiner Eigenliebe noch härter.“
Merksätze von Licht und Liebe
„Wer unter einer Last fällt, wird nur schwerlich mit der Last aufstehen.“
Merksätze von Licht und Liebe
„On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings — oh, happy chance! —
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.
In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised — oh, happy chance! —
In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.“
En una noche oscura,
con ansias, en amores inflamada,
¡oh dichosa ventura!,
salí sin ser notada,
estando ya mi casa sosegada;
One dark night, fired with love's urgent longings — ah, the sheer grace! —
I went out unseen, my house being now all stilled.
In darkness, and secure, by the secret ladder, disguised, — ah, the sheer grace! — in darkness and concealment, my house being now all stilled.
Variant translation by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez (1991)
Upon a darkened night the flame of love was burning in my breast
And by a lantern bright I fled my house while all in quiet rest.
Shrouded by the night and by the secret stair I quickly fled.
The veil concealed my eyes while all within lay quiet as the dead
Variant adapted for music by Loreena McKennitt (1994)
Dark Night of the Soul
„When a soul has advanced so far on the spiritual road as to be lost to all the natural methods of communing with God; when it seeks Him no longer by meditation, images, impressions, nor by any other created ways, or representations of sense, but only by rising above them all, in the joyful communion with Him by faith and love, then it may be said to have found God of a truth, because it has truly lost itself as to all that is not God, and also as to its own self.“
Note to Stanza 29 part 8
Spiritual Canticle of The Soul and The Bridegroom, Notes to the Stanzas
„Hence the love of God in the pure and simple soul is almost continually in act.“
The Sayings of Light and Love
Kontext: Souls will be unable to reach perfection who do not strive to be content with having nothing, in such fashion that their natural and spiritual desire is satisfied with emptiness; for this is necessary in order to reach the highest tranquility and peace of spirit. Hence the love of God in the pure and simple soul is almost continually in act.
„In a word, it is for this love that we are all created.“
Note to Stanza 28 part 3
Spiritual Canticle of The Soul and The Bridegroom, Notes to the Stanzas
Kontext: When the soul, then, in any degree possesses the spirit of solitary love, we must not interfere with it. We should inflict a grievous wrong upon it, and upon the Church also, if we were to occupy it, were it only for a moment, in exterior or active duties, however important they might be. When God Himself adjures all not to waken it from its love, who shall venture to do so, and be blameless? In a word, it is for this love that we are all created. Let those men of zeal, who think by their preaching and exterior works to convert the world, consider that they would be much more edifying to the Church, and more pleasing unto God — setting aside the good example they would give if they would spend at least one half their time in prayer, even though they may have not attained to the state of unitive love.
„All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.“
I abandoned and forgot myself, laying my face on my Beloved; all things ceased; I went out from myself, leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.
Variant translation by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez (1991)
Dark Night of the Soul
Kontext: I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.
„My soul is occupied,
And all my substance in His service;“
Spiritual Canticle of The Soul and The Bridegroom
Kontext: My soul is occupied,
And all my substance in His service;
Now I guard no flock,
Nor have I any other employment:
My sole occupation is love. ~ 28
„The little white dove
Has returned to the ark with the bough“
Spiritual Canticle of The Soul and The Bridegroom
Kontext: The little white dove
Has returned to the ark with the bough;
And now the turtle-dove
Its desired mate
On the green banks has found. ~ 34
