“When the soul, then, in any degree possesses the spirit of solitary love, we must not interfere with it.”

— John of the Cross

Note to Stanza 28 part 3
Spiritual Canticle of The Soul and The Bridegroom, Notes to the Stanzas
Context: 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.

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John of the Cross 48

Spanish mystic and Roman Catholic saint 1542–1591

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“When the soul, then, in any degree possesses the spirit of solitary love, we must not interfere with it.”

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John of the Cross 48

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