Beatitude — Peace that Passes Understanding

A very long time ago, a simple Spanish Monk named John (of the Cross) penned the illustration to the left, inscribing a number of prayer truths he had discovered.

I post them below for your interest, your joy, and your edification.

To them I add simply this statement from my own journeys and the patient tuition of my elders and (trust me) betters.

These statements are… True.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To reach satisfaction in all — desire its possession in nothing.

To come to possession in all — desire the possession of nothing.

To arrive at being all — desire to be nothing.

To come to the knowledge of all — desire the knowledge of nothing.

To come to the pleasure you have not — you must go by the way in which you enjoy not.

To come to the knowledge you have not — you must go by the way in which you know not.

To come to the possession you have not — you must go by the way in which you possess not.

To come by the what you are not — you must go by a way in which you are not.

When you turn toward something  — you cease to cast yourself upon the all.

For to go from all to the all — you must deny yourself of all in all.

And when you come to the possession of the all — you must possess it without wanting anything.

Because if you desire to have something in all — your treasure in God is not purely your all.”

(trans Kieran Kavanaugh OCD – Paulist Press ISBN 0-8091-2839-X)