Dark Hours of the Night

Who likes darkness? Not me.

Fear overwhelms, discernment unknown;
Adrift, helpless I feel; uncertain as a lost child.

John of the Cross embraces darkness.
To begin one’s journey toward spiritual growth-
One must give up the known self, going into the dark.

Tiny fragments of loving unity have been experienced.
God the Father needs to further instruct His beloved children-
His truth is to be seen in the light of greater faith and love.

Sweets given by the Father have been eaten.
“Enough; now is the time for greater nourishment.
Remove the candy from your mouth; eat the meat of my love.”

To give up self; my self-love, self-absorption;
Give up my narcissism to the will of Another?
Is this my purgatory on earth?

How did Teresa of Calcutta endure-
The dryness, the years of darkness?
Like a butterfly in a storm, fluttering, flailing, am I.

His Passion, His Hour of Darkness is my repose, my resting place.
Hatred made a stench in the air; cruelty freely dispensed;
Peter’s denial, I too, have deserted Him.

His dark of night is His finest hour of mercy.
Love radiates, conquers; He leaves to all His Mother.
He speaks with eyes of love.

Reflections of His words break forth-
“Be still and know I am God.”
“I am the light of the world.”

Desire to move from darkness into His light, I seek.
To be faithful in darkness is my wish-
Not alone, not forgotten, not abandoned; I am at peace.