“At the end of our lives, we will be judged by our love” (St. John of the Cross).
On the day I write this meditation, November 24, we celebrate St. John of the Cross according to the traditional calendar, that saint who was a great spiritual ally of St. Teresa of Avila. Both were gifted with profound inner knowledge, which allowed them to walk the path of holiness and pass it on to us.
What St. John of the Cross tells us is very true: what counts and endures is love. Therefore, the most fruitful examination of conscience is to ask ourselves: Have I loved today? Have I performed acts of charity? Or have I perhaps opposed love? If we ask the Holy Spirit to show us the answer, we will be well on our way to facing the twilight of our lives with confidence.
It is undoubtedly necessary to understand more deeply what love really is and not confuse it with passing feelings. In the depths of our being, however, we should be able to perceive whether we cultivate benevolent love for our neighbor and, with God’s grace, learn to purify our hearts of everything that opposes this love.
St. John of the Cross is a demanding spiritual teacher, and one might think he is too severe. His teachings are directed first and foremost to the spiritual path of Carmel. Yet his message transcends that specific spirituality and contains elements we can all apply.
If we look at today’s phrase, it becomes clear what our life is all about. We must understand that God loves us infinitely and desires only that we accept and respond to his love. Then, our relationship with our Father comes to life, and flowers of love and truth begin to bloom in the garden of our lives. This is what St. John wants to tell us. In the end, we will be judged by these little flowers. They are what matter and spread a heavenly fragrance.
So, let’s remember to collect plenty of these flowers!