David Zimmerman (author of Deliver Us From Me-Ville and all-around cool guy), has posted the following excerpt from St. John of the Cross' 'Dark Night of the Soul' over at Loud Time.
With respect to the fourth sin, which is spiritual gluttony, . . . such persons expend all their effort in seeking spiritual pleasure and consolation; they never tire, therefore, of reading books; and they begin, now one meditation, now another, in their pursuit of this pleasure which they desire to experience in the things of God. But God, very justly, wisely and lovingly, denies it to them, for otherwise this spiritual gluttony and inordinate appetite would breed innumerable evils. It is, therefore, very fitting that they should enter into the dark night, . . . that they may be purged from this childishness.
Hmmm..I’m not sure how to digest that. In a day where evangelical hipsters are voraciously reading every new and ancient spiritual father, I wonder if it’s become the mark of the new Pharisee. Could it be that we eagerly chase after spiritual instruction and, mistaking knowledge for discipleship, never get around to putting feet to the ideas?
How would you respond if a spiritual giant told you to lighten up?
