Today marks the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Born Juan de Yepes de Alvarez in Spain, St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), joined his mentor (and my Confirmation saint!), St. Teresa of Ávila in reforming their Carmelite order. Although it may not be obvious today based on their status as Doctors of the Church, many within the Spanish Catholic Church of their time opposed both St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Ávila. In fact, it was during his nine month imprisonment in a monastery cell that St. John of the Cross began writing poetry. From the 1500s through today, he is revered around the world as one of the great poets, especially known for The Dark Night of the Soul and other soul-stirring works born of his mystical relationship with God. 

I invite you to join me today in meditating with St. John of the Cross’ “Advent Poem”: 

If you want, the Virgin will come walking down the road

pregnant with the Holy and say,

“I need shelter for the night.

Please take me inside your heart, my time is so close.”

Then, under the roof of your soul,

you will witness the sublime intimacy,

the divine, the Christ, taking birth forever,

as she grasps your hand for help,

for each of us is the midwife of God, each of us.

Yes, there, under the dome of your being,

does creation come into existence eternally,

through your womb, dear pilgrim,

the sacred womb of your soul,

as God grasps our arms for help:

for each of us is His beloved servant never far.

If you want, the virgin will come walking down the street,

pregnant with Light, and sing!

I wonder, what St. John of the Cross’s meditative poem evokes for you?

Personally, I am most struck by the various instances of birthing-related imagery.  In this sacred season of waiting, how do you experience the poem’s invitation by Mary to help her, as Christ is “taking birth forever”? How might this Advent time of preparation empower your living out St. John's call to be a “midwife of God” in the world?