John of the Cross' Living Flame of Love: For Everyone

Thomas Merton wrote that the phrase "desiring nothing" summarizes all the difficulty and all the simplicity contained in the doctrine of John of the Cross, whom he describes as one of the greatest and most hidden saints. Elizabeth Obbard, in her work on The Living Flame of Love, admits that many find John of the Cross too difficult to understand. Like Merton and numerous others, however, she believes the spiritual teaching of this sixteenth century Spanish saint and Doctor of the Church has much to offer modern Christians. She begins with a brief biography of John of the Cross, explaining that The Living Flame of Love provides a complete synthesis of his teaching. She devotes a chapter to each of the four stanzas, adding her own commentary composed in a style similar to John's. She explains the metaphors and calls attention to themes such as God as the bridegroom to Israel in the Old Testament. She points out John's language of devouring passion...a relentless fire that burns up all that stands in its way... yet does not consume us when we are enveloped in its flames. She explains that "(this fire) delights, deifies, and enlightens us / like the fire that descended on the disciples at Pentecost," an image filled with hope. While never ignoring John's message of self-emptying, Obbard encourages any who acceept his challenge and step onto the path he has charted. To those who have not yet attained the state of union that John describes, she says, "God nevertheless dwells secretly within us also."