The Science of the Cross

In this book, Edith Stein set about doing a fairly systematic analysis of the works of St John of the Cross sprinkled with the thoughts of Teresea and Avila and mediated through the eyes of another saint (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), namely Edith Stein herself. It has to be said that this book is hard going simply because, whilst the language used for what happens in the mystical life is comprehensible when read cold on the page, it is significatory and emblematic language. It is describing a relationship with He, who is wholly Other, He, who is the First and the Last, and the Creator of all things, and without Whom all things would cease to exist. What one comes away with though is that the mystical life is only for those who are prepared to ascend to Calvary with Christ, and absolute death to the Self, so that Christ's "Eloi,Eloi..." on the cross becomes your cry. "With Christ, I hang upon the Cross" says St Paul to the Galatians and indeed (seemingly) that is precisely the life of the mystic. And, indeed we saw with the publication of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta's letters, that for her, she felt bereft of God, but carried out her Master's commandments of love nonetheless. No sensual experiences of the Risen Christ, no spiritual goodies, just the dark night of faith, where the soul suspended on his Cross gives his resounding "yes" to the Father of Lights. Let there be no doubt about it, the mystical sort of life (as decribed in this book) appears to demand heroic sacrifice. But, it should be noted that both John of the Cross and Teresa of Avil seem to have gone into ecstacies without warning: indeed John would not say Mass for days for fear, he would be unable to attract attention to himself. (Note, St Joseph of Cupertino, who, when saying mass, used to levitate: amusingly he is now the patron saint of pilots; the Church has a sense of humour!) It should be noted however that the saints of the Eastern churches seemed to have been blessed with a different type of mystical vision, not the one of the Christ crucified, but of the risen Christ. The two lungs of the Church when breathing together spirate the whole breathe of salvation, namely the breathe of the Christ dying in agony and the breathe of the risen Christ, who says: "all authority under heaven and earth has been given to me, baptise in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit".

Do not run away from this book if you have happen to come across it. Instinct may tell you it will go over your head and you may waste several days reading it. But it is not that kind of book. It may take several years to enjoy what you may find here. Edith Stein, the Jewish woman, first atheist and philosopher, then catholic convert, Carmelite nun and martyr at Auschwitz is an exceptional person but don't even let that put you off because she will introduce you through this book to St. John of the Cross. One saint teaching you about another. This newly canonised and appointed Patron of Europe will guide you through the paths of the Spirit and the soul as she re-reads the works of St. John of the Cross in the light of philosophical training [not that it is a hinder] and fresh catholic faith. I read this book and have set it down for several days and weeks only to take it up again because of its appeal. I struggle with it because it is such a challenging topic but I don't intend yet to give up. It is a difficult subject but this is a worthwhile task.