Afraid of Jesus--my 'Dark Night of my Soul'?

[TOP]

Adding to the Scripture passages . . .

St. John of the Cross likens the trials and sufferings of the Dark Night to purgatory lived out here on earth. He cites the best description of the interior sufferings of the night as Lamentations 3:1-18 followed up by its message of hope and consolation in Lamentations 3:19-26.

Dave.

Thanks Dave. This is the first biblical reference to the dark night I have come across. Tears fill my eyes as I read the Lamentation as I’m reminded of when I went through chemo 5 years ago. This helps me p(name removed by moderator)oint my own journey at it’s darkest hour. I realize that it was people who I had the most problem with concerning letting go, their opinions of me as well as my fear of leaving them. The concern some showed to me was disturbing as to my own state of health. I was unaware of the magnitude of the situation as I struggled to stay alive and reassure others. Never before did I feel so alone or have since. Reading about the hour of our death in St. Faustina’s diary really helped me to see the unseen struggle at that pivotal time. The complete letting go and trust it requires to detach from our last earthly loves. This trust in “waiting” is a practice for that hour. How much purging will one go through as they await the approach of our Lord? We can only hope that our purging in this life will lessen the pain of detachment at our final hour. That the transition into eternal life will be smoother for it. It is not Jesus we should fear as we await His coming, but our own attachments and level of trust. Jesus I trust in you. Trust you will take care of my loved ones when I’m gone. Trust you will take me home when I pass. Trust you hold my prayers in my darkest hour in your Sacred Heart. Hope and pray. Tim

 

[DBT]

This is the first biblical reference to the dark night I have come across.

Glad it helped, Tim. The Psalms are chock full of references and illusions to the Dark Night as well. Good reading in itself to go with Lamentations.

Oh yeah, and one more Scriptural example comes to mind Christ’s death on the Cross . . . abandoned, foresaken by all, utterly void of consolation. This night, though, not for His own purification (as in the traditional teaching of St. John of the Cross and the various scripture passages he gives) but for the good of all souls. Mother Teresa and St. Therese with her final trial of faith are two more recent example of this “repartive” night endured for the sake of others.

Lot’s of good material in these examples to reflect on . . .

Dave.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Hi Stella I agree with the others who suggested that you turn your devotion to the Child Jesus. It helps to remember, that He came to us… as a helpless little Baby… in need of care from His holy parents. I think He did this… precisely so we wouldn’t be afraid to approach His Divine Love… His Sacred Heart… and His Mercy, for us… poor creatures. He loves us all… so much.

Here is a link for you… it may help. May the Divine Child bring peace and comfort to you. God bless.

infantjesus.us/

 

[TOP]

Glad it helped, Tim. The Psalms are chock full of references and illusions to the Dark Night as well. Good reading in itself to go with Lamentations.

Oh yeah, and one more Scriptural example comes to mind Christ’s death on the Cross . . . abandoned, foresaken by all, utterly void of consolation. This night, though, not for His own purification (as in the traditional teaching of St. John of the Cross and the various scripture passages he gives) but for the good of all souls. Mother Teresa and St. Therese with her final trial of faith are two more recent example of this “repartive” night endured for the sake of others.

Lot’s of good material in these examples to reflect on . . .

Dave.

I used to think about the time Jesus spent in the garden before He was arrested. How that was a dark night, but then I ran across this print I bought and now have on my wall in my bedroom. It’s from Luke 22:43. It brings me comfort to know we have always with us a friend and guardian. Sorry to derail the thread this much, but maybe there is something in all this to help Stella. Tim

 

[Stella76]

Friends,

You have all lifted up my heart! Thank you all for contributing with your stories, your quotes, your images…each has helped me and I’m sure will continue to help me on my journey.

-Your own very thankful *Stella

 

[distracted]

This has been bothering me for some time now.

I am kind of afraid to admit this, but I am intimidated by Jesus and I don’t know how to get past my fear. He seems too smart, too big, to perfect for me to ever get to know.

I have a deep connection to Mary, and I keep hoping she will help lead me to her Son…but…ugh…I’m just scared of Him. I pray the Rosary every day, hoping, hoping.

Please, can anyone offer some help or advice?

Thank you, friends.
*Stella

you should be afraid of Jesus… He has the power to send you to Hell!!

Just kidding…

I am glad you said this because i fear Jesus myself, even as i love Him with (at least some of the time… ) my whole heart…

It is a good sign that you fear Him… He IS as holy as you realize Him to be… and then some…

But when i spend time with Him at the Blessed Sacrament (Do you do that?), my fear leaves me the longer i stay There… which i believe is due to the fact tht i give all (or some??) of my “gunk” to Him and He, well, He deals with it… Its rather mysterious all that goes on with Him and me There… hard to say here… but anyway… Jesus knows what to do with people… so that’s why i go There…

I’ve heard the souls in purgatory are with Him at the Tabernacle… can’t prove that… but feel it is true… and i feel that their presence There is wht is sometimes making me feel very … uncomfortable… because some of them are probably in lower levels of purification than I am (?? just speculating)… The average stay in Purg is supposed to be 40 yrs… I think i have done half mine… I’ve never murdered anyone (etc), have been to confession for venials sins… etc… so i would think some of the souls There are… maybe… not doing as well as i am (?) but again, then, that’s soemthing only God in Heaven knows…

anyway, i am rambling… just writing thoguhts as they come…

In any case, its nice to hear this because i was beginning to wonder if i was the only one who felt this fear… … i guess it isn’t “PC” to talk about such thigns (?)…

 

[Hlafdige]

In St. Luke‘s Gospel, chapters 2 to 4, the story is told of how Jesus wows the elders with His wisdom in the temple. Then His parents find Him, take Him back home to Galilee, and there He grows „in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man“.

The time comes when God and man each bear their witness to the completion of this process. First God: „This is My Son, in Whom I am well pleased“ (chapter 3). Then it‘s man‘s turn: „Who is this guy anyway? Isn‘t he the son of Joseph the carpenter?“

For all we know, our Lord may have spent 30 years learning meme by meme how to pass for normal, for the son and apprentice of Joseph the carpenter. He worked that hard so we wouldn’t be afraid of Him.

 

[distracted]

it stands to reason that a creature surrounding by a sinful world, frail and incapable of refraining from sin him or herself… would be afraid of a Person who hates sin…

But we cannot forget that Jesus separates us from those sins, sees our frailty and helps us to be rid of it… if only we would let Him…

Best way to let him:

Spend time with Him… He is tangibly There!!! @ the Catholic Church, waiting for YOU…

(He’s probably getting tired of waiting, too… )