Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
St. John of the Cross speaks of “nada” (nothing) as he describes his ascent to Mt. Carmel (union with God.) John reminds us that the path to God is filled with “nothing.” We all called to see God only as our source of truth and being. This detachment from the world and our ego is illustrated by St. Paul and Jesus in the readings today. To grow closer to God, we are called to put aside all things that put our wants ahead of God. This is a challenging journey, but we can still find our lives to be a source of hope and joy as we allow Christ’s love to become present through our nothingness.
In the first reading, St. Paul is rejoicing in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus. It is because of his boldness to spread the Good News that St. Paul realizes his life may be taken from him. As he considers this situation, he reminds his readers that “Christ will be magnified, whether by life or by death.” St. Paul is able to detach himself from choosing life over death because he believes that being with Christ is his ultimate goal. By choosing God’s will, not his, St. Paul knows that in life or death others will come to know Christ. It is this knowledge that brings him hope and joy.
In the gospel reading, Jesus tells the story about a wedding banquet when dining at the home of a leading Pharisee. Jesus uses the story to call his followers to choose to be the least among others. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” There are many teachings of Jesus that express this idea of putting aside our goals and wants in order to grow on our spiritual journey.
(“The last will be first and the first will be last.” Mt 20:16, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Mt 5:3, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mt 19:21) Jesus reminds his disciples that power, glory, and riches will not lead a person to God. Jesus lives this “nothingness” through his life, death and resurrection. Jesus shows His disciples that it is through embracing “nada” that we will reach God.
This quote from St. John of the Cross illustrates his idea of “nada.”
“To reach satisfaction in everything, desire satisfaction in nothing.
To come to possession of everything, desire the possession of nothing.
To arrive at being all, desire to be nothing.
To come to the knowledge of everything, desire the knowledge of nothing.”
Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book One, Chapter 13
To live in this way is very counter-intuitive particularly in our current society as many seek power, possessions and fame as a means of happiness. How can a person even begin to understand or live in this nothingness? If we look to John of the Cross and other holy people, prayer is a starting point. If we go to God in silence and actively choose to have nothing (no thoughts, cravings, words) come between us (God and the person in prayer), then we open the door for God to come in. Our regular practice of silence and nothingness helps to increase our ability to say “no” to words, actions and thoughts in our daily lives that in some way take us away from God. The deeper we grow in our love and desire for God through our time spent in prayer, the more we find the boldness to detach from things that bring us glory and power instead of recognizing God as the source.
St. Teresa of Avila (a contemporary of St. John of the Cross) offers this as added guidance. “Detachment, if practiced perfectly, includes the other two necessary virtues, love of others and true humility.” Practicing this idea of nothingness does not take a person out of the world, but draws a person to service and love for others. The “no” we say can often be a means to building up someone else. Small actions like not speaking with malice, offering our time in the service of another and withholding judgment are simple ways that we choose not to allow our pride, our greed, or our power take hold of us. If Christians could live in this way, it would be a cause for hope and joy. When we bring Christ to the world, then we provide greater opportunities for God’s transforming love to bring healing and wholeness to all people.
'Loving Father, Jesus showed us that the way to You is a path of detachment and love. Through Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, He shows us that seeking Your will (not ours) is the way to be with You. Through the grace of Your Spirit, allow us to recognize the importance of our nothingness, so we can find everything in You. Give us the hope and joy we need during this journey that we may not be overcome by the darkness. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.'
- Marylynn Herchline