LOCKED AWAY

      I like a good story.  There is a whole generation of young people, and those not so young, who know well the story of a young wizard named Harry Potter and his friends, and their battle against "the dark lord".  Early on in Harry's story, when he was in the care of his aunt and uncle, we hear that they often locked Harry in his room, and before that in the "cupboard under the stairs".  They did so because the feared him, the resented his powers and popularity in the wizarding world and they thought him odd.  People "put down" what they don't understand.  As the story progresses, his aunt and uncle and cousin disappear from the story while Harry becomes the hero and conqueror of the world of darkness.

    I mention this today because Harry's story somewhat images the story of a man named John of the Cross, a Carmelite priest in the later part of the 1500's who sought to reform the Order, bringing it to it's original strict observance.  He was joined by another great saint, Teresa of Avila.  John was physically small of stature, misunderstood, feared by his community.  He was "locked away", imprisoned in his own cell, some accounts having him locked in a cupboard - not seen or heard.

    And yet his life and his writings, including some great spiritual guidance and passionate poetry, have survived and led to the reformed movement he heralded.  He triumphed over darkness and closedmindedness.  His passionate love for the Lord brought him before the Church as a great champion and with a recognition as a Doctor of the Church.  John's message is to embrace the Cross if you really want to know the meaning of life ... if you want to live ... and if you want to love.

     Today is the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church, mystic and poet, light to the world.  Saint John, may our Faith never be hidden but bear light for all.