THE "HOUR" OF JESUS AND THE EXPERIENCE OF SUFFERING IN ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS
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Date
2005
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Studying the gospel of John exposed me to the fact that the author of that
gospel does not mention the agony, sorrows and suffering of Jesus on his triumphal
match to his throne, that is, the Cross; because his focus is the glorification of Jesus.
We know that through his whole life: incarnation, humanity, ministry (words and
deeds), Jesus reveals the Father. But he does this in a particular way in his "hour":
that is his death; where he meets his enemies with serenity, tranquillity, dignity,
inner joy and majesty; in his resurrection; and in his ascension to the Father. The
"hour" of Jesus then is the heart of Jesus' revelation and glorification of the Father.
In the Joharmine language, Christ's cross is the culmination of everything
that happened before and after his death. Though the idea of the Johannine Jesus
welcoming and embracing his suffering with dignity and serenity is in view of the
"glory" that lies ahead, yet it also gives hope and courage to any one suffering. This,
therefore, "enticed" me to Jesus' approach and understanding of suffering, and
hence the choice of this topic. The purpose of this work is to help any one plagued
by suffering to, like a "believer," see the substance or the inner reality of life, not
behave like an "ordinary spectator" who focuses only on the appearances and
externals of things. But before this, it is to help me, first and foremost, to reflect on
my own suffering and see how Jesus and John of the Cross can help me accept,
transform and integrate it into my life for my own good and the good of my
ministry. It is also a scientific research in fulfilment of Tangaza College
requirements for the ecclesiastical degree of Baccalaureate in Theology (STB) and a
theological reflection on suffering.
John of the Cross, in his life and works, considers discipleship' as basic to
the understanding of the meaning of Christians existence, and the central role of
Christ in his theology and spirituality. The life of a disciple, for John of the Cross is
patterned on that of Christ because it is in him' that God is fully revealed (cf. A. 2,
22, 2-8). So, when John of the Cross talks about discipleship, he actually means
living a life patterned on Christ and sharing in his basic attitude: his faith, hope, and
the generosity and freedom with which he sacrifices everything to it.' Hence, John of
the Cross' teaching that one can only progress by imitating Christ who is the truth,
the way and the life (cf. A.2. 7,8). It is in the light of discipleship that we understand
John of the Cross' experience of sufferings.
This long essay will be divided into three chapters. The first one will deal
with the Johannine understanding of the hora or "hour" of Jesus. We will talk about
the death of Jesus and its nature, resurrection and sending of the Holy Spirit. These
are the ultimate moments of Jesus glorification by the Father.
Chapter two will see how John of the Cross imitated and followed Christ in
suffering. This is because he did not only teach people how to be a follower and an
It is not suffering that is the core of the teaching of John of the Cross as people think. For him, suffering has nothing to do with sanctity. Therefore, John of the Cross accepts and endures his sufferings not because he loves them but only in the following and imitation of Christ, who saved the world by suffering. St. John of the Cross does not believe in apparitions, visions, new revelations since Jesus, who is the fullness of God's revelation, has been revealed already. Vatican II reiterates this when it says that Christ is the Lord in whom the entire revelation of the Most High God is summed up (cf. DV 7). 3 J. M. L0741 , 10, A Radical Reinterpretation of Discipleship http://www.icspublications.org/archives/others/cs6 11.hthml. 12/1/04, 6
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imitator of Christ. He was one himself in suffering. To facilitate this, we will look
briefly at his life history and at what he called "dark night". We will look at how he
suffered both in his father's family and in his religious family. We will also take a
look at the three classes of people John of the Cross has for people depending on
their encounter with the cross. What is of crucial importance here is to see how he
managed suffering and integrated it into his life. Equally important is to see how he
influences and consoles those plagued by suffering.
Chapter three will deal with the challenges suffering poses to today's
Christians. It seeks to know in what areas we see John of the Cross behaving as
Christ's disciple in his life and deeds. There will be a message, first and foremost to
the preacher of the gospel of suffering and then to the Christians plagued by
suffering.
It is good to note that in this work, by suffering, we mean those trials and
tribulations, which life imposes on a person and which he has no control of. An
example of this is the imprisonment of John of the Cross by the Caiced Carmelites
because of his involvement in the work of the reform of Cannel. Other examples
include mistreatments, persecutions and acts of injustice one experiences in one's
chosen way of life or ministry. The general conclusion will give a summary,
implications as well as some final statements about the research conducted
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THE "HOUR" OF JESUS AND THE EXPERIENCE OF SUFFERING IN ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS