Confession and Self-Examination: John of the Cross: Dark Night of the Soul

John of the Cross (d. 1591) described a profound form of self-examination that comes not from our own effort but from God's direct action upon the soul. In "The Dark Night of the Soul," he wrote: "God perceives the imperfections within us, and because of his love for us, urges us to grow up. His love is not content to leave us in our weakness, and for this reason he takes us into a dark night."

The "dark night" is a period of spiritual dryness, confusion, and apparent abandonment by God that actually represents a deeper purification. John identified seven spiritual imperfections that the dark night addresses: spiritual pride, avarice, luxury, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. These are not gross sins but subtle distortions of genuine devotion.

Practical application: If you are experiencing a season of spiritual dryness, consider that it may be God's invitation to deeper growth rather than punishment or abandonment. Instead of frantically seeking new spiritual experiences, rest in the darkness. John of the Cross teaches that the dark night is God's examination of us, and our task is simply to trust and wait.