December 14
St John of the Cross
Monday, week 3 of Advent
St John of the Cross (San Juan de la Cruz), a Spanish Carmelite priest and mystic of the 16th century, is revered as one of the great figures of the Catholic Reformation and a Doctor of the Church. Born in 1542, he collaborated closely with St Teresa of Ávila in the reform of the Carmelite Order, seeking a return to greater simplicity, poverty, and contemplative prayer. Despite great personal hardship—including periods of imprisonment by members of his own order—John’s writings and example have profoundly shaped Christian spirituality. His masterpieces such as the "Dark Night of the Soul" and "Ascent of Mount Carmel" explore the soul’s journey to union with God through profound suffering, purification, and persistent love. Through poetic beauty and deep theological insight, he reflects on detachment from earthly things and total surrender to God’s will as the surest way to divine union. The Church celebrates St John of the Cross not only for his reforming zeal and mystical wisdom but also for his contribution to Christian poetry and doctrine on the spiritual life. His feast in Advent invites the faithful to contemplation, patience, and spiritual longing for the presence of the Lord.
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Questions about St John of the Cross (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingNb 24, 2-7.15-17a
In those days,
raising his eyes, the pagan prophet Balaam
saw Israel encamped, arranged by tribes.
The spirit of God came upon him,
and he spoke these enigmatic words:
“Oracle of Balaam, son of Beor,
oracle of the man with the penetrating eye,
oracle of one who hears the words of God.
He sees what the Almighty lets him see,
he falls into ecstasy, and his eyes are opened.
How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,
your dwellings, Israel!
They stretch out like valleys,
like gardens beside a river;
the Lord has planted them like aloes,
like cedars by the waters!
A hero shall come from the descendants of Jacob,
he will rule over many peoples.
His kingdom shall be greater than that of Gog,
his royalty will be exalted.”
Balaam spoke again these enigmatic words:
“Oracle of Balaam, son of Beor,
oracle of the man with the penetrating eye,
oracle of one who hears the words of God,
who possesses the knowledge of the Most High.
He sees what the Almighty lets him see,
he falls into ecstasy, and his eyes are opened.
This hero, I see him—but not for now—
I behold him—but not up close:
A star shall come forth out of Jacob,
a scepter shall arise out of Israel.”
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 24 (25), 4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9
Lord, teach me your ways,
make me know your path.
Lead me by your truth, teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
Remember, Lord, your tenderness,
your love that is from of old.
In your love, do not forget me,
because of your goodness, Lord.
He is upright, he is good, the Lord,
who shows sinners the way.
In justice he guides the humble,
he teaches the humble his way.
GospelMt 21, 23-27
At that time,
Jesus had entered the Temple,
and while he was teaching,
the chief priests and the elders of the people
approached him and asked:
“By what authority are you doing this,
and who gave you this authority?”
Jesus replied to them:
“I will also ask you one question, just one;
and if you answer me,
I too will tell you by what authority I do these things:
The baptism of John, where did it come from?
From heaven or from men?”
They reasoned among themselves:
“If we say, ‘From heaven,’
he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘From men,’
we have to fear the crowd,
for everyone regards John as a prophet.”
So they answered Jesus:
“We do not know!”
And he said to them in turn:
“Neither will I tell you
by what authority I do these things.”
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org