Sr Molly Fernandes sfn
Goa, Dec 13: The sisters of the St John of the Cross Convent marked the feast of their patron saint with a solemn high Mass on December 13, due to December 14 being the third Advent Sunday. The Mass was celebrated by the parish priest of Sancoale, Fr Kenneth Teles, and concelebrated by eight priests, together with parents, benefactors and neighbouring ward people in the convent chapel.
The homily: A call to prayer, silence, and poverty
Reflecting on the theme 'Bhagevont Juanv Atmik Uzvaddan Jiyeunk Bhorvanso' (St John, A hope to live in spiritual light) in his homily, Fr Teles highlighted the spiritual life of St John of the Cross, a Spanish-born writer, poet, and mystic known for his life of prayer, silence, and poverty, and his renewing zeal for society through the Carmelite reform.
Fr Teles emphasised that the saint’s commitment was to holiness and stricter rules of life, driven by a desire to make less for myself and use the strength for God’s glory.
The central spiritual challenge, he noted, was not merely outer silence, but achieving inner silence to allow the light of God to penetrate and open up the darkness within, enabling one to live life accordingly, not for glamour and worldly pursuits.
The spiritual light and scriptural context
Drawing a parallel between St John of the Cross and St Lucy, the saint of the day (who fought against darkness by offering her life and taking drastic action like plucking her own eyes not to become a temptation), Fr Teles stated that both saints lived in spiritual light and fought against darkness, inviting the faithful to a stricter life worthy of our calling.
Fr Teles anchored his reflection in scripture:
• Romans 8:30: He referenced St Paul's writing, “And those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified,” applying this promise of glory to both saints.
• John 8:12: St John says... “I am the light of the world”, pointing to Jesus as the genuine light that dispels darkness and which darkness cannot overcome.
• John 14:6: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, showing the path that this spiritual light illuminates.
• Isaiah 9:2: The light of Christ is strong enough to reveal sin, bringing dark corners and those dark places to light, leading to conviction to come out of sin, repent, and reliance on Jesus alone.
• He further urged the faithful to shine Christ’s light (like Our Lady, St Lucy, and St John of the Cross), drawing others from an unfruitful life to God, as referenced in Ephesians 5:11.
Three steps for spiritual growth
To access and experience the life of Christ, Fr Teles urged the faithful to make conscious efforts by practicing three key steps, which constitute the core spiritual invitation of St John of the Cross and St Lucy:
1. Make Jesus the centre of life.
2. In silence and prayer seek God and grow in faith.
3. Give generously, making less for oneself in the spirit of poverty, and serve others:
After the Eucharist, the animator Sr Ria, conveyed thanks to the priests, all those gathered, and the benefactors. As a token of appreciation for their presence, the concelebrating priests were presented with potted plants.
The celebration concluded with everyone sharing a traditional meal of love.