The pattern is repeated consistently: desire for something, followed by a choice for it, followed by a subsequent satisfaction in that choice. The momentum does not stop on its own; once activated, it returns and repeats itself. Desire is felt again for what has previously been chosen with some delight. The pattern tends to repeat itself. This is precisely the nature of all vice. Habits of repetitive sin, especially involving sensual matters, follow this pattern of a rotation through desire, indulged choice, temporary and fleeting delight, and the return again of desire. The great harm that takes place, if desires are indulged and delight is experienced in this repeated manner, is that the mind itself dulls in it’s relationship with God. The pursuit of satisfaction can dominate the soul in ways that do not necessarily involve grave sin but, nonetheless, pour sand, as it were, upon what could otherwise be a fire of longing for God. If a soul is indulging itself in attached ways in this manner, it is very unlikely to experience much desire at all for God and, therefore, little desire for prayer. And how common is this truth to this very day, even among those dedicated by a chosen profession as priests or religious to the service of God, Saint John of the Cross thus identifies a principal harm when a soul takes joy in self-centered and self-oriented delights: “dullness of mind and darkness of judgment in understanding truth and judging well of each thing as it is in itself” (AMC 3.19.3). That dullness of mind translates into a tepidity toward God and spiritual matters. –“Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation” Fr. Donald Haggerty

Saint john of the Cross places great importance in particular on the exercise of the will in the purification of so-called inordinate feelings. What he means by feelings are the passiins of the soul, which, if uncontrolled or regularly indulged, cause constant turbulence and disruption in our lives. The reason is that the passions, if not tempered, cling heavily to the will and weigh down the three operations of the will. No deeper interiority with God can be maintained Without a discipline of the passions. These feelings, if not governed by an exercised strength of the will, tend to dominate a life by cleaving oppressively to the will, influencing its desires, its choices, and its pursuit of delights. The passions can lead us to continual instability in the spiritual life, including the life of prayer. In the treatment of Saint John of the Cross, there are four primary passions or feelings: joy, hope, sorrow, and fear. The challenge is to rule these passions in such a manner that “a person rejoices only in what is purely for God’s honor and glory, hopes for nothing else, feels sorrow only about matters pertaining to this, and fears only God” (AMC 3.16.2). That statement in itself presents an immensely difficult demand. But the result of exercising or not exercising a control over these passions and directing them toward God is consequential: “When these emotions are unbridled they are the source of all vices and impertections, but when they are put in order and calmed they gave rise to all the virtues” (AMC 3.16.5).

–“Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation” Fr. Donald Haggerty