A video quotes St. John of the Cross and his teaching “In detachment, a spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing; nothing wearies it in violation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection because it stands in the center of its own humility.”
The thought about detachment in the materialistic world seems to be absurd. This is an argument most busy men and women would post. As the said quote comes from a Saint, it would appear today to be arguable, indeed.
But when does a man or woman agree on this said teaching? When does it seem to be applicable or acceptable to a human being existing in this modern time when everyone desires what the world has to offer materially?
One could be a person who has been immersed with glories of life but he has come to the point of achieving happiness by being charitable. Offering his wealth to the needy, he has come to discover the meaning of life by giving. This should remind us of St. Francis of Assisi besides all the other people in this modern world.
Another may be one who materially has nothing to offer but service to the needy. He may be a priest or a nun, and those who voluntarily work with them in an institution of children and the elderly.
Or they could be silent workers in an organization who have silently been doing a lot of work but chose not to be recognized at all. Overall, it makes them happy to desire to do things not only because they are obliged to do it, but because they know they will suffer the consequences of not fulfilling the work.
And others are socialists who do not like strife or competition and whose work is to distribute goods (as what I heard from a talk).
This Lenten season can give us opportunities to contemplate on the virtue of detachment and humility. What makes us happy; what brings us happiness? This season is a time to watch stories of saints whose lives inspire us to choose what true happiness is. Or shall I say the happiness that comes from detachment.
To end, St John of the Cross, the Doctor of Detachment learned in his life that “where he found no love, he was able to put love” (which is like saying where there is no happiness, he was able to put happiness).
By: Ms. Lilia S. Crisostomo | Senior High School Teacher | Bataan National High School
