The Living Flame of Love

In Living Flame of Love, St. John of the Cross equals the sublime heights of his previous works and delves still further into the Divine mysteries of the soul's union with God. Because it is one of his last poems and the fruit of his mature spirituality, Living Flame of Love is written with greater eloquence and ardor, impetuosity and lyrical fervor than his former works and tells of a love more completely refined and of a soul which has experienced nearly perfect union with God.

Written in four stanzas, with a commentary on each stanza, the poem begins by describing a soul which seeks a closer intimacy with God. Through purgation of sense and spirit, this aspiring soul is now engaged in such profound contemplation of the Divine Love that it has already received a savor of eternal life; and this foretaste of the joy of heaven inspires it to a lyrical praise of the Trinity. In these inspired verses and in the commentary which explains and enhances them, St. John of the Cross interprets the highest aspirations and emotions of the human soul and "points out to souls the way of perfection as though illumined by light from on high."