God desires from you the least degree of purity of conscience more than all the works you can perform

God desires from you the least degree of purity of conscience more than all the works you can perform

Saint John of the Cross, a Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar, emphasized the importance of purity of conscience in the spiritual journey towards union with God. He believed that God desires this purity above all else, even more than the most virtuous works one can perform. For Saint John, purity of conscience was not just about avoiding sin, but about a deep inner transformation that leads to a complete surrender to God's will.

In his spiritual writings, Saint John of the Cross often spoke of the need for detachment from worldly desires and attachments in order to achieve true purity of conscience. He believed that the soul must be purified of all selfish desires and attachments in order to be fully open to God's grace and guidance. This purification process, which he called the "dark night of the soul," involves a deep interior struggle and surrender to God's will.

Saint John of the Cross also emphasized the importance of humility in the spiritual life. He believed that true purity of conscience can only be achieved through a humble recognition of one's own weaknesses and shortcomings. By acknowledging our own sinfulness and relying on God's grace for transformation, we can begin to purify our hearts and minds.

For Saint John of the Cross, purity of conscience was not just a personal virtue, but a necessary condition for experiencing the fullness of God's love and presence. He believed that only those who are truly pure in heart can enter into a deep and intimate relationship with God. This purity of conscience is not something that can be achieved through our own efforts, but is a gift from God that we must receive with humility and gratitude.