All Christians are called to foster a life of deep spirituality and union with God. The three Evangelical Counsels – poverty, chastity and obedience – provide a basis for life for anyone choosing to pursue this call. In this book, Fr Nicholas Macedon sheds light on how the application of these Evangelical Counsels can help all Christians, not only those in religious life. It is a light, easy-to-carry text which offers points of reflection for prayer and contemplation. The cover illustration brings to life some of the imagery of St John of the Cross, with contrasting dark colours and light shining on the saint.
Throughout the text, St John of the Cross’s life and theological teachings are used to outline to the reader the freedom and fullness of life that can be found by embracing a life of poverty, chastity and obedience. As a lay person reading this in the 21st century, it has helped me to understand more fully that the Evangelical Counsels are not a set of rules, but rather a Gospel-rooted lifestyle which, if embraced, can help set us on a sure path towards God.
In Chapter One, Fr Nicholas Macedon gives a general understanding of each Evangelical Counsel. He provides insight into the meaning of each counsel and how we see them in the lives of Christ, Mary and all Christians. By outlining the biblical, theological and canonical context of the Evangelical Counsels, this book enables the reader to grasp a deeper understanding and appreciation of their importance and relevance in the life of those following the call of Jesus. Fr Nicholas Macedon helps expand the reader’s understanding that the call of Jesus is for all followers, and it ‘includes detachment from goods (poverty), relatives, family and loved ones (chastity) to be free in following Him (obedience) for His sake and the sake of the Gospel (mission)’ (p.36).
Chapter Two looks at the life and teachings of St John of the Cross through the lens of the Evangelical Counsels. Gonzalo de Yepes, John of the Cross’s father, came from a wealthy family of silk merchants; however, he was disowned when he chose to marry Catalina Álvarez, who had a poor and humble background. The family lived a life of poverty, making ends meet through weaving. John was only two years of age when his father passed away, leaving Catalina to raise their three sons alone. Through the example of his parents and his family upbringing, John was given a firm foundation for a life in which he loved and lived for Jesus.
Although St John does not write directly about the Evangelical Counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, Fr Macedon outlines several relevant indirect quotations which help the reader glimpse his intense interior life lived totally for God. It highlights St John’s way of nada (nothing), which calls us to detachment from everything – embracing nothing in order to find everything, i.e. union with Christ. To achieve obedience, St John of the Cross teaches that we must go by way of total abnegation – renouncing one’s own will entirely in order to be able to say ‘yes’ to God. The book reminds us that, for St John of the Cross, the relationship between God and the soul is best expressed as a spousal relationship. To be capable of loving God fully, St John teaches the need for chastity, so that one can present God with a total self-offering.
Finally, Fr Nicholas Macedon provides the reader with a practical application of what has been discussed thus far in Chapter Three. This chapter is specifically aimed at those living in religious life, indicating many practical ways to apply the Evangelical Counsels to religious life. It shows clearly that 16th-century spirituality is just as relevant and applicable today as it was then. As a lay person, I still found reading this chapter beneficial, as it enabled me to see more opportunities to live a life in closer union with Christ and gave me the motivation to make space to pause and reflect on my own journey of discipleship. I may not be committed to vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, yet I have seen ways in which, even in married and family life, I can integrate the Evangelical Counsels.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to everyone. It is an easy-to-follow, clear and engaging breakdown of how we can live counter-culturally today in a world obsessed with material goods and individualism. It has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life of a religious and how they live and bear witness to the Gospel message.
