Christian Life as Spousal Hospitality: An Implicit Theme in the Writings of St. John of the Cross

The present work offers an interpretation of the spiritual theology of St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) in terms of spousal hospitality understood as an exclusive openness and welcome towards God in the hope of mystical union with Him. In this perspective the categories of openness, welcome, acceptance and receptivity, which we know from our daily human relationships, serve to open up the perspective of hospitality towards God and towards all that is good, ad a hospitality, or non acceptance towards all that is not God, or would lead the soul away from God.