The Wood and the Fire — Dark Night of the Soul

For a clearer understanding, Saint John compares this purgation to a log acted on by fire. First the wood releases its moisture. Then it sweats, driving interior moisture out. At last, when all the moisture is spent, it becomes thoroughly enkindled. The fire does not decorate the log. It dries it until it can become fire.

In the same way the soul is acted on by this divine fire of love. Before the fire unites with the soul and transforms it, it first purges contrary accidents and unsightliness. It drives out foulness, brings ugliness to light, and makes the soul appear loathsome and miserable. The soul endures great affliction seeing wretchedness it never believed it had. Divine wisdom purges and illuminates, driving out affections and imperfect habits so deeply rooted that the soul had not even known they were there.

When all of that is consumed, the soul is transformed in God, as the wood, having expelled its moisture and consumed its properties, becomes fire, taking the properties of fire, wholly converted into fire. The miserable appearance is a stage of burning, not the end of the wood. Ugliness comes to light so it can be burned out. Then the soul is no longer a wet log beside the flame. It is the flame.