Since Jack was murdered on August 12, 2020, the Cross has been my constant companion. When Jack was born, we named him after John of the Cross, my favorite Carmelite saint. How prescient! Steve and I shake our heads—if only we had known…
But now we do know a thing or two more about the Cross—the challenges, daily sufferings, and brokenness. As the years pass, we also claim the promises of accepting this Cross. Through our suffering, we have come to truly know the love of neighbor—many neighbors. And through love of neighbor, an ever deepening expanding joy filled love of God.
At Jack Shockley Warriors for Peace, we like to say God is good all the time! We proclaim his goodness, his love, his attention to our broken places, and his call to go out into the wilderness two by two and make a difference. Wherever we are, whoever we are with, we can be the love of God this broken world needs. We are called as Jack Shockley Warriors for Peace to bring Jack’s love and ways alongside his namesake St. John of the Cross—to pour love where there is no love and to die to our selfish needs as our hearts expand to encompass others, especially the poor and discarded. To love the abandoned, the dying, and the lonely. To answer the question Jack asked himself and the question that was the foundation for his adult faith—Why was I born with so much while others have so little? Jack did not care about the material things of this world. He cared about people, especially people who are hurting, and he loved God.
On this Feast of St. John of the Cross, we celebrate love. John of the Cross is the Doctor of Divine Love. His poetry is eternal, guiding so many including this broken hearted mama to seek out God in the darkness of this life. To look up and see the light of God shining through the Dark Night. On this feast day, celebrate love as we remember this quote from St. John of the Cross: "In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone."
We're calling all Warriors for Peace to grab your John of the Cross medals and wear them proudly as we await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent season.
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
God bless Jack Shockley Warriors for Peace!
