John came from a very poor family and his father died when he was very young, which meant that he had to work hard to support his family, as well as studying. He became a Carmelite and met Teresa of Jesus, with whom he worked to reform the Carmel, which had fallen into relaxed customs. St. John of the Cross was a great mystic and author, for whom there was absolutely nothing more important than God.

What efforts are you prepared to take on to achieve your goals? Where do you see your life going?