Credo 22-23: Love of God and Neighbor

An Overture of God's Gifts: The Catechism's In Brief on the Faith, Hope, & Love 1840 The theological virtues dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They have God for their origin, their motive, and their object - God known by faith, God hoped in and loved for his own sake. 1841 There are three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. They inform all the moral virtues and give life to them. 1842 By faith, we believe in God and believe all that he has revealed to us and that Holy Church proposes for our belief. 1843 By hope we desire, and with steadfast trust await from God, eternal life and the graces to merit it. 1844 By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. Charity, the form of all the virtues, "binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Col 3:14).

Exposition of the Theme: Love of God & Love of Neighbor Jesus' Great Commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself," (Luke 10:27).

The Symphony: Christian Love in Four Movements 1. God's love for you. 2. Your love for God. 3. Your love for your neighbors. 4. Your neighbors' love for you.

But first . . . The Problem: A Love that Crashes our Economies Each person desires to love and to be loved, and to fulfill these desires, we quite naturally look for another to receive our love and to reciprocate in like measure. In this exchange of love, we seek our heart's satisfaction, and in this seeking, we develop a certain economy of human love, an economy based on giving and taking, earning and rewarding, choosing and rejecting. This economy must account for the brokenness of this world, where others can reject us, deceive us, forget us, and smother us. This economy of human love is common enough, until the day when our thirst for love encounters someone unlike any other. We meet someone who loves us in a radically different way. He loves us sweetly and simply. In fact, he offers his love so freely and generously that he floods the market of our human economy. His abundant love voids our debts and reduces our claims to laughable fodder. His love exposes the failings of lesser lovers, let alone the false ones. Such is the love of Jesus Christ. He loves us sweetly and freely. His love leads to an economic crash in our human calculations. How is one to live in the light of the love of Jesus Christ?

1 The First Movement – Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU, HIS BELOVED

We know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him, (1 John 4:16).

God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us, (Romans 5:5).

Characteristics of God's Love (With Prayers to Jesus, True God & True Man) …..c ue "Wait, they don't love you like I love you," Maps by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs

In his love, God creates and sustains us. — "For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother's womb," (Psalm 139:13). "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made," (John 1:3). Jesus, You give me life. You continually create and sustain me. All is Your gift. Today and unto death, I offer myself to You. I accept all things as from Your hand and for Your glory.

God's love entails a comprehensive knowledge of our hearts. — "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar," (Psalm 139:1-2). Jesus, You know me. You listen and understand me. I welcome your knowing gaze. Help me to know You, to listen and understand You, heart-to-heart.

God loves us with the very love of the Trinity, His very self. No skim milk! Only whole! — " As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love," (John 15:9). The Father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours," (Luke 15:31, from the Prodigal Son). Jesus, the love you offer me is nothing but You very self. May I receive all of you, and in turn, offer you all that I am.

God's love enables us to love. — "We love, because he first loved us," (1 John 4:19). Jesus, You have put Your song into my heart, in order that I would sing with You. Make me a praise of Your glory!

God's love is eternal, from before time. — " He [the Father] chose us in him [the Son] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved," (Ephesians 1:4-6). Jesus, how long have you loved me! Stand no longer at the door. Come inside and abide forever.

2 God's love takes the initiative. — "You did not choose me, but I chose you," (John 15:16). "In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins," (1 John 4:10).

God's love does not fade away. — " O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever! Let Israel say, 'His mercy endures for ever.' Let the house of Aaron say, 'His mercy endures for ever.' Let those who fear the LORD say, 'His mercy endures for ever,'" (Psalms 118:1-4). "Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end," (John 13:1)

God loves us even amid our sin. His love forgives, heals, and sanctifies us. — "God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us," (Romans 5:8). "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God," (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus, in my sinfulness, I have tried to sabotage Your love for me. But all in vain. My sin was impotent before the power of your love. Cast all my stubble into the fire of Your mercy. Claim my heart once more as Your own. Make it Yours forever.

God's love conquers. — " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8:35,38-39). Jesus, nothing can thwart Your love for me. Like a mama bear, You suffer nothing to come between us. Grant me a stalwart confidence in Your conquering, jealous love. . . . a nd God's love makes us conquerors. — " If God is for us, who is against us? . . . In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us," (Romans 8:31,37).

God loves freely. — "To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment," (Revelation 21:6b). . . . a nd God's love gives freedom. — "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery," (Galatians 5:1).

In his love, God befriends us. — "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you," (John 15:15). Jesus, You befriend me. You want to be with me. You receive all that I am, and offer all that you are. You abide in me, and I in You. Preserve me in Your friendship. Help me to return love for love.

God's love satisfies the human heart. — "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst," (John 4:14). Jesus, You satisfy me. You fulfill my deepest desires. May I seek You first and flee all false, empty loves.

3 In his love, God dwells within us. — "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (Jn 14:23; see also Jn 15:4, 17:23; 1 Jn 3:24, 4:12-16). "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Cor 3:16; see also 1 Cor 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16, and Eph 3:17).

God's love draws us into communion with His loved ones. — "When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home," (John 19:26-27). Jesus, You draw me into communion with Your loved ones. You are the spring of all my loves. Purify me. May I pour out myself neither seeking returns nor counting costs.

In his love, God entrusts His beloved to our care. — "Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs. . . . Tend my sheep. . . . Feed my sheep.'" (John 21:15-17). God, You entrust Your beloved to me. Enkindle my heart with Your selfsame love, a love embracing the Cross. Draw to Yourself my brothers and sisters, my family and friends, and all those You have entrusted to me.

The Primacy of God's Love: The Love that Sets-off All Our Other Loves Confident in God's love for us, we dare to love Him. ● Your love has forgiven my sins and made them part of a love song. ● Your love has established me as Your beloved child and Your friend, enabling me to love You. ● With the very love You give me, I can love You. I offer to You that which You firstly gave me.

Confident in God's love for us, we dare to love our neighbor. ● Again, with the very love You give me, I love my neighbors. ● The heat of Your love can purify any waywardness in my love. ● Even if I'm repulsed by someone, You heartily love them, and by grace, You will make me a mighty channel of Your love.

Confident in God's love for us, we dare to open our heart to our neighbor, to their love and hatred. ● When someone loves me, I can receive it as a gift from Your hand, a sampling from Your lavish banquet of love. ● When someone doesn't love me, even if they were to hate me and persecute me, I know that Your love is enough for me and that You are inviting me to an intimate sharing in Your Passion, to be one with Christ Crucified, to be one with my Beloved.

4 The Second Movement in Two Sections – Poco Sostenuto; Vivace YOUR LOVE FOR GOD

The First Section: Receiving God's Love "Let yourself be loved more than these: it is in that way that your Master wills for you to be a praise of glory! He rejoices to build up in you by His love and for His glory, and it is He alone who wants to work in you, even though you will have done nothing to attract this grace except that which a creature can do: works of sin and misery . . . He loves you like that. He loves you 'more than these.' He will do everything in you. He will go to the end: for when a soul is loved by Him to this extent, in this way, loved by an unchanging and creative love, a free love which transforms as it pleases Him, oh, how far this soul will go! "Mother, the fidelity that the Master asks of you is to remain in communion with Love, flow into, be rooted in this Love who wants to mark your soul with the seal of His power and His grandeur. You will never be commonplace if you are vigilant in love! But in the hours when you feel only oppression and lassitude, you will please Him even more if you faithfully believe that He is still working, that He is loving you just the same, and even more: because His love is free and that is how He wants to be magnified in you; and you will let yourself be loved 'more than these,'" (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity to her Mother Superior, written just a few days before her holy death).

What does it mean to "let yourself be loved" by God? Renounce any and all entitlement. — "So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty,'" (Luke 17:10).

Renounce any attempt at earning God's love. — "What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Renounce any glory apart from being God's. — "But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world," (Galatians 6:14).

Open wide your hearts by faith and hope. — "Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return—I speak as to children—widen your hearts also," (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). True of Paul. Truer of Jesus.

Just tell Him: "Jesus, I give you permission to love me!" (Based on Mother Teresa's words to Cardinal O'Connor: "Give God permission.")

"Be still and know that I am God," (Psalm 46:10) "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength," (Is 30:15)

5 Learning Mary's Perfect Receptivity of God's Love: A Litany of Fiat……………………………………………………

And Mary said, And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, let it be to me according to your word," (Luke 1:38) for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; And I say, for he who is mighty has done great things for me, Behold, Your prodigal child. and holy is his name. Let it be to me according to Your mercy. "And his mercy is on those who fear him Behold, Your poor one. from generation to generation. Let it be to me according to Your riches. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, Behold, Your hungry one. he has put down the mighty from their thrones, Let it be to me according to Your sacred banquet. and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, Behold, Your lonely one. and the rich he has sent empty away. Let it be to me according to Your tender intimacy. "He has helped his servant Israel, Behold, Your faltering one. in remembrance of his mercy, Let it be to me according to Your sure strength. as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever," (Luke 1:46-55) Behold, Your sorrowful one. Let it be to me according to Your warm comfort.

Behold, Your wounded one. Let it be to me according to Your Sacred Wounds.

Behold, Your novice. Let it be to me according to Your wisdom.

Behold, Your redeemed one. Let it be to me according to Your Sacred Blood.

Behold, Your beloved one. Let it be to me according to Your attentive care.

Behold, Your chosen one. Let it be to me according to Your friendship.

The Second Section: Returning God's Love "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates," (Deut 6:4-9).

St. Thérèse's Bold Prayer to Love with a Double Portion: "I am only a child, powerless and weak, and yet it is my weakness that gives me the boldness of offering myself as VICTIM of Your Love, O Jesus! In times past, victims, pure and spotless, were the only ones accepted by the Strong and Powerful God. To satisfy Divine Justice, perfect victims were necessary, but the law of Love has succeeded to the law of fear, and Love has chosen me as a holocaust, me, a weak and imperfect creature. Is not this choice worthy of Love? Yes, in order that Love be fully satisfied, it is necessary that It lower Itself, and that It lower Itself to nothingness and transform this nothingness into fire. "O Jesus, I know it, love is repaid by love alone, and so I searched and I found the way to solace my heart by giving you Love for Love. . . . Remembering the prayer of Elisha to his Father Elijah when he dared to ask him for HIS DOUBLE SPIRIT, I presented myself before the angels and saints and I said to them: 'I am the smallest of creatures; I know my misery and my feebleness, but I know also how much noble and generous hearts love to do good. I beg you then, O Blessed Inhabitants of heaven, I beg you to ADOPT ME AS YOUR CHILD. To you alone will be the glory which you will make me merit, but deign to answer my prayer. It is bold, I know; however, I dare to ask you to obtain for me YOUR TWOFOLD LOVE.' "Jesus, I cannot fathom the depths of my request; I would be afraid to find myself overwhelmed under the weight of my bold desires. My excuse is that I am a child, and children do not reflect on the meaning of their words; however, their parents, once they are placed upon a throne and possess immense treasures, do not hesitate to satisfy the desires of the little ones whom they love as much as they love themselves. To please them they do foolish things, even going to the extent of becoming weak for them. Well, I am the Child of the Church and the Church is a Queen since she is Your Spouse, O divine King of kings. The heart of a child does not seek riches and glory (even the glory of heaven). She understands that this glory belongs by right to her brothers, the angels and saints. Her own glory will be the reflected glory which shines on her Mother's forehead. What this child asks for is Love. She knows only one thing: to love You, O Jesus. Astounding works are forbidden to her; she cannot preach the Gospel, shed her blood; but what does it matter since her brothers work in her stead and she, a little child, stays very close to the throne of the King and Queen. She loves in her brothers' place while they do the fighting. But how will she prove her love since love is proved by works? Well, the little child will strew flowers, she will perfume the royal throne with their sweet scents, and she will sing in her silvery tones the canticle of Love."

7 The Third Movement – Andante con grazia YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR

The New Commandment – "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another," (John 13:33-34; see also John 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10, 13:8; 1 Thess 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 23, 4:7, 11, 12; and 2 John 1:5)

A command flowing from God's love. ● "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another," (1 John 4:11). ● "If any one says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen," (1 John 4:20).

We love others with the very love of Christ. ● "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross," (Philippians 2:5-8). ● "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me," (Galatians 2:20). ● "For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus," (Phil 1:8).

We share in the characteristics of Christ's love. Christ's Command – "Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back," (Luke 6:35-38; see Interior Freedom 66ff.). ● Christian love extends even to our enemies. ● Since we are freely loved, Christian love is free. It expects nothing in return. ● Christian love is filial: the more we are a child of the Father, the more we love like Christ. ● Since we are forgiven, Christian love forgives. ● If we refuse to forgive, we are injuring ourselves and refusing God's merciful love.

8 St. Paul's Beloved Summary – "Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends," (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

We love freely. Others need not earn our love. – "You received without paying, give without pay," (Matthew 10:8b). "Did I commit a sin in abasing myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel without cost to you?" (2 Corinthians 11:7).

We share in God's initiative. – St. John of the Cross suffered imprisonment and mistreatment at the hand of his Carmelite confreres. In reference to his sufferings, he wrote to a religious sister: Do not let what is happening to me, daughter, cause you any grief, for it does not cause me any. What greatly grieves me is that one who is not at fault is blamed. Men do not do these things, but God, who knows what is suitable for us and arranges things for our own good. Think nothing else but that God ordains all, and where there is no love, put love, and you will draw out love. Note that our initiative (that is, to "put love") occurs within our surrender to God's providence, for He "ordains all."

St. Thérèse's Summary – "How did Jesus love His disciples and why did He love them? Ah! it was not their natural qualities that could have attracted Him, since there was between Him and them an infinite distance. He was knowledge, Eternal Wisdom, while they were poor ignorant fishermen filled with earthly thoughts. And still Jesus called them his friends, His brothers. He desires to see them reign with Him in the kingdom of His Father, and to open that kingdom to them He wills to die on the cross, for He said: 'Greater love than this no man has than that he lay down his life for his friends.' "Dear Mother, when meditating upon these words of Jesus, I understood how imperfect was my love for my Sisters. I saw I didn't love them as God loves them. Ah! I understand now that charity consists in bearing with the faults of others, in not being surprised at their weakness, in being edified by the smallest acts of virtue we see them practice. But I understood above all that charity must not remain hidden in the bottom of the heart. Jesus has said: 'No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket, but upon the lampstand, so as to give light to ALL in the house.' It seems to me that this lamp represents charity which must enlighten and rejoice not only those who are dearest to us but 'ALL who are in the house' without distinction."

9 The Order of Charity 1. God 2. Our soul. We can't love others if we're harming ourselves by sin. 3. Our neighbor 4. Our body

The Order of Charity among Neighbor 1. Parents & Family 2. Literal neighbors . . . corporal works of mercy; spiritual works of mercy 3. Far away people: more by disposition than action, that is, be ready to love them 4. Enemies: again, more disposition than action

Ideals for Christian Love in a Broken World ● By sharing in Christ's love, I create space for others to accept their weaknesses and failures and to embrace their strengths and gifts, in order that they may become more perfectly Christ's. ● I patiently suffer another's brokenness without abandoning them. Likewise, I stay committed even if they bring out my brokenness. ● I generously spend myself even when it's distasteful to me or it's unthanked. ● I try my best even if it will never be enough (I'm not their savior!) or it will end in failure (I'm not my own savior!). ● I speak the healing truth even when it will be rejected and I will be hated. ● I forgive them, and I seek their forgiveness. ● I will be true to living out my vocation and giving my gifts.

10 The Fourth Movement in Two Sections – Finale: Adagio lamentoso; Allegro molto vivace YOUR NEIGHBORS' LOVE FOR YOU

The First Section: Enduring the Failings of Others, even their Hatred Jesus taught, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45) ● Whether others love me or hate me, I am free to love them. Christ offers me a radical freedom. ● We love God because He first loved us. With our neighbors, it's different. We love them not because they first have loved us, but again, because God has first loved us. Love so unites us with God that we love whoever He loves, however He loves, and like Him, we will suffer for it. ● Put bluntly: we do not love our neighbors because they are good, but because God is good.

"But I say to you that hear, 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. "'If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again,'" (Luke 6:27-34). ● Christian love must transcend the limits of the economy of human love.

We need fear no loneliness or abandonment. God is always with us. — "The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me," (John 16:32). "And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city,'" (Acts 18:9-10).

God is particularly close to those who suffer rejection like Christ. — " Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed," (1 Peter 2:21-24). "This I command you, to love one another. If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you," (John 15:17-18).

When we suffer for the sake of Christ, it is Christ who suffers with us. — "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me," (Luke 10:16). "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4; Jesus identifies himself with persecuted Christians).

The world's rejection is impotent. Christ's love still conquers. — "In the world you will have persecution, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world," (John 16:33). Nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8:39).

12 The Second Section: Receiving Others' Love in Harmony with God's Love

In the end, God is my only #1. — "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD," (Psalm 27:4). "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him," (Psalm 62:5). ● Christ asked St. Thomas Aquinas: "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward will you receive from me for your labor?" He responded simply: Domine, non nisi Te—that is, "Lord, nothing except you," (read more) . ● Above her door frame, an embattled St. Thérèse carved: «Jésus est mon unique Amour!» (that is, "Jesus is my only Love!"). YET!!!! . . . "It is not good that the man should be alone," (Genesis 2:18). Adam is in paradise. He is in perfect harmony with God. Yet God knows man is made for companionship, a friend in general and a woman specifically. In the light of Christ's love for each of us, the love that others offer to us shines with an additional splendor. These human acts of love can rightly be received as carrying Christ's perfect love. If Christ's love is the living fountain, our neighbors can offer us cups drawn from this living fountain.

Repent of people pleasing. — "For they [the unbelievers] loved the praise of men more than the praise of God," (John 12:43).

Repent of gift earning.

An Encore: "Vivre d'Amour" by St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (A version set to music)

1. Au soir d'Amour, parlant sans parabole 1 On the evening of Love, speaking without parable, Jésus disait : «Si quelqu'un veut m'aimer Jesus said: "If anyone wishes to love me Toute sa vie, qu'il garde ma Parole All his life, let him keep my Word. Mon Père et moi viendrons le visiter. My Father and I will come to visit him. Et de son coeur faisant notre demeure And we will make his heart our dwelling. Venant à lui, nous l'aimerons toujours! Coming to him, we shall love him always. Rempli de paix, nous voulons qu'il demeure We want him to remain, filled with peace, En notre Amour!...» In our Love!..."

2. Vivre d'Amour, c'est te garder Toi-Même 2 Living on Love is holding You Yourself. Verbe incréé, Parole de mon Dieu, Uncreated Word, Word of my God, Ah ! tu le sais, Divin Jésus, je t'aime Ah! Divine Jesus, you know I love you. L'Esprit d'Amour m'embrase de son feu The Spirit of Love sets me aflame with his fire. C'est en t'aimant que j'attire le Père In loving you I attract the Father. Mon faible coeur le garde sans retour. My weak heart holds him forever. O Trinité ! vous êtes Prisonnière O Trinity! You are Prisoner De mon Amour !..... Of my Love!...

3. Vivre d'Amour, c'est vivre de ta vie, 3 Living on Love is living on your life, Roi glorieux, délice des élus. Glorious King, delight of the elect. Tu vis pour moi, caché dans une hostie You live for me, hidden in a host. Je veux pour toi me cacher, ô Jésus ! I want to hide myself for you, O Jesus! A des amants, il faut la solitude Lovers must have solitude, Un coeur à coeur qui dure nuit et jour A heart-to-heart lasting night and day. Ton seul regard fait ma béatitude Just one glance of yours makes my beatitude. Je vis d'Amour !... I live on Love!...

4. Vivre d'Amour, ce n'est pas sur la terre 4 Living on Love is not setting up one's tent Fixer sa tente au sommet du Thabor. At the top of Tabor. Avec Jésus, c'est gravir le Calvaire, It's climbing Calvary with Jesus, C'est regarder la Croix comme un trésor !... It's looking at the Cross as a treasure!... Au Ciel je dois vivre de jouissance In Heaven I'm to live on joy. Alors l'épreuve aura fui pour toujours Then trials will have fled forever, Mais exilée je veux dans la souffrance But in exile, in suffering I want Vivre d'Amour. To live on Love.

5. Vivre d'Amour, c'est donner sans mesure 5 Living on Love is giving without limit Sans réclamer de salaire ici-bas Without claiming any wages here below. Ah ! sans compter je donne étant bien sûre Ah! I give without counting, truly sure Que lorsqu'on aime, on ne calcule pas !... That when one loves, one does not keep count!... Au Coeur Divin, débordant de tendresse Overflowing with tenderness, I have given everything, J'ai tout donné.... légèrement je cours To his Divine Heart.... lightly I run. Je n'ai plus rien que ma seule richesse I have nothing left but my only wealth: Vivre d'Amour. Living on Love.

6. Vivre d'Amour, c'est bannir toute crainte 6 Living on Love is banishing every fear, Tout souvenir des fautes du passé. Every memory of past faults. De mes péchés je ne vois nulle empreinte, I see no imprint of my sins. En un instant l'amour a tout brûlé..... In a moment love has burned everything Flamme divine, ô très douce Fournaise ! Divine Flame, O very sweet Blaze! En ton foyer je fixe mon séjour I make my home in your hearth. C'est en tes feux que je chante à mon aise : In your fire I gladly sing: «Je vis d'Amour!...» "I live on Love!..."

7. Vivre d'Amour, c'est garder en soi-même 7 Living on Love is keeping within oneself Un grand trésor en un vase mortel A great treasure in an earthen vase. Mon Bien-Aimé, ma faiblesse est extrême My Beloved, my weakness is extreme. Ah je suis loin d'être un ange du ciel !... Ah, I'm far from being an angel from heaven!.. Mais si je tombe à chaque heure qui passe But if I fall with each passing hour, Me relevant tu viens à mon secours, You come to my aid, lifting me up. A chaque instant tu me donnes ta grâce At each moment you give me your grace: Je vis d'Amour. I live on Love.

8. Vivre d'Amour, c'est naviguer sans cesse 8 Living on Love is sailing unceasingly, Semant la paix, la joie dans tous les coeurs Sowing peace and joy in every heart. Pilote Aimé, la Charité me presse Beloved Pilot, Charity impels me, Car je te vois dans les âmes mes soeurs For I see you in my sisters' souls. La Charité voilà ma seule étoile Charity is my only star. A sa clarté je vogue sans détour In its brightness I sail straight ahead. J'ai ma devise écrite sur ma voile : I've my motto written on my sail: «Vivre d'Amour.» "Living on Love."

9. Vivre d'Amour, lorsque Jésus sommeille 9 Living on Love, when Jesus is sleeping, C'est le repos sur les flots orageux Is rest on stormy seas. Oh ! ne crains pas, Seigneur, que je t'éveille Oh! Lord, don't fear that I'll wake you. J'attends en paix le rivage des cieux.... I'm waiting in peace for Heaven's shore.... La Foi bientôt déchirera son voile Faith will soon tear its veil. Mon Espérance est de te voir un jour My hope is to see you one day. La Charité enfle et pousse ma voile Charity swells and pushes my sail: Je vis d'Amour !... I live on Love!...

10. Vivre d'Amour, c'est, ô mon Divin Maître 10 Living on Love, O my Divine Master, Te supplier de répandre tes Feux Is begging you to spread your Fire En l'âme sainte et sacrée de ton Prêtre In the holy, sacred soul of your Priest. Qu'il soit plus pur qu'un séraphin des cieux !... May he be purer than a seraphim in Heaven!... Ah ! glorifie ton Eglise Immortelle Ah! glorify your Immortal Church! A mes soupirs, Jésus, ne sois pas sourd Jesus, do not be deaf to my sighs. Moi son enfant, je m'immole pour elle I, her child, sacrifice myself for her, Je vis d'Amour. I live on Love.

11. Vivre d'Amour, c'est essuyer ta Face 11 Living on Love is wiping your Face, C'est obtenir des pécheurs le pardon It's obtaining the pardon of sinners. O Dieu d'Amour ! qu'ils rentrent dans ta grâce O God of Love! may they return to your grace, Et qu'à jamais ils bénissent ton Nom..... And may they forever bless your Name Jusqu'à mon coeur retentit le blasphème Even in my heart the blasphemy resounds. Pour l'effacer, je veux chanter toujours : To efface it, I always want to sing: «Ton Nom Sacré, je l'adore et je l'Aime "I adore and love your Sacred Name. Je vis d'Amour !... » I live on Love!..."

12. Vivre d'Amour, c'est imiter Marie, 12 Living on Love is imitating Mary, Baignant de pleurs, de parfums précieux, Bathing your divine feet that she kisses, transported. Tes pieds divins, qu'elle baise ravie With tears, with precious perfume, Les essuyant avec ses longs cheveux... She dries them with her long hair... Puis se levant, elle brise le vase Then standing up, she shatters the vase, Ton Doux Visage elle embaume à son tour. And in turn she anoints your Sweet Face. Moi, le parfum dont j'embaume ta Face As for me, the perfume with which I anoint your Face C'est mon Amour !.... Is my Love!....

13. «Vivre d'Amour, quelle étrange folie!» 13 "Living on Love, what strange folly!" Me dit le monde, «Ah! cessez de chanter, The world says to me, "Ah! stop your singing, Ne perdez pas vos parfums, votre vie, Don't waste your perfumes, your life. Utilement sachez les employer!...» Learn to use them well..." T'aimer, Jésus, quelle perte féconde !... Loving you, Jesus, is such a fruitful loss!... Tous mes parfums sont à toi sans retour, All my perfumes are yours forever. Je veux chanter en sortant de ce monde : I want to sing on leaving this world: «Je meurs d'Amour!» "I'm dying of Love!"

14. Mourir d'Amour, c'est un bien doux martyre 14 Dying of Love is a truly sweet martyrdom, Et c'est celui que je voudrais souffrir, And that is the one I wish to suffer. O Chérubins ! accordez votre lyre, O Cherubim! Tune your lyre, Car je le sens, mon exil va finir !.... For I sense my exile is about to end!... Flamme d'Amour, consume-moi sans trêve Flame of Love, consume me unceasingly. Vie d'un instant, ton fardeau m'est bien lourd ! Life of an instant, your burden is so heavy to me! Divin Jésus, réalise mon rêve : Divine Jesus, make my dream come true: Mourir d'Amour !... To die of Love!...

15. Mourir d'amour, voilà mon espérance 15 Dying of Love is what I hope for. Quand je verrai se briser mes liens When I shall see my bonds broken, Mon Dieu sera ma Grande Récompense My God will be my Great Reward. Je ne veux point posséder d'autres biens. I don't desire to possess other goods. De son Amour je veux être embrasée I want to be set on fire with his Love. Je veux Le voir, m'unir à Lui toujours I want to see Him, to unite myself to Him forever. Voilà mon Ciel.... voilà ma destinée : That is my Heaven... that is my destiny: Vivre d'Amour !!!... Living on Love!!!