Jan 22, 2010

Is that a paradox?

Liturgy of the Hours              

"Anyone who loves God in the depths of his heart has already been loved by God. In fact, the measure of a man’s love for God depends upon how deeply aware he is of God’s love for him. When this awareness is keen it makes whoever possesses it long to be enlightened by the divine light, and this longing is so intense that it seems to penetrate his very bones. He loses all consciousness of himself and is entirely transformed by the love of God. "Such a man lives in
this life and at the same time does not live in it, for although he still inhabits his body, he is constantly leaving it in spirit because of the love that draws him toward God. Once the love of God has released him from self-love, the flame of divine love never ceases to burn in his heart and he remains united to God by an irresistible longing. As St Paul says: If we are taken out of ourselves it is for the love of God; if we are brought back to our senses it is for your sake." (from: www.universalis.com)
This quote comes to us from Diadochus, Bishop of Photike in the fifth century and appears in today's Office of Readings. Can this be Lady Poverty at work emptying us from this body and releasing us from self-love? God bless Father Francis. JMJ. Mick