On Loving God V: 15 17
On Loving God V: 15 him,"153 nor does he honor the Holy Spirit whom the Son sent.154 Hence it is no wonder that he loves less him whom he knows less.155 Nevertheless, even he is aware he owes him all whom he knows is the maker of all his being. What then should he be for me who hold my God to be not only the generous giver, the liberal administrator, the kindest consoler and the watchful governor of my life, but above and beyond that, the richest redeemer, the eternal defender who enriches and glorifies, as it is written: "With him is plentiful redemp tion;"156 and also, "He entered the sanctuary once and for all, after winning eternal salvation."157 The Psalmist says about our conversion: "He will not forsake his saints: they will be kept safe forever."158 The Gospel says of enriching: ". . . good measure, pressed down, shaken up, and overflowing they will pour into your bosom;"159 and again: "The eye has not seen, the ear has not heard, nor has the heart of man conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."160 St Paul says of our glorification: "We are waiting for our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, molding it into a likeness of his glorified body."161 And again,
"The sufferings of this life are not to be compared with the future glory to be revealed in us."162 Better still: ". . . that which is but a passing, light tribulation in this life, produces in us a degree of glory beyond measure for the life to come, as we contemplate the things that are unseen, not those that are seen."163
15. What shall I render to the Lord for all these gifts? 164
Reason and natural justice urge the infidel to surrender his 153. Jn 5:23.
154. Jn 15:26; 16:7.
155. Cf. Lk 7:47.
156. Ps 129:7.
157. Heb 9:12.
158. Ps 36:28.
159. Lk 6:38.
160. 1 Cor 2:9.
161. Phil 3: 20-21.
162. Rom 8:18.
163. 2 Cor 4:17-18.
164. Ps 115:12. Cf. Gra 48; OB 3:201; CF 19. This text was used at the Mass in reference to receiving the Eucharist
On Loving God V: 15 whole being to him from whom he received it and to love him with all his might. Faith certainly bids me love him all the more whom I regard as that much greater than I, for he not only gives me myself, he also gives me himself. The age of faith had not yet come, God had not yet appeared in flesh, died on the Cross, risen from the grave, or returned to the Father. He had not yet commended his great charity in us16s about which I have said so much. Man had not yet been ordered to love his Lord God with all his heart, all his soul, and all his strength,166 that is, with all he is, knows and can do. Yet God is not unjust when he claims for himself his works and gifts.167 Why would not an artifact love its artist, if it is able to do so? Why would it not love him all it can, since it can do nothing except by his gift? In addition, the fact that man was made out of nothing, gratuitously and in this dignity, renders the debt of love clearer and proves the divine exaction more just. Besides, how much did the benefit increase when
God, multiplying his mercy, saved men and beasts?168 I am speaking of us who exchanged our glory for the likeness of a calf that eats grass,169 who have become by sin like irrational beasts.170 If I owe all for having been created, what can I add for being remade, and being remade in this way? It was less easy to remake me than to make me. It is written not only about me but of every created being; "He spoke and they were made."171 But he who made me by a single word, in remaking me had to speak many words, work miracles, suffer hardships, and not only hardships but even unjust treatment. "What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?"172 In his first work he gave me myself; in his second work he gave me himself; when he gave me himself, he gave me back myself.
Given, and regiven, I owe myself twice over. What can I give God in return for himself? Even if I could give him myself a thousand times, what am I to God?173
165. Rom 5: 8.
170. Ps 48:13, 21.
171. Ps 148:5.
172. Ps 115:12.
166. Deut 6: 5; Mk 12; 30 and parallel places 167. Heb6:10.
168. Ps 35:7-8.
169. Ps 105:20.
173. Cf. Job 9:3.