On Loving God VIII: 24
On Loving God VIII: 24 benefit which is grafted in that nature. Should a man feel over burdened at satisfying not only his brethren's just needs but also their pleasures, let him restrain his own if he does not want to be a transgressor. He can be as indulgent as he likes for himself p r o v i ding h_e_ remembers hTsn e igh bo r has the sjrme
Tights. O man, the law of life and order225 imposes on you the restraint of temperance, lest you follow after your wanton desires226 and perish, lest you use nature's gifts to serve through wantonness the enemy of the soul. Would it not be more just and honorable to share them with your neighbor, your fellow man, than with your enemy? If, faithful to the Wiseman's counsel, you turn away from sensual delights227 and content yourself with the Apostle's teaching on food and clothing,228 you will soon be able to guard your love against "carnal de sires which war against the soul"229 and I think you will not findit a burden to share with those of your nature that which you have withheld from the enemy of your soul. Then your love will be sober and just if you do not refuse your brother that which he needs of what you have denied yourself in ty pleasure. Thus carnal, love becomes social when it is extended to others.
24. What would you do if, while helping out your neighbor, you find yourself lacking what is necessary for your life? What else can you do than to pray with all confidence to him230
"who gives abundantly and bears no grudges,231 who opens his hand and fills with blessings every living being?"232 There is no doubt that he will assist us willingly in time of need, since he helps us so often in time of plenty. It is written: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and the rest will be added thereto."233 Without being asked he promises to give what is necessary to him who withholds from himself what he does not need and loves his neighbor. This is to seek the king dom of God and implore his aid against the tyrrany of sin, to prefer the yoke of chastity and sobriety rather than let sin reign in your mortal flesh.234 And again, it is only right to 225. Sir 45:6.
226. Sir 18:30.
227. Ibid.
228. 1 Tim 6:8.
229. 1 Pet 2:11.
230. Acts 4:29; 28:31.
231. Jas 1:5.
232. Ps 144:16.
233. Mt 6:33; Lk 12:31.
234. Rom 6: 1 2.
On Loving God VIII: 25-IX: 26 27 share nature's gifts with him who shares that nature with you.
25. Nevertheless, in order to love one's neighbor with perfect justice,235 one must have regard to God. In other words, how can one love one's neighbor with purity, if one does not love him in God? But it is impossible to love in God unless one loves God. It is necessary,., therefore, to love God first; then one can love one.Is„U£ighb.QX.,m. Goxl. 2 3 6 Thus God makes him self lovable and creates whatever else is good. He does it this way. He who made nature protects it, for nature was created in a way that it must have its creator for protector. The world could not subsist without him to whom it owes its very exis tence. That no rational creature may ignore this fact concern ing itself or dare lay claim through pride to benefits due the creator, by a deep and salutary counsel, the same creator wills that man be disciplined by tribulations so that when man fails and God comes to his help, man, saved by God, will render
J God the honor due him. It is written: "Call to me in the day of sorrow; I will deliver you, and you shall honor me.''237 In this way, man who is animal and carnal,238 and knows how to love only himself, yet starts loving God for his own benefit, because he learns from frequent experience that he can do everything that is good for him in God239 and that without God he can do nothing good.240
THE SECOND DEGREE OF LOVE: MAN LOVES GOD FOR HIS
OWN BENEFIT
IX. 26. Man, therefore, loves God, but for his own advantage and not yet for God's sake. Nevertheless, it is a mat tec, of pr.udence to know what you can do by yourself and what you can do with God's help to keep from offending him who keeps you free from sin. If man's tribulations, however, grow in frequency and as a result he frequently turns to God and is frequently freed by God, must he not end, even though he had a heart of stone241 in a breast of iron, by realizing that it is
235. Mk 12:30-31. 239. Phil 4: 1 3.
236. Mk 12:30. 240. Jn 15:5.
237. ps 49; 15. 241. Ezek 11:19; 36: 26.
238. 1 Cor 2:14.