The Divine Office : Prefer to be thus loved

Examiner.com ^ | 01/25/10 | Joseph Speranzella SFO

[Jihadi Du Jour]

The Apostle Paul set no store by the things that fill our visible world, any more than a man sets value on the withered grass of the field. As for tyrannical rulers or the people enraged against him, he paid them no more heed than gnats. Death itself and pain and whatever torments might come were but child’s play to him, provided that thereby he might bear some burden for the sake of Christ.

Paul asked us once to imitate him (1Cor. 4:16 ).These words of St. Chrysostom are thoughts to ponder and even rules to follow if you will. It seems to me that the overriding points here is how Paul responded to the love he knew God had for him. All of his choices then were motivated and engaged with this love. Paul prefered to be "thus loved and be the least of all." Prefer yourself to be thus loved too. Keep Reading...

[Soothesayer]

To be separated from the love of God is absolute torture. It’s not only emotionally agonizing but it kills you from the inside out. Like deadly radiation.