And now back to our regularly scheduled program...
This morning I was reading a wonderful book, and re-read something I had heavily underlined a few months ago. Funny, how I need to be reminded - I just don't remember things. This seems to answer some of the questions I have been asking myself over the last week. So, allow me to quote a paragraph from the book "Three Philosophies of Life" by Peter Kreeft:
"Saint Augustine, in his sermon 'On the Pure Love of God', imagines God coming to you with a question similar to the one he asked Saint Thomas. The point is kind of a self-test to find out whether you have the 'pure love of God', that is, whether you are obeying the first and greatest commandment, to love God with your whole heart and soul, in that deep, obscure center of your being where your 'fundamental option' decides your eternal destiny. Augustine supposes that God proposed to you a deal and said, 'I will give you anything you want. You can possess the whole world. Nothing will be impossible for you. You will have infinite power. Nothing will be a sin, nothing forbidden. You will never die, never have pain, never have anything you do not want and always have anything you do want -- except for just one thing: you will never see my face.' Would you take that deal? If not, you have the pure love of God. For look what you just did: you gave up the world, and more -- all possible worlds, all imagined worlds, all desired worlds -- just for God. Augustine asks, 'Did a chill arise in your heart when you heard the words 'you will never see my face'?' That chill is the most precious thing in you, that is the pure love of God."
I am pleased to report that I have that chill. I think you probably all do too.
Deo Gratias.
Beautiful post. Yes, that should be our biggest fear in life - separation from God and never having His Face before us.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I care nothing for power or riches or pleasures. But not having to die is the one temptation that dangles in front of me. Still if there is a God to offer me this deal, then eternal life could be with Him as well! So why would I need eternal flesh and blood life? So I would decline the offer and shine in the presence of His face! ;)
ReplyDeleteI do like the things of life, as my addiction has proved!
ReplyDeleteHowever, the loneliest state on earth for me, is always going through withdrawels. For a time, I cannot sense God's presence at all. It is as close to hell as I want to get.
For me, hell is being without Him, whether in consolation of materialism or destitute. Without Him, there is no life and no death, just torment raging within and no means to quell it. Mmm, I have had a glimpse or two of that state. No more please God. The thought of that sends chills, it really does.
Great post by the way Mary Christine! I got so engrossed in it, I forgot to say thank you!
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