In Chapter 6,
St. Teresa is describing
St. Teresa is describing
a purely spiritual love
that is a gift from God.
It can not be merited by one's efforts.
"when God has brought someone
to a clear knowledge…of
- what it is to love the Creator and
- what (it is) to love the creature…
then one loves very differently
from those of us
who have not advanced thus far".
It is a love very different from natural love.
It is a love
without attachments, self-interest and
without "sensuality mingled with it".
They love God;
they praise Him for his creatures and works,
yet do not become attached
to the world's creatures.
They "care nothing whether they are loved or not".
Although "they could not love anything
- outside God, or
- unless it had to do with God".
it is not true
that they "will love none and delight in none, save God.
No;
they will love others much more than they did,
with a more genuine love,
with greater passion and
with a love which brings more profit"
( "the more grows our love toward God,
the greater becomes our love for our neighbour).
[ Ascent of Mt Carmel Bk 3: Ch 23: #1 ]
( "the more grows our love toward God,
the greater becomes our love for our neighbour).
[ Ascent of Mt Carmel Bk 3: Ch 23: #1 ]
"And such souls are always much fonder
of giving than of receiving,
even in their relations
with the Creator Himself".
with the Creator Himself".
They will do everything possible
for the glory of God and
for the benefit of others.
They repay the love of others
by commending them to God.
They entrust to the Lord,
the care of those
who love them.
They care about the spiritual benefit
of the other person.
Their love is a beneficial love:
Their "passion" is
that the other person love God,
"so as to be loved by Him".
The life of Christ, His teachings ,
and His sacrifice
exemplify pure love.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, by her love, humility,
and her unification with the Divine Will,
exemplified pure love.
__________
St. Teresa acknowledges
that "it is quite natural for us
to wish (love) to be returned"
The perfect love (described above) is a gift from God
which can not be acquired by human effort.
But one can pray that God will
give them grace and
gradually perfect their love.
They can strive to imitate
the Gospels' message of love and
the beatitudes
in their desire to be more selfless and loving
in their daily lives.
"only the help of God, obtained by prayer and
much striving on (our) part, can do it".
[The Life - Ch31 #23]
