TRINITY xviii
ST FRANCIS DE SALES says that it is a special sign of
God’s goodness that he actually commands us to love him. It is wonderful
enough if he permits us to love him; a few brave spirits might avail themselves
of due permission. It is still more wonderful if he invites us to love
him the responsive and the generous might answer the invitation. But he
commands us to love him, because he will have us all to do so. He will
not be deprived of any man's love. Nor will he be deprived of any part
of our love, for he commands us not merely to love him, but to love him
with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The love of God holds out
two hands to catch and take us: one is the commandment that we should love,
the other is the act of his own love in the sacrifice of Jesus. He does
not mean that we should escape him; see, he has taken us between his two
hands.
