Fullness of Love

In Story of a Soul, Thérèse of Lisieux exclaimed: “O Jesus, my Love, my vocation, at last I have found it. My vocation is Love!” Considering the “Little Way” of St. Thérèse, how many of us actually embrace the fullness of love?

Let’s start with Jesus Christ—God’s love made manifest. Christ our Savior came into this world to share his heart with us for the sake of our salvation. When we embrace Christ, God’s love permeates every aspect of our lives.

Yet, the more we love, the greater the heartache. Is it better to love from a distance to avoid the pain? Did Christ keep his distance when he walked upon this earth?

A Burning Heart

Consider this: In Christ, we see the fullness of God’s love. Our Lord’s heart burns with love. However, I can’t imagine being consumed by this divine fire! As much as I want to be close to our Lord, I keep my distance.

At the same time, I admire those who have God’s love burning bright within them. For that love is eternal. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells within their hearts and they are “rooted and grounded in love” [Ephesians 3:17]. 

A heart ignited by the heart of Jesus is immersed in God’s mercy and compassion. Purified and made new again, our Lord’s love within us brings out our genuine selves. Like St. Thérèse, we can do ordinary things with extraordinary love. We have the strength that comes with the fullness of love which protects our hearts from truly breaking.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” [1 Corinthians 13:4–7].

Time and Intensity

However, is the intensity of our Lord’s love too difficult to embrace as we see his suffering and sacrifice on the cross? “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” [Romans 5:8]. Jesus suffered physically, emotionally, spiritually for our sake. Are we willing to do the same out of love for God or anyone else?

Only recently, as I try to grow closer to our Lord, I’m able to look at Christ’s cross without turning away. Although I see his love through his heartache, it’s still too much for me to fully accept and share without hesitation. Remember, our Savior does not force his love on anyone. The choice is ours—to accept or reject this love—or for many, desire and resist it at the same time.

I may never experience the intensity of love that St. Thérèse embraced during her brief lifetime. My hope is the small flame of love I have increases over time as I follow God’s Word—as I follow Christ—which gives each day meaning and purpose. If we spend time shielding ourselves from pain that comes with love, we end up feeling numb.

Let’s pray that acceptance overcomes rejection. Desire overcomes resistance. O Jesus, help us embrace love as our vocation; live full lives; and “be filled with all the fullness of God” [Ephesians 3:19]—the fullness of Love. Amen!