Lest You Remain

strength, everywhere, always, for all eternity, and that we are united with His Divinity in the closest bond of intimate Love. ( Templum Dei Mysticum) 15 Contemplate that love is a guarantee of eternal life. Nobody is closer to the glory of God than the friends of God. Yet, do not think that you should love very ardently only God and that only those enjoy the fruits of love whose hearts are con- stantly united with Him. The Lord says that the love of brother is very close to the love of God, or even it must be sad that one does not exist without the other. You who claim that you burn with love for God, could you at the same time feel in your heart a great hatred to your brother? Could you truly serve God while you refuse any service to your brother? Meanwhile, sometimes you neglect what concerns his salvation or attend to it carelessly. Love for your brother does not only mean that you are going to serve him but it should include glossing over his mistakes, bearing them and considering forgiv- able. “Help carry one another’s burdens; in that way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Ga 6:2). So says the one whose love for brother has been perfect. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 16 Love, the most noble princess of virtues and teacher of perfection! Holy love, eternal fire, redeeming fire, feeder of souls, mother of peace, tie linking nations and souls, spirit uniting us with God! Never stop or put out in my heart in relation to God, the Highest Goodness and to my brother! Be my companion everywhere, in any thought, any resolution, inten- tion or action! Do not fail me, ever! May knowledge abandon me and prophecies and oracles, but you do not desert me (c.f. 1 Cor 13:8-13). May I enter with you these dwellings of the saints and the kingdom of love from where you, the mighti- est of virtues, have brought down God’s Child to the earthly kingdom. (Inspectio Cordis) Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 145