Love

April 26



Love makes us sprinting, fear makes us look instead wisely where you put the foot, leading us not to stumble on the path that never leads to heaven. I know the cross, dear sister, is painful, and for lovers is almost unbearable threatening to offend one who loves and adores, but Jesus, tempted in the desert and hanging on the cross, is a test very clear, bright and very comforting to what I assure you on behalf of the most tender Spouse of souls, that is, that the storms of this life to a soul that seeks God in everything, and desired above all things, who wants him alone in his heart that longs for him to reign as king in the center of his spirit, and earnestly desires to be wholly and completely owned by it alone, and that this is much more jealous than what usually happens between two lovers hopelessly devoted to love, I say all this is a very clear sign of the unique and exceptional love the loving mercy of God's providence, not all souls, even particularly privileged granted.

(April 25, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 76)