Grace to love is enough
The final petition of the Ignatian Take, Lord, and Receive is: “Give me only the grace to love you, for that is enough for me”. Three words must be highlighted: “love”, “grace” and “enough”.
The experience of love is so profound that when we love someone we get possessive and protective of them, often selfishly demanding that they play by our rules. We live in tension, fearing that this love will end. In contrast, God’s love is unconditional and it respects and ensures our freedom. Unlike human love which experiences various temperatures and climates, God’s love is constant, eternal. When we surrender ourselves completely to God’s love, we can be ourselves in total freedom of spirit.
God’s love is a gratuitous gift – “grace” – that is offered to every creature. Once I accept it and let it take over my life, I experience abundance, fullness. Grace is sufficient unto itself – “enough”. It is the mainspring for everything: enabling me to discern the right choices, to attain the “passionate indifference” (T. de Chardin) of the “third class”, to achieve the unreserved commitment of the third degree of humility. It works miracles. No need for petitions or promises; simply surrender to LOVE.
