On pure love of God

Have you ever been asked: “Do you love God?” Whatever we think, let us say that we do love God to some extent. Do not be afraid to say it. However, our love is not marked by the same intensity and willingness, the same recognition as to where God is and how to act to make Him happy. Our love for God is not always pure. It is rather marked by our goals, agendas, visions and tendency to push our will. Indeed, even in the loving relationship with our neighbour, it is common that we do not listen, we want to force our will. Yet, God’s calling is expressed in the sanctuary of our conscience in a very sublime way. It is not a pushing voice as God highly respects the freedom of our hearts.

St John the Baptist loved God with a pure heart. He did not have any other goals and agendas in his life except to point out where the Lord was. He was not afraid of losing his disciples. He was neither afraid of stepping down from his role as prophet and authority, nor was he afraid of being forgotten, humiliated or killed. On the contrary, his joy was great when people, particularly his disciples, recognised Christ, when they became attached to Christ and followed Him.

Due to his purity of heart and purity of intentions, his passion towards his mission as prophet was powerful. It led St Andrew to follow Jesus Christ, and indirectly it led St Peter to do the same. It did not matter that Peter knew nothing about it. The matter was, that John became united in his love with Christ.
Fr Stan