Have you ever reflected on the power of an act of the love of God, when inspired by grace and made with faith? Let us recall to mind the simple words of which it is composed: “My God, I love You with my whole heart, with my whole soul, with all my strength, and above all things; because You are good, infinitely good.”
Try to pronounce each word so slowly that it may sink into your heart.
Do you not feel that in making this act, you give your whole life to God, you give more than if you gave your riches, your time, your strength? Or rather that this act of love transports you out of yourself and gives to God your whole being and all that you possess?
I defy you, guilty, desolate, despairing soul, soul overwhelmed by terror, dread, and the fear of damnation I defy you to go before a crucifix or before the holy Tabernacle and say to Jesus, dwelling the more on the words the harder you find it to say them, “My God, I love You with my whole heart . . . because You are infinitely good,” and not feel that Jesus is moved by your words, and not hear Jesus reply, “And I too love you.” Reason not on this. Try it. Could you believe of Jesus Christ that He does not know how to love or that His Heart is less generous than yours?
Taking Father Willie’s advice, and repeating S-L-O-W-L-Y: My God, I love You with my whole heart, with my whole soul, with all my strength, and above all things; because You are good, infinitely good.” Then again, despite the typical distractions, and the injections of discouragement that accompany thoughts and prayers that try to convince me my words are empty: “My God, I love You with my whole heart, with my whole soul, with all my strength, and above all things; because Your are good, infinitely good.”