"We find it so difficult to accept our own deficiencies because we imagine they make us unlovable. Since we are defective in this or that aspect, we feel that we do not deserve to be loved. Living under God's gaze makes us realize how mistaken that is. Love is given freely, it's not deserved, and our deficiencies don't prevent God from loving us - just the opposite! Thus we are freed of the terrible, despair-inducing sense that we must become "good enough" to deserve to be loved.
... God's gaze also enables us to be supremely daring in our desire for holiness. We have the right to aspire to the summit, to aspire to the highest level of holiness, because God wants and is able to grant it. ... God can make us, sinners that we are, into saints: his grace can accomplish even that miracle, and we can have unlimited faith in the power of his love."The above quote is taken from a beautiful, little gem of a book called Interior Freedom by Father Jacques Philippe. I have it on my Kindle and I carry it with me to weekly Eucharistic Adoration. The book is only about 100 pages long, but is perfectly organized into brief sections within the chapters, each offering just the right amount of wisdom on which to pray and reflect during time spent with Our Lord in the chapel. Admittedly, I have not finished it - the third book by Jacques Philippe that I have read. I am not even half way through it - BUT what I have read and digested thus far has been life-changing. Everyone should read this book!! Father Philippe's profound insights into God's love and mercy are an antidote to all that seems broken in our world and in particular ourselves.
I will post an update upon finishing the book. In the meantime, if you own a Kindle I highly recommend spending the $6.12 Amazon is now selling it for, or it is definitely well worth the $8.95 for the paperback edition.
i agree
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