Episode 2754: The Greatest Romance: Loving God with All Our Heart Soul and Mind - Morning Episode

Episode 1134: St Sabbas

St. Gerald of Braga

Sign up for "Word Made Flesh"
https://forms.gle/tuzqrhTXTZQuf7VH9
You can join via zoom. Please attend. I promise it will help you focus during the Advent season and make Christ the reason for the Season.
Nightly Zoom Coordinates for Rosary:
Meeting ID: 865 8978 0399
Passcode: Wjjv4960!
Speak Lord
Rosary
Word of the Day”
Theology & Doctrine Holy Trinity The central mystery of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Greatest Romance: Loving God with All Our Heart, Soul, and Mind
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on what it means to truly love God and make Him the center of our lives. Drawing from the wisdom of St. Augustine, the evocative writings of A.G. Sertillanges, and the Gospel of Matthew, we will explore the depth and beauty of the greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor.
________________________________________
Segment 1: The Greatest Romance
St. Augustine famously wrote:
"To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement."
This quote encapsulates the essence of the Christian journey. To fall in love with God is not merely an emotional experience but a transformative relationship that reorders our priorities and fulfills the deepest desires of our hearts. It is a romance that transcends earthly love because it draws us into the eternal.
Loving God demands our entire being heart, soul, and "He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." — Matthew 22:37-40
These commandments are not separate but intertwined. Our love for God manifests in how we treat others, and our love for others deepens our relationship with God.
________________________________________
Segment 2: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
A.G. Sertillanges provides a tender image of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane:
"Sometimes [Jesus] would decide to spend the night [in the garden of Gethsemane], when He had left the city at a late hour or when He had been long at prayer. Then Gethsemane became a sacred dormitory, and the disciples were privileged to assist at the mystery of Jesus falling into the gentle unconsciousness of sleep while He still kept infinity in His heart. God condescended to lie there resting by the trunk of a tree, His head upon His arms, with His disciples stretched here and there about Him - they, poor mortals, sunk deep in nothingness while He kept heavenly vigil - and John, no doubt, huddled close against his Master, his cheek resting upon His cloak. But the day was to come when Jesus would be there alone, unable to rest His wearied heart upon the soul of the Twelve." –A.G Sertillanges
This intimate scene reminds us of the closeness Christ shared with His disciples and the profound mystery of His humanity and divinity. Even in moments of rest, Christ’s heart was infinitely united to the Father.
Yet, as Sertillanges notes, the day came when Jesus was alone in the garden, carrying the weight of the world’s sins. This moment of profound solitude is a testament to His perfect love for us a love that endured abandonment, suffering, and death to redeem us.
________________________________________
Segment 3: Living Out the Greatest Commandments
How can we respond to Christ’s love and live out the greatest commandments in our daily lives?
1. Daily Prayer and Adoration
Spend time with God in prayer, adoration, and reading Scripture. As Christ often withdrew to pray, we too need to make space for God in the silence of our hearts.
2. Love in Action
Our love for God must extend to our neighbor. This means acts of charity, forgiveness, and compassion, even when it is difficult. As St. Augustine reminds us, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You," but we find rest in serving others.
3. Embrace Sacrifice
Christ’s love for us was sacrificial. He laid down His life for His friends, as John 15:13 reminds us. We are called to imitate this sacrificial love in our relationships and our service to God.
________________________________________

Segment 4: The Adventure of Seeking God
Seeking God is the greatest adventure because it transforms every aspect of our lives. Like the disciples resting in Gethsemane, we find peace in God’s presence. Yet we are also called to vigilance, to stay awake and respond to His call, especially in times of trial.
The journey to love God fully is not easy. It requires perseverance, humility, and a willingness to surrender our will to His. But the reward is eternal union with Him the ultimate fulfillment of our purpose.
________________________________________
Conclusion Prayer
Let us conclude with a prayer:
O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Teach us to love You above all things. Help us to seek You as our greatest adventure and to find our rest in You. May our hearts burn with the same love You showed in Gethsemane, a love that endured all for our sake. Strengthen us to follow Your commandments, to love You with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Grant us the grace to persevere in this journey of love and faith, and lead us to the eternal romance of heaven, where we will be united with You forever. Amen.
________________________________________
Thank you for joining us today. As we journey through this life, may we always keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the source of true love and joy. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly.