Love is crucifying yourself for people who hate you. Since most of us don’t have that nerve, we can say that the Love Christ asks of us can be reduced to this: give yourself. Hold back nothing, whether in clothing, food, water, company, or spiritual advice. Leave not a single article of which you can say “this is mine”. Own nothing in your heart, but give every last thing to every last person that asks it of you. I am referring to your whole self, your human person. Love is being absolutely naked in front of everyone, and holding no guile or caution when it comes to making others rejoice.
The Litany of Humility is the greatest request to receive the true gift of love from God:
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
:shrug:
