Detachment
Happiness
Books by Theme
I repeat, there is no true happiness except in self-giving done out of love. “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Jesus said (Acts 20:35).
- Called to Life, p.91
This is a fundamental spiritual principle, found in the Gospel. Jesus speaks these mysterious words: “I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Lk 19:26).
In this way he proclaims one of the most important laws of life. Someone filled with resentment and unhappiness, bitter that life is not as it should be, will be deeply disillusioned. On the other hand, people who are glad for what they have received, and thank God for what befalls them will receive still more, until finally being overwhelmed by God’s generosity.
- Called to Life, p.87
Learning to love means seeing ever more clearly that the fundamental spiritual attitude—and paradoxically the most difficult—is openness to receiving. It is fundamental because it is God who loves us first. It is difficult because it requires us to have much confidence and humility, and to let ourselves be loved.
- Called to Life, p.94