# Our intimacy towards God
*2008-05-19*

> Bill Young reflects on the disparity between God's immense love for us and our own limited response, leading into a prayer for the grace to perform works of mercy.

## The Two Great Commandments

God asks us to do two primary things: love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Intimacy with God can look different for everyone, but it is the foundation of our spiritual life.

## A Human Perspective on Divine Love

We have all experienced situations where we care for someone more than they care for us. I remember back in my college days, I had a crush on a girl and I would try everything to impress her. I would time my trips to the library just to bump into her, only to be ignored while she talked to her friends. It hurts when you have a great passion for someone who only sees you as a casual friend.

Imagine, then, how God must feel towards us. His love is many, many times greater than we could ever possibly love Him. He shows His love to us on a daily basis, yet how often do we actually pay attention? Sometimes it feels as if we only say hello to Him once a week as we walk by. This is not what He asks of us. He asks us to put Him first in everything we think and do, including the way we help our neighbors.

## Prayer for the Grace of Mercy

I hope we can all learn to love and cherish God as we have loved and cherished any human being, because He loves us so much more. Let us pray for the grace to do works of mercy towards our neighbor:

Oh Most Holy Trinity, as many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many times do I want to glorify Your mercy. I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy, to be Your living reflection, oh Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, Lord, that my eyes be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbor's soul and come to their rescue. Help me that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbor's needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and tiresome tasks. Help me that I may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and unwillingness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even to those I know will abuse my kindness. I will lock myself up [unclear], most merciful heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, oh Lord, rest upon me.

## The Three Degrees of Mercy

The Lord commands us to exercise the three degrees of mercy. First is the act of mercy of whatever kind. Second is the word of mercy; if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist with my words. Third is prayer; if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so through prayer. Through prayer, my mercy will reach out even where I cannot physically be. My Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things. Amen.

*Our true rest is found in the service of our neighbor, reflecting the unfathomable mercy God shows to us.*