Day 6 of 80

The Science of Love

Chapter VIII·Manuscript C·Love
Context
During a meditation that had been completely dry, Thérèse suddenly received an interior word about 'the science of love.' This became her life's singular pursuit — not knowledge, not achievement, but the science of loving God.

The Science of Love! How sweetly do these words echo in my soul! That science alone do I desire. Having given all my substance for it, like the Spouse in the Canticles, "I think that I have given nothing." After so many graces, may I not sing with the Psalmist that "the Lord is good, that His Mercy endureth for ever"?

It seems to me that if everyone were to receive such favours God would be feared by none, but loved to excess; that no one would ever commit the least wilful fault — and this through love, not fear. Yet all souls cannot be alike. It is necessary that they should differ from one another in order that each Divine Perfection may receive its special honour. To me, He has given His Infinite Mercy, and it is in this ineffable mirror that I contemplate His other attributes.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux — Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII (Manuscript C). Taylor translation, 1912 (public domain).
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