Salesian Literature

Chapter 11  :  Motives for loving God

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God’s essential goodness comes before all other motives.  It is not merely the first, but the greatest, highest, strongest motive; the goodness of God is what enthrals the citizens of heaven and completes their bliss.  If we have any hearts at all, we must love that goodness which knows no limits.  To some extent this point is dealt with in chapter 1 and chapter 2 of Book Two, from chapter 8 to the end of Book Three, and in chapter 9 of Book Ten.

 

The second motive is God’s natural providence in regard to us – the question of our creation and preservation; I have described this in chapter 3 of Book Two.

 

The third motive is God’s supernatural providence in our regard – the redemption which he provided; I have explained this in chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 6 and chapter 7 of Book Two.

 

The fourth motive is reflection on the way in which God’s providence and redemption work – providing each soul with all the graces and helps it needs for salvation; this is dealt with in Book Two from chapter 8 onwards, and in Book Three from chapter 1 to chapter 6.

 

The fifth motive is the everlasting glory which God, in his goodness, has planned for us – his crowning gift, where we are concerned.  I have covered this, to some extent, in chapter 9 to chapter 15 of Book Three.

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