IBIL CONFERENCE 1: LOVE FOR LOVE

1. St. Therese said, "In the evening of this life, I shall appear before YOU with empty hands." (page 7) What does this mean to you? How can you begin "emptying your hands"?

2. "As if that were not enough, He invented the Eucharist: a God who makes Himself into bread, a little host, in order to descend onto our lips and into our hearts, to bridge all distance between Himself and us." (page 9) Does reading this give you a different understanding of the Eucharist?

3. "Never let your past sins be an obstacle between you and Jesus." (page 12) How have your sins been an obstacle? How can we overcome this?

4. "If you have been loved like this, you must love in return, give love for love. 'I have loved you; you must love. I have given you my Heart without reserve, in order to have your heart without reserve. I have put no limit on my love; you must put no limit on yours.'" (pages 13-14)  How are you giving love for love? Where are you putting limits on your love?

5. Father d'Elbee points out all the things Jesus did not ask Peter (are you wise? virtuous? capable of leading? and so forth). He asks only, "Do you love me?" (page 14) Because doubting who we are keeps us from fully loving God, what reasons do you give yourself for not completely loving God? (I am not ____ enough.")

6.  "The Cross, taken up hesitantly, is crushing; taken smilingly, by free will, and with love, it will carry you much more than you carry it." (page 18) What are your crosses taken up smilingly? What are your crosses taken up hesitantly? How do they differ?

7.  Do you fear what God will ask you to do? If yes, why? (page 21)

8. Do you think you are a joy for Jesus? In what ways do you bring Him joy?

this week's challenge: choose one 'hesitantly' taken up cross in your life and carry it smilingly. What difference did doing this make?

Feel free to answer the above questions, ask questions of your own, or just provide thoughts in response to Love for Love. I know Amy and I were both surprised by the gravity of the text. I Believe in Love seems like such a light title but prepare yourself for some intense reading!! These are the questions from the study guide.