Darts of Fire: OR PROOFS THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS GIVEN US OF HIS LOVE IN THE WORK OF REDEMPTION by St. Alphonsus Liguori V. In hoc apparuit charitas Dei in nobis, quoniam Filium suum unigenitum misit Deus in mundum, ut vivamus per eum. "By this hath the charity of God appeared toward us, because God hath sent His Only-begotten Son into the world that we might live by Him."-----1 John, iv. 9 All men were dead by sin, and they would have remained dead if the eternal Father had not sent His Son to restore them to life by His death. But how? what is this? A God to die for man! A God! And who is this man? "Who am I?"  says St. Bonaventure. " O Lord, why hast Thou loved me so much?" [Stim. div. am. p. 1, c. 13] But it is in this that the infinite love of God shines forth. By this hath the charity of God appeared. [1 John, iv. 9] The Holy Church exclaims on Holy Saturday, "O wonderful condescension of Thy mercy toward us! O inestimable affection of charity! that Thou mightest redeem a slave, Thou didst deliver up Thy Son." O immense compassion! O prodigy! O excess of the love of God? To deliver a servant and a sinner from the death that he deserves, His innocent Son is condemned to die. Thou, then, O my God, hast done this that we might live by Jesus Christ: that we might live by Him. [1 John, iv. 9] Yes, indeed, it is but meet that we should live for Him, Who has given all His Blood and His life for us. My dear Redeemer, in the presence of Thy wounds and of the Cross on which I see Thee dead for me, I consecrate to Thee my life and my whole will, Ah, make me all Thine, for from this day forward I seek and desire none but Thee. I love Thee, infinite Goodness; I love Thee, infinite Love; while I live may I always repeat, My God, I love Thee, I love Thee; let my last words in death be, My God, I love Thee, I love Thee. The Back spray takes you to the previous page and the Forward to the next.  E-Mail HOME-----------------------CHILDREN--------------------CHRISTMAS www.catholictradition.org/Christmas/darts-fire5.htm