The misunderstanding of purity and its necessity consequently led to the misunderstanding of passion and its necessity. Passion has been mistrusted together with abandonment, excitement, joy, freedom, playfulness, and enthusiasm that human love inspires.
To the French, passion is “elan vital”, an energy, a drive from within, a creative force. It is a thirst for union, for more of true life. Passion constantly creates within us a void that longs to be filled. Christians call this implanted longing the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit keeps in us the desire for union with more—with ourselves and with God.
Human love (eros) and divine love (agape) are a perpetuity; human love and passion prepare us for and lead us to divine love.
All true lovers instinctively know that erotic love is, in essence, transfigured desire. Agape is what emerges from the purifying fire when the surging desire to cling, possess, and consume the object of one’s adoring is fed to kenosis, self-giving love. The purity of selflessness, the intimate expression of one’s true being.
Galatians 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
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