Jesus Explains to St. Catherine How to Love Him with Great Love

Jesus Explains to St. Catherine How to Love Him with Great Love

Jesus once asked Catherine of Siena, “My beloved, do you know why I love you?” In response to Catherine’s negative reply, Jesus continued, “I will tell you. If I cease to love you, you will be nothing; you will be incapable of anything good. Now you see why I have to love you.” “It is true,” Catherine replied, and suddenly she said, “I would like to love you like that.”

But as soon as she had spoken, she realized that what she had said was inappropriate. Jesus smiled. Then, she added, “But this is not fair. You can love me with great love, and I can only love you with small love.”

At that moment, Jesus interrupted, and said, “I have made it possible for you to love me with great love.” Surprised, she immediately asked Him how. “I have placed your neighbor at your side. Whatever you do to him, I will consider it as being done to me.” Catherine, full of joy, went running to care for the sick in the hospital: “Now I can love Jesus with great love.”