In Episode 31 of our Week 4 Lenten journey, we continue with St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s On Loving God and reflect on a deeper purification of love: learning to love God for His own sake. St. Bernard shows that this is a work of grace over time. The soul no longer turns toward God mainly for help, strength, or consolation, but begins to love Him because He is good.

In light of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, this episode explores how love is purified through stability, obedience, prayer, and perseverance in ordinary daily life. St. Benedict trains the soul not to live by impulse, self-will, or the pursuit of spiritual comfort. Instead, the soul learns to remain with God faithfully, whether in consolation or dryness.

This steady remaining begins to loosen the grip of self-interest. Love becomes quieter, simpler, and more stable. The heart begins to desire God more than His gifts. Through the daily rhythm of prayer, work, silence, and obedience, grace teaches the soul to rest in God with fewer conditions. St. Bernard helps us see that this is not a lofty spiritual achievement, but the slow and real purification of love.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 10 §§27-28

“When God is thus loved for His own sake,
then man truly loves God.
He loves God because God is good,
not because of what he receives from Him.
Such a soul seeks not its own interest,
but God alone,
and rests in Him.”

“Tunc vere diligit homo Deum, cum propter ipsum Deum diligit. Non enim quod ex Deo est, sed ipsum Deum quaerit, nec sua, sed Dei tantum.”

“Whom have I in heaven but thee?
And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee.”

1. Do I notice myself turning to God mainly when I want help, comfort or relief?
2. What does it mean for me to love God because He is good, not only because of what He gives?
3. How is God inviting me to remain faithful in prayer, even when I feel dry or distracted?
4. In what areas of my life does self-will still make it difficult for love to deepen?
5. How are stability, obedience and perseverance shaping my heart during this Lenten season?
6. Am I willing to stay with God even when I do not feel consoled, rewarded or noticed?
7. Where might grace be quietly purifying my love and teaching me to rest more fully in God?

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