In any love-story there are usually two stages or phases…
““In any love-story there are usually two stages or phases. There is the initial stage, where love is expressed by the giving of gifts, especially the gift of self. Then there comes a time when it is no longer enough to give gifts to the beloved, but one has to be ready to suffer for her or for him. Only then can it be seen whether the love is real. In the story of a vocation to consecrated virginity there are also usually two stages. There is the initial stage of the vocation, when, spurred on by grace and attracted by the ideal, one joyfully and enthusiastically says, "Yes, Lord, here I am!" Then comes the time of solitude of heart, of weariness, of crisis, when, in order to maintain that "Yes," one has to die””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love and vocation progress from initial giving to enduring sacrifice, revealing true depth through suffering.
In simple terms: Real love and calling are proven by willingness to suffer.
Key Takeaway
Embrace challenges as proof of genuine commitment.
Themes
spiritual growth
love
vocation
Mood
contemplative
solemn
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- religious formation
- personal crises
- career transitions
Key Concepts
self‑sacrifice
grace
inner transformation
Questions to Reflect On
- What sacrifices truly reflect love?
- How can one discern healthy suffering from harmful pain?
A Different Perspective
Not all suffering leads to growth; some may be destructive.