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There is a second element of the blessedness of heaven, which completes the happiness arising from the possession of God by the Beatific Vision; this is called Beatific Love. These two operations sum up and contain all the activity of the soul. They correspond to the double operation of the Divinity within Itself. By the action of Divine Intelligence God the Son proceeds from the Father; by the action of Divine Love the Holy Ghost proceeds from Father and Son. In dealing with us, the creative action of God is through His Word, and the action of His love is in the bestowal of the Holy Spirit. The two principal operations of our souls correspond to those in God; with them we make Him the due return for His almighty action on us; they constitute our duty towards Him, and our own perfection and beatitude. We first see and know God by the intelligence, we recognize His excellent claim on us, and then by love we enter into further union with Him, give ourselves to Him, and take possession of Him in a new and better way. Thus our whole being merges in God, and all our faculties are devoted to His service. Love is made possible by the preliminary action of intelligence and free choice of God. Knowledge is sanctified, made effectual, and made living by love. You must begin the practice of beatific action while yet on earth. Be careful not to limit yourself to science, even to the sacred science of God. Mere knowledge is vain and unfruitful, and becomes material for sin. Let it be made practical by means of love.
