Falling in love with God - Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

America Magazine posted a memorial article earlier on Pedro Arrupe, S.J. to mark the 23rd anniversary of Don Pedro's death where he uttered "the last amen of my life, and the first alleluia of my eternity." Do read the entire article, a really beautiful post. Thank you, America Magazine. 

So many things could be said of Don Pedro regarding his leadership of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Fr. Arrupe served as the first post-conciliar Superior General who participated in the final session of the Second Vatican Council. He infamously stayed the course and led his religious order through a bitter tug of war with the Vatican on behalf of the poor and social justice. After suffering a stroke that immobilized him, Don Pedro's faith continued to inspire thousands through his writings evoked by his own physical suffering that lasted ten years. 

Many quotes from Fr. Arrupe's canon may be found in books and in on-line resources. We remember him today with one of his most popular quotes.

Falling in Love with God

Nothing is more practical than finding God,

that is, falling in love 

in a  quite absolute, final way. 

What you are in love with, 

what seizes our imagination,

will affect everything. 

It will decide what will get you out of be in the morning, 

what you will do with your evenings, 

how you will spend your weekend, 

what you read, 

who you know, 

what breaks your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude 

Fall in love, 

stay in love, 

and it will decide everything. 

Pedro Arrupe, S. J.