the goal of authentic spirituality

This is an excerpt from an article by Richard Lovelace entited, "Beyond Self-Improvement."

"The goal of authentic spirituality is a life which escapes from the closed circle of spiritual self-indulgence, or even self-improvement, to become absorbed in the love of God and other persons. The essence of spiritual renewal is "the love of God . . . poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). 'My love,' said St. Augustine, 'is my weight.'

The substance of real spirituality is love. It is God's love moving into our consciousness in warm affirmation that He values and cares for us with infinite concern. But His is a love which also sweeps us away from self-preoccupation into a delight in the unlimited beauty and transcendent glory of God himself, and moves us to obey Him. It is a love which awakens us to cherish the gifts and graces of others and labor to perfect these.

Paul tells us that this love is a far more reliable measure of spirituality than our gifts or works or theological comprehension, and that this love is one of the few things which lasts forever (I Corinthians 13:8, 13). And Jesus said that the highest fulfillment of the will of God in our lives is to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength, and to care for others as we care for ourselves (Mark 12:30-31)."

If you wish to read the full article, you can find it at http://www.goodnewsmag.org/library/articles/lovelace-nd85.htm.