The Struggle to Love

I did not come up with that title on my own.  It came from the chapter in The Hidden Face by Gorres about the inner life of Therese of Lisieux.  At this point in my life, I have to continue with more intensity than ever this struggle for there continue the inevitable "double binds."  Personally, I believe these double bind 'paradoxes' in life are for some people their cross.  It has piqued my interest that she was deeply concerned about her ability to really love those around her. 

Amazingly I just found Friendship and Holiness by Msgr. Magee [National Conference Chicago August 6^th, 2004]. This article confirms what I have been experiencing from Therese's, Elizabeth of the Trinity's, and Elie Wiesel's truths of what God intends as friendship. 
Msgr. Magee wrote"...friendship will last forever. No greater love can someone have than to lay down his life for a friend: so friendship is not a convenience, but involves commitment and self-sacrifice, suffering and renunciation, perhaps of the ultimate kind. Friendship needs to be realistic, that is, grounded in truth and humility, not in fantasy or thinly-veiled selfishness.

A friend is not a means to an end, ...not there to be the object of my infantile or neurotic desires, but to be treasured like the “pearl of great price”....the goal of the Sacraments is the eternal communion of all men and women in God...(hopefully forever in Heaven)...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z9PVF27Btw&feature=related