‘A person who loves is practically beyond all other jurisdiction. Love and do what you will’ (St Augustine).
This is a famous and bold exclamation of St Augustine. To give it its true meaning, it should be placed in the context of the first part of the sentence: “A person who loves is practically beyond all other jurisdiction. This is already a limitation, since it is clear that we are dealing with a love that is not so easily attained.
Nevertheless, it is a true statement in every sense of the word and promises great freedom. Indeed, it is love that sets us free. The reason is simple: we are created out of love, and the first commandment exhorts us to love God above all things. Jesus sums up the whole of the Law and the Prophets: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mt 22:36-40). St John of the Cross testifies: “At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love”.
So the direction we must take is clear. However, in order to put St Augustine’s words into practice and achieve the freedom they promise, it is essential to avoid misunderstandings about the essence of true love. But the Father and the Son have sent us a Master who is unsurpassed in this: the Holy Spirit, who has been poured into our hearts (Rm 5:5). The Friend of our souls not only reminds us of what Jesus said and did, but also gives us the strength of will to put it into practice.
In His wisdom, our Father provides all that is necessary for souls who want to love and shows them how to do it. For this it is important to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this way, that love that leads us to the freedom of which St. Augustine speaks will grow. This love then becomes our sovereign, to which we obey willingly, immediately and totally.