I Want to Love Jesus Passionately, But I Don't.

Dr. Michael James presents a central theme of loving Jesus with passion, a concept drawn from the teachings of the Catholic mystic Luisa Piccaretta. Piccaretta’s writings detail a very intimate, intense relationship with Jesus, one that goes beyond traditional religious devotion to an experiential and mystical union with the Divine. He highlights an excerpt from Piccaretta’s writings where she describes a "fourth nuptial" experience with Jesus. In this vision, Jesus opens her heart, inspects it, and then replaces it with His own, infusing her with His love. The passage emphasizes a deep, tender intimacy, where Jesus breathes life into her heart and kisses her with intense affection.

This portrayal of Jesus as intimately and passionately involved with His followers is presented as something that might be uncomfortable or unsettling for some. Dr. Michael James identifies two common negative reactions to such passionate devotion. One is rejection, where individuals resist the idea of such closeness, feeling that it is undignified or inappropriate for God to be so affectionate. They may prefer a more distant, regal image of God, one that feels more "kingly" and less personal. The second reaction is despair, where people may feel inadequate because they do not experience that same passionate love for God. They may question why they don’t feel that intensity of love or wonder what is wrong with them.

Dr. Michael James reflects on these feelings of resentment and despair, noting that these responses are often driven by envy—specifically, envy of those who seem to experience a deeper love for God. The speaker acknowledges that feelings of jealousy and inadequacy are human experiences, but they caution against succumbing to them. Instead, they encourage the audience to focus on how to rekindle a deeper love for the Lord.

To explain the process of cultivating such love, Dr. Michael James uses an analogy with middle-aged men who, in an attempt to relive youthful passions, make foolish choices such as buying sports cars or chasing after younger women. These men are chasing a fleeting feeling from the past, rather than seeking a deeper, more lasting form of love. The speaker compares this to the pursuit of shallow, emotional experiences in spirituality. Just as these individuals cannot go back to their younger selves, we cannot return to the emotional highs of our early spiritual experiences. These initial feelings of love and passion for God were always meant to evolve into something more profound.

TDr. Michael James emphasizes that there is no shortcut to deep, passionate love for God. They warn against seeking quick fixes—such as following trendy spiritual practices, new charismatic leaders, or emotional experiences—because these will not lead to the deep, intimate love that the soul truly longs for. Instead, the speaker invites the audience to embrace a deeper, more authentic connection with God, one that comes through surrender and genuine encounter with His presence.

Dr. Michael James then shares a personal story about his father, who had a profound spiritual experience before his death. He recalls a time when their father, disturbed by a dream, shared a vision of Jesus as a burn victim. In the dream, Jesus’s face was severely deformed, and He asked, “Do you still love me?” The father’s emotional reaction to this dream and the image of a suffering, vulnerable Jesus had a lasting impact on the speaker’s spiritual life. The story illustrates that Jesus is not always what we expect, and His suffering and vulnerability should evoke a deeper love from His followers.

Dr. Michael James reflects on how many people approach God with a preconceived image or expectation of who He should be. To truly love God with passion, one must relinquish these false images and surrender control over how God is supposed to manifest in their life. The idea of controlling one’s relationship with God or creating an idealized image of Him only prevents genuine intimacy. Instead, the speaker urges the audience to allow God to reveal Himself as He truly is, without our limitations or expectations.

Dr. Michael James also highlights the concept of the Divine Will, which is an essential part of their understanding of spiritual growth. By uniting with God’s will, spending time with Him, and allowing Him to take possession of one’s heart, the speaker believes individuals can experience a profound and passionate love for God. This love is described as a "double heartbeat," where God’s love flows through us and animates our very being, filling us with light and life. Through this connection, individuals can channel God’s love to others and serve as conduits of divine love in the world.

Dr. Michael James concludes by stressing that true passion for Jesus can only be experienced through surrender. This means letting go of personal ambitions, social status, and the desire to control God. The audience is encouraged to embrace the cross, to embrace Jesus in His vulnerability, and to allow Him to lead them on their spiritual journey. The speaker emphasizes that mystical work flows out of God’s love, and to participate in it, one must first give their heart to God. There is no easy or quick path to deep intimacy with God; it requires sacrifice, surrender, and an openness to God’s will.

Ultimately, the presentation concludes with the assurance the audience that the passionate love they seek is within their reach, but it requires relinquishing control and trusting in God’s plan. The message ends with a prayer asking for help to grow in love with God, to surrender to His will, and to embrace His love in all its intensity.

The presentation challenges the audience to move beyond superficial spiritual experiences and to seek a deep, intimate, and passionate love for Jesus, one that is built on surrender, vulnerability, and openness to God's will.