"Considering that the blessed life we so long for consists in an intimate and true love of God Our Creator and Lord, which binds and obliges us all to a sincere love"

Longing for a blessed life lies at the heart of human desire, an aspiration that transcends circumstances and cultures. The reflection from Ignatius of Loyola directs this universal craving toward a singular focus: an intimate and authentic love of God, who has created and governs all. Such love is positioned as the very essence of the "blessed life", not fleeting pleasures, not mere moral conduct or external piety, but a relationship characterized by true nearness and depth. This intimacy is not generic affection but "true love", denoting something tested, sincere, and engaged with the reality of God's presence moving within human experience.

Ignatius insists that this love is not optional or reserved for the especially devout; it "binds and obliges us all". Here love is identified both as invitation and as responsibility. The call is collective and personal, every individual, by virtue of their createdness, is summoned to respond. The contemplative dimension is woven together with practical commitment, as to love God genuinely shapes not only one’s inner affections but also one's actions and relationships.

Such love is not abstract or impersonal, but is fundamentally directed toward "God Our Creator and Lord". The language underscores humility and dependency: God is the origin and sustaining force behind every creature. Recognizing this roots a person in gratitude and humility, qualities crucial for authentic relationship. This love is transformative, as it recalibrates priorities, influences choices, and fills the soul with a meaning unattainable by merely human pursuits.

Finally, the phrase "sincere love" stresses authenticity; pretense, calculation, or partial commitment do not suffice. To live the "blessed life" is, therefore, to be continually moved by God, responding in heartfelt and dedicated affection that flows into the whole of life, binding together the divine and the human in mutuality and grace.