God’s Relentless Pursuit

by Carmelite Sisters | September 16, 2025 1:00 am

Mother Luisita wrote in her spiritual notes: “What a great joy to have in my company, to possess, to have as my own, Jesus Himself! Who could ever snatch my Jesus from me?”

If we look at this passage from Jesus’ viewpoint, we get a glimpse into the heart of God and His desire. For our desire of God is a pale flicker to the infinite flame of God’s love pursuing us. The Song of Songs has two images, among many others, that describe God’s desire very powerfully.

In Song 2:8, the Bridegroom goes “leaping” and “bounding” over the mountains, over all obstacles to meet His bride. Nothing can hold him back. He does not just walk or saunter along, but runs. Running is not even fast enough.

In Song 6:12, it reads: “My desire had hurled me on the chariots of my people, as their prince.” God’s desire hurls Him on a fiery chariot (aflame with divine love) down from earth toward His people to take flesh and dwell among us.

God’s pursuit of us even has a sudden and uncontrollable impulse; it is a passion beyond what we can think or imagine. This is seen when Jesus walks on water at night to join His disciples miles off shore. Nothing can hold back His desire to be back in their company, not even a sea of water creating a distance between them. Jesus acts out of what seems a passionate impulse of love – free and spontaneous. He does not plan a strategy or predetermined course of how he will rejoin the disciples. Love alone moves Him.

Then, we have the unforgettable image Jesus gave in the parable showing the Father running toward his prodigal son returning from a destitute life. This is God’s relentless desire for union with us – a love that leaps, bounds, hurls, and runs in pursuit of our hearts.

By Sister Emma Luz, OCD

This article appears here with the kind permission of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. To learn more about their community and work, read their biography below and visit their website[1].

Image credit: Photo by James Kovin[2] on Unsplash[3]

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Endnotes:

website: https://carmelitesistersocd.com/
James Kovin: https://unsplash.com/@james2k?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash
Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-white-jacket-standing-on-mountain-during-sunset-gIgQuko6XkQ?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash
website: http://www.carmelitesistersocd.com/
here: https://carmelitesistersocd.com/support/
vocations page: http://www.carmelitesistersocd.com/vocation/

Source URL: https://integratedcatholiclife.org/2025/09/carmelite-sisters-gods-relentless-pursuit-2/