Spiritual Exercises, 231, 233-234 (trans. Thomas Corbishley SJ)
Contemplation for achieving love:
First of all it is good to note that... love consists in a reciprocal interchange, the lover handing over and sharing with the beloved his possessions... and the other does the same.
Preamble. Asking for what I want. Here it will be to beg for a deep-felt appreciation of all the blessings I have been given, that out of the fullness of my gratitude I may become completely devoted to His Divine Majesty in effective love.
First heading. Recall the good things I have had from creation: my redemption, personal gifts. I will rouse myself to reckon how much our Lord God has done for me, how much that is His own He has shared with me; I will further consider the divine plan whereby this same Lord wants to give me all that it is in His power to give. I then turn to myself and try to see what reason and justice demand that I offer, nay, give, His Divine Majesty in return-all that belongs to me, and with it all that I am in myself - in the spirit of one who makes a present out of a great love: «Take, Lord, into Your possession, my complete freedom of action, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all that I have, all that I own: it is Your gift to me, I now return it to You. It is all Yours, to be used simply as You wish. Give me Your Love and Your grace; it is all I need.
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