Divine Inner Grace
Christ's love is described as a Divine gift that is born within the soul and connects a person to a higher reality. Essentially, it does not require any mandatory external attributes for its perception. As stated in one source, "Christ's love is a great gracious gift to the human soul; its origin is Divine. It connects a person to a paradisiacal life even here on earth" (source: link txt). This statement emphasizes that Christ's love, in itself, is a supernatural, internal experience rather than a result of external forms.At the same time, liturgical rites, prayers, hymns, and other external expressions serve as a means of expressing this inner love and help an individual deepen their experience and awareness of this gift. Another source notes: "All the prayers, liturgies, Sacraments, and rites that involve the veneration of holy icons, the cross, and the sign of the cross are the embodiment of Christians' love for God and their complete devotion to Him. All these external manifestations reflect our inner life and love for God" (source: link txt). Here it is made clear that although external forms help to express and sustain the inner connection with God, the very essence of Christ's love is originally embedded in the soul and does not depend on ritualistic facades.Thus, by its very nature, Christ's love is an internal gift that is directly experienced through grace and revelation within the soul. External elements and forms of worship only assist in expressing, feeling, and strengthening this love; they are not conditions for its existence or perception.Supporting citation(s):"Christ's love is a great gracious gift to the human soul; its origin is Divine. It connects a person to a paradisiacal life even here on earth." (source: link txt)"All the prayers, liturgies, Sacraments, and rites that involve the veneration of holy icons, the cross, and the sign of the cross are the embodiment of Christians' love for God and their complete devotion to Him. All these external manifestations reflect our inner life and love for God." (source: link txt)