Episode 2050: Sacred Illuminations: Call to Radiate Love

We delve into the timeless wisdom of our faith, drawing from the saints and Scriptures to illuminate our path towards a deeper relationship with God. We will use the words of St. Gemma Galgani, St. Augustine, and the Book of Ecclesiastes.
So lets start with St. Gemma Galgani
"Oh, my soul, how much longer do you wish to be so stingy with Jesus? Why so negligent towards Jesus who made You? Why so lazy towards Jesus who redeemed you? Who do you want to love, if you do not want to love Jesus?" This quote pierce through the layers of our complacency, forcing us to reevaluate our priorities. In a world filled with distractions and fleeting pleasures, it's easy to forget the one who loved us first, the one who redeemed us with his own blood.
From a traditional Catholic perspective, this quote from St. Gemma Galgani is a call to rekindle the flame of love and devotion to Jesus Christ. It reflects the belief that Jesus is the source of all grace and salvation, and that neglecting or being indifferent to Him is a grave spiritual error. In Catholic teaching, Jesus is not just a historical figure or a distant deity, but the living Son of God who intimately loves each soul.

let's break down this quote from St. Gemma Galgani into its key components from a traditional Catholic perspective:
"Oh, my soul, how much longer do you wish to be so stingy with Jesus?"
This phrase speaks to the soul's reluctance or hesitation to fully give itself to Jesus. In the Catholic tradition, the soul is seen as the immortal essence of a person, created by God for union with Him. Being "stingy" with Jesus implies holding back or withholding one's love and devotion from Him. It suggests a lack of generosity in giving oneself entirely to Christ, who is deserving of our complete surrender and trust.
"Why so negligent towards Jesus who made You?"
Here, St. Gemma highlights the relationship between the soul and its Creator. In Catholic theology, God is the ultimate source of all life and existence. He created each soul out of love and with a specific purpose. Neglecting Jesus, who is the Second Person of the Trinity and the one through whom all things were made (cf. John 1:3), is akin to neglecting the very origin and sustainer of one's being. This negligence can manifest in various ways, such as failing to pray, ignoring God's commandments, or neglecting the sacraments.
"Why so lazy towards Jesus who redeemed you?"
St. Gemma emphasizes the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who, through His passion, death, and resurrection, redeemed humanity from sin and opened the way to eternal life. In traditional Catholic teaching, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love and mercy, offering salvation to all who believe in Him. Being "lazy" towards Jesus implies a lack of effort or commitment in responding to His saving grace. It suggests a complacency or indifference towards the profound gift of redemption that Christ offers freely to each person.
"Who do you want to love, if you do not want to love Jesus?"
This question challenges the soul to consider its ultimate priorities and desires. In the Catholic faith, love of God is the greatest commandment (cf. Matthew 22:37-38). All other loves and pursuits are meant to be ordered towards loving God above all else. St. Gemma's question underscores the fundamental importance of loving Jesus as the foundation of a meaningful and fulfilling life. To neglect or reject Jesus is to forsake the very source of true love, happiness, and fulfillment.
In summary, St. Gemma's quote from a traditional Catholic perspective underscores the importance of wholeheartedly giving oneself to Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as Creator and Redeemer, and prioritizing love for Him above all else. It calls the soul to examine its relationship with Jesus and to strive for greater love, devotion, and commitment in response to His infinite love and mercy.
Now lets turn to St. Augustine, resembles the call of St. Paul, by reminding us that we, the chosen of God, are called to confound the strong, to shine as beacons of light in a world shrouded in darkness.
He said:
“But you, ‘a chosen generation’, weak things of the world, who have forsaken all things, so that you may follow the Lord, go after him, and confound the strong; go after him, you beautiful feet, and shine in the firmament so that the heavens may declare his glory . . . Shine over the whole earth, and let the day, brightened by the sun, utter unto day speech of wisdom, and let the night, shining with the moon, declare to the night the word of knowledge . . . Run into every place, O you holy fires, you beautiful fires! You are the light of the world, and you are not put under a measure. He to whom you have held fast has been exalted, and he has exalted you. Run forth, and make it known to all nations.”
break down this passage from St. Augustine's perspective into its key components from a traditional Catholic viewpoint:
"But you, ‘a chosen generation’, weak things of the world..."
Here, St. Augustine addresses the Christian faithful, referring to them as a "chosen generation." This echoes biblical language found in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.". In traditional Catholic teaching, the Church is seen as the mystical body of Christ, composed of diverse members chosen by God for His purposes. St. Augustine acknowledges the humility and apparent weakness of these believers in the eyes of the world, contrasting it with the strength and wisdom of God.
"...who have forsaken all things, so that you may follow the Lord..."
St. Augustine emphasizes the radical commitment required of discipleship. In the Catholic tradition, following the Lord often involves detachment from worldly pursuits and attachments in order to prioritize the kingdom of God. This echoes Jesus' call to his disciples to leave everything and follow Him (cf. Luke 9:23-25).
"And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?"
For Catholics, forsaking all things includes not only material possessions but also surrendering one's will and desires to God's will.
"...go after him, and confound the strong..."
Here, St. Augustine encourages believers to pursue Christ zealously and to confound the worldly wisdom and power structures. In traditional Catholic theology, the followers of Christ are called to be countercultural and to challenge the values and norms of the world that contradict the Gospel. This may involve standing up for truth, defending the faith, and living lives of holiness and integrity that serve as a witness to others.
"...go after him, you beautiful feet, and shine in the firmament so that the heavens may declare his glory..."
St. Augustine uses poetic language to describe the mission of believers as shining lights in the world. In Catholic teaching, the faithful are called to be witnesses to the truth and love of Christ, illuminating the darkness of sin and ignorance with the light of the Gospel. This imagery highlights the transformative power of Christ's grace working through His Church to bring about the glorification of God's name.
"...Run into every place, O you holy fires, you beautiful fires! You are the light of the world..."
St. Augustine portrays believers as holy fires, symbolizing the divine presence and action of the Holy Spirit within them. This imagery evokes the biblical imagery of fire as a symbol of God's purifying and empowering presence (cf. Acts 2:1-4). In traditional Catholic spirituality, the faithful are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to spread the light of Christ to all nations, embodying the mission of the Church to evangelize and bring salvation to the world.
"And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak."
Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
Days of Pentecost: The passage begins by noting that the days of Pentecost were fulfilled. Pentecost was a Jewish festival held fifty days after Passover, celebrating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. It was during this Jewish festival that the events described in Acts 2 occurred.

All together in one place: The Apostles and other disciples were gathered together in one place. This gathering represents the unity of the early Christian community, which was essential for the reception of the Holy Spirit.

Sound from heaven, mighty wind: Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, likened to a mighty wind. This signifies the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Wind is often associated with the Spirit in biblical imagery (e.g., Genesis 1:2).

Tongues of fire: Tongues resembling flames appeared and rested upon each person present. This imagery symbolizes the purifying and illuminating presence of the Holy Spirit. It harks back to the imagery of fire as a symbol of divine presence and purification (e.g., the burning bush in Exodus 3).

Filled with the Holy Ghost: All those present were filled with the Holy Spirit. This indicates the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within each believer, empowering them for mission and ministry.

Speaking in tongues: As a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other languages, or "tongues," that they had not previously known. This miraculous ability enabled them to proclaim the Gospel to people from various nations who were gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost.
In summary, this passage underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who empowers and equips the early Christian community for their mission of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. It also highlights the universality of the Gospel message, as people from different nations and languages are able to hear and understand it through the work of the Spirit.
We must acknowledge our own frailty, as articulated in the Book of Ecclesiastes: "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." It's a humbling realization that despite our best intentions, we are prone to stumble and fall. However, the key lies in not allowing our past mistakes to define us or derail us from our mission.
Instead, we are called to rise again, to heed the wisdom of Ecclesiastes: "Do not give heed to all the things that men say, lest you hear your servant cursing you; your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others." Our journey of faith is marked by both triumphs and trials, yet through it all, God remains steadfast in his love for us.
So let us embrace the challenge laid before us, to love Jesus with all our heart, to shine as radiant witnesses of his glory, and to persevere in the face of adversity. For in doing so, we fulfill our purpose as sons and daughters of the Most High, bringing light into the darkness and hope into despair.
Thank you for joining me today and I hope the words of the saints and Scriptures continue to inspire and guide you on your journey of faith. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly. Now go and convert somebody.