Episode 2091: Uniting with God: Selfless Love and Prayer

We delve into the rich tapestry of traditional Catholic teachings and insights. In this episode, we embark on a journey guided by the wisdom of St. Catherine of Siena and the Psalms, exploring the profound theme of uniting with God through selfless love and prayer.
St. Catherine of Siena, a revered Doctor of the Church, offers us profound insights into the soul's journey towards divine union. She emphasizes the importance of removing all barriers, selfish inclinations, and distractions that hinder our fusion with God's love. Let us dive into her words and the timeless wisdom of Scripture to deepen our understanding of this transformative path.
St. Catherine of Siena's words resonate deeply:
"To join two things together there must be nothing between them or there cannot be a perfect fusion. Now realize that this is how God wants our soul to be, without any selfish love of ourselves or of others in between, just as God loves us without anything in between."
Let's break it down:
"To join two things together there must be nothing between them or there cannot be a perfect fusion."
Here, St. Catherine is likely referring to the relationship between the soul and God. She is suggesting that for a perfect union with God to occur, there must be nothing obstructing or separating the soul from God. This implies a complete and undivided commitment to God, without any distractions or barriers.
"Now realize that this is how God wants our soul to be, without any selfish love of ourselves or of others in between,"
St. Catherine is calling for a state of purity and selflessness in the soul's love for God. She emphasizes the importance of eliminating selfish desires, attachments, and worldly distractions that may come between the soul and God. This includes not only selfish love for oneself but also any attachments to others that might hinder the soul's relationship with God.
"just as God loves us without anything in between."
St. Catherine draws a parallel between the way God loves us and the way He desires us to love Him. God's love is unconditional, pure, and without any barriers. Similarly, He desires the same pure and undivided love from us, without anything coming between our souls and His divine love.
In summary, St. Catherine of Siena's quote underscores the importance of striving for a pure and selfless love for God, free from any worldly attachments or selfish desires. It reflects the traditional Catholic understanding of the soul's journey toward union with God, emphasizing the need for complete devotion and surrender to His love.
Quote 2: St. Catherine continues her guidance by highlighting the significance of prayer and self-knowledge in our pursuit of divine union. She beautifully articulates how the soul, ignited by a fervent desire for God's honor and the salvation of souls, must first cultivate self-awareness and virtuous living. Through humble prayer grounded in knowledge of both God and ourselves, we draw closer to Him, becoming united with His divine will and transforming into reflections of His love.
"The soul, who is lifted by a very great and yearning desire for the honor of God and the salvation of souls, begins by exercising herself, for a certain space of time, in the ordinary virtues, remaining in the cell of self-knowledge, in order to know better the goodness of God towards her. This she does because knowledge must precede love, and only when she has attained love, can she strive to follow and to clothe herself with the truth. But, in no way, does the creature receive such a taste of the truth, or so brilliant a light therefrom, as by means of humble and continuous prayer, founded on knowledge of herself and of God; because prayer, exercising her in the above way, unites with God the soul that follows the footprints of Christ Crucified, and thus, by desire and affection, and union of love, makes her another Himself." break it down:
"The soul, who is lifted by a very great and yearning desire for the honor of God and the salvation of souls..."
St. Catherine begins by describing the disposition of the soul, emphasizing the importance of a deep and earnest longing for the glory of God and the salvation of others. This sets the stage for the soul's spiritual journey.
"...begins by exercising herself, for a certain space of time, in the ordinary virtues..."
The soul embarks on its journey by practicing the basic virtues, such as humility, charity, patience, and obedience. These virtues form the foundation of spiritual growth and prepare the soul for deeper union with God.
"...remaining in the cell of self-knowledge, in order to know better the goodness of God towards her."
Self-reflection and self-awareness are crucial for spiritual progress. By dwelling in the "cell of self-knowledge," the soul gains insight into its own weaknesses and strengths, as well as a deeper understanding of God's boundless love and mercy.
"This she does because knowledge must precede love, and only when she has attained love, can she strive to follow and to clothe herself with the truth."
St. Catherine highlights the sequence of spiritual development: knowledge leads to love, and love leads to the pursuit of truth. The soul must first understand and appreciate God's love before it can fully embrace and embody divine truth.
"...in no way, does the creature receive such a taste of the truth, or so brilliant a light therefrom, as by means of humble and continuous prayer, founded on knowledge of herself and of God..."
St. Catherine underscores the importance of prayer as the primary means of communion with God and illumination of the truth. Through humble and persistent prayer, grounded in self-awareness and knowledge of God, the soul experiences profound insights and spiritual enlightenment.
"...because prayer, exercising her in the above way, unites with God the soul that follows the footprints of Christ Crucified..."
Prayer becomes the vehicle for union with God, particularly when the soul follows the example of Christ's sacrificial love and suffering on the cross. Through prayerful imitation of Christ, the soul draws closer to God and becomes united with Him.
"...and thus, by desire and affection, and union of love, makes her another Himself."
Ultimately, through the soul's desire, affection, and love for God cultivated through prayer and virtuous living, the soul becomes transformed and united with God. This echoes the traditional Catholic belief in theosis or divinization, wherein the soul becomes more like God through union with Him.
In summary, St. Catherine's quote presents a rich tapestry of spiritual wisdom, outlining the stages of the soul's journey towards union with God through virtue, self-knowledge, prayer, and love. It emphasizes the importance of humility, self-awareness, and an earnest desire for God as essential elements of spiritual growth and transformation.
Now lets conclude with Scripture:
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods! Thou hast multiplied, O Lord my God, thy wondrous deeds and thy thoughts toward us; none can compare with thee! Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be numbered." — Psalm 40:4-5
The Psalms offer a profound testament to the blessings bestowed upon those who trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. Psalm 40:4-5 exalts the virtue of placing our trust in God alone, recognizing His infinite goodness and unfathomable deeds. As we contemplate these verses, we are reminded of the boundless love and providence of our Heavenly Father, whose thoughts towards us surpass comprehension.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes:
Blessedness of Trust in the Lord: The passage begins with a declaration of blessing upon the person who makes the Lord their trust. In Catholic theology, trust in God is foundational to the spiritual life. It signifies reliance on God's providence, wisdom, and grace in all circumstances. This trust is contrasted with turning to the proud and pursuing false gods, which lead to spiritual destruction.
Recognition of God's Wondrous Deeds: The psalmist acknowledges God's greatness and the abundance of His wondrous deeds. From a Catholic perspective, this reflects the awe and reverence that believers should have for God's works, both in salvation history and in their personal lives. It emphasizes the incomparable nature of God's thoughts and deeds compared to human understanding.
Inability to Fully Proclaim God's Deeds: The psalmist expresses the overwhelming abundance of God's wondrous deeds and thoughts toward humanity. This recognition leads to humility and awe, as the psalmist acknowledges the impossibility of fully enumerating or comprehending the extent of God's goodness and mercy. From a Catholic viewpoint, this highlights the mystery and majesty of God's actions, which transcend human understanding.
Overall, this scripture reading encourages believers to place their trust in the Lord, recognizing His greatness and the abundance of His works. It invites them to approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging His incomparable nature and the limitations of human understanding in fully grasping His mysteries. Through trust and humility, believers can experience the blessedness of communion with God and His wondrous deeds in their lives.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our journey through the teachings of St. Catherine of Siena and the Psalms, let us reflect on the profound invitation to unite with God through selfless love and prayer. May we strive to emulate the selflessness and devotion exemplified by the saints, removing all barriers that separate us from the divine. Let us entrust ourselves entirely to God's loving embrace, knowing that in Him, we find true fulfillment and eternal joy. Join us next time as we continue to explore the riches of our Catholic faith. Until then, may God's peace and grace be with you always. Now go out and convert somebody.