Episode 2418: The Call to Obedience and Devotion - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”

The Call to Obedience and Devotion
Introduction
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the profound example of obedience and devotion as demonstrated by Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Luke 2:51, we are reminded of Christ’s humble obedience to His earthly parents, a model of humility and submission to God’s will. We will also explore the teachings of Raoul Plus on the importance of prayer and the need to direct our hearts and minds fully toward God during those moments. Together, these reflections guide us in deepening our relationship with God through obedience and focused devotion.
The Obedience of Christ – A Model for Our Lives
In the Gospel of Luke, we are given a glimpse into the hidden life of Jesus in Nazareth. After the incident where Mary and Joseph find the young Jesus in the Temple, the Gospel tells us, "And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51). This passage, though brief, carries profound theological and spiritual significance, particularly from a traditional Catholic perspective.
Christ, the Son of God, chose to live in obedience to His earthly parents. This act of humility and submission is not just an incidental detail; it is a profound statement about the nature of true obedience. Jesus, who is fully divine, models for us the virtue of obedience—an obedience that flows from love and humility. His submission to Mary and Joseph is a reflection of His perfect obedience to the will of His Heavenly Father.

For us, this example serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience in our own lives. In a world that often exalts personal autonomy and self-will, Christ’s example teaches us that true freedom is found in humble submission to God’s will. Obedience, especially to God and His commandments, is a pathway to holiness. It is through obedience that we align ourselves with God’s divine plan and grow in virtue.
Mary, the Mother of God, also provides a model for us in this passage. Her contemplative heart, which "kept all these things," reflects a deep interior life that is attuned to God’s will. She teaches us the importance of pondering and reflecting on God’s actions in our lives, storing these moments in our hearts as a source of spiritual strength.
Duty of Prayer – A Focused Devotion to God
Raoul Plus, in his reflections on prayer, emphasizes the importance of directing our thoughts fully toward God when we pray. He writes, "It is quite clear that whenever duty requires us to pray, all our efforts should be exerted in trying to think about God as fully as possible." This statement resonates deeply within the traditional Catholic understanding of prayer as a focused and intentional act of devotion.

Prayer is not just a ritualistic duty; it is a profound encounter with the Divine. In prayer, we open our hearts and minds to God, allowing His grace to penetrate our lives. However, in order for this encounter to be truly transformative, we must approach prayer with full attention and devotion. This means setting aside distractions and focusing our entire being on God.
The duty of prayer is rooted in our relationship with God. Just as Christ was obedient to His parents, so too must we be obedient to the call to prayer. Prayer is a commandment, a duty that we owe to God, but it is also a privilege—a moment where we can enter into communion with our Creator.
Raoul Plus’s insistence on exerting all efforts to think about God during prayer challenges us to examine the quality of our prayer life. Are we fully present when we pray, or are we merely going through the motions? The traditional Catholic approach to prayer encourages a deep, contemplative focus where the mind and heart are wholly engaged in the act of worship.

This focus is not easy to achieve, especially in a world filled with distractions. But as we strive to imitate Christ’s obedience and Mary’s contemplative spirit, we can grow in our ability to pray with full attention and devotion. The saints remind us that prayer is the lifeblood of the soul; without it, we cannot hope to remain steadfast in our faith.
Conclusion
In today’s episode, we have reflected on the virtues of obedience and devotion, guided by the example of Christ and the teachings of Raoul Plus. From Christ’s humble obedience in Nazareth to the focused devotion required in prayer, we are called to deepen our relationship with God by following these examples in our daily lives.
As we seek to grow in holiness, let us strive to imitate Christ’s obedience, submitting our wills to God’s divine plan. Let us also commit ourselves to a prayer life that is fully focused on God, where our minds and hearts are entirely directed toward Him. In doing so, we will find the grace and strength needed to live as faithful followers of Christ.

Thank you for joining us today. May God bless you and guide you in your journey of faith, helping you to grow in obedience, devotion, and love for Him.