Episode 2476: The Call to Fortitude and Faith - Morning Episode

Today, we will reflect on the human longing for God, the virtue of fortitude in the face of suffering, and the power of faith in sustaining us through life's trials.
We will draw on the profound insights of St. Augustine, who reminds us of our deep, innate desire for God: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” We will also explore the virtue of fortitude, as described by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, and how it calls us to overcome fear and embrace our crosses with courage. Finally, we will reflect on Hebrews 11:1, which reminds us that faith is “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”
The Restlessness of the Human Heart
St. Augustine’s famous words, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee,” encapsulate the core truth of our existence. God created us for Himself, and our hearts will always be restless until we find our ultimate fulfillment in Him. This restlessness is a sign that we are made for something greater than the fleeting pleasures of this world. It is a reminder that our true home is with God, and nothing less than Him will satisfy the deepest desires of our souls.
In our modern world, people often seek to fill this restlessness with distractions, whether it be through material possessions, relationships, or worldly success. Yet, as St. Augustine reminds us, none of these things can bring lasting peace. True peace comes only when we rest in God when we align our lives with His will and seek Him above all else.
This restlessness is also a call to conversion. God is constantly drawing us to Himself, inviting us to turn away from sin and toward His grace. As Catholics, we are called to respond to this invitation by deepening our relationship with God through prayer, the sacraments, and a life of virtue.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus extends this invitation to all of us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Christ is the answer to our restlessness. He alone can bring the peace that the world cannot give. When we surrender our lives to Him, we find the rest our hearts have been longing for.

The Virtue of Fortitude in the Face of Suffering
While our ultimate rest is found in God, the journey to Him is not without challenges. Life is filled with difficulties, suffering, and trials that test our faith. This is where the virtue of fortitude comes into play. Fortitude is the strength to endure hardship, to face suffering with courage, and to persevere in the face of fear.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted beautifully describes this virtue: “The virtue of fortitude always calls for a certain overcoming of human weakness and particularly of fear. Man, indeed, by nature, spontaneously fears danger, affliction and suffering. Therefore courageous men must be sought not only on battlefields, but also in hospital wards or on a bed of pain. Such men could often be found in concentration camps or in places of deportation. They were real heroes.”
Fortitude is not just for soldiers on the battlefield; it is for all of us who face the trials of life. Whether we are dealing with physical illness, emotional pain, or spiritual struggles, we are called to embrace these crosses with courage. This virtue is deeply rooted in trust in God’s providence. It is the strength to say, “Lord, I don’t understand why I am going through this, but I trust that You are with me and that You will bring good out of this suffering.”
The saints exemplify this fortitude. They teach us that suffering, when united with Christ’s Passion, can be redemptive. It can be a means of purification and a way to grow in holiness. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:18, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Our trials, though painful, are temporary, and they prepare us for the eternal joy that awaits us in heaven.
Faith as the Foundation of Fortitude
At the heart of fortitude is faith. It is faith that gives us the strength to endure suffering and to trust in God’s plan. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not merely a belief in abstract ideas; it is a lived reality, a deep trust in God’s promises, even when we cannot see the full picture.
Faith assures us that God is always with us, even in our darkest moments. It is faith that allows us to see beyond the present suffering to the glory that awaits us. It is faith that sustains us when everything else seems to be falling apart.

The saints lived by this faith. They endured tremendous trials, not because they were superhuman, but because they placed their trust in God. They knew that He was faithful to His promises and that He would never abandon them. We, too, are called to live by this faith, to trust in God’s goodness, and to cling to His promises.
Conclusion
St. Augustine’s words remind us that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. Yet, on our journey to Him, we will face many trials that require fortitude. This fortitude is sustained by faith—the faith that assures us of God’s presence and promises. As we navigate the challenges of life, let us remember that God is with us, and that our ultimate rest is found in Him.

May we, like the saints, embrace the virtue of fortitude, trusting that God will give us the strength we need to endure our sufferings and remain faithful to Him. And may we always live with the hope that, one day, our restless hearts will find their perfect rest in the presence of our Lord.

Closing Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of life and the longing You have placed in our hearts for You. Help us to find our rest in You alone, and to seek You above all else. Grant us the virtue of fortitude, that we may endure the trials of this life with courage and trust in Your providence.
Lord Jesus,
You are our strength and our refuge. Teach us to embrace our crosses as You embraced Yours, and to unite our sufferings with Your Passion. Give us the grace to live by faith, knowing that You are with us in every moment.
Holy Spirit,
Fill our hearts with the fire of Your love. Strengthen our faith and fortify our souls, so that we may live with the hope of eternal life and find our true rest in God.

We ask this through the intercession of St. Augustine and all the saints, and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.