Episode 2491: Embracing Our Nothingness to Attract God’s Mercy - 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”
Embracing Our Nothingness to Attract God’s Mercy
Welcome to tonight’s podcast episode, where we’ll delve into two profound quotes that illuminate the heart of Catholic spirituality: the necessity of prayer and the mystery of human frailty. We'll reflect on the wisdom of St. Jean Gabriel Perboyre and Luis Martinez, both of whom emphasize that our emptiness, when acknowledged, attracts God’s mercy. This theme is deeply rooted in traditional Catholic thought and invites us to embrace our humble state while striving to please God through prayer and surrender.
"One does good for souls only by prayer. In all that you do, work only to please God, otherwise you would waste your time and effort." — St. Jean Gabriel Perboyre
This quote serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of intention in everything we do. St. Jean Gabriel Perboyre, a martyr and missionary, lived a life fully dedicated to spreading the Gospel. He emphasizes that the true efficacy of our work, especially in leading others to God, is only fruitful if it is rooted in prayer and if our sole desire is to please God.
In traditional Catholic spirituality, prayer is the lifeline that connects us to God and allows divine grace to flow into our actions. Without this foundation, even the most seemingly righteous work can be empty, vain, and lacking in eternal value. This echoes the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:1, where He warns us not to practice our righteousness before others to be seen by them, but rather to seek God’s pleasure alone.
The deeper significance of this message is that the success of our spiritual efforts is not measured by worldly standards but by how aligned we are with God’s will. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that charity, the love of God, is the form of all virtues, meaning that even good works must be motivated by this love to be meritorious.
"It seems to me that God, in His own way, feels the dizziness of the abyss..." — Luis Martinez
Luis Martinez’s reflection speaks of the paradox of human misery and divine mercy. He suggests that our acknowledged nothingness, our frailty, and our weakness are what irresistibly draw God to us. God’s infinite goodness, mercy, and love flow precisely into the empty vessel of our human poverty.
From a traditional Catholic perspective, this concept resonates deeply with the teachings of St. Augustine and St. Teresa of Ávila, who both acknowledged that true humility an awareness of our complete dependence on God is the key to drawing closer to Him. Luis Martinez explains that acknowledging our "dust and ashes" is not a cause for despair but rather the very reason we dare to approach God with bold petitions.
This boldness is reflected in the words of Abraham, "I will speak to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes." It is through this self-realization of our nothingness that we find the courage to ask for the greatest graces, including the intimate union with God, symbolized here by the "kiss" from the Song of Songs.
Both quotes highlight central themes in traditional Catholic spirituality: prayer, humility, and total reliance on God’s grace. Prayer is not merely a means of communication with God, but the act of surrendering to His will and allowing His power to work through our weakness. Our acknowledgment of being "dust and ashes" does not diminish our dignity; rather, it is the very disposition that attracts God’s mercy and love.
In the Catholic tradition, saints have always understood that God delights in pouring out His grace into those who are most aware of their need for Him. As St. Paul writes, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). This profound paradox—our weakness being the conduit of God’s strength—is a cornerstone of Christian life. When we live with the desire to please God alone, we become instruments through which He works miracles.
Conclusion:
In the journey of faith, our effectiveness in doing good for souls and transforming the world begins and ends with prayer. St. Jean Gabriel Perboyre reminds us that all our efforts should be aimed at pleasing God, and without prayer, they remain fruitless. Luis Martinez further deepens this reflection by pointing out that it is in our very nothingness that God’s mercy is irresistibly drawn to us. Our weakness is not a barrier to divine grace; it is the means by which God’s infinite goodness can flood our lives.
Let us take these lessons to heart and strive to make prayer the foundation of all we do, trusting in the truth that God is drawn to those who humbly acknowledge their need for Him.
Ending Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You as humble servants, fully aware of our weakness and nothingness. Like Abraham, we acknowledge that we are dust and ashes, yet we approach You with boldness, trusting in Your infinite mercy. May we, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, learn to pray fervently and seek to please You in all that we do. Strengthen us in our weakness, and let Your grace flow abundantly into our lives, so that we may be instruments of Your love and mercy to others. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.