Episode 2789: The Fall, Redemption, and the Call to Virtue - Morning Episode

O Lord and Ruler
https://rumble.com/v41y1rk-episode-1709-o-adonai-and-feast-of-the-expectation-of-the-blessed-virgin.html?e9s=src_v1_upp
St Gatian
Sign up for "Word Made Flesh"
https://forms.gle/tuzqrhTXTZQuf7VH9
You can join via zoom. Please attend. I promise it will help you focus during the Advent season and make Christ the reason for the Season.
Nightly Zoom Coordinates for Rosary:
Meeting ID: 865 8978 0399
Passcode: Wjjv4960!
Speak Lord
Rosary
Word of the Day
Theology & Doctrine Theosis Participation in the divine nature through grace.

Before getting started I need to point out that all my morning episodes and nightly episodes are inspired by Fr Doyle & Fr Matlak who provide:
• Quote of the Day
• Daily Meditation
• Daily Verse
Sharon from our Catholic Reboot podcast about a year ago suggested that I take those 3 quotes provided by Fr Doyle and build a morning and nightly episode around them and to keep them short and to the point. Those are published every morning and evening via morningoffering.com and eveningoffering.com. Fr Doyle provides the morning and Fr Matlak provides the evening.
So if you ever wonder how I come up with such excellent information to build a podcast episode around it is the good Fathers. Then I write by combing those 3 elements.
Also both Sharon and Nancy from CR will forward other quotes. Nancy usually provides Bishop Sheen or Mother Theodore Guerin. Inst it wonderful how we all work as one body under Christ as a communal faith and how everyone contributes. So feel free to send me information you feel is important and I will build an episode around it. Also, since the antiquities of our faith are so vast usually one topic feeds 5 to 10 others and you will notice I make reference in certain podcasts that I need to do a follow up episode on a certain topic. Well that’s were it comes from.

The Fall, Redemption, and the Call to Virtue
Welcome to today’s episode! In this reflection, we’ll explore how God’s Divine plan of Redemption brings hope to fallen humanity, the role of virtue in our journey toward heaven, and the importance of guarding our speech. Drawing from the wisdom of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, St. Teresa of Avila, and Sacred Scripture, we will consider how Christ calls us to conversion and how we, in turn, must respond with humility, vigilance, and love.
Let’s begin by reflecting on the beauty of God’s mercy and the redemption He offers when we return to Him.
Segment 1: The Joy of Finding God After Loss
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said:
"There are two ways of knowing how good God is: one is never to lose Him, and the other is to lose Him and then to find Him."
Reflection
Many of us have experienced moments of spiritual distance from God. Whether through sin, distraction, or suffering, we sometimes lose sight of His presence. Yet, God’s goodness shines most brightly when we turn back to Him.
Consider the Prodigal Son, who, after squandering everything, returned to his father in humility. The father’s joy reflects the overwhelming love of God, who desires not the death of the sinner but that he might repent and live.
Those who have "lost" God and found Him again often carry a deep gratitude for His mercy, which becomes a driving force in their spiritual lives.
Takeaway
Have we recently examined our relationship with God? Are there areas in our lives where we’ve “lost” Him by prioritizing other things? Today is the day to return to Him, trusting in His mercy.
Segment 2: The Divine Economy of Redemption
In another reflection, Archbishop Sheen wrote:
“In the beautiful Divine economy of Redemption, the same three things which cooperated in the Fall shared in Redemption. For the disobedient man Adam, there was the obedient new Adam, Christ; for the proud woman Eve, there was the humble new Eve, the Virgin Mary; for the tree of the Garden, there was the tree of the Cross. Our Divine Lord in the state of his greatest humiliation, seeing all prophecies fulfilled, all foreshadowings realized, and all things done which were needful for the Redemption, uttered a cry of joy: ‘It is achieved.” - Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Reflection
God’s plan for Redemption mirrors the Fall, emphasizing His justice and mercy. Just as the first Adam brought death through disobedience, the new Adam, Christ, brings life through obedience unto death on the Cross.
The humility of Mary as the new Eve stands in stark contrast to the pride of Eve in the Garden. Her “yes” to God opened the door to salvation.
The tree of the Cross transforms the curse of the tree in Eden into the instrument of our Redemption. Christ’s words, “It is achieved,” mark the completion of this Divine plan.
Takeaway
Are we embracing obedience and humility in our lives, following the example of Christ and Mary? Redemption calls us not only to gratitude but to active participation in God’s plan through our own sacrifices and virtues.
Segment 3: Vigilance in Virtue
St. Teresa of Avila gives us this wisdom:
"We must beg God constantly in our prayers to uphold us by His hand; we should keep ever in our minds the truth that if He leaves us, most certainly we shall fall at once into the abyss, for we must never be so foolish as to trust in ourselves. After this I think the greatest safeguard is to be very careful and to watch how we advance in virtue; we must notice whether we are making progress or falling back in it, especially as regards the love of our neighbor, the desire to be thought the least of all and how we perform our ordinary, everyday duties. If we attend to this and beg Our Lord to enlighten us, we shall at once perceive our gain or loss." —St. Teresa of Avila
Reflection
St. Teresa reminds us of our total dependence on God’s grace. Without His assistance, we cannot advance in virtue or avoid sin.
The practical advice to examine ourselves regularly especially in how we love our neighbor, embrace humility, and fulfill our duties is key to spiritual growth.
This vigilance requires both prayer and action. We must frequently reflect on our progress and ask for God’s light to see where we are falling short.
Takeaway
Are we examining our consciences daily? Are we asking God for the grace to grow in love and humility? Let us take St. Teresa’s advice to heart, making virtue our daily focus.
Segment 4: Guarding the Tongue
In James 3:8-10, we are warned:
"But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers."
Reflection
The tongue has immense power: it can build up or tear down, bless or curse, glorify God or offend Him.
In our daily interactions, how often do we misuse this gift of speech? Gossip, harsh words, or flippant remarks can cause great harm to our neighbors and to our souls.
Guarding our tongues requires humility and self-control, virtues cultivated through prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments.
Takeaway
Let us reflect on how we use our words. Are they a source of blessing and encouragement, or do they cause harm? By striving to tame our tongues, we glorify God and strengthen our relationships with others.
Conclusion: A Call to Holiness
Today’s reflections have highlighted the beauty of God’s Redemption, the vigilance required to grow in virtue, and the power of our words to bless or harm. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, St. Teresa of Avila, and the Apostle James all remind us of the same truth: our journey toward holiness demands humility, self-awareness, and a reliance on God’s grace.
Let us never lose sight of God’s mercy, which is always available to us. Whether we have never lost Him or are finding Him again, He calls us to deeper communion, to vigilance in virtue, and to the humility that leads to eternal life.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the new Adam, who through obedience and humility redeemed us from the Fall. We thank You for the gift of Your Cross and the example of Your Blessed Mother, the new Eve, who said “yes” to God’s plan.
Grant us the grace to guard our tongues, to love our neighbors, and to grow in virtue. Help us to be ever vigilant, examining our hearts and striving to follow Your example. In times of weakness, strengthen us, and when we fall, lift us up by Your mercy.
We entrust ourselves to You, O Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Teresa of Avila, and all the saints. Keep us faithful to the end, that we may share in the joy of heaven.
Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. May God bless you as you continue to grow in holiness. Stay close to Christ and His Church, and until next time, let us strive to glorify Him in all we do.