Episode 2797: Risking All for God - Morning Episode

Episode 436: St. Thomas
Ember Saturday Rules:
• Partial abstinence means abstaining from meat (flesh meat, such as beef, pork, or poultry) during a portion of the day.
• In practice, it often meant refraining from meat at the main meal while allowing it at other meals.
• Ember Saturdays traditionally combined fasting and partial abstinence.
• Catholics were required to fast (one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal) and observe partial abstinence.
• Meat is permitted at the principal meal only, not at the smaller meals.
Spiritual Purpose
Ember Days are intended as a time to:
• Offer gratitude for the seasonal blessings of nature.
• Pray for priests, as ordinations traditionally took place during Ember Weeks.
• Practice penance for personal sanctification and the needs of the Church.
1. O Antiphons
December 21: O Oriens (O Dayspring)
O Dayspring, Radiance of the Eternal Light, and Sun of Justice:
come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the
shadow of death.
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Before we get started I just want to mention something that may encourage you or possibly explain what you are going through if you have truly worked hard during this advent season to remain in sanctifying grace and live out the advent season with a renewed spiritual life.
The devil will attempt to discourage you, even through dreams, especially when you are making progress in your faith and striving to remain in a state of sanctifying grace. The devil, as a spiritual being, uses various means to tempt, deceive, and discourage faithful souls in their journey toward God and so you need to know that in order to understand what is truly going on.
Key Points to Consider:
Dreams as a Tool of Discouragement:
While not all dreams carry spiritual significance, the devil can exploit the vulnerability of the dream state to plant seeds of doubt, fear, or despair. This aligns with his nature as the "father of lies" (John 8:44) and his constant desire to disrupt your relationship with God. In dreams, where our rational defenses are lowered, the devil may attempt to sow confusion or magnify insecurities to weaken our faith and determination.
How the Devil Exploits Dreams:
Magnifying Doubts:
He may introduce scenarios in dreams that exaggerate your fears or cause you to question your spiritual progress. For example, you might dream of failing in your secular life or in your faith journey, losing favor with God, or being abandoned by those you trust.
Targeting Weak Points:
The devil often focuses on areas of vulnerability or past struggles. For instance, if you have previously faced temptations related to pride, doubt, or fear of failure, he may exploit these in dreams to rekindle those struggles.
Simulating False Spiritual Experiences:
Some saints and theologians warn that the devil can fabricate false visions or emotional experiences in dreams to confuse or mislead you. These can imitate authentic spiritual consolations but ultimately draw you away from God’s truth.
Why Does God Permit This?
God, in His wisdom, may allow such dreams to serve as opportunities for spiritual growth. These trials can teach you humility, deepen your reliance on His grace, and strengthen your trust in His providence. The devil's attempts to discourage you can paradoxically lead to greater sanctity if you respond with faith and perseverance.
Practical Responses to Such Dreams:
Discernment Through Prayer:
Bring troubling dreams to God in prayer, asking for clarity and peace. The Holy Spirit can reveal whether the dream holds any spiritual significance or is simply a passing distraction.
Clinging to Truth:
Counter the lies of the devil with the truth of Scripture. Reflect on passages that affirm God’s love and your dignity as His child, such as Romans 8:38-39: "Nothing can separate us from the love of God."
Sacramental Protection:
Frequent reception of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Confession, strengthens your soul against spiritual attacks. Blessing yourself with holy water before bed and invoking the protection of St. Michael the Archangel can also ward off evil influences.
Confidence in God’s Providence:
Even if a dream unsettles you, remember that God remains in control. Trust that He permits only what can ultimately lead to your good (Romans 8:28). Your perseverance in faith amid these trials is a testimony to His sustaining grace.
Encouragement for the Faithful:
The devil’s attempts to use dreams as a tool of discouragement are a sign that you are making spiritual progress. His opposition confirms that your efforts to remain in a state of sanctifying grace threaten his influence. Take heart in knowing that God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is perfected in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). By turning to Him in prayer and trust, even your most unsettling dreams can become moments of spiritual victory.Discouragement as a Weapon:
St. Ignatius of Loyola, in his Rules for Discernment of Spirits, explains how the devil uses desolation feelings of sadness, discouragement, or spiritual dryness to weaken our resolve. This can manifest in dreams or thoughts that make you question the value of your spiritual efforts.
Perseverance in Sanctifying Grace:
Remaining in a state of sanctifying grace frustrates the devil because it signifies closeness to God. The more you advance in virtue, the more he may attack to draw you away from this path, knowing that he is losing ground.
The Role of the Saints:
Many saints, including St. John Vianney and St. Padre Pio, experienced spiritual battles where the devil sought to discourage or terrify them. They remind us that such attacks are a sign of spiritual progress and that God permits them to strengthen our trust in Him.
Protection Against Spiritual Attacks:
Frequent reception of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession.
Devotion to Our Lady through the Rosary, as she is a powerful intercessor against evil.
Use of sacramentals like holy water, blessed medals, or the St. Benedict Medal for protection.
Daily prayers, such as the St. Michael the Archangel prayer, for spiritual defense.
Encouragement in the Face of Attacks:
If you are experiencing such dreams or feelings of uselessness, it is crucial to remember that God is always with you and permits trials only for your sanctification. As St. Paul reminds us, "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
By remaining steadfast in prayer, seeking God's grace, and trusting in His mercy, you can overcome any discouragement the devil may attempt to sow in your heart. These trials are an opportunity to grow in virtue and deepen your reliance on God.
Remember that Satan has no problem with you when you are not living a santyfing life. You are already doing his bidding. Its when you are not that he will attack. So double down for the remained of advent and defeat him.
Risking All for God: Silence, Focus, and Holiness
Welcome to today’s podcast, where we reflect on the courage, discipline, and sanctity required to serve God wholeheartedly. Drawing from the wisdom of the saints and sacred scripture, we’ll explore what it means to risk everything for God, cultivate interior and exterior silence, and live as God’s chosen ones with humility, kindness, and patience.
Let us begin with the inspiring words of St. Louis de Montfort:
"If we do not risk anything for God, we will never do anything great for Him."
In this episode, we will unpack what it means to risk everything for God and how detachment from worldly distractions can help us achieve union with Him. We will also reflect on how we are called to bear witness to His love in our relationships with others, as St. Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-13:
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do."
Segment 1: Risking Everything for God
St. Louis de Montfort’s words challenge us to examine our willingness to give God our all. Too often, we play it safe, holding back out of fear, attachment to comfort, or doubt in God’s providence. But true discipleship requires a willingness to risk everything our reputation, security, and even our lives for the sake of His kingdom.
Consider the saints who risked everything for God. They faced persecution, ridicule, and death, yet they remained steadfast. Why? Because they knew that the glory of God far surpasses anything this world can offer.
For us, risking everything may not mean martyrdom, but it does mean sacrificing worldly attachments, overcoming our fear of rejection, and stepping out in faith. It is in this risk that we open ourselves to the possibility of doing something truly great for God.
Segment 2: The Gift of Silence
St. Alphonsus Liguori provides profound insight into how silence and focus can preserve our union with God:
"An excellent method of preserving interior silence is to keep exterior silence… It is not noise in itself that is the difficulty, but noise that is pointless… voluntary distractions… hinder our union from being as close as it ought to be."
We live in a noisy world filled with constant demands for our attention social media, endless entertainment, and trivial conversations. These distractions can pull us away from God, not because they are inherently sinful, but because they prevent us from giving Him our undivided attention.
True interior silence begins with exterior silence. Carve out moments in your day for solitude and reflection. Use this time to pray, meditate, and listen for God’s voice. Remember, silence is not just the absence of noise but the presence of God.
Segment 3: Living as God’s Chosen Ones
In his letter to the Colossians, St. Paul exhorts us to live as God’s chosen ones, adorned with virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. He reminds us to forgive one another, just as God has forgiven us.
These virtues are not mere niceties; they are the hallmarks of a life lived in Christ. To embody them requires discipline, prayer, and a willingness to die to ourselves. It also requires an awareness of God’s immense mercy toward us, which compels us to extend that mercy to others.
When we risk everything for God and detach ourselves from worldly distractions, we are free to love others as He loves us. This love is the greatest witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Segment 4: Practical Takeaways
Take Daily Risks for God: Consider one area of your life where you can step out in faith. Perhaps it’s sharing your faith with a colleague, taking on a new ministry, or letting go of a comfort that hinders your spiritual growth.
Cultivate Silence: Set aside 10-15 minutes each day for silent prayer or meditation. Use this time to listen for God’s voice and reflect on His Word.
Practice Forgiveness: Identify one person you need to forgive. Pray for the grace to let go of any resentment and to extend mercy as God has extended it to you.
Embrace the Virtues of Colossians 3: Write down the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-13 and pray for the grace to embody them in your daily interactions.
Conclusion Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You call us to risk everything for You, to leave behind our distractions and attachments, and to live as Your chosen ones. Grant us the courage to step out in faith, the discipline to cultivate silence, and the grace to embody compassion, kindness, humility, and patience.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy. Help us to extend that same mercy to others, bearing with one another in love and unity.
Holy Spirit, guide us in our daily lives, filling us with Your presence and enabling us to do great things for the glory of God. May we always seek Your will and trust in Your providence.
We ask this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Louis de Montfort, and St. Alphonsus Liguori.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of reflection and growth. May you find the courage to risk everything for God and the peace that comes from resting in His presence. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly.