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Episode 2886: Living a Life of Holiness and Readiness - Morning Episode

25 days ago
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Episode 1804: St. Raymond of Pentafort, St. Emerentiana & the Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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12 episodes 3 parts
Living a Life of Holiness and Readiness
Introduction
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the life and legacy of St. Raymund of Peñafort, a Dominican priest renowned for his wisdom, contributions to canon law, and unwavering commitment to holiness. As we commemorate his feast day, we will draw from the wisdom of St. Raymund himself, as well as St. Thomas Aquinas, who lauded his impact on the Church. Through Scripture and reflection, we’ll explore the themes of vigilance, fidelity, and the call to live a life worthy of the grace of God.
Let us begin with this inspiring quote from St. Raymund of Peñafort:
"Look then, my brother, and see how great and noble you are by the grace of God. Let your every thought and action be such that you may live up to this grace and dignity of yours."
This statement captures the essence of St. Raymund’s life and mission—he sought to align his every action with the dignity conferred by God’s grace, a call we too must embrace.
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Segment 1: The Dignity of Living in God’s Grace
St. Raymund’s exhortation to recognize our dignity as children of God is a profound reminder of the transformative power of grace. By virtue of our baptism, we are called to holiness, to live lives that reflect our identity as members of Christ’s Body. This is not a passive identity but an active calling to align our thoughts, words, and deeds with God’s will.
The Epistle, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, reinforces this call to action:
"Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine... Be thou vigilant, labor in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry."
St. Raymund embodied this vigilance and dedication in his life. As a master of canon law, he crafted legal structures not for their own sake but as instruments to guide the faithful closer to God. His work was not merely administrative; it was deeply pastoral, rooted in the conviction that divine justice and mercy must lead the soul to salvation.
St. Thomas Aquinas praised this aspect of Raymund’s life, saying:
"The wise legislator brings the faithful closer to salvation by providing laws rooted in divine justice, as did Raymund, the master of canon law."
Laws, like grace, are gifts meant to orient us toward God, not restrict our freedom. When we follow them in humility and love, we live up to the dignity of our calling.
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Segment 2: Spiritual Vigilance and Readiness
The Gospel reading, Luke 12:35-40, exhorts us to be spiritually prepared for Christ’s return:
"Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands... Blessed are those servants, whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching."
St. Raymund lived with this spiritual readiness. He understood that holiness is not something to be postponed or reserved for specific moments but must permeate every aspect of life. His tireless work for the Church, from compiling canon law to ministering to the faithful, was rooted in the understanding that we must always be ready to meet Christ.
Vigilance requires daily effort—through prayer, examination of conscience, and the sacramental life. This aligns with St. Raymund’s insistence that our lives reflect the grace and dignity God has given us. It also echoes the wisdom of St. Augustine, who reminded the faithful:
"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."
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Segment 3: Lessons from St. Raymund’s Life
What can we learn from St. Raymund’s life?
1. Commitment to Holiness: St. Raymund’s deep prayer life and dedication to the sacraments served as the foundation for his wisdom and service.
2. Pastoral Wisdom: His work in canon law demonstrates how the Church’s teachings guide the faithful to live in accordance with God’s will.
3. Humility in Service: Despite his intellectual brilliance, St. Raymund’s humility allowed him to focus entirely on glorifying God and serving others.
We are reminded of his humility in his famous refusal of the position of Archbishop of Tarragona, saying he desired to serve God through his vocation as a Dominican. This echoes Christ’s call to His disciples to serve rather than be served.
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Conclusion and Call to Action
As we reflect on St. Raymund’s life, let us examine our own lives. Are we living in accordance with the grace and dignity God has given us? Are we spiritually vigilant, ready to meet Christ at any moment?
Let us take St. Raymund’s words to heart:
"Let your every thought and action be such that you may live up to this grace and dignity of yours."
Through daily prayer, faithful reception of the sacraments, and humble service to others, we too can strive to live lives that glorify God and bring others closer to Him.
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Conclusion Prayer
Let us conclude with a prayer inspired by today’s reflections:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of St. Raymund of Peñafort, whose life of holiness, wisdom, and service inspires us to live in accordance with the grace You have bestowed upon us.
Grant us the vigilance to keep our lamps burning and our hearts ready to meet Your Son when He comes. May we, like St. Raymund, use the gifts You have given us to guide others toward salvation and to glorify Your holy name.
Through the intercession of St. Raymund, may we grow in humility, fidelity, and love, seeking always to live in the dignity of Your grace.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. May the life of St. Raymund of Peñafort inspire you to greater holiness and service to the Church. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you.

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