Episode 2029: The Virtue of Charity: Drawing Near to God's Heart

In this episode, we delve into the profound wisdom of St. Vincent Ferrer, Mother Raphael Lubowidzka, and the words of Ecclesiastes to explore the essence of charity and its significance in our spiritual journey. From the perspective of traditional Catholicism, we reflect on the importance of approaching God with a sincere heart filled with charity, understanding the profound sacrifice of Christ, and the humility required in our worship.
Setting the stage with the quotes from St. Vincent Ferrer, Mother Raphael Lubowidzka, and Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, emphasizing the themes of charity, sacrifice, and reverence before God.

Charity – The Root of Effective Action
We begin with a quote from the fiery Dominican preacher, St. Vincent Ferrer: "If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire."
This is a profound truth. We often rush into action, wanting to fix the world's problems or convert those around us. But St. Vincent reminds us that true effectiveness comes from a heart overflowing with God's love charity. When we pray for this virtue, we become instruments of God's grace, radiating His love and drawing others closer to Him. Remember, it's not about our own strength, but about allowing God to work through us.
Helping the Soul of Your Neighbor: This statement underscores the importance of caring for others, particularly their spiritual well-being. In traditional Catholic teaching, charity extends beyond mere material assistance to encompass the desire for the ultimate good of others, which is their salvation.

Approaching God First: St. Vincent emphasizes the primacy of turning to God before attempting to help others. This aligns with the Catholic belief in the necessity of prayer and seeking God's guidance in all endeavors. It acknowledges our dependence on God's grace and wisdom in our efforts to serve others effectively.
With All Your Heart: The phrase "with all your heart" highlights the importance of sincerity and wholeheartedness in our approach to God. It calls for a genuine and earnest disposition in prayer, indicating that half-hearted efforts are insufficient.
Fill You with Charity: Charity, or love, is considered the greatest of all virtues in traditional Catholic theology. It is the theological virtue infused by God into the soul that enables one to love God above all things and to love one's neighbor as oneself for the love of God. Asking God to fill us with charity is a recognition of our need for His grace to love others selflessly and sacrificially.
Accomplish What You Desire: This suggests that through charity, one can effectively fulfill the desire to help others spiritually. In Catholic teaching, charity is not merely an emotion or sentiment but an active virtue that empowers one to act in accordance with God's will, leading to tangible results in the lives of others.
In summary, St. Vincent Ferrer's quote emphasizes the central role of charity in helping the souls of our neighbors. It encourages a prayerful approach to God, seeking His grace to infuse us with charity so that we may effectively fulfill the desire to assist others in their spiritual journey, all within the framework of traditional Catholic spirituality.
The Double Martyrdom of Christ
Now, let's turn to the poignant words of Mother Mary Raohael Lubowidzka but let me first explain who she was Mother Raphael Lubowidzka, born as Stanisława Lubowidzka, was a Polish nun who became renowned for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her spiritual writings. She was born on October 24, 1894, in Poland. At a young age, she felt a deep calling to religious life and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Throughout her life, Mother Raphael dedicated herself to prayer, penance, and serving others, particularly in their spiritual needs. She had a profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which influenced her spirituality and writings.

Mother Raphael's spiritual experiences and insights led her to write extensively on the topics of prayer, the love of God, and the suffering of Christ. Her writings often reflected her deep contemplation of the Passion of Christ and the mysteries of God's love and mercy.

One of Mother Raphael's notable works is the quote you provided earlier, which vividly depicts her contemplation of Christ's suffering and the depth of his love for humanity.

Mother Raphael Lubowidzka passed away on August 26, 1974, leaving behind a legacy of holiness and spiritual wisdom. Though she may not be widely known outside of certain religious circles, her writings continue to inspire and edify those who seek a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, particularly from a Catholic perspective.
Now let me provide her quote: "I see my Jesus, exhausted and degraded in the dust, prostrate before the face of His heavenly Father. Looking upon His beloved Son, God perceived all the crimes of sacrilege, manslaughter, perjury, etc., and He saw the capital sins, the mortal sins, venial sins, the perfidy, and unfaithfulness of souls favored with the grace of being chosen by God. Consequently, our sweetest Lord endured a double martyrdom; one, of His entire being; the other, a martyrdom of love since He felt rejected by His Father."
This powerful meditation from Mother Lubowidzka reminds us of the depth of Christ's suffering. He wasn't just physically tortured; He also endured the unbearable pain of feeling rejected by His Father because of the sins of humanity. This double martyrdom underscores the immensity of God's love for us and the terrible cost of sin.
Jesus' Suffering and Degradation: This part of the quote portrays Jesus in a state of profound suffering and humiliation, lying prostrate before God the Father. It reflects the traditional Catholic understanding of Christ's Passion and Crucifixion, emphasizing his physical and emotional agony as he endured the weight of human sin.
God's Perception of Sin: According to Catholic theology, God is omniscient, knowing all things, including the sins of humanity. The quote suggests that God, looking upon Jesus, sees the full extent of human sinfulness, from sacrilege to manslaughter, perjury, and beyond. This underscores the seriousness of sin in Catholic doctrine and the need for redemption through Christ's sacrifice.
Double Martyrdom of Christ: The quote describes Christ's suffering as a "double martyrdom." Firstly, it refers to the physical torment and agony Jesus endured on the cross, which traditional Catholic teaching holds as the ultimate act of self-sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. Secondly, it highlights the emotional or spiritual suffering Christ experienced, feeling rejected by God the Father as he bore the weight of human sin.
Martyrdom of Love: This aspect of Christ's suffering emphasizes the profound love inherent in his sacrifice. Despite experiencing abandonment and rejection, Christ willingly endured this suffering out of love for humanity. This aligns with traditional Catholic theology, which teaches that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was an expression of perfect love, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.
In summary, Mother Raphael Lubowidzka's quote presents a poignant depiction of Christ's suffering and sacrifice from a traditional Catholic perspective. It emphasizes the gravity of sin, the depth of Christ's love, and the redemptive significance of his Passion and Crucifixion in Catholic theology.
Reverence in the House of God
Finally, let's consider the wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes: "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few." (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2)
This passage emphasizes the importance of proper reverence in God's house – the Church. We shouldn't approach it casually. It's a place for quiet reflection, listening to God's voice in prayer and Scripture. The focus should be on humility and awe, not on our own thoughts or desires.
let's break down this passage from Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 from a traditional Catholic perspective:

Guard Your Steps When You Go to the House of God: This phrase emphasizes the importance of reverence and mindfulness when entering sacred spaces, particularly during worship. In Catholic tradition, the "house of God" typically refers to places of worship such as churches or cathedrals. It reminds believers to approach these spaces with respect and humility, recognizing the sacredness of the environment.

To Draw Near to Listen is Better Than to Offer the Sacrifice of Fools: This part of the passage underscores the significance of attentive listening and interior disposition in worship. In traditional Catholic teaching, prayer and worship are not merely outward actions but involve the engagement of the heart and mind. It suggests that genuine attentiveness and receptivity to God's word are more pleasing to Him than empty or insincere rituals.

Be Not Rash with Your Mouth, Nor Let Your Heart Be Hasty to Utter a Word Before God: Here, the passage advises against impulsive or thoughtless speech in prayer and worship. Traditional Catholic spirituality emphasizes the importance of reverence and humility in prayer, encouraging believers to approach God with careful consideration and respect. It reminds believers to guard against the temptation to speak hastily or presumptuously before God.

God is in Heaven, and You Upon Earth; Therefore Let Your Words Be Few: This final statement reinforces the idea of humility and reverence in prayer. It acknowledges the vast difference between humanity and the divine, highlighting the need for humility and restraint in our communication with God. In Catholic tradition, this verse is often interpreted as a call to simplicity and sincerity in prayer, recognizing God's transcendence and our finite nature.
In summary, Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, from a traditional Catholic perspective, offers wisdom on the importance of reverence, attentiveness, and humility in worship and prayer. It encourages believers to approach God with reverence, listen attentively to His word, and speak with sincerity and humility, recognizing the vast difference between the divine and the human.
In closing, reflecting on the profound insights from St. Vincent Ferrer, Mother Raphael Lubowidzka, and the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, we are reminded of the timeless truths that guide us in our spiritual journey. From the primacy of charity to the sacrificial love of Christ, and the reverence and humility required in our worship, we are called to deepen our relationship with God and live out our faith with sincerity and love.

May we, inspired by these teachings, approach God with open hearts, seeking His grace to fill us with charity and guide us in serving our neighbors. Let us emulate Christ's example of selfless love and sacrifice, recognizing the profound depth of His suffering and the boundless extent of His love for humanity.

As we navigate our spiritual paths, may we guard our steps when entering the house of God, drawing near to listen attentively to His word and speaking with humility and sincerity in our prayers. Let us remember that God is in heaven, and we are upon earth; therefore, let our words be few, offered with reverence and awe before the Almighty.

May the wisdom and grace of God accompany us on our journey, leading us ever closer to His heart and empowering us to live out our faith in love and service to others. Now take this and go out and convert somebody. Good Easter Friday!