Episode 2039: The Journey of Spiritual Comfort

We delve into the timeless wisdom of the Catholic faith. Today, we embark on a journey through the dynamics of spiritual comfort, exploring the words of saints and scripture that guide us through the highs and lows of our spiritual lives.
Our first quote comes from the revered Saint Julie Billiart, who beautifully encapsulates the ultimate desire for our hearts. She prays, "My prayer is that the good God may establish His absolute reign in your heart and in the hearts of all." What a profound prayer indeed, invoking the sovereignty of God in our lives.
As Catholics, we strive for God's reign to be absolute within us, acknowledging His lordship over every aspect of our existence. It's a prayer that reflects our deepest longing for union with the Divine, where His will becomes our will, His love becomes our love, and His kingdom becomes our ultimate destination.
Let's break down this quote from Saint Julie Billiart from a traditional Catholic perspective:
"My prayer is that the good God": This phrase emphasizes the goodness of God. In Catholic theology, God is understood as infinitely good, merciful, and loving. It acknowledges that all goodness originates from God and that He desires what is best for His creation.
"may establish His absolute reign": Here, Saint Julie Billiart is invoking the concept of the Kingdom of God. In traditional Catholic teaching, the Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. It refers to the reign or sovereignty of God over all creation, where His will is done perfectly. This reign is established through Christ, who inaugurated the Kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection.
"in your heart and in the hearts of all": This part of the quote underscores the personal nature of the relationship between the individual and God. In Catholic spirituality, the heart symbolizes the deepest core of a person, where their thoughts, desires, and intentions reside. Saint Julie Billiart's prayer is that God's reign would not only be recognized externally but also embraced internally, transforming the hearts of individuals to align with His will.
Overall, this quote reflects a deep longing for the complete submission of the individual and all humanity to the rule of God. It encapsulates the essence of Catholic spirituality, which seeks union with God and the fulfillment of His divine plan for salvation.
But through our journey towards this union, we encounter various seasons, as properly described by Thomas à Kempis. In his great writing “"The Imitation of Christ" He reminds us that when we receive spiritual comfort, it's essential to recognize it as God's bounty, not our merit. We must guard against pride, knowing that comfort may come and go, and with it, the test of our humility and faith.

He said:
“Therefore, when God gives spiritual comfort, receive it with thanksgiving, but know that it is the bounty of God, not thy merit. Be not puffed up, be not overjoyed, nor vainly presume, but rather be the more humble for this gift and the more cautious and fearful in all thine actions; for this hour will pass away and temptation will follow. When comfort shall be taken away from thee, do not presently despair; but wait with humility and patience for the heavenly visit, for God is able to restore thee a greater consolation. This is no new thing, nor strange to those who have experienced the ways of God: for the great saints and ancient prophets have often felt this kind of variety.”
let's break down this quote from Thomas à Kempis within a traditional Catholic perspective:
"Therefore, when God gives spiritual comfort, receive it with thanksgiving, but know that it is the bounty of God, not thy merit": Here, Thomas à Kempis reminds us that any spiritual comfort or consolation we receive is a gift from God, given out of His infinite love and mercy, not because of our own deserving. In Catholic theology, grace is understood as the unmerited favor of God, freely given to us for our sanctification and salvation. Therefore, we are called to receive these gifts with gratitude, acknowledging our dependence on God's generosity.
"Be not puffed up, be not overjoyed, nor vainly presume, but rather be the more humble for this gift and the more cautious and fearful in all thine actions": Thomas à Kempis warns against the dangers of pride and presumption that can accompany spiritual consolation. Instead of becoming proud or presumptuous about our spiritual experiences, we are called to deepen our humility and to exercise greater vigilance in our actions. This echoes the teachings of humility and discernment found in the Catholic spiritual tradition, particularly in the writings of the Desert Fathers and Doctors of the Church.
"When comfort shall be taken away from thee, do not presently despair; but wait with humility and patience for the heavenly visit, for God is able to restore thee a greater consolation": Here, Thomas à Kempis acknowledges the reality that spiritual consolation is not always permanent. In times of spiritual dryness or desolation, we are called to trust in God's faithfulness and to wait patiently for His consolation to return. This highlights the importance of perseverance and trust in the spiritual life, even amid difficulties and trials.
"This is no new thing, nor strange to those who have experienced the ways of God: for the great saints and ancient prophets have often felt this kind of variety": Finally, Thomas à Kempis reminds us that the experience of spiritual consolation followed by desolation is a common aspect of the spiritual journey. Many saints and prophets throughout history have experienced similar fluctuations in their spiritual lives. This reassures us that we are not alone in our struggles and encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that others have walked this path before us.
In summary, Thomas à Kempis's quote offers valuable guidance for navigating the complexities of the spiritual life from a traditional Catholic perspective. It emphasizes humility, gratitude, perseverance, and trust in God's providence, drawing upon the rich spiritual heritage of the Catholic tradition.
Thomas à Kempis urges us not to despair when comfort is taken away but to wait patiently for God's heavenly visit.
This is also expressed in Psalm 40:1-3, where the Psalmist proclaims, "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry."

let's break down this quote from Psalm 40:1 within a traditional Catholic perspective:

"I waited patiently for the Lord": This phrase highlights the virtue of patience, a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. In traditional Catholic teaching, patience is considered one of the cardinal virtues, essential for enduring trials and tribulations with steadfastness and trust in God's providence. It reflects the Psalmist's willingness to wait upon the Lord's timing, rather than seeking immediate solutions or gratification.

"he inclined to me and heard my cry": Here, the Psalmist expresses confidence in God's attentive care and responsiveness to prayer. This verse underscores the belief in God's omniscience and omnipotence, emphasizing that He not only hears but also actively listens to the cries of His people. In Catholic theology, prayer is understood as a vital means of communication with God, through which believers can express their needs, concerns, and desires with the assurance that God hears and responds according to His will.

In summary, Psalm 40:1 from a traditional Catholic perspective emphasizes the importance of patience in waiting for God's timing and trust in His attentive care and responsiveness to our prayers. It encourages believers to persevere in prayer, confident that God hears and acts on behalf of those who seek Him with sincerity and faith.
The journey of faith often involves waiting, trusting, and hoping in the Lord's deliverance. Like the Psalmist, we may find ourselves in desolate pits or miry bogs, feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Yet, God promises to lift us out of these places, setting our feet upon a rock and giving us a new song of praise.
In those moments of despair, when we feel abandoned or forgotten, we must remember that God is faithful. He hears our cries, and He will come to our rescue in His perfect timing. Our role is to wait with humility and patience, trusting that He is able to restore us even greater consolation.
As we navigate the ebbs and flows of spiritual comfort, let us hold fast to the words of Saint Julie Billiart, inviting God to establish His absolute reign in our hearts. May we also heed the wisdom of Thomas à Kempis, remaining humble in times of comfort and patient in times of trial.

Thank you for joining me through the dynamics of spiritual comfort from a traditional Catholic perspective. May the grace of God sustain you through every season of your faith, and may His reign be established in your heart now and forevermore.
Until next time, may God bless you abundantly. Now go out and convert somebody.