Episode 2251: Filling Our Minds - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
Filling Our Minds
Tonights episode, we will explore two profound quotes from St. Thomas More and Thomas à Kempis, alongside a scripture reading that speaks to the heart of these insights. Our aim is to understand how occupying our minds with good thoughts can protect us from the enemy's snares and how enduring small sufferings now prepares us for eternal joy with Christ.
"Occupy your mind with good thoughts, or the enemy will fill them with bad ones." — St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More, a martyr and saint of the Catholic Church, offers us profound advice in this quote. His words remind us of the battle that takes place within our minds and the importance of keeping our thoughts aligned with goodness and virtue. From a traditional Catholic perspective, this guidance can be unpacked in several ways:
The Nature of Spiritual Warfare:
The Catholic Church teaches that we are engaged in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." By filling our minds with good thoughts through prayer, reading scripture, and engaging in wholesome activities we build a defense against the temptations and negative influences of the enemy.
The Role of Virtuous Thinking:
Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. St. Thomas More’s advice aligns perfectly with this scripture. By deliberately focusing on virtuous thoughts, we cultivate a mindset that is pleasing to God and conducive to spiritual growth. This practice not only protects us from sin but also brings us closer to the peace and joy that come from living a life centered on Christ.
Practical Application:
Practically speaking, we can follow More’s advice by incorporating regular spiritual practices into our daily routine. This might include starting the day with a prayer, reading a passage from the Bible, or meditating on the lives of the saints. Such practices help us maintain a positive and holy outlook, making it harder for the enemy to infiltrate our minds with negativity or sin.
"Learn, at present, to suffer in the little things, that then you may be delivered from more painful sufferings..." — Thomas à Kempis
Thomas à Kempis, renowned for his work "The Imitation of Christ," provides a stark but necessary reflection on suffering. His quote challenges us to embrace small sufferings now as a means of spiritual fortification. Let's break this down further:
The Value of Suffering:
The Catholic tradition teaches that suffering has redemptive value when united with Christ’s own suffering. Colossians 1:24 tells us, "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." By accepting and enduring small sufferings in our daily lives, we participate in Christ’s redemptive work and grow in holiness.
Preparation for Greater Trials:
Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, spiritual endurance builds resilience. Enduring minor inconveniences and hardships with patience and grace prepares us for greater challenges. If we cannot handle small sufferings with faith, how will we cope with more significant trials or the reality of eternal separation from God?
Eternal Perspective:
Thomas à Kempis urges us to consider the eternal consequences of our current actions. By willingly accepting small sufferings now, we not only grow in virtue but also align ourselves more closely with Christ, who suffered for our sake. This perspective helps us to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on our ultimate goal: eternal life with God.
Scripture Reading and Reflection: James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Joy in Trials:
James encourages us to view trials as opportunities for joy because they test and strengthen our faith. This echoes the sentiments of both St. Thomas More and Thomas à Kempis. By filling our minds with good thoughts and enduring small sufferings, we embrace the trials that lead to spiritual maturity.
Perseverance and Maturity:
The testing of our faith through trials produces perseverance, a key virtue in the Christian life. Perseverance helps us become "mature and complete," fully developed in our spiritual journey. This process of growth and refinement prepares us for the ultimate reward of eternal life with God.
Conclusion:
In today’s episode, we’ve explored the wisdom of St. Thomas More and Thomas à Kempis, both of whom challenge us to cultivate a disciplined and virtuous mind and to embrace suffering as a path to spiritual growth. By occupying our minds with good thoughts, we guard against the enemy's influence, and by enduring small sufferings now, we prepare ourselves for the eternal joy of reigning with Christ. Let us take these teachings to heart, seeking always to grow in holiness and to keep our eyes fixed on our ultimate goal: union with God.
Thank you for joining me tonight. I hope this episode has inspired and encouraged you in your faith journey. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you in His peace.