Episode 2269: Preparing for Eternity - 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”

The night before I went through the contextual understanding of their quotes but tonight I want to use those quotes but instead draw the wisdom from the 2 great theologians of our church St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine to understand how we, as children of God, are called to live within the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father. Let us embark on this journey together, seeking to deepen our understanding of God's boundless love and mercy.
Understanding God's Love through St. Augustine
St. Augustine, one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Church, profoundly understood the nature of God's love. He famously said, "You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
From a traditional Catholic perspective, Augustine's insight teaches us that true fulfillment and peace can only be found in God. The Father's embrace is a call to intimacy with Him, where we find our true identity and purpose. Augustine's own life, marked by a journey from waywardness to sanctity, exemplifies the transformative power of God's love.
When we recognize our restlessness as a longing for God's embrace, we begin to understand that our lives are meant to be a continuous return to Him. This involves repentance, conversion, and an ever-deepening relationship with God through prayer, the sacraments, and the pursuit of virtue.

The Nature of God's Embrace according to St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas, another towering figure in the Church, offers a complementary perspective on God's love. In his monumental work, the Summa Theologica, Aquinas explores the nature of God as the ultimate source of all that is good.
Aquinas teaches us that God's love is both unchanging and perfectly ordered. Unlike human love, which can be fickle and self-serving, God's love is pure, constant, and directed toward our ultimate good. From a traditional Catholic viewpoint, this means that the Father's embrace is not just an emotional experience but a profound reality rooted in God's very nature.
In the Father's embrace, we experience His providence and wisdom guiding our lives. Aquinas emphasizes that God's grace enables us to participate in His divine life, transforming our nature and elevating us to a state of holiness. This grace is most tangibly encountered in the sacraments, particularly in the Eucharist, where we receive Christ Himself.

Living in the Father's Embrace
Living in the Father's embrace calls us to a life of holiness and virtue. Both St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas emphasize that our response to God's love should be one of complete surrender and trust.
Augustine teaches that our hearts must be purified from attachments to sin and worldly distractions. This purification allows us to love God fully and to recognize His presence in every aspect of our lives. Aquinas adds that living virtuously is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing goodness and truth, which are reflections of God's own nature.
From a traditional Catholic perspective, this means engaging in regular prayer, frequenting the sacraments, and cultivating virtues such as humility, charity, and patience. It also involves a deep trust in God's providence, recognizing that He is always at work in our lives, drawing us closer to Himself.
1 John 3:1
"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
This verse from 1 John underscores the radical truth of our identity as children of God. It reveals the depth of God’s love, which calls us into a familial relationship with Him. This truth is central to our faith, reminding us of our dignity and purpose in God’s eyes. The world’s failure to recognize this truth stems from its lack of knowledge of God.
This scripture calls us to live out our identity as God’s children with confidence and joy. It invites us to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, sacraments, and a life of virtue, reflecting His love in the world. Our lives, marked by faith and hope, become a testament to the reality of God’s love and presence.
Conclusion
As we conclude today's episode, let us take to heart the teachings of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Father's embrace is a call to intimacy with God, a transformative experience that brings true peace and fulfillment.