Episode 2309: Empty Your Heart for God - Morning Episode

St. Paul Never Held Back!
St. Paul’s epistles, were rich with theological depth and practical guidance, he spoke the truth of Christ without hesitation or compromise.
Unwavering Boldness
From the moment of his conversion, St. Paul exhibited a remarkable boldness in his preaching. He did not shy away from proclaiming the truth, regardless of the audience or the consequences. In his letters, you see this fearless approach vividly.
To the Galatians, he writes: “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). He emphasizes that his mission is to serve Christ, not to curry favor with people. His allegiance is to God alone. He emptied his heart for Christ.
To the Corinthians, he declares: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Confronting Falsehood
St. Paul was also unafraid to confront false teachings and behaviors within the early Catholic communities. His letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, and others are filled with admonitions against divisive behaviors, moral laxity, and doctrinal errors. His approach was direct and uncompromising because he understood the gravity of preserving the truth.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul addresses the issue of Judaizers who were compelling Gentiles to follow Jewish laws. He writes, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1), calling out their folly and redirecting them to the truth. Do we?
Despite his directness, St. Paul’s letters also reveal his deep pastoral heart. His boldness was not born out of arrogance but out of a profound love for Christ and His Church. Paul’s admonitions were always aimed at edification and spiritual growth. He desired that all Catholics might come to a full understanding of the truth and live in accordance with it.
To the Thessalonians, he writes: “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8). He demonstrated that his boldness was coupled with genuine love and concern.
Lessons for Today
St. Paul’s example is a powerful reminder for us today. In a world where truth is often relativized and compromise is frequent, Paul’s unwavering commitment stands as a example. As Catholics, we are called to emulate his boldness in proclaiming the truth of Christ, his willingness to confront falsehood, and his deep love for the Church.
So Pray for the courage to speak the truth with the same boldness as St. Paul. May his example inspire us to be faithful witnesses of Christ in all aspects of our lives.
So lets take this even further and in this episode, we explore the profound wisdom of St. John of the Cross and the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Our focus will be on the necessity of an unoccupied heart for God, the deeper understanding of Holy Communion beyond sensory experiences, and the call to self-denial and carrying our cross.
St. John of the Cross, a mystical doctor of the Church, provides us with invaluable insights into the spiritual life. His teachings challenge us to go beyond the surface level of our faith and to seek a deeper, more intimate union with God. By examining his words alongside Jesus’ call to discipleship, we will uncover the transformative power of an unoccupied heart and the true meaning of following Christ.
The Unoccupied Heart:
"God does not fit in an occupied heart." — St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross reminds us that for God to dwell fully within us, our hearts must be free from attachments and distractions. An "occupied heart" is one that is cluttered with worldly concerns, desires, and affections that leave little room for God.
To make space for God's presence, we must engage in the process of detachment letting go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. This detachment does not mean rejecting the world entirely but prioritizing our love for God above all else.
Holy Communion Beyond Sensory Experience:
"[Some people], when they [receive Holy Communion], strive with all their might for sensible sweetness, instead of worshipping in humility and praising God within themselves..." — St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross addresses a common misunderstanding about the Eucharist. Many seek a tangible, emotional experience during Holy Communion, equating these feelings with the efficacy of the sacrament. However, he teaches that the true grace of the Eucharist lies beyond what our senses can perceive. The invisible grace conferred by the sacrament is far greater than any sensible sweetness. God often withholds these sensory experiences to draw us into a purer faith, one that relies not on feelings but on the certainty of His presence and action in our lives.
Embracing the Cross:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" — Matthew 16:24-25
Jesus’ call to self-denial and taking up our cross is a central tenet of the Christian life. This teaching underscores the necessity of sacrifice and surrender in following Christ. Denying ourselves means putting aside our own desires and ambitions to align our will with God's. Taking up our cross involves embracing the sufferings and challenges that come our way, trusting that through these trials, we grow closer to Jesus and find true life in Him.
Conclusion:
As we conclude this episode, let us take to heart the profound lessons from St. John of the Cross and Jesus' call to discipleship. We are invited to clear our hearts of all that occupies them, to seek God beyond sensory experiences, and to embrace the cross with faith and courage. By doing so, we open ourselves to a deeper, more transformative relationship with God, one that leads to true spiritual fulfillment and eternal life.

Thank you for joining me this morning. I hope these reflections inspire you to cultivate an unoccupied heart, to appreciate the invisible graces of the Eucharist, and to follow Christ with unwavering dedication. Until next time, may God's grace and peace be with you as you continue your journey of faith. Now like St Paul empty your hearts today for God and go out and convert somebody.