Episode 2489: Serving God Through Justice and Joy - Morning Episode

Welcome to today's episode. We will explore how we, as traditional Catholics, are called to serve God and our neighbors. Drawing from the wisdom of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering, and Sacred Scripture, we’ll delve into how acts of mercy, justice, and gratitude not only form the foundation of our relationship with God but also lead us into deeper communion with Him. Let us start by reflecting on a powerful quote from Pope Saint Gregory the Great.

Understanding Mercy and Justice: "When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice." — Pope Saint Gregory the Great.
Pope Gregory reminds us that acts of mercy toward others are not just kind gestures, but a fundamental obligation of justice. What we have our time, our resources, and even our talents are all gifts from God, meant to be shared with those in need. When we offer assistance to the poor, comfort to the suffering, or guidance to the lost, we aren’t merely being charitable. We are paying back what belongs to God, as He entrusted us with these gifts to uplift others.
This understanding should change the way we approach acts of mercy. Rather than seeing them as optional, we see them as essential. In fact, they are a direct reflection of our love for God and neighbor, fulfilling the second greatest commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
The Fruits of Living in Communion with God: "Scripture offers us a look at the fruits we can expect as we grow closer to God: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance, gentleness, faith, modesty, self-control, and chastity. Cut off from him, we rely on our own well to refresh our souls rather than the un-depletable wellspring available to us as sons and daughters of our eternal Father." — Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering.
As traditional Catholics, we recognize that the Christian life is about conforming our will to God’s. In the process, we open ourselves to the fruits of the Spirit. These virtues charity, joy, and peace grow within us when we stay connected to the source of all life: God Himself.
When we separate ourselves from Him, attempting to live by our own strength and wisdom, we deplete our spiritual energy. God is the wellspring from which we should draw, as He continuously refreshes us with His grace. Just as Christ told the Samaritan woman, “The water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14), so too must we drink from the spiritual nourishment God offers through prayer, the sacraments, and living a life of virtue.
We cannot fully understand our purpose or who we are outside of this relationship with our Creator. As Gress and Mering point out, “We are called to communion with Him,” and this requires a constant turning of our hearts toward His will, an ongoing process of conversion and growth in holiness.
Rejoicing in the Lord: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." — Psalm 100.
Psalm 100 teaches us to approach God with joy and thanksgiving. The psalmist calls us to recognize that "the Lord is God! It is He that made us, and we are His." This profound truth shapes our identity as His people. We are the "sheep of His pasture," under His constant care and guidance.
As traditional Catholics, our response to this knowledge should be to serve the Lord with gladness. Whether we are attending Mass, praying the Rosary, or serving others, everything we do should be done in joyful thanksgiving. We are called to live with gratitude, for God’s love and faithfulness endure forever.
Conclusion: Today’s reflections on justice, communion with God, and joy remind us of the richness of our Catholic faith. We are called to love and serve not out of obligation but out of gratitude and reverence for the gifts God has bestowed on us. Every act of mercy, every moment of prayer, and every sacrifice we make is an opportunity to grow closer to Him and to conform our will to His.
As we go forth, let us remember the words of Pope Saint Gregory the Great: when we help those in need, we are paying a debt of justice. And as we deepen our relationship with God, the fruits of the Spirit will blossom within us, filling our lives with joy, peace, and love.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many gifts You have given us. Help us to serve others with justice and mercy, recognizing that all we have belongs to You. Guide us as we strive to conform our wills to Yours, drawing ever closer to Your infinite love. Grant us the grace to live lives of gratitude, filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. May we always enter Your presence with joy and thanksgiving, knowing that we are the sheep of Your pasture, protected and cared for by Your everlasting love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.