Episode 2518: Living with Eternal Purpose - 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 of God, 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.”
"Living with Eternal Purpose: The Call to Prayer and Witness"
Welcome to tonights episode. We are diving deep into two profound themes that resonate deeply with our journey as Christians prayer and witness. Our Catholic faith calls us to live in communion with God and bear witness to His love, even at the cost of our lives. Today, we reflect on the words of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first Korean-born Catholic priest and martyr. Facing death, he said: “This is my last hour of life, listen to me attentively: if I have held communication with foreigners, it has been for my religion and for my God. It is for Him that I die. My immortal life is on the point of beginning.”
These words remind us that our faith is not only for this life but for eternity. St. Andrew Kim's courage and steadfast witness to the truth of Christ challenge us to ask ourselves: Are we living with the same sense of eternal purpose?
We’ll also explore the wisdom of Raoul Plus, S.J., who says: “To remain in a state of prayer, it is not necessary to be always actively praying.” Prayer, in the Catholic tradition, is about living in constant communion with God, whether through active prayers like the rosary or the quiet offering of our daily actions to Him.
Let’s begin by diving into the heart of Christian witness and the life of prayer.
St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon gave his life for the faith, becoming a powerful witness to the truth of Christianity. His martyrdom reminds us of the seriousness of our calling. As he faced death, he urged his fellow countrymen: “Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death because God has eternal chastisements in store for those who have refused to know Him.” These are sobering words. In a world that often downplays the eternal consequences of rejecting God, we are reminded of the reality that our choices in this life impact our eternal destiny.
For St. Andrew, his faith was not something to be hidden or practiced in private; it was a public witness, a way of life that he was willing to die for. This challenges us today: How willing are we to stand up for Christ in a culture that often pressures us to compromise our beliefs? While most of us may not face physical martyrdom, we are all called to give witness to our faith, even if it means rejection or misunderstanding from others.
St. Andrew’s words remind us that the ultimate goal of our lives is eternal union with God. Our time on earth is temporary, but the choices we make have eternal consequences. To live with this awareness changes everything it shifts our priorities, aligns our desires with God’s will, and gives us the courage to persevere in the face of trials.
This brings us to the second part of our reflection living in a state of prayer. Raoul Plus, S.J., reminds us that “to remain in a state of prayer, it is not necessary to be always actively praying.” This is a beautiful insight into Catholic spirituality. We often think of prayer as something we do at certain times of the day—at Mass, during our rosary, or when we sit down to say our morning and evening prayers. While these are essential moments of prayer, we are also called to remain in a constant state of prayer throughout the day.
This is what St. Paul meant when he instructed the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is about living in constant awareness of God’s presence and offering everything our work, our rest, our joys, and our sorrows back to Him. Whether we are driving to work, doing household chores, or spending time with loved ones, we can offer these moments to God, transforming them into acts of love and worship.
The saints are perfect examples of this kind of prayer. Many of them lived busy, active lives, yet they remained deeply united with God. They did not separate their daily tasks from their spiritual lives but integrated them in a way that every action became an opportunity to love and serve God.
St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon’s life of witness and Raoul Plus’s insight into prayer both remind us that our entire lives should be an offering to God. Whether through the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom or the daily offering of our work and prayers, we are called to live for God and for eternity.
In a world that often pulls us in the direction of selfishness, distraction, and indifference, we need to keep our eyes on the eternal prize. Every day is an opportunity to grow in holiness, to bear witness to Christ, and to draw closer to God through prayer. As we seek to remain in a state of prayer and live as true witnesses to the faith, we can find inspiration in the words of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon and Raoul Plus, who remind us of the eternal perspective that should guide all our actions.
Conclusion:
As we come to the end of today’s episode, let us reflect on the lives of the saints and martyrs who went before us, showing us what it truly means to live and die for Christ. St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon’s courage in the face of death is a powerful reminder that we, too, are called to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our time on earth is temporary, but the decisions we make here have eternal significance.
Let us also strive to remain in a constant state of prayer, as Raoul Plus, S.J., encourages us, offering everything in our lives to God, even the smallest tasks, and trusting that He will transform them into acts of love.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of the saints and martyrs, especially St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, who gave their lives in witness to the truth of Your Gospel. Help us to live with the same courage and conviction, knowing that our ultimate reward is eternal life with You.
Teach us to remain in a constant state of prayer, offering our daily actions, joys, and sufferings to You. May we seek Your will in all things and live each day with the awareness that we are called to be Your witnesses in the world.
Strengthen us, O Lord, to persevere in faith, and fill our hearts with Your peace, knowing that we are never alone. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.