Episode 2565: Reflecting Christ in All We Do - Sunday Episode

Reflecting Christ in All We Do
Welcome to today’s episode. In the words of St. Bruno, “By your work, you show what you love and what you know.” This profound insight captures the heart of the Christian life our work, our daily actions, and how we live reflect what is truly in our hearts. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it’s important to ask ourselves, “What does my work say about what I love? What does my life reveal about who I know?”
Today, we will reflect on how our actions and daily responsibilities are not just tasks to be completed, but opportunities to reveal Christ to the world. We’ll also explore the wisdom of the Imitation of Christ, which reminds us of our utter dependence on God, and we’ll meditate on Psalm 42, a reminder that God's love is constant, day and night.
St. Bruno's words invite us to consider how our work and actions reveal what is at the center of our hearts. As Christians, we are called to glorify God not only in our prayers but also in the ordinary tasks of life whether we are at work, serving our families, or volunteering in our communities. Every action, big or small, is an opportunity to express our love for God and to bear witness to our faith. St. Bruno's insight challenges us to examine whether our actions align with our love for Christ.
But how do we ensure that our work reflects our love for God and not just our own ambitions or desires? The Imitation of Christ offers a humbling answer: we must first recognize our utter dependence on God. The passage from the Imitation of Christ says, “Thou showest me to myself, what I am, what I am come to: for I am nothing, and I knew it not.” This realization is the key to true humility, and humility is the foundation of Christian love and service.
In the spiritual life, one of the greatest temptations is to rely on our own strength. We think we can accomplish everything by ourselves, and we quickly forget that without God, we are nothing. But the Imitation of Christ reminds us that even though we are weak and frail, God’s love raises us up. It is God who strengthens us and enables us to do good work. As the passage continues, “It is Thy love that effects this, freely preventing me and assisting me in so many necessities.” This is the beauty of the Christian life: it is not about our strength but God’s grace working through us.
In a similar vein, Psalm 42:8 says, “By day the Lord commands His steadfast love; and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” This verse is a beautiful reminder that God’s love is constant, both in the active moments of our day and in the quiet rest of the night. It reminds us that God’s grace is always with us, guiding us in our work and sustaining us in our rest. The steadfast love of God is the source of our strength, and it is this love that we are called to reflect in our lives.
Our work, then, is not just about productivity or success. It is a response to God’s love. When we work with love, when we approach each task with humility and gratitude, we become living reflections of Christ. Whether we are serving our families, helping our neighbors, or fulfilling our responsibilities at work, we have the opportunity to show the world what we truly love Christ Himself.
The beauty of this perspective is that it transforms even the most mundane tasks into acts of love. When we clean the house, care for our children, or serve others, we do it not for ourselves but for God. As St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This is the heart of Christian work. It is not about recognition or reward, but about offering everything we do for the glory of God.
Practical Application:
Examine Your Work:
Take time to reflect on your daily activities. Are you doing them with love? Are you offering them up to God? Think about how you can bring more intentionality and love into your work, no matter how small or routine the task may seem.

Cultivate Humility:
Acknowledge your dependence on God. In moments of weakness or failure, turn to Him, remembering that it is His grace that sustains you. Let humility guide your actions and interactions with others.
Pray Throughout the Day:
Use Psalm 42:8 as a prayer throughout your day: “By day the Lord commands His steadfast love; and at night His song is with me.” This verse can remind you of God’s presence in every moment, helping you to align your work with His will.
Offer Your Work as Prayer:
Before starting your tasks each day, make a simple prayer offering everything you do to God. By offering your work as a prayer, you sanctify the ordinary and invite God into every aspect of your life.
Conclusion:
As we bring this episode to a close, let us remember that our work is a reflection of what we love and who we know. St. Bruno reminds us that by our actions, we show what is in our hearts. Let us ensure that our hearts are filled with love for Christ, so that our work and lives become testimonies of His grace.

Let us also carry with us the wisdom of the Imitation of Christ—that while we are weak and nothing on our own, God’s love raises us up and sustains us. It is His grace that allows us to do good in the world. And as Psalm 42 reminds us, God’s steadfast love is with us always, both in our work and in our rest.

May our lives and our work become a prayer, showing the world that we belong to Christ and are sustained by His love.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of work and for the opportunity to reflect Your love in all that we do. Help us to approach each task with humility and gratitude, offering our work as a prayer to You.
Lord, we acknowledge our weakness and our complete dependence on Your grace. Strengthen us with Your love, that we may serve You faithfully in all things.
May Your steadfast love be our guide by day and Your song be our comfort by night. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thank you for joining us today. May God bless you in all your work and lead you ever closer to His heart.