Episode 2624: Purity of Life and the Soul's True Identity in God - 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.”
Purity of Life and the Soul's True Identity in God
Tonight, we're going to dive into the rich teachings of St. John of Capistrano and St. Teresa of Avila two great saints who offer us powerful reminders about holiness, purity, and finding our true selves in God. As Catholics, we know that the road to holiness is paved with sacrifice and perseverance, and that Christ Himself calls us to be the salt of the earth. In a world that has largely forgotten objective truth, these teachings are more relevant now than ever. Before we begin, let's open with a prayer.
Today, let’s start with the words of St. John of Capistrano, a Franciscan preacher who reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the need for purity in our lives. He says:

“Remove from your lives the filth and uncleanness of vice. Your upright lives must make you the salt of the earth for yourselves and for the rest of humankind…”
St. John is echoing the very words of Our Lord in Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?" As Catholics, we are called to preserve the moral order, not only for our own souls but for the benefit of the entire world. This is why traditional teachings emphasize the importance of virtue and avoiding even the appearance of vice. In today’s world, where vice is often paraded as virtue, the call to personal holiness is more urgent than ever.
Exactly, Sharon. Our lives must radiate the purity that comes from living according to God's law. If we, as Catholics, embrace the filth of the world, we are no longer able to influence it for good. We cannot allow ourselves to be compromised by the relativism and practical atheism that dominate our culture. This is why the Church has always emphasized the need for constant conversion, for regular confession, and for striving to be holy in all things.

This brings us to the second quote, a beautiful reflection from St. Teresa of Avila, where she speaks about the intimacy between God and the soul:
“It was by love that you were made, Lovely and beautiful to be. So, though it’s true that you have strayed, Upon my heart you are portrayed Soul, seek yourself in me.”
St. Teresa's words remind us that no matter how far we stray, our true identity is found only in God. This is a profound truth that we, as traditional Catholics, must always cling to. Modern society tells us to seek our identity in superficial things: our jobs, our appearances, or even in ideologies that contradict the natural law. But St. Teresa is reminding us that we were created by love, and it is only in God that we find our true selves.
And I think this ties in beautifully with St. Augustine's famous line, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, O Lord." There's a restlessness in today's world, where people are constantly searching for meaning in all the wrong places. St. Teresa’s words invite us back to the simplicity of seeking God, who is never far away. As she says, “O Search for me not far away. For, if you would attain to me, you only need my name to say and I am there without delay.”
It's such a comforting thought that even when we’ve closed the portals of our minds to Him, God continues to knock. He waits for us, patiently, longing for our return. This is where the traditional Catholic understanding of prayer comes in. Prayer is not simply reciting words; it’s an encounter with the living God. And in this encounter, we discover ourselves as beloved children of God.
And this brings us full circle. The purity of life that St. John of Capistrano speaks of, and the deep personal relationship with God that St. Teresa of Avila describes, are two sides of the same coin. We purify ourselves from vice not merely for the sake of moral perfection, but to make room in our hearts for God. It’s only in this purity that we can truly become the salt of the earth.
As we wrap up today, let’s remember that the journey to holiness requires both a rejection of the filth of sin and an embracing of our true identity as souls created by love. In a world steeped in relativism, where vice is often celebrated, we must strive for purity, guided by the wisdom of the saints. May we always seek our true selves in God and never stray far from Him.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your saints, who continue to guide us on our journey to You. Through the intercession of St. John of Capistrano and St. Teresa of Avila, may we live lives of purity and holiness, always seeking our true identity in You. Keep us steadfast in the face of the world’s temptations, and may we never lose sight of the eternal joy that awaits us in Your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. Until next time, stay strong in the faith, and may God bless you.