Episode 2651: Revitalizing Our Faith and Rediscovering God’s Presence - 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.”
Revitalizing Our Faith and Rediscovering God’s Presence
Tonight, we’re exploring a subject that can change how we live our Catholic faith daily, especially for those of us who may have grown up with it. For many of us, there’s a sense that we know the rituals, the prayers, and the customs, but somehow, we might be missing out on the powerful encounter with God that these gifts offer.
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez once advised that we should strive, 'with all possible care, to please God, in such a manner, as neither to do, nor behold anything, without first consulting Him and in everything, to seek Him alone and His glory.' What would our lives look like if every decision, every intention, and every act were surrendered in this way?
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to revive our relationship with God, making our faith not just a routine, but a deeply personal, transformative journey. So, let’s begin by looking at how we can transform that everyday experience of faith from something we may take for granted into something that ignites and sustains us.
One of the most beautiful aspects of our faith is the sacraments. These aren’t just symbolic acts, they’re encounters with Jesus Himself. Yet, as Paul Thigpen has reflected, 'If we have been baptized into the Catholic faith as infants and have spent our Sundays attending Mass, perhaps we have missed what many converts are so ecstatic about. We are prone to a certain “house-blindness,” going through the motions of the Faith without bothering to scratch the surface.' Think of how often we attend Mass or say prayers simply out of habit, rather than with deep awareness.
What does it mean, then, to rediscover this treasure we might have overlooked? For converts, there’s an awakening to the fact that the same Jesus who healed the sick, who fed thousands, and who spoke on the mountainside is present right here with us especially in the Eucharist, the 'source and summit of our faith.' This same Jesus, who we read about in the Scriptures, is the One we receive in Holy Communion.”
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Host:
As St. Alphonsus Rodriguez said, we should consult God first, in everything. Imagine waking up each morning and asking God, ‘What would You have me do today?’ Before making a decision, considering how we can best reflect His glory. This level of intentionality doesn’t just shape what we do; it transforms who we are.
Our lives take on a whole new purpose when we recognize that every act of love, every kind word, and every silent offering can be dedicated to God. The saints didn’t simply add prayer as a checkbox on their list of duties. For them, prayer and the awareness of God’s presence permeated every moment and every task, even those that seemed mundane. Through this constant communion with God, they became channels of His grace to the world around them.
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When we receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we are receiving His Real Presence. How easily this can become a routine if we aren’t mindful. Imagine if each time we received the Eucharist, we did so with the awe and wonder of the very first disciples who met Him. What would that look like in our daily lives?
The saints lived with this constant awareness that every breath and every heartbeat was from God and for God. And that same possibility is open to us. God offers us His grace through the sacraments, through prayer, and through our relationship with Him. It’s up to us to receive these with open hearts, striving for a faith that is alive and full of joy.
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“So, let’s ask ourselves: Are we merely skimming the surface of our faith, or are we diving deeper? Are we living with the expectation that God will work in and through us, or have we let the routine of Catholic life become stagnant? The answers lie in a renewed commitment to consult God in all things, and to seek His glory in everything we do, as St. Alphonsus Rodriguez reminds us.
Let us resolve to approach our faith with fresh eyes and open hearts, ready to see the beauty, wonder, and presence of God in all things, big and small. This is the heart of our Catholic journey — to live fully in Christ, allowing Him to transform us day by day.”
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Conclusion Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts open to Your will. Grant us the grace to seek You in all things, to turn to You in every decision and in every moment. Help us to shed the habits that blind us from Your truth, and renew in us a fervent love for the sacraments, for Your presence, and for the mission You’ve given us. May we, like the saints, walk each day with a deep awareness of Your love and Your guidance.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your Body and Blood, Your Real Presence that sustains us. May we receive You with awe and devotion, and may our lives reflect the glory and love You have poured out for us.
Holy Spirit, be our strength, our wisdom, and our guide. Make our faith come alive so that we might become witnesses of Your truth and love in the world.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
Host:
“Thank you for joining us today. Let’s continue to deepen our walk with Christ, allowing every part of our lives to bring Him glory. Until next time, stay grounded in faith and may God bless you.”

You must strive, with all possible care, to please God, in such a manner, as neither to do, nor behold anything, without first consulting Him and in everything, to seek Him alone and His glory. — St. Alphonsus Rodriguez
And
“If we have been baptized into the Catholic faith as infants and have spent our Sundays attending Mass, perhaps we have missed what many converts are so ecstatic about. We are prone to a certain “house-blindness,” going through the motions of the Faith without bothering to scratch the surface. But for those who are brave enough to venture farther than surface-skimming, an entirely new chapter of their lives begins to unfold when the true reality before us is realized: The same Jesus we read about in the Bible, hear about in the readings of Mass, and watch movies about (if they are trendy enough) is the very same Jesus we receive and adore in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Body,” —Paul Thigpen