Episode 2666: Perfecting Our Love for God and Embracing His Will - Nightly Episode

Perfecting Our Love for God and Embracing His Will

Welcome to Tradition and Truth, where we delve into the rich teachings of our Catholic faith. Today, we’ll explore the meaning of true, selfless love for God a love that doesn’t waver when comforts fade or when life’s trials appear. We’ll also look at the example of Our Lady, whose unwavering love and humility show us how to respond with faith. As we reflect on these themes, let’s keep in mind two sources of inspiration: the greeting of Elizabeth to Mary in the Gospel of Luke and a passage from The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena.
In the Gospel of Luke, we read:
“And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’” (Luke 1:41-42)
When Elizabeth greets Mary, we witness the reverence and awe that the presence of God inspires. Elizabeth’s response, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the holiness of Mary and the sanctity of the life she carries. Elizabeth’s praise shows us that true love for God begins with humility and the willingness to see God’s hand at work, even in others. This humility and attentiveness to God’s presence is a mark of the saints—a reminder that our devotion should be without personal attachment and open to the unexpected ways God wishes to work in us.
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Understanding Selfless Love in Faith:
St. Catherine of Siena offers us a profound look into what it means to serve God with perfect, selfless love:
"Some there are who have become faithful servants, serving Me with fidelity without servile fear of punishment, but rather with love. This very love, however, if they serve Me with a view to their own profit, or the delight and pleasure which they find in Me, is imperfect. Dost thou know what proves the imperfection of this love? The withdrawal of the consolations which they found in Me, and the insufficiency and short duration of their love for their neighbor, which grows weak by degrees, and oftentim disappears. Towards Me their love grows weak when, on occasion, in order to exercise them in virtue and raise them above their imperfection, I withdraw from their minds My consolation and allow them to fall into battles and perplexities. This I do so that, coming to perfect self-knowledge, they may know that of themselves they are nothing and have no grace, and accordingly in time of battle fly to Me, as their Benefactor, seeking Me alone, with true humility, for which purpose I treat them thus, withdrawing from them consolation indeed, but not grace. At such a time these weak ones, of whom I speak, relax their energy, impatiently turning backwards, and sometimes abandon, under color of virtue, many of their exercises, saying to themselves, This labor does not profit me. All this they do, because they feel themselves deprived of mental consolation. Such a soul acts imperfectly, for she has not yet unwound the bandage of spiritual self-love, for had she unwound it she would see that, in truth, everything proceeds from Me, that no leaf of a tree falls to the ground without My providence, and that what I give and promise to My creatures, I give and promise to them for their sanctification, which is the good and the end for which I created them. My creatures should see and know that I wish nothing but their good, through the Blood of My Only-begotten Son, in which they are washed from their iniquities." —The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Sienna,
Here, God speaks to Catherine about a common tendency in the spiritual life: loving Him for the joy, peace, or other benefits we receive. But there’s a danger here. If our love is based on comfort or the consolations we receive, it falters when God, for our good, withdraws those consolations. The true test of our love is when God allows us to enter a period of spiritual dryness or trial, a time when He “withdraws from their minds My consolation and allows them to fall into battles and perplexities.”
How often do we, like the “weak souls” described, struggle in these times of testing? How easy it is to doubt God’s presence or feel discouraged when prayers seem unanswered or when we feel spiritually alone. But this is a false perception. God reminds Catherine that He withdraws only consolation, not grace. In these moments, He’s inviting us to go deeper, to love Him purely for who He is—not merely for what we feel in His presence. Our faith isn’t meant to be a fair-weather journey but one of growing strength, refined through testing and perseverance.
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Learning from Mary’s Example of Perfect Love:
Mary, our Blessed Mother, embodies this perfect love. At the Annunciation, she responded with a wholehearted “yes” to God’s will without knowing every consequence. She remained steadfast through the joys and sorrows, from Christ’s birth to His death on the Cross. Mary’s humility and surrender allowed her to become the vessel of grace for all humanity, and her love for God was rooted in deep humility and trust, not in any self-seeking desire.
In Mary, we see a love that doesn’t turn away in times of difficulty. This is the same love that we’re called to cultivate in our own lives. Like Mary, we’re invited to trust that God has a purpose, even in suffering. And we must look beyond ourselves, remembering that “no leaf of a tree falls to the ground without [God’s] providence.” God knows our needs better than we do, and He wills only our sanctification and good, even when we don’t understand His plan.
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Applying Selfless Love in Our Daily Lives:
So how do we love like this in our own lives? Here are a few practical ways:
1. Practice Detachment in Prayer: Like St. Catherine’s “faithful servants,” let’s aim to pray not for what we can gain, but simply to draw near to God. This might mean resisting the urge to judge our prayer life by how comforting or “successful” it feels. Even when prayer is difficult, we know God is working.
2. Persevere in Trials: When we face difficulties, we should remember that God sometimes withdraws consolation to strengthen our faith. Rather than pulling back, we can take these moments as opportunities to deepen our trust and humility, relying on God’s grace rather than our own feelings.
3. Follow Mary’s Example: Mary teaches us that faith is a continual “yes” to God, no matter what. Let’s ask her to intercede for us, to help us grow in humility and love, especially in times when God’s plan is unclear.
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Conclusion Prayer:
Let us conclude with a prayer for this selfless love and unwavering faith.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Mary, our Blessed Mother, and for the wisdom of the saints who teach us to love You above all else. Grant us the grace to serve You with a pure heart, without seeking our own comfort or consolation. Strengthen us in times of trial and help us to trust in Your loving providence, even when Your ways are beyond our understanding. May our lives be a living testament to Your glory, and may our faith draw others to Your truth. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in union with Jesus Christ, we ask this. Amen.