Episode 2680: Living Each Day in Love and Humility - 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 Each Day in Love and Humility
Tonight’s episode centers on two profound aspects of our spiritual life: the call to love others genuinely and the humility that comes from remembering our mortality. Through the words of St. Leo the Great and Fr. Cajetan Mary de Bergamo, we’re reminded of how to live each day in light of eternity, filled with charity and humility.

1. The Call to Love Others and Ourselves Through Virtue:
St. Leo the Great, a Father of the Church, speaks to us with great insight when he says:
“Those who are not good to others are bad to themselves.”
This teaching sheds light on the inseparable link between our treatment of others and our own spiritual health. St. Leo is warning us that a life without charity not only harms those around us but also leads to our own spiritual downfall. When we fail to act with kindness, we close ourselves off from God’s grace, and in doing so, we distance ourselves from the very source of life.
In a traditional Catholic sense, St. Leo’s words remind us that love of neighbor is not an option or simply an external act; it’s a vital part of our sanctification. True charity purifies our intentions, freeing us from selfishness and pride, and brings us closer to the heart of Christ. This call to love others deeply and sincerely is the foundation of all the virtues and reflects Christ’s command to love others as He has loved us.
2. Embracing Mortality and Growing in Humility:
Fr. Cajetan Mary de Bergamo offers us a powerful reflection on the fleeting nature of life:
“If I knew for certain that I had to die within a year, I imagine that I should grow more humble from day to day at the thought that each day was bringing me nearer to my death. But who can assure me that I have one year to live I, who am not certain to live to the end of the day?”
This reminder of our mortality isn’t meant to instill fear but to cultivate humility. Fr. Cajetan touches on a deeply traditional Catholic practice of memento mori, or “remembering death.” By acknowledging our limited time on earth, we are spurred on to live each day with purpose, gratitude, and greater surrender to God’s will.
In our modern world, death is often avoided as a topic, yet for the saints, reflecting on it was a key to humility. Recognizing that each day might be our last humbles us, helping us detach from fleeting things and focus on the eternal. Fr. Cajetan’s reflection is a call to spiritual vigilance, urging us to live with a sense of urgency not out of fear, but out of a desire to live well and prepare for the encounter with our Creator.

3. Living Each Day with Purpose and Compassion:
If we blend St. Leo’s insight with Fr. Cajetan’s reminder, we are left with a powerful roadmap: to live each day with compassion and humility. When we treat others with genuine love, we are not only doing them good but also preparing our souls for Heaven. The awareness of death strips away the superficial concerns that often cloud our judgment and focuses us on what truly matters.
In practical terms, this teaching challenges us to:
• Examine our interactions with others: Are we treating each person with the love and respect they deserve as a child of God? Even small acts of kindness or patience can be acts of love that help us grow in virtue.
• Reflect on our priorities: Are we spending our time and resources in ways that reflect our eternal goal? Fr. Cajetan reminds us to focus on what endures faith, hope, and love rather than the temporary things that can distract us.
• Grow in daily humility: We can practice humility by accepting life’s little crosses and by remembering our dependence on God. When we place our trust in Him, our actions become less about personal success and more about glorifying Him through service and obedience.
4. The Legacy We Leave:
As Catholics, we are reminded that our actions, motivated by love, are part of our legacy. When we stand before God, it will not be our wealth, status, or worldly achievements that matter, but the love and humility with which we lived our lives. Each kind word, each sacrifice, and each moment of patience reflects Christ within us and leaves an imprint on those we encounter.
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Conclusion and Prayer:
Let us conclude by asking God for the grace to live each day with love for others and humility in our hearts, remembering our mortality not with fear, but with hope in His mercy.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are the source of all love and mercy. We thank You for the gift of this day, for the opportunity to serve You and to grow in holiness.
Lord Jesus, help us to remember that our time on earth is precious and that we are called to live each day in Your light. Grant us the grace to love others sincerely, knowing that in doing so, we are loving You.
Holy Spirit, instill in us a spirit of humility. May we accept each day as a gift, remaining vigilant and striving to be always ready to meet You. Help us to set aside our pride, to let go of worldly concerns, and to focus our hearts on the eternal.
We ask this through the intercession of St. Leo the Great and Fr. Cajetan, and through Christ, our Lord. Amen.