Episode 2681: Forging the Armor of Virtue - Morning Episode

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Today, we’ll be talking about the battle we face in our spiritual lives a battle fought not with weapons or physical strength but with virtues like forgiveness, humility, and love. Our inspiration comes from St. Francis of Paola, who warns against the corrosive effects of anger and grudges, and St. Martin of Tours, who exchanged his physical armor for the spiritual armor of virtue. Together, these teachings remind us that our true wealth lies not in possessions or pride, but in a heart filled with forgiveness and a life rich in good works.
1. The Call to Forgive and to Heal:
St. Francis of Paola offers us a profound insight into the spiritual poison of holding grudges and recalling past hurts. He tells us:
“"Put aside your hatred and animosity. Take pains to refrain from sharp words. If they escape your lips, do not be ashamed to let your lips produce the remedy, since they have caused the wounds. Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight." St. Francis of Paola
St. Francis’s words remind us that forgiveness is not merely a courtesy; it is an essential act of spiritual self-defense. When we hold onto anger, it becomes a kind of “rusty arrow,” piercing our own souls with resentment and creating a barrier between us and the love of God. Forgiving others, however difficult it may seem, liberates our hearts from the weight of resentment, allowing God’s grace to fill and renew us.
In a traditional Catholic sense, forgiveness is not simply about letting go it’s an act of humility and obedience. We remember that Christ forgave those who crucified Him, showing us that mercy and healing should be at the heart of our Christian lives. Like Christ, we are called to use our words not as weapons, but as instruments of healing, especially when our words have caused wounds.

2. Fighting the Spiritual Battle:
St. Martin of Tours’ life gives us a powerful example of how we are to approach our daily struggles. Rev. Jude Winkler reflects on St. Martin’s transition from a soldier to a saint:
“When he was younger, St. Martin of Tours dedicated himself to military service. When he heard the call of Christ, he realized that his call was to fight a spiritual battle. His armor and weapons were virtue and a life guided by the Spirit of God. Do I consider my spiritual life to be a type of battle against the forces of evil?”
St. Martin’s journey reminds us that our spiritual lives are a battleground, where we are called to put on the armor of God rather than earthly armor. His life teaches us that the true weapons in this battle are virtues love, patience, humility, and forgiveness. St. Paul echoes this idea in his letter to the Ephesians, where he encourages us to “put on the full armor of God” to stand firm against evil.
For St. Martin, leaving behind the physical armor of a soldier was a symbolic act of rejecting the ways of the world in favor of the way of Christ. His armor became virtue, and his battle became the spiritual war against sin. Like St. Martin, we are each called to recognize the challenges we face, to strengthen ourselves through prayer and virtue, and to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome these daily battles.
3. True Wealth and Generosity
In 1 Timothy, we are reminded where our true treasure lies:
"Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Here, St. Paul reminds us that worldly wealth is fleeting. Our true wealth, our lasting treasure, is found in our relationship with God and in the good we do for others. The world often tells us to accumulate riches, power, and status, but scripture tells us to store up treasures in heaven, where they are eternal. By living generously and helping others, we build a foundation of true life, one that extends beyond this earthly existence.
True generosity, however, requires humility. To give freely and to serve others without expecting anything in return allows us to reflect God’s love. It requires us to release our hold on material security and to trust in God’s providence.
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Conclusion: Forging Our Spiritual Armor Daily
In summary, our call as Christians is to live each day as part of a spiritual battle where the true weapons are love, humility, and forgiveness. St. Francis of Paola’s admonition against holding grudges, St. Martin’s dedication to a life guided by virtue, and St. Paul’s reminder to pursue spiritual rather than worldly wealth all point to a life of humility, generosity, and peace in Christ. By embracing these virtues, we protect our souls, enrich our lives, and honor God, who has given us everything we need for this journey.
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Conclusion Prayer:
Let us close with a prayer, asking for the grace to live each day with the love and humility that these saints have shown us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are the source of all goodness, mercy, and love. We thank You for the examples of St. Francis, St. Martin, and all the saints who remind us of the path to holiness.
Lord Jesus, grant us the courage to forgive those who have hurt us, to speak words of healing rather than harm, and to fight the spiritual battle with the armor of virtue. Help us to remember that our true treasure lies not in wealth or pride but in Your eternal love.
Holy Spirit, strengthen us in this journey. Fill our hearts with humility and charity, so that we may be generous and ready to share the gifts You have entrusted to us. Lead us to be a source of love and peace in the world, reflecting Your divine light to all we meet.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.