Episode 2695: Ascending to God Through Contemplation - Morning Episode

Today, we’ll reflect on how we can ascend to God through interior contemplation, endure the trials of life with faithful perseverance, and live as sojourners in this world with our hearts set on eternity. Drawing from the writings of St. Albert the Great and the letter to the Hebrews, we’ll discuss how to align our lives more closely with the will of God.
Ascending to God Through Contemplation and Faithful Perseverance
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1. Contemplation: The Ascent to God
St. Albert the Great, a Doctor of the Church known for his profound understanding of both natural and divine truths, wrote:
“He who enters into the secret place of his own soul passes beyond himself, and does in very truth ascend to God. Banish, therefore, from thy heart the distractions of earth and turn thine eyes to spiritual joys, that thou mayest learn at last to repose in the light of the contemplation of God.”
This beautiful reflection reminds us that true union with God begins in the stillness of our souls. In a world filled with distractions, we often forget that God is already present within us. To ascend to Him, we must first quiet our hearts, detach from worldly concerns, and turn our gaze to the spiritual joys that await us.
Contemplation is not merely an intellectual exercise but a profound movement of the heart toward God. It requires intentionality setting aside time to pray, meditate on Scripture, and adore God in silence. In these moments, we come to know Him more deeply and to rest in the light of His presence. This practice, deeply rooted in the tradition of the Church, echoes the example of saints who sought God in the depths of their souls, finding Him as their ultimate joy and peace.
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2. Trials: The Path of Purification
St. Albert also speaks to the inevitability of trials for those who seek God:
“Now there's no one who approaches God with a true and upright heart who isn't tested by hardships and temptations. So in all these temptations see to it that even if you feel them, you don't consent to them. Instead, bear them patiently and calmly with humility and long suffering.”
These words are a powerful reminder that the journey to God is not without its challenges. The trials we face whether physical, emotional, or spiritual are permitted by God for our purification and sanctification. They are not signs of His absence but of His desire to draw us closer to Him.
In moments of temptation, it is critical to resist not only the inclination to sin but also the despair that often accompanies hardship. St. Albert encourages us to bear these trials with humility and patience, trusting in God’s providence. By doing so, we imitate Christ, who bore the cross with perfect obedience to the Father.
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3. Faith: Living as Strangers and Sojourners
The letter to the Hebrews offers us an eternal perspective on our earthly journey:
“All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth.” (Hebrews 11:13)
This verse reminds us that, like the saints who have gone before us, we are pilgrims on this earth. Our true homeland is Heaven, and everything we do in this life should be oriented toward that ultimate goal. The promises of God may not be fully realized in our earthly lives, but faith allows us to embrace them with hope and confidence, trusting that they will be fulfilled in eternity.
To live as strangers and sojourners is to recognize that the material comforts and accomplishments of this world are fleeting. Instead, we are called to invest our time, energy, and love in the things that endure forever: our relationship with God, the practice of virtue, and the care of souls. By doing so, we live as children of the promise, walking by faith and not by sight.
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Conclusion: Living for God Alone
The writings of St. Albert the Great and the Scriptures call us to a life of deep contemplation, patient endurance, and unwavering faith. In the stillness of our souls, we ascend to God. In our trials, we are purified for Him. And in our journey through this life, we walk with our eyes fixed on the eternal joy that awaits us.
Let us now turn to the Lord in prayer, asking for His grace to live as faithful pilgrims in this world.
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Conclusion Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You have placed within our hearts a longing for You, a desire to ascend beyond ourselves and to rest in Your infinite love. We thank You for the gift of contemplation, where we can meet You in the silence of our souls. Teach us to seek You above all else and to banish the distractions of this world so that we may rejoice in the light of Your presence.
Lord, in the trials and temptations we face, grant us the strength to persevere with humility and patience. Help us to bear our crosses as Christ bore His, trusting that all things work for the good of those who love You.
As strangers and sojourners in this world, fill our hearts with faith and hope. May we live each day in anticipation of the eternal promises You have made to us, walking by faith and not by sight. Draw us closer to You, O Lord, and guide us safely to our heavenly homeland.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Thank you for joining. May this episode inspire you to seek God more deeply in contemplation, to embrace trials with faith, and to journey through life as a pilgrim with your eyes fixed on Heaven. Until next time, may the peace of Christ be with you always.