Episode 2725: Armor of Light and Childlike Simplicity A Call to Holiness - Nightly Episode

Time is getting close to “Word Made Flesh” I’ll put the registration link in the show notes.

https://forms.gle/tuzqrhTXTZQuf7VH9

If you can’t make it in person you can join via zoom. Please attend. I promise it will help you focus during the Advent season and make Christ the reason for the Season.

“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.”

Time is getting close to “Word Made Flesh” I’ll put the registration link in the show notes.
https://forms.gle/tuzqrhTXTZQuf7VH9
If you can’t make it in person you can join via zoom. Please attend. I promise it will help you focus during the Advent season and make Christ the reason for the Season.

"Armor of Light and Childlike Simplicity: A Call to Holiness"
Tonight we’re diving into a profound topic: what it means to embrace the light of Christ and live with the childlike simplicity that brings us closer to God.
Our reflections today are inspired by two saints who, though from vastly different times and circumstances, echo the same call to holiness: St. Cecilia, the virgin martyr of the early Church, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus.
Scripture Foundation:
Before we delve into the wisdom of these saints, let us root ourselves in the Word of God, specifically Romans 13:12-14, which St. Cecilia echoes in her words:
"The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences."
This passage reminds us that as Christians, we are called to leave behind sin and clothe ourselves in Christ’s light and virtue.
Arise, Soldiers of Christ – St. Cecilia’s Call to Battle:
St. Cecilia exhorted, “Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” Her life exemplifies the courage and commitment this command demands. As a martyr in the early Church, St. Cecilia embraced her faith with unyielding resolve, even in the face of death.
Her call is a reminder that we are all engaged in spiritual warfare. The armor of light is not just symbolic but a real spiritual necessity. This armor consists of virtues: faith, hope, charity, chastity, and fortitude. Without these, we are vulnerable to the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Consider the state of our modern world: relativism, immorality, and lukewarmness have dimmed the light of Christ in many hearts. But St. Cecilia’s words are a rallying cry for us to wake up, to choose the hard path of holiness over the easy allure of sin.

The Little Way of St. Thérèse:
Now, contrast this militant image with the tender simplicity of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. She exclaimed with joy, “Oh! How happy I would be if they called me Thérèse of the Child Jesus!” This heartfelt desire encapsulates her "Little Way" a spirituality of childlike trust, humility, and love.
St. Thérèse teaches us that holiness is not only found in grand sacrifices but in the small, hidden acts of love we offer to God. Her simplicity is not weakness but a profound strength rooted in complete dependence on Christ.
In Matthew 18:3, Jesus tells us: “Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” St. Thérèse exemplified this childlike spirit, trusting completely in the mercy and love of God, even in suffering.
Connecting the Two: Courage and Simplicity:
What do these two saints teach us when we view their lives together? St. Cecilia reminds us of the courage to fight the spiritual battles before us, while St. Thérèse shows us the importance of relying entirely on God’s strength and grace. Holiness requires both a warrior’s resolve and a child’s trust.
In our own lives, we are called to strike this balance. We must be vigilant against sin, wearing the armor of light daily through prayer, sacraments, and virtue. At the same time, we must approach God as His children, seeking Him in the small and ordinary, trusting that He will guide us.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on the lives of these saints, let us ask ourselves: Are we awake to the spiritual battles surrounding us? Do we trust in God with childlike simplicity? St. Cecilia and St. Thérèse show us that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary but is a call to each one of us, lived out through courage, love, and humility.
Ending Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the witness of Your saints, especially St. Cecilia and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Clothe us in the armor of light that we may stand firm against the darkness of this world. Teach us to trust in You with the simplicity and love of a child, offering You every act, no matter how small, with great love. May we walk the path of holiness with courage and humility, seeking always to do Your will. Through the intercession of these great saints, grant us the grace to become the men and women You created us to be, living reflections of Your light in the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Cecilia, pray for us.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us.
Thank you for joining me tonight on Tradition Restored. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you steadfast in faith.