Episode 2791: The Heart That Seeks God - 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.”
The Heart That Seeks God: Holiness, Hope, and Mary as Our Model
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Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts longing for Your will, desiring to follow Your plan for our sanctification. May the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary inspire us to fidelity and trust. Strengthen us in moments of difficulty, and help us to live with hope and expectation as we await the fulfillment of Your promises. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Introduction
Welcome back to our podcast! Today, we’ll reflect on what it means to seek holiness by aligning our hearts with God’s will. Drawing from the wisdom of Sacred Scripture, Pope John Paul II, and Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, we’ll consider how our interior disposition—our heart—matters more to God than outward appearances.
We’ll also explore how the Blessed Virgin Mary serves as the perfect model of Christian hope, obedience, and fidelity to God’s plan, even in the face of mystery and suffering.
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Segment 1: The Lord Looks on the Heart
Scripture reminds us:
"Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Sm 16:7).
Reflection
• In a world obsessed with appearances, God’s focus remains on the heart. He sees beyond our external actions to the intentions, desires, and loves that define who we are.
• This truth is both a comfort and a challenge. While it assures us that God sees our sincere efforts, it also calls us to examine the hidden places of our hearts. Are they fully disposed to His will, like Mary’s?
• True holiness begins in the heart, where we either welcome God’s grace or resist it.
Takeaway
• Let’s ask ourselves: What does God see when He looks at my heart? Am I striving for interior purity and openness to His will, or am I distracted by the opinions and expectations of others?
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Segment 2: Mary, Model of Hope and Obedience
Pope John Paul II writes:
"Mary’s heart was fully disposed to the fulfillment of the divine will. This is why the Blessed Virgin is the model of Christian expectation and hope… In her heart, there is no shade of selfishness: she desires nothing for herself except God’s glory and human salvation."
Reflection
• Mary exemplifies the heart God desires—a heart completely surrendered to His will. From her “Fiat” at the Annunciation to standing at the foot of the Cross, Mary lived with unwavering trust in God’s plan, even when it was veiled in mystery.
• Her Immaculate Conception was not a privilege for her own glory but a gift to equip her for total service to her Son’s mission of Redemption.
• Mary teaches us that hope is not passive. It is an active trust in God’s promises, even in the darkest moments.
Takeaway
• How can we imitate Mary’s hope and selflessness in our daily lives? Are we willing to say “yes” to God’s plan, even when it requires sacrifice or we do not fully understand it?
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Segment 3: Fidelity to God’s Plan
Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade offers this wisdom:
"If the work of our sanctification presents us with difficulties that appear insurmountable, it is because we do not look at it in the right way. In reality, holiness consists in one thing alone, namely, fidelity to God's plan."
Reflection
• We often overcomplicate holiness, imagining it requires extraordinary actions or achievements. In truth, it lies in simple, consistent fidelity to God’s will—both in our active choices and in our passive acceptance of His providence.
• Active fidelity means obeying God’s commandments, embracing virtue, and fulfilling our daily duties with love. Passive fidelity means trusting Him in trials, surrendering to His plans when they differ from our own.
• Like Mary, we must remember that God’s grace is sufficient for whatever He asks of us.
Takeaway
• Are we viewing our sanctification as an insurmountable task, or are we trusting in God’s grace and focusing on small, daily acts of faithfulness? Let us simplify our approach to holiness by striving for fidelity in the present moment.
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Segment 4: Living with Hope and Trust
As we reflect on the lives of Mary and the saints, we see that the path to holiness is not without challenges, but it is always guided by God’s grace. Whether we are called to endure trials, make sacrifices, or embrace moments of joy, our sanctification depends on our willingness to trust God and say “yes” to His will.
Action Steps
1. Examine Your Heart: Set aside time each day to reflect on your intentions and desires. Are they aligned with God’s will?
2. Imitate Mary’s Disposition: Practice selflessness in your daily life, seeking God’s glory and the good of others above your own.
3. Embrace Fidelity: Focus on the present moment, asking God for the grace to be faithful in both action and acceptance.
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Conclusion: A Call to Imitate Mary
Mary’s heart shows us the way to holiness: a heart fully disposed to God’s will, filled with hope and trust, and committed to serving His plan. Her example invites us to surrender our selfishness, our fears, and our doubts, trusting that God’s plan for our lives is good and that His grace will sustain us.
Let us strive to imitate Mary, knowing that our sanctification is not beyond reach. As Fr. de Caussade reminds us, holiness is found in simple fidelity to God’s plan, which is within everyone’s capacity.
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Closing Prayer
Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary,
You are the model of perfect trust, hope, and obedience. Teach us to surrender our hearts to God as you did, seeking nothing but His glory and the salvation of souls. Help us to embrace His will with joy, even when it requires sacrifice or challenges our understanding.
Lord, we entrust ourselves to Your grace, knowing that You see our hearts and provide all that we need to follow You. Strengthen us in fidelity, guide us in hope, and grant us the courage to say “yes” to Your plan each day.
Through the intercession of Mary, may we grow in holiness and one day share in the joy of eternal life with You.
Amen.
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Thank you for joining us today. May the example of Mary inspire you to trust in God’s plan and live with hope and fidelity. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly!