Episode 2802: Virtue, Humility, and Submitting to God's Will - 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.”
Virtue, Humility, and Submitting to God's Will
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the beauty of Mary’s humility and the journey of practicing virtue. In the life of Our Blessed Mother and the teachings of the saints, we find guidance on submitting to God’s will, ordering our lives to His divine plan, and growing in holiness through trials.
We’ll explore two profound reflections:
“Mary was pleasing to God because of her docile humility...” - Pope John Paul II
Insights from the Good Catholic series Thy Will Be Done, which explain how practicing virtue strengthens the soul and aligns us with God’s will.
Together, these reflections illuminate how we, like Mary, can say "yes" to God’s plan, even when it requires enduring trials and conflicts.
Segment 1: Mary’s Perfect Yes
Mary's response to the angel in Luke 1:38, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word,” reveals a humility and trust that please God. Pope John Paul II describes this docile humility as the model for all believers: to accept the divine will in every circumstance.
This "fiat" is not a passive resignation but an active surrender to God’s plan. Mary, full of grace, teaches us that true freedom comes from aligning our will with God’s. Her yes was given with full knowledge of the challenges ahead poverty, suffering, and ultimately the cross but she trusted in the goodness of God’s will.
For us, following Mary’s example means saying “yes” to God in our daily lives. It means embracing our crosses with faith and trust, confident that God’s plan is for our sanctification.
Segment 2: The Battle for Virtue
The Good Catholic series Thy Will Be Done reminds us that our spiritual journey is a battle between our lower faculties (our appetites and passions) and our higher faculties (reason and will). Sin disrupts this order, turning us away from God and weakening the powers of our soul.
But there is hope: practicing the virtues restores order and strengthens us. Virtue is defined as "manly strength" of character, and like muscles, virtues grow stronger through resistance. Each time we resist sin and choose good, we grow holier.
God, in His wisdom, allows trials and temptations to refine us. As He told St. Catherine of Siena, “A man proves his patience on his neighbor, when he receives injuries from him.” These moments of conflict are opportunities to practice virtue, overcome disorder, and conform our will to God’s.
Ask yourself: What specific situations in my life is God using to sanctify me? How can I embrace these moments as opportunities to grow in virtue?
Segment 3: Living the Fiat in Our Lives
Mary’s fiat is not a one-time event but a daily surrender to God’s will. Like her, we are called to say "yes" to God, not only in big moments but also in the small, hidden challenges of life
This daily surrender requires humility, as Mary shows us, and strength of character, as virtue demands. Through prayer, the sacraments, and acts of charity, we strengthen our souls and grow closer to God.
Remember, God’s will for us is always good. As we align our will with His, we experience the peace and freedom that come from living as we were created to live.
Conclusion Prayer
Let us close with a prayer, asking for Mary’s intercession and God’s grace to grow in virtue and surrender to His will.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of Mary, who trusted You completely and gave her fiat with humility and love. Help us to follow her example, surrendering to Your will in every circumstance of our lives.
Lord Jesus,
Strengthen our souls with the virtues we need to grow in holiness. Teach us to endure trials with patience and to resist the temptations that lead us away from You. May we embrace each challenge as an opportunity to become more like You.
Holy Spirit,
Guide our reason and will, so that we may align every thought, word, and action with the divine plan. Grant us the grace to grow in humility and strength of character, and to say “yes” to God with the same trust and love as Mary.
We ask this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us in this reflection on Mary’s humility and the journey of virtue. May her fiat inspire you to trust God’s will, and may you find strength in trials as you grow in holiness. Until next time, may God bless you and guide you on the path to heaven.