Episode 2813 The Civilization of Love - 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 Civilization of Love: Lessons from St. Stephen and St. Therese
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Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the transformative power of Christ’s love and its capacity to build a “civilization of love.” Through the lens of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and the tender spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux, we’ll explore how forgiveness, trust, and divine love can tear down the barriers of hatred and violence.
Let’s begin with the profound words of Pope Benedict XVI:
"Like his Master, St. Stephen died forgiving his persecutors and thus makes us realize that the entry into the world of the Son of God gives rise to a new civilization, the civilization of love that does not yield to evil and violence and pulls down the barriers between men and women, making them brothers and sisters in the great family of God’s children."
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Segment 1: The Witness of St. Stephen
St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, followed closely in the footsteps of Christ by forgiving those who persecuted him. In Acts 7:60, we hear Stephen’s last words:
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Stephen’s martyrdom is a profound reminder that the coming of Christ has inaugurated a new way of living—a civilization rooted in love, forgiveness, and unity. As Pope Benedict XVI notes, this love doesn’t yield to evil or violence. Instead, it triumphs over them, creating a family of God’s children united in charity.
In today’s fractured world, St. Stephen’s example calls us to respond to hatred not with bitterness but with forgiveness. Each act of love and mercy we offer helps to pull down the barriers that divide us, making us instruments of peace in the hands of God.
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Segment 2: A Foretaste of Heaven’s Joys
While St. Stephen teaches us to forgive amidst trials, St. Therese of Lisieux reminds us of the tender love of Christ that desires to give His children joy, especially in moments of profound spiritual significance.
She wrote:
"I have noticed that Jesus doesn’t want to try His children on the day of their espousals, for this day must be without any clouds, a foretaste of heaven’s joys."
Therese’s reflection on the unclouded joy of spiritual union with Christ speaks to the hope and peace that come from living in His love. The trials of life are not without meaning, but Christ’s desire is to lead us ultimately to the eternal joy of heaven.
Her insight calls us to trust in the goodness of God’s providence, even when life is filled with challenges. Like a bride on her wedding day, our relationship with Christ is meant to be one of profound joy and anticipation of the eternal union that awaits us in heaven.
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Segment 3: Building the Civilization of Love
Combining the lessons of St. Stephen and St. Therese, we see the blueprint for building the civilization of love that Pope Benedict XVI described.
1. Forgiveness: Stephen’s dying prayer reminds us that forgiveness is essential for breaking the cycle of hatred and violence. Whether in our personal lives or on a global scale, forgiveness is the foundation of peace.
2. Joy in Christ: Therese’s understanding of Christ’s tender love invites us to trust in His plan, even amidst suffering, and to find joy in our relationship with Him.
3. Unity in God’s Family: The civilization of love is marked by the unity of all people as brothers and sisters in Christ. This requires us to see each person, even those who wrong us, as beloved children of God.
Building this civilization begins in our own hearts and homes. By embracing forgiveness and joy and living out our vocation as members of God’s family, we can be lights in the darkness, drawing others into the love of Christ.
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Conclusion Prayer
Let us end with a prayer, asking for the intercession of St. Stephen and St. Therese as we strive to build the civilization of love in our own lives.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for sending Your Son into the world to show us the path of love, forgiveness, and unity. Through His example and the witness of St. Stephen, help us to forgive those who hurt us and to sow seeds of peace in a divided world.
Lord Jesus,
You desire to give Your children a foretaste of heaven’s joys. Through the intercession of St. Therese, teach us to trust in Your providence and to find joy in Your tender love. May our lives reflect the hope and beauty of the civilization of love that You came to establish.
Holy Spirit,
Fill our hearts with the courage of St. Stephen and the simplicity of St. Therese. Transform us into instruments of Your peace, building bridges where there are walls and spreading the light of Christ’s love to all we meet.
We ask this through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.