Episode 2899: Faith, the Intellect, and the Rescue of Souls - 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.”
Faith, the Intellect, and the Rescue of Souls
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the nature of faith and our duty to bring souls to Christ. Drawing from the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Peter Nolasco, we will explore the intellectual assent of faith and the charity of evangelization, both necessary elements of the Christian life.
________________________________________
Segment 1: Faith as an Act of the Intellect
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us:
"Believing is an act of the intellect, assenting to the divine truth, by command of the will, moved by God, through grace."
This profound statement reminds us that faith is not mere sentiment or emotion but a deliberate act of the intellect, guided by the will and elevated by God’s grace. Faith is both rational and supernatural it engages our minds while also being a gift from God.
In an age where faith is often reduced to a feeling or personal experience, we must reclaim the truth that belief is rooted in divine revelation. The Church, guided by Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, provides us with objective truths that demand our intellectual assent. This is why studying the faith—reading Scripture, the Catechism, and the writings of the saints is so essential.
However, as St. Thomas points out, the intellect alone is not enough. The will must be conformed to God, and His grace must move us. Without grace, no one can truly believe. As Christ Himself says in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
This should humble us and remind us that our faith is a gift, not something we achieve on our own. It should also strengthen our resolve to deepen our understanding, so that we can defend and spread the faith effectively.
________________________________________
Segment 2: The Rescue of Souls
With this understanding of faith, we turn to the words of St. Peter Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order, who dedicated his life to rescuing Christian captives from the hands of the Moors. He said:
"The greatest charity we can offer to God is the rescue of souls."
These words highlight the missionary and evangelical aspect of our faith. If faith is a gift, then we are not to hoard it but to share it. There are souls trapped—not in physical chains as in St. Peter’s time—but in spiritual bondage:
• The bondage of sin
• The captivity of ignorance
• The slavery of indifferentism and relativism
How many around us live as practical atheists, not knowing or caring about the state of their souls? How many souls are in danger of eternal separation from God, while we hesitate to speak the truth out of fear or complacency?
True charity seeks the ultimate good of the other, and there is no greater good than eternal salvation. We must be willing to speak uncomfortable truths, to pray and sacrifice for sinners, and to boldly proclaim the Gospel.
Consider how Our Lord Himself warns us in Matthew 16:26: “For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?” If this is true for ourselves, then it is also true for our neighbor.
________________________________________
Segment 3: Living Out This Call
To unite these two truths—faith as an act of the intellect and the necessity of rescuing souls—we must take concrete steps:
1. Strengthen our own faith: Study, pray, and grow in understanding so that our intellect and will are fully directed to God.
2. Pray for the conversion of sinners: St. Monica wept for St. Augustine’s conversion. St. Therese of Lisieux prayed for the soul of the criminal Pranzini before his execution. Never underestimate the power of intercession.
3. Evangelize with courage: Whether by example, conversation, or simply standing firm in truth, we must not be silent when souls are at stake.
The saints did not settle for a comfortable faith. They saw souls as the battlefield and the Church as the means of rescue. We are called to do the same.
________________________________________
Conclusion Prayer
Let us close in prayer, asking for the grace to grow in faith and zeal for souls:
Heavenly Father, You are the source of all truth and the giver of faith. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, and move our hearts by Your grace. May we always seek to know You more fully, love You more deeply, and serve You more faithfully.
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas, grant us wisdom to understand the truths of our faith. Through the example of St. Peter Nolasco, instill in us a burning desire to rescue souls from sin and error.
May our words, actions, and prayers lead others to You, that together we may one day rejoice in the eternal vision of Your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining today’s episode. May we never grow weary in our pursuit of truth and in our mission to bring souls to Christ. Until next time, God bless!