Episode 2938: What Do You 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.”
What Do You Love? The Call to Detachment and True Devotion
We dive into the wisdom of the saints and Holy Scripture to better understand our journey to holiness. Today, we will explore the call to detachment the necessity of loving God above all things and forsaking the fleeting attachments of this world.
Two saints will guide our reflection:
• St. Catherine de Ricci, who tells us:
“We must force ourselves to DETACH the heart and the will from all earthly love; to love no fleeting things, except for the love of God.”
• St. Augustine, who reveals:
“In order to discover the character of people we have only to observe what they love.”
These words lead us to a crucial question: What do we love? Do we love what is eternal? Or have we allowed our hearts to be consumed by passing things?
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Segment 1: The Deception of Earthly Attachments
Love is not inherently bad. God created us to love. But in our fallen nature, we often direct that love toward things that do not last money, success, comfort, entertainment, or even human approval.
Our Lord warns us:
"Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
Yet, how often do we cling to things that are passing away?
St. Catherine de Ricci urges us to detach our hearts and wills from these fleeting attachments. This is no easy task. Detachment is not simply about giving up material possessions; it is about freeing the soul from anything that competes with God’s place in our lives.
Many Catholics today might say, “I love God,” yet they spend hours on entertainment, social media, or the pursuit of wealth while barely giving a moment to prayer. This is why St. Augustine’s words are so piercing:
"In order to discover the character of people we have only to observe what they love."
What do our lives say about our love? Do they reflect love of God or love of the world?
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Segment 2: Detachment as a Path to Holiness
Detachment is not about living in misery or rejecting all joy. Rather, it is about ordering our loves rightly—seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). The saints were detached, not because they despised creation, but because they saw everything in light of eternity.
• St. Francis of Assisi gave up wealth and comfort, finding joy in poverty.
• St. Teresa of Avila said that “God alone suffices.”
• St. Paul said: “I count all things to be but loss, for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)
These saints were not miserable; they were free—free to love God without hindrance.
When we detach from worldly things, we make room for God. Our hearts, no longer burdened by excessive desires, are lifted toward Heaven. We begin to love God, not just with words, but with our entire being.
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Segment 3: How to Cultivate Detachment
Detachment is not a one-time decision; it is a daily battle. Here are some practical steps to grow in detachment:
1. Examine Your Loves – Ask yourself honestly: What do I love the most? If you find yourself clinging too tightly to something, offer it to God.
2. Practice Small Sacrifices – Give up small comforts voluntarily: skip dessert, turn off distractions, wake up early for prayer. These little acts train the soul for greater detachment.
3. Meditate on Heaven – Frequently remind yourself that this world is not your home. Contemplate the joys of eternal life.
4. Foster a Life of Prayer – The more we pray, the more we love God, and the less we crave what is passing.
St. Catherine de Ricci calls us to force ourselves to detach. This is key. Detachment is not automatic; it requires effort, grace, and perseverance. But the reward is great freedom from the slavery of this world and the ability to love God with an undivided heart.
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Conclusion & Final Prayer
As we close, let us ask ourselves: What do I love? Have I placed anything before God? Am I willing to detach from fleeting things for the sake of eternal joy?
Let us turn to God with the prayerful words of St. Augustine:
Heavenly Father,
You have created us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You. Give us the grace to detach from all that separates us from You. Let us love only what is pleasing to You, and seek only what is eternal. May our lives reflect the holiness of the saints, who abandoned all for the sake of Your Kingdom.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we grow in love and devotion to You, until we are united with You forever in Heaven.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining me. May God bless you and give you the strength to detach from this world and seek first His Kingdom. Until next time, remain steadfast in faith.