Episode 2956: Burning in the Light of God - Nighty 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.”
Burning in the Light of God: The Just Man and the Mystery of Holiness”
Introduction
We dive deep into the rich wisdom of our faith, drawing from Sacred Scripture, the saints, and the great traditions of the Church.
Today, we will reflect on two profound mysteries: the radiant presence of God and the example of the just man, St. Joseph.
The words of Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto from Fatima give us a glimpse into the divine:
“We were burning in that light which is God and we were not consumed. What is God like? It is impossible to say. In fact, we will never be able to tell people.”
And Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on the Gospel, teaches us about St. Joseph:
“The designation of Joseph as a just man (zaddik) extends far beyond the decision he takes at this moment: it gives an overall picture of Saint Joseph and at the same time it aligns him with the great figures of the Old Covenant beginning with Abraham, the just. If we may say that the form of piety found in the New Testament can be summed up in the expression ‘a believer,’ then the Old Testament idea of a whole life lived according to sacred Scripture is summed up in the idea of ‘a just man.’”
Today, we will reflect on what it means to live in the light of God’s presence and how the just man walks in that light.
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Burning in the Light of God
The children of Fatima were given a foretaste of heaven, a vision of God’s glory, and yet, they struggled to describe it.
“We were burning in that light which is God and we were not consumed.”
This is the mystery of divine love to be in God’s presence is to burn with a fire that does not destroy, but purifies.
This reminds us of Moses before the burning bush. The fire burned, but the bush was not consumed (Exodus 3:2). So too is the soul in the presence of God not annihilated, but transformed.
The saints teach us that union with God is not a distant dream, but our very purpose. Yet, how often do we live as if God is far from us? We allow ourselves to be distracted by worldly concerns, fears, and comforts, rather than setting our hearts on the eternal.
St. Jacinta and St. Francisco teach us that the more we draw near to God, the more we are filled with His light. But this requires detachment from sin, from self, and from anything that keeps us from Him.
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The Just Man: St. Joseph as Our Model
If we seek a guide to living in God’s presence, we need look no further than St. Joseph.
Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that St. Joseph was called a just man, or zaddik, a title reserved for those who live in perfect fidelity to God’s law.
“The designation of Joseph as a just man extends far beyond the decision he takes at this moment: it gives an overall picture of Saint Joseph and at the same time it aligns him with the great figures of the Old Covenant—beginning with Abraham, the just.”
St. Joseph’s justice was not merely in following laws, but in his total surrender to God. His silence in Scripture speaks volumes. He never seeks recognition, he does not question the will of God he simply obeys.
• When told to take Mary as his wife, he obeys.
• When warned to flee to Egypt, he obeys.
• When commanded to return, he obeys.
This is what it means to be a just man to live entirely by faith, trusting God’s providence.
And here is the beautiful connection: St. Joseph walked in the light of God, just as the saints of Fatima glimpsed it. He did not need to see heaven to know that his life belonged to God. He lived in its presence every day.
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Living as Just Men and Women
We may not have visions of divine light as the Fatima children did, nor will we likely be visited by an angel as St. Joseph was. But we are all called to live in the light of God’s presence and walk in justice.
How do we do this?
1. Live in continual awareness of God’s presence. Every moment of our day should be lived with the knowledge that God is watching over us, guiding us, calling us to holiness.
2. Imitate the humility and obedience of St. Joseph. Do we question God’s will, or do we accept it with trust?
3. Seek silence and prayer. St. Joseph did not need many words; he simply listened and obeyed. How often do we make time for quiet prayer?
4. Detach from the world. The Fatima children sacrificed everything for God, and St. Joseph lived a life of quiet service, detached from earthly honors.
The more we live this way, the more we will experience the fire of God’s love not as something that consumes, but as something that transforms.
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Conclusion: Living in the Light
In the end, holiness is not about extraordinary visions or great achievements—it is about fidelity.
St. Joseph, the just man, shows us that the path to holiness is found in obedience, trust, and hidden faithfulness. The Fatima children show us that the light of God is real, and we are called to live in it, even if we cannot see it with earthly eyes.
So ask yourself:
• Am I living in the presence of God?
• Do I trust Him like St. Joseph, or do I resist His will?
• Am I willing to let go of worldly attachments to walk in His light?
The more we surrender, the more we will find ourselves burning with divine love, yet never consumed

Heavenly Father,
You are the light that burns but does not destroy. You call us to live in Your presence, to walk in Your ways, and to be just as St. Joseph was just.
Lord Jesus,
Help us to trust You completely, as St. Joseph did. Give us the strength to obey, even when we do not understand, and the humility to accept Your will without resistance.
Holy Spirit,
Fill our hearts with Your fire, that we may burn with love for God and never be consumed by the world. May we live always in His presence, seeking only to please Him.
Through the intercession of Our Lady and St. Joseph, may we become truly just, walking in holiness and preparing our souls for eternity.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. May you walk always in the light of God. Until next time, stay faithful.