“He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).
Dear Father, the day is coming when You will remind us through Your Church of the great work You have accomplished through Your Son. There on Golgotha, You destroyed death forever. Then the tears will be wiped away, for every person can receive eternal life if they believe in Your Son and recognize Your love.
Today I would like to conclude this short series in which we have addressed certain aspects of the three evangelical counsels and their application by the Lord’s disciples who live in the world. As far as the third counsel is concerned, it is not so easy to apply it in the world, since voluntary poverty for the Lord’s sake can take on very radical forms, as we see both in the New Testament and in many examples throughout the history of the Church.
Just think of the community of goods in the early Church, as presented to us in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. Acts 2:44–45). We can also recall the hermits and the many monastic communities who made this ideal a reality, abandoning everything to follow Christ and giving their possessions to the poor. To this day, this remains an immensely valuable call. May God grant that many respond to it and that there continue to be communities that make it a reality.
“Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3).
After having devoted two previous meditations to reflecting on the evangelical counsel of chastity, today I would like to address some general aspects of spiritual obedience, which is so important for all of us in imitating Christ. I hope that this reflection will help us appreciate spiritual obedience a little more.
The Latin word oboedire, from which “to obey” is derived, includes the verb audire, which means “to listen.” Therefore, obedience is related to attentive listening—that is, to hearing correctly and giving our full attention to the One who is speaking to us.
When God communicated His commandments to the People of Israel through Moses, He began by saying: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Dt 6:4).
Heb 10:32–38
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
“Oh, how sweet it is to die when one has been fully devoted to the heart of the one who is to judge us.” (Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque)
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Is 12:3).
These words of the prophet convey to us the consolation that our Heavenly Father promises to His faithful people. They are taken from the so‑called “Song of Thanksgiving of the Rescued.” The fountains of salvation are overflowing.
We continue yesterday’s reflection on the virtue of chastity.
In an age marked by constant sensory overload, everyone must be extremely vigilant in order to protect the virtue of chastity—both externally and internally.
Scripture reminds us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit:
“Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:20)
We glorify God in our bodies when we live in chastity and serve God in this way.
“Be at peace! God loves you. If only the world could see the beauty of a soul in a state of grace! All sinners and unbelievers would convert on the spot.” (Padre Pio)
What would sinners and unbelievers see? They would surely see the incredible love with which God created and redeemed humanity, and how this love is revealed in a soul living in a state of grace. It would certainly be a light overflowing onto mankind, opening eyes.
The Catholic Church knows many saints and honors them in its feasts. I have decided to remember some lesser‑known saints. Today’s saint came from a noble family in France and was consecrated bishop of Lodève on February 4, 949. He served as bishop for 57 years and devoted himself entirely to the sanctification of his flock. He opposed vice, abolished abuses, and established the reign of godliness everywhere. His all‑embracing love always showed him ways to meet the needs of the sick and the poor in his diocese. Moved by the love he had for consecrated persons, he founded the monastery of St. Salvator, restored several others, and led all spiritual communities to discipline and order. He also did great good for churches and hospitals. God confirmed the people’s belief in His holiness through miracles performed at the tomb of His faithful servant. Around the year 1127, his body was exhumed and remained intact until 1572, when the Huguenots threw it into the fire.
