S07 Ep08 -Book Study: Uniformity with the Will of God

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Book Study – St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God – Part 1 – Chapters 1 & 2

Timestamps:

00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction and Book Overview.
01:11 – 03:40 = Why This Book Still Resonates Today.
03:41 – 06:15 = The Virtue of Uniformity with God’s Will.
06:16 – 09:10 = Conformity vs. Uniformity – What’s the Difference?
09:11 – 12:00 = Sacrifice vs. Obedience and Jesus as the Model.
12:01 – 15:10 = Struggles With Trust and Seeing God as a Good Father.
15:11 – 18:05 = The Role of Love in Aligning Our Will With God’s.
18:06 – 21:00 = Learning from the Saints: Living Uniformity in Daily Life.
21:01 – 24:30 = Suffering and God’s Will – Finding Purpose in Pain.
24:31 – 26:52 = Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Segment + Closing Reflections.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre begin a deep dive into St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God. Written in 1755, this timeless work speaks directly to the heart of Christian discipleship today. Stina shares how St. Alphonsus has been like a spiritual director through his writings, and Padre unpacks the core idea that perfection is found in the love of God. Together, they explore the distinction between conformity and uniformity with God’s will, the struggle of surrender, and how growing in love with God transforms our desires. Join us as we uncover how uniting our will with God’s can bring peace, freedom, and true holiness.

Key Discussion Points:

  • The Foundation of Holiness: St. Alphonsus begins with a powerful statement—perfection consists entirely in the love of God. This immediately challenges any illusions of self-sufficiency and reminds us that holiness is not about our own strength but about responding to God’s love, which always comes first.
  • Conformity vs. Uniformity: The difference between simply conforming to God’s will and truly uniting with it. Conformity is when we obey God’s will while still holding onto our own preferences, much like the rich young man in the Gospel who follows the commandments but still clings to his own desires. Uniformity, on the other hand, is when our will becomes completely one with God’s—where we no longer see His will as something external to follow, but something we deeply desire ourselves.
  • The Power of Love in Uniting Wills: Obedience out of duty is good, but loving God so deeply that our desires align with His is even better. Stina shares her personal journey from trying to “fuse” her will to God’s out of obligation to growing in love so much that her will becomes mote truly one with His.
  • The Challenge of Surrender: Padre emphasizes that recognizing the beauty of uniformity does not mean we’ve mastered it. The human struggle to surrender fully to God’s will often manifests as fear—fear that our own desires and needs will be dismissed or ignored. But true uniformity doesn’t negate our needs; it transforms them so that what we truly desire is aligned with God’s will.
  • Transformation Through Relationship: Stina draws a relatable analogy to human relationships, where we often grow and change through exposure to different perspectives and shared experiences. Just as a deep friendship or love can reshape our wants and desires, so too does our relationship with God transform us at our very core.
  • God’s Will in Suffering: Padre and Stina discuss the reality that it’s easy to unite with God’s will when things go well, but it takes saints to do so in suffering. Stina explores how suffering, while not always actively willed by God, is permitted by Him for our growth. Recognizing this helps us detach from worldly expectations and find peace, even in hardship.
  • Distinguishing God’s Active vs. Passive Will: Padre clarifies an important theological distinction—God never actively wills evil or sin, but He permits it. Understanding this can help us see suffering not as a sign of God’s absence, but as an invitation to deeper trust and surrender.

Reflective Questions:

  1. Do I approach God’s will with conformity or with a desire for true uniformity?
  2. What fears or hesitations arise when I consider fully uniting my will with God’s?
  3. How do I react when God’s will leads me into suffering or challenges?
  4. In what ways can I grow in trust and surrender to God’s plan?

Practical Suggestions for Growth:

  1. Daily Offering: Begin each day by offering your will to God in prayer, asking for the grace to desire what He desires.
  2. Scripture Reflection: Meditate on verses like John 6:38 and Job 1:21 to deepen your understanding of surrendering to God’s will.
  3. Recognize Fear & Surrender: When fear of losing control arises, pause and pray for trust in God’s perfect plan.
  4. Gratitude in Trials: Practice praising God not just in joy but also in difficulty, trusting that He allows all things for your sanctification.

Truth, Beauty & Goodness

SB – Jacques Philippe – Treasure in earthen vessels: Priestly Fatherhood.

SC – Brunch 


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