Timestamps:
00:00 – 01:10 = Introduction and Recap of Part 1.
01:11 – 03:20 = Chapter 3: “Happiness Deriving from Perfect Uniformity”.
03:21 – 06:00 = Weather, Illness, and Life Events — All Within God’s Will.
06:01 – 08:10 = The Wisdom of the Beggar: Father Tauler’s Wake-Up Call.
08:11 – 10:15 = God’s Goodness Amid Suffering and Letting Go of Control.
10:16 – 13:00 = St. Augustine: “Little Man, Grow Up” – Maturing Through the Will of God.
13:01 – 15:40 = Real Joy Isn’t in Circumstances — It’s in Union With God.
15:41 – 18:00 = Living Out the Priesthood of All Believers.
18:01 – 20:10 = Boldness in Sharing the Faith and Encouraging Others.
20:11 – 22:44 = Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Segment + Closing Reflections.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre continue their study of St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with the Will of God, exploring Chapters 3 and 4. They discuss the depth of true happiness found in perfect unity with God’s will and the challenges of trusting that God always wills our good. Through stories of saints, spiritual wisdom, and practical insights, they unpack how embracing God’s will—especially in suffering—transforms the soul and leads to profound inner peace. Join us as we delve deeper into what it means to truly desire what God desires.
Key Discussion Points:
- Happiness in Perfect Unity: True peace comes not just from accepting but from desiring what God wills. St. Alphonsus shares how abandoning ourselves to God’s will is not passive resignation but an active desire for what He allows. Stina reflects on Salvian’s wisdom: when we truly want what God wants, we will always be content. Even something as small as embracing the weather as it is can begin the practice of aligning our hearts with God’s will.
- The Challenge of Suffering: The example of Fr. Tauler meeting a beggar who had “never had a bad day” highlights the radical trust in God’s will that saints exhibit. Padre reflects on how uniting our will with God’s is easy when life is comfortable but truly tested in moments of suffering. The hardest part of surrender is trusting that even in pain, God is working for our good.
- God Only Wills Our Good: A common struggle is the fear that God sometimes wills bad things to happen to us. Stina clarifies that while God allows suffering, He never wills evil. His permissive will allows hardship for a greater purpose, often beyond our understanding. This challenges us to trust in God’s perfect love, especially when witnessing the suffering of others.
- Finding Consolation in God’s Love: Watching someone else suffer can feel unbearable, but there is deep comfort in knowing that God loves them infinitely more than we ever could. Trusting in His providence allows us to surrender even those we love into His care, believing that their suffering is not meaningless but part of His plan to bring about good.
- Thy Will Be Done: St. Niles reminds us that our prayers should not ask for our own desires but for God’s will to be fulfilled in us. Padre draws a connection to the Lord’s Prayer—“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The perfection of God’s will in heaven is meant to be mirrored on earth through our surrender and cooperation.
- True Happiness in Detachment: A story recounted by Alphonsus speaks of a poor man who found happiness by detaching from worldly concerns and living in harmony with God’s will. Padre unpacks how this reflects the royal dignity of our baptism—where we are called to live as priest, prophet, and king. Through self-governance, speaking truth, and offering ourselves to God, we participate in Christ’s mission and discover the deepest joy.
Reflective Questions:
- Do I truly desire God’s will, or do I only accept it when it aligns with my own?
- How do I react to suffering—do I trust in God’s love, or do I resist it?
- What small areas of my life can I practice greater surrender in?
Practical Suggestions for Growth:
- Practice Daily Surrender: Each morning, offer a simple prayer of surrender: “Lord, I desire what You desire for me today.”
- Gratitude in All Circumstances: When faced with discomfort, instead of complaining, thank God for His will in that moment.
- Trusting God with Others: When worried about someone else’s suffering, remind yourself that God loves them even more than you do.
- Reflect on the Lord’s Prayer: Meditate on “Thy will be done” and what it means to truly desire God’s will in every part of life.
TBG
Stina – Resource – one step closer – Anthony Freeman
Fr Sean Byrnes – Parishioner visit
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