suffering

  • The Gift of Cancellation

    Cancel Culture isn’t new, though the phrase is (relatively). People have always cut off ties when relationships no longer work for them. Anyone who has lost friends/a significant other knows this. Social media just made it worse — “friendships” became “easier”,… Continue reading

    The Gift of Cancellation

  • The Gift of Pain

    Years ago, a wise friend shared that she doesn’t pick her Lenten penance anymore, because God knows what she needs during the season of Lent and she trusts Him to send that penance her way at the right time. (I’ve… Continue reading

    The Gift of Pain

  • How Do We Help Others Carry the Cross?

    Much guidance can be found on how to suffer profitably, how to think of suffering, and why it even exists. But one of the things I’ve struggled with in my prayer life is how to pray for loved ones who… Continue reading

  • My Selfish Reasons for Staying Catholic

    [In response to Elizabeth’s question.] Why am I still Catholic? First and foremost reason before any other is the Eucharist, where my Savior is fully present: body, blood, soul, and divinity. No other Church can offer me what my Savior,… Continue reading

  • Defragmentation / Reintegration #8

    The way to adjust to the new normal, is to get back to the old normal. Continue reading

  • Defragmentation / Reintegration #7

    Had to do something creative with all that pain. Continue reading

  • Defragmentation / Reintegration #5

    He sits beside us in the lowest places of our lives, like water. Are we broken? He is broken with us. Are we rejected? Do people despise us not for our evil but for our good, or attempted good? He… Continue reading

  • Defragmentation / Re-Integration #4

    “From suffering comes wisdom” From Aeschylus: Day by day Bit by bit Pain drips upon the heart As against our will And even in our own despite Comes wisdom From the awful grace of the gods. Whatever the reason, for… Continue reading

  • Love Means Forgiveness: Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer

    we do not react to evil with more evil. Need to remember this, especially in those moments when I’m fatigued, and that’s the moment when a child chooses to throw a tantrum, or talk back, or just plain be obnoxious.… Continue reading

  • I Think I Finally Know: Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer

    Pages 82-84. … the gospel ideal of “one mind” cannot be forced. Nor does it arise out of the blue because good people want to be “united in mind and heart” (Acts 4:32). Yes, sensible people want this. But mere… Continue reading