God never intended us to go through any life tragedy, especially one as monumental as divorce, simply relying on our own strength. Yet, so many people do. They either totally ignore God, or are completely ignorant of the promise He has made to always help them through difficult times (Hebrews 13:6). Sadly, the world is filled with these weary souls who now resign themselves to a life of hopelessness and pain. The truth is God accompanies us on every twist and turn through life, giving us everything we need to succeed. And the sacraments are the cornerstone of His success plan, especially the Eucharist. Those that have armed themselves with their faith, and strengthened themselves with the Eucharist, have a supernatural advantage in their battle; one that insures them of victory over hardship and despair. How could you not overcome the greatest odds, and be restored to the fullness of life, when you rely on the Creator of the Universe instead of your own wimpy, human self? Give yourself an unfair advantage in the battles life throws at you. Get Christ, unfiltered and undiluted, in the Eucharist, and He will be the source of all the strength you need.

If I am distracted, Holy Communion helps me to become recollected. If opportunities are offered each day to offend my God, I arm myself anew each day for the combat by the reception of the Eucharist. If I am in special need of light and prudence in order to discharge my burdensome duties, I draw nigh to my Savior and seek counsel and light from him. – St. Thomas More

Originally posted 2014-11-18 06:00:26.

The Catholic Church is the source of Christ’s truth. While you may not always understand or agree with that truth, it is the truth nonetheless. Because it is of God, the truth has, by its very nature, a healing and comforting aspect to it. Although sometimes difficult, the truth will always lead you to the right place-a place of peace. If you are feeling the desire to distance yourself from the Church, you are moving away from the very thing that will bring you the abundant peace and joy you are seeking. As you reflect and discern the impact of your divorce or separation on the rest of your life, it is best to remain engaged with the Church, her Sacraments, her teaching, and her community. So, go to Mass, go to reconciliation, go to adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament (if available), seek out (or start) a divorce ministry, stay plugged into your faith and your Church. The Church needs you!

Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted near streams of water,
that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither; whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3

Originally posted 2014-12-26 06:00:32.

As a kid, I can remember watching the old Frankenstein movie, starring Boris Karloff. The part where Frankenstein came to life and sat up with screams of “It’s alive!” from the mad scientist always scared my socks off. Not only was Frankenstein scary looking, his actually coming to life seemed very implausible. It was always a shocker when the impossible became possible.

Like an old movie, we can see Jesus as something from the past. We hear all the stories from the Gospels retold every week. We see pictures, crucifixes, and statues portraying Him. We even see movies about Him. He can easily become just a historical figure who lived 2,000 years ago. After all, His life makes for a great “good overcomes evil” story with the hero conquering certain death. Unlike Frankenstein, Jesus is a true story. Like Frankenstein, Jesus came back to life (and shocked his fair share of people, too!) Fortunately, the story didn’t end there. It continues to unfold every day. You see, Jesus is still alive. He is present in the Eucharist. He is experienced in the Sacraments. He makes Himself known to us when we pray, and through events and other people. He is a living God. Reach out to Him and expect Him to come alive in your life.

Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:15-16

Originally posted 2015-01-16 06:00:01.

I called to the Lord in my distress;
he answered and freed me.
The Lord is at my side; I do not fear.
what can man do against me?
The Lord is at my side as my helper:
I shall look down on my foes. – Psalm 118:5-7

Originally posted 2014-06-06 06:00:29.

During a recent all-day workshop, I had repeated often my view that if one had to go through a divorce, it was a blessing to be Catholic. My point was that our Catholic faith offers so much hope and healing, particularly through the Sacraments, that to have to go through a divorce without them makes the experience so much more difficult. To my surprise, at the end of the workshop, a woman raised her hand and commented that her view of being divorced and Catholic had radically changed by hearing my viewpoint. She stated that before the workshop she felt it was a curse to be divorced and Catholic, given her understanding of the Church’s strict stance on divorce. Her relief and excitement now at being Catholic was obvious.

Originally posted 2013-10-02 11:01:35.

Recently, I was speaking to a group on the virtue of chastity. A highly charged topic, for sure.  One woman raised her hand and offered that what she was most afraid of was being alone the rest of her life. She felt she was in a Catch-22 of sorts. She was afraid that if she committed to a chaste life, she would not be able to meet a man. And, if she was not chaste, she would be in mortal sin unable to receive the Eucharist. She felt she needed to choose between a life of loneliness, or a life separated from her faith. I could definitely relate.

Originally posted 2014-05-29 06:00:40.

Just as physical therapy is used to help mend a broken body, your faith can help mend a broken heart. It makes sense that for physical therapy to be effective it must be done consistently. A single, or sporadic, burst of exercise won’t really have any lasting effect. The same is true with your faith life. An intense night of prayer, or occasionally receiving the Eucharist, is unlikely to restore your emotional strength for very long.

Christ is The Great Healer. Your faith is the means to invite Him into your life. The more you practice it, the more you allow Christ to work His miracles. Make prayer, adoration, reading the Scriptures, and receiving the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, part of your routine. The more, the better. This is a surefire remedy to restore you back to the fullness of life after the painful collision of divorce.

Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Originally posted 2014-12-11 06:00:30.

I often think about the Catholics that have left the faith because of their divorce. The reasons they left are usually because they feel alienated, ashamed, or unwelcome. Often, the annulment process is a stumbling block, too. In any case, there is usually a sense of loss when I talk to them. It is sad. I was in adoration praying about this, and wondering what Jesus would say to them. Here is what I think:

Originally posted 2014-05-07 06:00:36.

I remember when I was in the throes of my divorce, one of my co-workers said, “I know this is difficult. You deserve to be happy.” I thought, “Yea, she’s right. I do deserve to be happy!” Back then, I approached happiness like some kind of life achievement, like graduating from high school. I wanted to graduate from misery to happiness. I really expected that once getting through the hell of divorce, I would stay in a state of happiness for the rest of my life. I paid my dues, I got the t-shirt, and I deserved to wear it every day. Yet, the more I tried to achieve a constant state of happiness, the more fleeting it became. Some days I felt happy. Some days not. I was smiling on the outside, but deep down I was just not happy. I kept telling myself I was doing something wrong because I could never sustain the state of happiness the world (and my friends) told me I deserved.

I was doing something wrong. I was making my personal happiness my life’s goal. What I did not understand was that happiness is an emotion, and emotions can change like the weather. Happiness is life’s cotton candy. It is great for a while and then it is gone. It simply does not last forever. Well, if happiness doesn’t last forever, what does? It took me a few years and my share of discontentment until I discovered the answer: joy. Joy is not an emotion, but a state of being. (Better still, it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.) Instead of being fleeting, it is enduring. It is a deep abiding peace that can never be taken away–no matter what is happening in your life. What is the source of joy? Jesus. As Catholics we are so blessed to have Jesus so readily available to us. We can find him in abundance in the Eucharist, and also in Scripture, Reconciliation, and in prayer. If you want more joy, get more Jesus in your life.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11

Originally posted 2012-04-25 10:44:16.

During a recent all-day workshop, I had repeated often my view that if one had to go through a divorce, it was a blessing to be Catholic. My point was that our Catholic faith offers so much hope and healing, particularly through the Sacraments, that to have to go through a divorce without them makes the experience so much more difficult. To my surprise, at the end of the workshop, a woman raised her hand and commented that her view of being divorced and Catholic had radically changed by hearing my viewpoint. She stated that before the workshop she felt it was a curse to be divorced and Catholic, given her understanding of the Church’s strict stance on divorce. Her relief and excitement now at being Catholic was obvious.

Originally posted 2014-09-16 06:00:33.