Living out the Catholic faith can be challenging, especially in the ups and downs of daily life. Over the years, I’ve gathered a few reminders that have helped me stay grounded and hopeful—and I hope they encourage you, too.
- When you have young kids, getting to Mass is tough. If they cry or make noise, don’t lose heart. You’re there! You, and your presence, are an inspiration to those who are also struggling—and to those who remember the struggle.
- When people say something offensive, speak out if you have courage and the situation allows you to speak the truth of the Gospel with love. If not, know that your silence can speak volumes.
- Life can be rough. Know that God loves you, and always will. Just like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son, Jesus tells us that God the Father will always welcome us back. Nothing you could ever do would make God love you less.
- When grief grabs hold of you, remember this: we believe that we can pray to those in heaven, and they can hear our prayers. That’s what the Hail Mary is—or any prayer to a saint. You may not be able to reach out and touch them, but your loved one is just a prayer away.
- Every day is a new day. If you forget to pray or fall short on a faith-related goal, don’t give up. God knows the desire of your heart. Our journey is two steps forward, one step back. Just pick up where you left off—something is always better than nothing.
- If you’re struggling, open the Bible—especially the New Testament. I’ve never met someone who regretted it. You’ll be surprised what God might say to you!
- If you don’t have the words to pray, show up anyway. Lean on memorized prayers or simply sit in stillness. Contemplative prayer doesn’t require words—just presence. And yes, God notices.
Lastly, in scripture, seven is the number of completeness. I’ll take that as my cue to wrap this up. May God bless you for your faith and your effort—in the easy seasons and the tough ones.
