"Generally speaking, we could say that the sun only emits two things: light and heat. All of our experiences with light and with heat on planet earth are either directly or indirectly because of the light and the heat that come from the sun.
We would say the sun is the source of light and heat, but the sun is also not the source of darkness. The sun is also not the source of cold. In fact, we recognize that we only experience darkness and cold when something gets in the way of the light and the heat from the sun. The sun does not produce darkness or cold - when we experience darkness and cold, something got in the way of the light and the heat that comes from the sun.
In a similar way, goodness, love, joy, peace, and life come from God. God is not the source of evil. God is not the source of suffering. God is not the source of hatred or death.
Evil is not a thing; evil is the absence of a good thing. [...] Even more clearly, evil is not a thing in itself - it is the absence of goodness or the distortion of a good thing. So we thank God when good things happen, because that goodness comes from him. And we do not blame him for evil, because that evil does not come from him."
-Fr. Mike Schmitz, Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Qui-Gon Jinn says something similar in The Phantom Menace: “Your focus determines your reality.”
Keep your focus on Jesus and you will not fall. When Peter took his eyes off our Lord and focused on the wind and water around him, he sank. Jesus was there to pick him up.
I know I keep falling behind on the "Bible in a Year" reading plan but I think it is still good that I keep coming back to it and trying to catch up when I can.
I'm struggling with my health a lot and that often makes it difficult to keep up with things consistently. But I think I deserve some appreciation for coming back to it when I can. I'm proud of myself for trying. 😊 And bit by bit I will get better and get myself out of the dark places and be able to keep up with some things more easily. 😉
I still kinda wish I had a prayer buddy who does this reading plan as well but so far I'm just happy that I can always return to the "Bible in a year". When I don't feel good or when I'm recovering from a particularly low low, it is soothing to read the Bible with Fr. Mike. He has been very helpful on my journey towards the faith and he has helped me through his videos and podcasts and online Masses a lot to get through the terrible darknesses that I have encountered during the past 4 years especially. 🙏🏼💙 I'm very thankful! ☺️
PLEASE contribute to the cause of fighting child sex trafficking! Over the last 11 days we have raised close to $5000! Lets hit that mile marker! None of the proceeds from Sound of Freedom are going to Tim Ballard's organization. But we can help!
I've had a swarm of Catholics get deeply upset with me for calling Fr. Mike Schmitz hot in the past, but at this point in my life, I could care less if saying that upsets them. I think Fr. Mike Schmitz is a hottie, and I feel all tingly in my loins when I see him. Catholics can die mad about it.
Done with a wonderfully snarky sense of humor, the long-running ad campaign for Snickers works on so many levels.
It even has the added bonus of being true. We are not ourselves when we’re hungry.
And it’s not just in terms of good nutrition and being physically healthy. It impacts our emotional well-being and our moods, our wisdom and our intelligence. Whether we respond well to problems and get along with others. Our basic ability to learn and to work.
Every part of us suffers when we’re hungry.
In case you wondered why food pantries, soup kitchens, and school breakfast and lunch programs are so important.
But it doesn’t stop there. This dynamic applies to every aspect of our lives.
In this season of resolutions and building good habits, make sure that you take care good care of all of you. Even the eternal parts of you.
Whether it’s a good podcast (Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “The Bible in a Year” is amazing), a good book (I’m re-reading Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth series), or the Good Book, find a way each day to feed your soul.
Whatever you do, spend some time each day with God in prayer.
It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. But do take a moment to be quiet, to be still, to just be with the One who will always love you, and who always has. And (per Benedict XVI) “to accept being loved by God.”
As St. Andre Bessette (today’s saint) puts it, “If you ate only one meal a week would you survive? It is the same for your soul.”