Did Jesus leave us when he ascended to heaven? Fr. Mark-Mary answers this question, leading us in a meditation on the certainty of Jesus’ perpetual presence with us in all times and places. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
Fr. Mike offers insights on how to combat despair. If you feel like you’ve tried everything, see no way out, or think nothing matters, Fr. Mike reminds you of the true meaning of hope. He explains that we can always rely on God’s presence. Choosing hope means choosing to act with courage, even if that victory is as simple as getting out of bed.
Finally, he reminds us that one of the best ways to fight despair is to bring that hopelessness to God in Confession.
You are loved, you are valued, and you are absolutely irreplaceable. Our team at Ascension is thinking of you and praying for you. If you’re going through a difficult time or struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talk to someone you trust or seek support from a professional. You can also call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24/7).
Just because it’s “the most wonderful time of the year” doesn’t mean that everything is working out for you. But if tough times have actually given way to full-blown discouragement for you this Christmas, Fr. Mike has a word for you: “Emmanuel”.
“Does God take us when he feels like our time here is over?” Fr. Mike tackles this question and examines the motivations behind it to show us why God made us and why our value doesn’t lie in what we do in this life.
When we know God’s will, we must respond with “yes”.
There are truly horrible and troubling things that can happen in each one of our lives. And yet, at every moment, we have the opportunity to respond in faith and love. Our response of trust can be summed up in one word: “Yes”.
Your imagination is a powerful gift from God, and your freedom to focus carries immense responsibility. When we surrender our future to God, it can be tempting to focus on that unknown future instead of the here and now. It can be tempting to imagine what things might be like… especially for the worse.
Today, Fr. Mark-Mary challenges us to discipline our imaginations and focus the way that an athlete disciplines his or her own body, and gives us a few tips to stay grounded and present in the moment.
Just like there are different levels of maintenance we have to keep up with in our homes, there are different levels of maintenance in our spiritual lives. This can be delicate, difficult, and sometimes messy work.
So, while Fr. Mark-Mary is not a mental health professional, he’s here to share a couple tips and fundamentals that will help anyone get back on track.