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People are annoying sometimes—and that’s okay. It’s impossible for us to get along with everyone we meet. But how can we approach people that annoy us with love and charity, so that it benefits our soul instead of hurting it?
Today, Fr. Mark-Mary and Danielle Bean offer some advice on how to love annoying people, and how God might be using it for your sanctification.
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
There are always going to be people we don’t like very much… people that “annoy” us. Friends, family members, people that are “always” this or that. It can become easy to define people by their faults. But that’s not what God does with us.
Today, Fr. Mark-Mary shows you how to love people like God loves people, by giving people permission to be themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
What good does feeling sorry for yourself do? Fr. Mike points out a hard truth in saying—while you have the right to grieve when tragic things happen in your life—you never have the right, or permission, to feel sorry for yourself. All it does is shrink the universe down to the size of you. It blocks out the blessings God gave you that you should be thankful for, and paralyzes you from joyfully giving to others. When you feel the temptation to feel sorry for yourself coming on, in the words of St. Paul, Fr. Mike recommends:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
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).
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
Some folks maintain the notion that Jesus said we “have to love people” but “don’t have to like them”. Besides the fact that Jesus never said this… there are other reasons this false idea is holding you back from loving the way you were made to love.
Today, Fr. Mark-Mary dives deep into what it means to “like” someone and how we can show true, authentic love to everyone (and… in fact… that is our calling).
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents