Thank you, Andrew, for this beautiful, encouraging word for everyone, especially us older folks. This so resonates with what Beverly and I are being challenged with in recent months. We are all young children in our Father's eyes and can respond to Him with confidence, "You love me." God's refining work continues.
Ive felt “older” since returning to the Catholic church. It appears generations missing. I think because the scandals 1960s to 1980s or only rationale thought Ive had that my generation escaped as I did too until my return. I was just a little girl in the 70s-80s…. Seems under 40 or over 70 is most of the Catholic world. Then a handful of the Catholic famous youtubers. Ive now eliminated nearly all voices cause I need God and just my people, not a bunch of theology creating noise. Often, I want to escape as I have no desire to age myself 20+ years yet also Im not 30 something. My life has become many hours of silent prayer in the adoration chapel so I resonate with your wife. Tho, it is not all age so I don’t really have the answers. I just know I cant do “now” forever so something has to change. Ive grown closer to God though knowing we all need real community and more so if single. I cant find my people. The result of much trauma and tragedy within churches. I stay close to God but this season seems forever. Its winter ice snow in Chicagoland so within a short few days the season seems even longer with lack of sun, cold weather and that all brings more isolating feelings. Before coming fully back, I was always very connected on the Protestant side. It’s my current tension. Many Protestant churches have scandals. I cant return shallow Christianity. Yet I still need to know my people. Nearly seems like God should taken me home in 2023, for the only reason that it seemed nothingness entered. Nothingness in the world yet closeness with God like why even I am here? If all is said and done Id welcome seeing Jesus face to face. Woman are basically nearly no value unless under 30 in the Catholic church. For men, the man is elevated in great value no matter the church. Its a very sad reality considering to God we are all his children highly valued- not by age, not by sex, not by race, not by economic profile- God values each of us highly significant because we are each his children and fully loved. Sometimes or lately often, the reality of churches greatly grieves my heart in sadness. It’s very tiring. 🙏🙏🙏
Steve, we love you and Beverly more than you know. We as a staff pray for strength to sustain your servant leadership and for Beverly to just rest in this God and husband who look out for her. You guys reveal Jesus and Church to us. Easy to love.
Bless you Roxanne. You pour out your heart and reveal Jesus’ heart, how His love surpasses uneven Christians and nourishes you in this lean season. I hope we’ll meet you someday!
Thank you, Andrew, for this beautiful meditation. May our Lord grant us a blessed Advent Season.
As we begin a new Church year I am reminded of these words of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri, “If I should fail even a thousand times, I will never lose heart, I will never lose peace, but I will always immediately say quietly to my heart, ‘Now I Begin.’”
Thank you, Andrew, for this beautiful, encouraging word for everyone, especially us older folks. This so resonates with what Beverly and I are being challenged with in recent months. We are all young children in our Father's eyes and can respond to Him with confidence, "You love me." God's refining work continues.
Ive felt “older” since returning to the Catholic church. It appears generations missing. I think because the scandals 1960s to 1980s or only rationale thought Ive had that my generation escaped as I did too until my return. I was just a little girl in the 70s-80s…. Seems under 40 or over 70 is most of the Catholic world. Then a handful of the Catholic famous youtubers. Ive now eliminated nearly all voices cause I need God and just my people, not a bunch of theology creating noise. Often, I want to escape as I have no desire to age myself 20+ years yet also Im not 30 something. My life has become many hours of silent prayer in the adoration chapel so I resonate with your wife. Tho, it is not all age so I don’t really have the answers. I just know I cant do “now” forever so something has to change. Ive grown closer to God though knowing we all need real community and more so if single. I cant find my people. The result of much trauma and tragedy within churches. I stay close to God but this season seems forever. Its winter ice snow in Chicagoland so within a short few days the season seems even longer with lack of sun, cold weather and that all brings more isolating feelings. Before coming fully back, I was always very connected on the Protestant side. It’s my current tension. Many Protestant churches have scandals. I cant return shallow Christianity. Yet I still need to know my people. Nearly seems like God should taken me home in 2023, for the only reason that it seemed nothingness entered. Nothingness in the world yet closeness with God like why even I am here? If all is said and done Id welcome seeing Jesus face to face. Woman are basically nearly no value unless under 30 in the Catholic church. For men, the man is elevated in great value no matter the church. Its a very sad reality considering to God we are all his children highly valued- not by age, not by sex, not by race, not by economic profile- God values each of us highly significant because we are each his children and fully loved. Sometimes or lately often, the reality of churches greatly grieves my heart in sadness. It’s very tiring. 🙏🙏🙏
Thx bro I love that truth: we choose whether a failure thrusts us forward or back.
Steve, we love you and Beverly more than you know. We as a staff pray for strength to sustain your servant leadership and for Beverly to just rest in this God and husband who look out for her. You guys reveal Jesus and Church to us. Easy to love.
Bless you Roxanne. You pour out your heart and reveal Jesus’ heart, how His love surpasses uneven Christians and nourishes you in this lean season. I hope we’ll meet you someday!
Thank you for the encouragement and perspective.
Thank you, Andrew, for this beautiful meditation. May our Lord grant us a blessed Advent Season.
As we begin a new Church year I am reminded of these words of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri, “If I should fail even a thousand times, I will never lose heart, I will never lose peace, but I will always immediately say quietly to my heart, ‘Now I Begin.’”