Christians Have an Obligation to Seek the Truth

My 15-year-old recently came to me, looking concerned, and said, “Mom, I can’t tell which side is good and which one is bad. Everyone is saying that Republicans are racist.” 

This past summer, my husband and I decided to let our son have social media for the first time. This was a decision we did not take lightly and one that came with lots of conversations between us and him about our reasons for withholding it for as long as we did. 

This is not a story about the appropriate age for kids to have phones or social media, and it is certainly not about my opinion on that topic, either. It’s also not about my political views.

I remember being my son’s age when I started to ask questions about religious beliefs and political views. 

At the ripe age of fifteen, the norms, beliefs, and values with which we raise our children are present but not fully formed. This is the age when peers' and society's opinions begin to come into view. This is where the tough questions start to emerge.

Before social media, these questions may have come up at school or in the locker room. But now our kids are exposed to every opinion and emotion under the sun daily through social media.

Growing up, my outlook on life and the world was rooted in my Catholic faith and values, and still is. My parents helped form my opinions through how they raised me, how we spent our time, and the conversations we had around the dinner table. 

Today, as my husband and I raise our family, it looks a lot like my own upbringing. 

Except for one thing: social media. What’s new is the rapid rate at which information is shared – both true and false. 

It’s like the game of telephone. You remember the popular party game where you whisper a phrase from person to person, and the last person to get the message says it aloud. The humor is that the original phrase is altered by the time it reaches the last person due to misinterpretations along the way.

It’s similar to how news is shared via social media today. Except it’s not a game.

Add in emotional language from social media users, and you’ve got a real-life version of the game of telephone. 

The danger in the real-life version is that certain groups and individuals are often wrongly vilified. Even more dangerous is that this type of information sharing is how many people form their opinions. 

This happens on both sides of the political spectrum.

Scripture tells us to seek the truth always. The Lord instructs us to speak the truth in love (1 Corinthians 13). 

As Catholics, we know that God is the ultimate source of Truth. So, we turn to His Word to instruct us in all truth.

The Church lays out an entire section in the Catechism dedicated to instructing the faithful in how to use the media (CCC 2493-2496).

“The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice, and solidarity:

The proper exercise of this right demands that the content of the communication be true and–within the limits set by justice and charity–complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of the news, the moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld” (CCC 2494).

But how can we discern what we see online as either true or false?

The fact is, to do this, we must turn down the emotional temperature in the proverbial room. We must seek out the full context of quotes, news stories, public policy, and current events.

Our future depends on it. Our peace depends on it. 

My response to my son was simple: don’t get overwhelmed by the fighting and name-calling that you see online. It’s nothing new. Instead, study your faith, study history, and come to us with your questions. 

But above all else, love your neighbor and always seek the truth.

Your faith will shape your values, and your values will form your political opinions, and both should be God-honoring.

Halloween is Catholic, But Not in the Way You Might Think

Take a walk through any suburban neighborhood this time of year, and you’re likely to be met with decorations ranging from friendly ghosts to wicked witches to downright horrifying renditions of serial killers from popular horror movies. 

“Spooky season” has been celebrated this way by popular culture for decades. For most, Halloween is a time to plan a fun costume, decorate, carve jack-o-lanterns, and go trick-or-treating. It’s a time to have a little fun and visit a haunted house for thrills. It’s a time that most Americans enjoy. 

But is that all there is to it? And where did these traditions even come from? Why do we celebrate Halloween at all, and what’s the point of this holiday?

As with many traditions in our country, its roots are set in early Christianity. Halloween, as it was originally intended, is Catholic.

Let’s take a deep dive into the origins of Halloween. What it is and what it isn’t. And how it has come to look like the holiday we celebrate today in America.

Where Does the Word Halloween Come From?

The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows' Eve” and refers to the night before a very special feast day in the Catholic Church called All Saints’ Day. 

Hallow means Holy or Saint, and Eve refers to the night before. In Catholic tradition, it’s common to hold vigils the evening before Holy Days, just like Christmas Eve!

Over time, All Hallows’ Eve was shortened to Halloween. 

For Catholics, Halloween marks the first day of a celebration called Allhallowtide, the time of year when living Catholics honor and remember those who died in Jesus Christ and pray for the souls in purgatory (2 Maccabees 12:46) (Matthew 12:32).

These two very important religious celebrations (also called feast days) include All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1st, and All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 2nd.

All Saints’ Day is when we honor all the martyrs who died defending their faith in Jesus Christ and all the faithful in Heaven – both known saints and those unknown. All Saints’ Day has been celebrated by the Catholic Church since the mid-300s.

All Souls’ Day is when we pray for all the souls in purgatory awaiting purification to enter into Heaven perfectly (Rev. 21:27) ( Corinthians 3:11-15). 

So, really, the word Halloween simply refers to the night before two very important days of prayer for all the Christians who’ve gone before us.

Does Halloween Have Any Ties to the Worship of Evil Spirits?

Happy to report: No. 

The claim that Halloween has roots dating back to an ancient Celtic religious ceremony called Samhein (pronounced “sow-win”) – where Celts believed that on October 31st, the barrier between the physical world and the spiritual world was at its thinnest, thereby allowing spirits to walk the Earth and commune with the living – is a MYTH.

First, it’s important to note that the claim that the Celtic people had a shared religion at all is a myth. Celts were made up of several different cultures spread out over various regions, and they did not have a common language, culture, or religion (Source).

Evidence does, however, support a celebration among Celtic people, but it points to customs more akin to a Harvest Festival. After all, “Samhain” translates to “summer’s end”.

The very common misconception that a large group of Celtic people took part in a shared religious celebration where they communed with the dead is based on folklore. While it’s possible that some groups of people took part in some sort of celebration like this, the evidence is lacking that it was taking place among large groups of pagan peoples.

Nonetheless, this folklore tale has been passed down as historical fact and, over time, has been linked by some to Halloween and why we celebrate it today.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Although it could explain why many non-Catholic Christians believe Halloween to be an evil day that should not be celebrated at all.

Is All Saints’ Day a Christian Response to Samhain?

And once again, no. 

There is no connection whatsoever between Halloween and its original Catholic meaning and the folklore tales associated with Samhain. 

Early Christians have been honoring those martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ since the mid-300s. All Saints’ Day became a day marked by the Catholic Church to celebrate all the faithful departed in the early 600s, and originally took place on May 13th. 

It wasn’t until the mid-700s that Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1st.

Then, in the mid-800s, Pope Gregory IV instituted All Saints’ Day as a day to be observed by the universal church, and so this holy day spread and became one celebrated by all Catholics (Source).

While there’s no written reason for the change of dates for this holy day, it makes sense that it would be observed in the Fall, when flowers wilt, leaves fall, and we prepare for the dark of winter. As Catholics, it draws our attention to our own mortality, and reminds us to take notice of how we are living – are our lives witnesses to Jesus Christ, or are there areas where we can improve?

Where Do Popular Halloween Traditions Come From, Anyway?

America is often referred to as a “melting pot”. This couldn’t be truer with the Halloween traditions we see today.

When European Catholics immigrated to America, they brought with them Catholic customs – some having roots in All Saints’ Day. 

For instance, the English would go door to door begging for “soul cakes,” offering to pray for the departed loved ones of those who gave them the cakes. This practice looks a lot like trick-or-treating today. 

Some of the other traditions you see today have no connection to the Catholic faith, but are instead a mix of customs brought by English, Irish, and French immigrants, such as the jack-o-lantern. The jack-o-lantern itself has no religious significance at all!

And then you take into account the influence of consumerism and secular culture, and you can see how we’ve gone from a religious celebration to a secular holiday that seems to glorify evil, violence, and horror.

But the truth is that the roots of Halloween are Catholic; from the meaning of the word to the way we observe it, Halloween is meant to draw our eyes to Heaven and Eternity.

So, if you’re a Catholic who wants to observe Halloween and the feast days that follow it as the holy days that they are, you can.

And if you also want to have fun with your decorations, costumes, and trick-or-treating, you can do that, too. Just make sure you avoid the things that glorify evil!

God bless and Happy Halloween!

Sources:

Robert A. Davis, “Escaping Through Flames: Halloween As A Christian Festival” in Trick or Treat, Halloween in a Globalizing World via Catholic Answers Podcast with Joe Heschmeyer

Ronald Hutton, “The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain” via Catholic Answers Podcast with Joe Heschmeyer

https://www.catholic.com/audio/sp/143421

https://ucatholic.com/blog/the-catholic-origins-of-halloween/

4 Reasons I Love Going to Mass (and if you’re not Catholic, they may surprise you!)

If you’ve ever been to a Catholic Mass and you’re not Catholic, my guess is that you walked away utterly confused … or worse, completely bored. But if you knew what you were actually experiencing in the Mass, you’d walk away  – mind, body, and soul – eager to share the love of Jesus Christ with the world.

Here are some of the top reasons I (with my husband and children) go to Mass every Sunday, and why there is no place else I’d rather be.

Besides the fact that God commands us to worship on Sunday, as stated in the Third Commandment, here I’ll share the reasons that I want to. Because the truth is, as in any good relationship, you want to spend time with the one you love. And that’s just what we do at Catholic Mass.

1. Peace – “Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?” - St. Gerard Majella

We live in a world that seems to move at a pace too quick for any of us to really keep up with. We each have our own tasks and responsibilities, endless to-do lists, and the distractions of the world to juggle. 

At times, it feels impossible to find peace in our daily lives. 

But for the Catholic, peace is at the very center of the Mass. For the Catholic, peace finds you immediately upon entering the church. 

Let’s begin with the atmosphere …

The church is quiet for a reason. Of course, there are some distractions like those from people entering the church, and from babies and children. But these are the kinds of distractions that actually remind us of God’s goodness.

You won’t find any artwork or signage that distracts from the worship you are about to participate in. Everything you see in a Catholic Church is there to draw your heart and mind to Heaven.

And then there’s the people … 

Everything we do has a specific purpose, and all contribute to the worship of the Lord. 

For instance, the first thing we do when entering the church is dip our fingers into the holy water and make the sign of the cross on our foreheads. This reminds us of our Baptism – that we are children of God.

We genuflect (go down on one knee briefly) and make the sign of the cross over our upper bodies before entering our pews, to show reverence to Christ truly present in front of us in the tabernacle.

We kneel to pray to prepare our hearts to share in Christ’s sacrifice and to offer our whole selves – our praise, sufferings, prayer, and work become united with Christ’s on the cross and offered to God in Heaven.

Everything we do from the moment we enter the church to the moment we leave helps us to draw closer to God through Jesus Christ.

It’s no wonder we feel at peace.

The peace I feel at Mass is the kind of peace that only God can provide, and that’s because He is present at every Catholic Mass, in the Eucharist. 

2. Intimacy

Intimacy is often defined in terms of relationships. And, rightfully so. Intimacy involves trust, acceptance, and vulnerability, which can only happen between two beings who share a connection and love. 

A relationship with Jesus should also involve trust, acceptance, and vulnerability, among other things.  

For instance, I trust who God says He is. I accept the teachings of my Catholic faith, and I only grow in my faith and relationship when I am vulnerable with Jesus.

For Catholics, the entire Mass is an expression of our relationship with our Lord and Savior. When I go to Mass, I am experiencing the most intimate time with Jesus. My reverence through my posture, the prayers I utter, the offering of my entire self, flaws and all, is an intimate expression of my love and respect for Jesus, as well as for the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

3. Heaven on Earth – Literally

I’ll never forget the time that I learned that what was happening during Mass was described as Heaven and Earth converging at the altar – Wow! That statement alone caused me to want to dig deeper. 

What does that actually mean – Heaven and Earth converging at the altar?

A Catholic Mass is made up of two halves – the first half is the Liturgy of the Word, and the second half is the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Liturgy of the Word nourishes our souls with the Word of God and consists of readings from the Old and New Testaments, a Responsorial Psalm, a reading from the Gospel, and the Homily, where the priest explains the Gospel reading and helps us to understand and apply it to our own lives. 

The second half of the Mass is dedicated to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which nourishes our souls with the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ through the Eucharist. 

The priest, acting in the person of Jesus, says the Eucharistic prayer, gives thanks and praise, calls on the Holy Spirit, and consecrates the bread and wine so that they become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. 

“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is give to us.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323)

This is where Heaven and Earth converge at the altar. This part of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Eucharist – is at the very heart of our worship. 

Jesus Christ died once on the cross to save us from our sins. The Eucharist makes present that one sacrifice to His church so that we can unite our lives with His to offer to God the Father for the salvation of the world.

When we receive the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Christ – body, blood, soul, and divinity – and become living tabernacles. So, if you’ve never thought about it this way, think again. We should look different than the world if we are literal dwelling places for the Lord.

4. Unity – The Prayers and Readings Are the Same in Catholic Churches Around the World

And my absolute favorite part about the Mass – you can walk into any Catholic church around the world and worship in the same way you would at your home parish. 

Not only does that make it really hard to find a good excuse to skip Mass, but it is also a testament to the importance of unity.

Catholic means universal, as in it is for everyone. This is how God intended it. 

“I do not pray for these only but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

Not only are Catholics united in our beliefs and practices, but we also recite our beliefs in the Nicene Creed, which is a summary of the elements of our faith.

The same readings are used in every Catholic Church around the globe, daily. And the same prayers are recited in every Catholic Church around the world, too. 

Close your eyes for a moment and think about that. What a powerful thing that can only be done when we are united as one. 

God promises us that He will hear the prayers of the faithful. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous man is very powerful.” (James 5:16)

I am thankful to call the Catholic Church home. If you’re looking for a church to call home, the Catholic Church welcomes you. 

One Simple Thing Families Can Do to Restore Unity in America

There’s so much talk in the news right now about how we can unite as a country at a time when we’re more divided than ever. Often, we turn to policy to answer this question. But it’s so much bigger than that.

And while the problem is big, I believe it’s actually the little things that we do in our own families that will ultimately lead to the change that will result in the unity of our country.

You have to change culture before you can change policy.

There is one thing at the very top of the list that I want to draw attention to. I firmly believe that if American families committed to doing this one thing, it would significantly aid in bringing peace to the weary soul of our nation.

We are living in a time where hustle is glorified. Where distractions are endless. Somewhere between the time I was growing up to now, as I raise my children, we have become a society that is always trying to keep up.

Maybe it’s the rise of convenience: cell phones, online shopping, apps, ohhhh the apps! — all designed to make our lives easier, but have become tools that have created a false sense of urgency.

How many times have you picked up your phone to make an appointment only to get distracted by a little red notification on your child’s sports app? If you’re like me, you feel that urgency to check to make sure you haven’t missed something. You check the app only to find that it’s the parent group chat discussing the next team meal, which reminds you that you need to contribute.

So you sign up and add a few things to your shopping list. Done. You put your phone down, totally forgetting about why you picked it up in the first place — to make that appointment.

Or how about online shopping and next-day delivery? Don’t get me wrong, it’s saved me more times than I care to admit. However, I have eyes to see how it’s led me to have a real materialistic outlook, too. How many times have I decided that I needed a new dress before that event coming up in a few days, even though I have five perfectly good dresses that I’ve only worn once before?

Text messages, emails, app notifications, and alerts have all inadvertently caused us to become tethered to our phones. This reality of feeling like we must always be available leads to a feeling of pressure to keep up.

Online shopping and next-day delivery have contributed to an increase in materialism and the need for instant gratification.

And then there’s the 24/7 news cycle, YouTube, YouTube shorts, Facebook Reels, and the list goes on. There is no “off” button. Of course, one could argue that it’s up to us to use some self-control. I wholeheartedly agree. And many of us do.

But now more than ever, we’re consuming sound bytes, reels, and shorts that never end. Anyone can post anything. And often, the content I’m seeing is mindless and pointless.

We need to replace reels and shorts with a desire to study, learn, and grow.

We need to replace a culture of hustle with a culture of curiosity.

Replace distraction with purpose.

Replace instant gratification with patience.

Replace pressure with peace.

So how do we do that?

I believe we do it by prioritizing rest in our own families.

We are uniquely designed for rest. Our God made us for rest. God Himself rested, and commands us to do the same.

And even more importantly, he made rest holy (Genesis 2:2–3).

We see many times throughout scripture where Jesus goes away to a private place and rests. In one of my favorite passages, Mark 4:36–41, Jesus departs (with his disciples) from the crowds to rest. Then he performs one of his greatest miracles upon waking up.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus sees that his disciples are weary and encourages them to follow his example and make time to relax and rest.

Maybe you’re wondering how to make rest a priority.

It’s not so much how you do it as your reason behind it. The kind of rest I’m speaking about is the kind that brings you real peace. A pause in your daily grind to refocus your heart, mind, and soul.

God commands rest because rest is good and He only commands that which is good for us.

So, when you are thinking about ways to prioritize rest in your family and in your home, make sure that it’s the kind of rest that makes way for His presence, which will naturally bring you the peace that only He can provide.

I think what you’ll find is that you’ll respond rather than react.

You’ll notice more — the beauty around you, the blessings, the areas in your life that may need attention, or the people in your life who may need more of you.

You will feel gratitude. And you’ll know Who to thank because you’ll know where it came from.

What does that look like for your family? Comment below and tell me how you incorporate rest in your home!

What Is Grace, Anyway?

Let’s break it down!

To answer this question, we first need to understand that, according to Catholic Tradition and teaching, there are two types of grace: Sanctifying Grace and Actual Grace.

Let’s begin with Sanctifying Grace since that one technically happens first.

To sanctify means to be made holy. And the word grace is defined as the free and undeserved gift from God.

I once had a dear Protestant friend tell me that she had never seen an infant baptism and asked me what it was like. At the time, I didn’t know how to answer her — I thought all babies were baptized.

However, I now understand that the primary difference between the Catholic understanding of Baptism and the Protestant understanding lies in the supernatural change that occurs during the sacrament.

All human beings are born in the image and likeness of God, but because of the Fall (Adam and Eve in the Garden, the apple … you may be familiar with the story), we are born with original sin.

This sin is not of our doing, but is actually Adam and Eve’s fault! Because they are our ancestors, we are born with sin.

And this is exactly why Catholics baptize infants! During the sacrament of Baptism, sin is literally wiped away. Further, the infant is infused with Sanctifying Grace.

This supernatural transformation of the infant’s soul makes him or her a child of God, which will then provide him or her with the foundation to receive Actual Grace as he grows in age and wisdom.

Which leads us to the second type of grace that occurs in a child of God, or a Baptized person — Actual Grace.

Have you ever felt that nudge to push you to do something outside your comfort zone to benefit someone else?

Maybe you’re in a hurry and notice a little elderly woman struggling to put groceries in her car. Though it may make you late, you decide to stop to help the woman. Something inside of you urges you to put your own needs aside and put those of someone else first.

Maybe you’re drinking your coffee in the morning, and instead of scrolling Facebook, you feel a strong desire to say a prayer for someone in need.

These are examples of God’s grace working inside of you — also known as Actual Grace. It comes from outside of you (God) and causes you to act in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Sources

https://www.catholic.com/tract/grace-what-it-is-and-what-it-does

What My 10-Year-Old Taught Me About God's Mercy

In light of the recent tragedies over the past few weeks, there have been lots of conversations happening in our home. Hearts are heavy, and we’re left wondering where to go from here.

Particularly, we’re left wondering what we can do as Catholics, as Christians.

I’ve pondered this question. My husband and I have talked with our children about it. We know the world is broken and full of sin. We’ve discussed how evil can infiltrate hearts and minds over time and through various means.

But it was a question from my youngest that completely opened my eyes to a key aspect of our faith that I had almost forgotten.

He had just come in from playing outside. He plopped down on the couch as I walked around tidying up the house. Conversation surrounding current events had become commonplace over the last few weeks, and they were happening even while I tended to household chores.

I can’t remember what preceded his question now, just the question itself that will forever be etched on my heart.

He looked up at me with his big, blue eyes and asked, “What will happen to the man who killed Charlie Kirk?”

Without hesitation (and to my embarrassment), I replied, “He’s going to Hell.”

See, I had heard talk of authorities pursuing the death penalty. I had seen people I respected calling for the death penalty. I was so hurt by the evil that this man had done that I almost subconsciously went along with the world and assumed his fate.

It was my 10-year-old son’s response that changed my heart and reminded me of what I knew but had so quickly forgotten.

He said, “You don’t know that, Mom.”

I stopped in my tracks. I put the kitchen towel down on the coffee table and sat next to him, asking him to explain.

He went on to tell me how his teacher had shared with him and his classmates a story of two great saints, Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli. He told me how Alessandro had killed the innocent, 11-year-old Maria, but that before she died, she forgave her killer and expressed that she wanted him in Heaven with her forever.

After Maria’s death, Alessandro went on to serve a 30-year sentence. One night, six years into his prison sentence, Maria appeared to Alessandro in a dream. She appeared in a garden, picking 14 white lilies, and handed them to him one by one. This gesture of love and forgiveness was the beginning of Alessandro’s transformation and conversion.

His behavior became so docile, and his transformation was so dramatic, that he was released three years early. Shortly after his release, he sought out and received the forgiveness of Maria’s mother. He eventually joined the Capuchin Franciscans and, as a lay brother, worked as a gardener, porter, and general laborer. He died in the peace of Christ, with the love and admiration of those who knew him, at the Cappuchin convent at Macerata, Italy, on May 6, 1970 (mariagoretti.com).

It wasn’t that I didn’t know the power of repentance and of God’s love and mercy. It wasn’t that I didn’t know that there is hope for all souls who repent and radically reorient their lives to Jesus Christ.

It was that I had been so focused on worldly things that I had forgotten.

But praise God, it was the childlike faith of my fifth-grader that refreshed my soul and fixed my eyes back on Christ and His redeeming love.

It was his teacher who taught a lesson with the love of Christ, which poured into my son’s soul and, therefore, my soul.

It was the Body of Christ at work.

So, it leads me back to my original question: where do we go from here?

My answer?

We pray. We pray like we believe. We pray like we know its power. We pray for the souls of the innocent. And we pray for the souls of the wicked. We pray for conversions.

We love our enemies. We forgive like Jesus did on the cross. And we keep sharing stories of His love and mercy.

“Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:40–43)

SOURCES

mariagoretti.com

A Letter in Response to Recent Tragedies

Charlie Kirk took his mission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20) seriously. Catholics and Non-Catholic Christians — this is our mission, too.

He shared the gospel fearlessly and boldly. His political beliefs and values were a direct result of his Christian values.

Charlie Kirk knew this: God is Love. God is Truth.

As a result of his deep devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, years of studying who God is, and his obedience to God, Charlie Kirk answered God’s call to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations.

Was he always perfect in his delivery? No. Did he make mistakes? Of course.

Just like you and me, he was an imperfect person.

But he was loved perfectly by God the Father — just like you. Just like me.

I’ve seen social media posts highlighting the difference between political violence and gun violence. This difference is inconsequential. Both are violent. Violence is the rotten fruit of hate. Hate is the opposite of Love. Hate is not of God. Let’s agree on this.

I’ve seen posts about how Charlie Kirk was known for inciting hate. Often in our political discourse, correction is mistaken for hate or intolerance.

If there is one standard for Truth and one source of Love (spoiler alert: there is!), then anything else that doesn’t meet that standard falls short. Love doesn’t mean acceptance of things that are not of God. Often, Love looks like a firm correction and redirection in what is good and right and true.

Take parenting, for instance. I know that God calls us to be honest and trustworthy (Proverbs 12:22). So, as a mom, when I catch one of my children in a lie or being dishonest, it is my job to correct them. I do this out of love for them. I know that raising them to be trustworthy, honest adults will bring them true happiness in the long run.

Do I expect my children to be perfect? No. But do I take my job seriously in guiding them towards the truth? Yes.

I’ve seen social media posts calling for stricter gun laws. Similar to pulling weeds, our efforts are fruitless unless we go for the root. The root of the problem is evil. Do I think our gun laws are perfect? No. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. Am I pro-Second Amendment? Absolutely.

Let’s agree on this — the person who pulled the trigger and shot Charlie Kirk or Melissa and Mark Hortman or the innocent children praying at Mass are not the same as the people who rushed the cockpit on Flight 93, taking the terrorists head on, preventing them from hitting their target. They are not the same as the children who dove on top of younger students to protect them during the Annunciation shooting.

It’s the difference between cowardice and heroism. It’s the difference between hate and love. Between lies and truth. The difference between Satan and God.

So, if you find yourself feeling compelled to comment on a social media post that misses the point or one that is filled with hate and vitriol, respond with love. And remember this:

God is Love and God is Truth. When we respond in love with these two things in mind, we will always win.

Charlie did it. We can do it, too.

The Day I Discovered God (My Reversion Story)

It was my junior year of college. I still remember the sinking feeling in my stomach as I sat in my bedroom in the house I shared with four of my closest college roommates. I don’t recall exactly what I was doing at that particular moment, but the feeling inside of me is one I will never forget.

On the verge of tears, an intense feeling of loneliness, fear, and anxiety enveloped me. I had never experienced anything like it before.

Up to that point in my college career, I was having the time of my life. I was studying hard (being a student always came fairly easily to me), excelling in my classes, staying up partying way too late, and sleeping until Noon on the weekends. Life was good. Life was … easy.

I had spent the first two years of my college career living in a dorm, where I was constantly surrounded by my peers. The halls were always filled with people coming and going, laughter, music, and a strong sense of community.

We were all on the same page, per se, as full-time students with lots of free time on our hands and very little responsibility.

Fast forward two years, and here I was sitting in my bedroom all alone in a house that suddenly felt cold and way too quiet. As college juniors, my roommates and I were on completely different schedules, which meant we were rarely home at the same time.

And as juniors, we were entering into our core classes to complete our degrees. This meant that the work was getting more demanding and graduation was within sight.

And suddenly here I was, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I knew what was happening. I was beginning to feel the pressure of entering adulthood. Life outside of college. The real world.

Enter: Anxiety.

I was raised Catholic, a “Cradle Catholic” as they say. I received all of the sacraments. I grew up going to Mass every weekend, and even went with my parents often to Mass at the parish next to my university. I didn’t mind going to Mass, but I admit I did find it a bit boring.

But on this particular day, something happened that completely transformed my faith and my relationship with the Lord.

As I sat on my bed with tears flowing, I suddenly knew exactly where I needed to go to calm my fears and anxiety.

To this day, I know it was by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit that I was moved to stand up, grab my coat, and walk to the church next to the university.

And that’s what I did.

I simply walked through the doors of St. Thomas More, found the nearest pew, and collapsed with tears flowing.

The church was empty at this time of day. It was just me.

My anxiety slowly melted away and was replaced with a peace that only comes from the Lord. An indescribable peace.

I innately knew that everything was going to be okay.

Before that day, I didn’t have a relationship with the Lord.

But I believe to my core that the grace I had received from the Sacraments, the Holy Eucharist, and weekly Mass, moved me to walk to the nearest Catholic Church.

And when I got there, I felt the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I was truly transformed that day.

It was on that day that I discovered that I needed God. It was on that day that I began my own personal journey with God. And from that day on, my relationship with Him has been at the center of my life. And that was just the beginning.