If you’ve ever watched Dead Poets Society, you might notice something about that teacher.
He doesn’t dump all the information on the students at once.
Instead, he teaches them gradually, step by step. Only once they understand one concept does he move on to the next.
God teaches that way, too.
He doesn’t reveal the fullness of His plan all at once. That would be like teaching calculus to a five-year-old.
Instead, gradually, He builds truth upon truth to form spiritually mature people.
Even in the Old Testament, God uses this same method. He puts hints of who He really is and his future plans. When you realise this, it opens your eyes to an entirely new way of reading the Bible.
Many Jews didn’t fully understand Christ. But when they understood how verses from the Psalms, Law and Prophets quietly pointed to Jesus, then they converted.
The Apostles and Church Fathers understood this hidden thread that runs through scripture.
But Christ did not just appear on earth.
God’s plan to redeem humanity happened through Mary. It was through Mary that he chose to enter the world.
Mary’s life is inseparable from Christ’s mission. God’s perfect plan for redemption was that Mary, the sinless one, would bear the Redeemer.
What is less widely known, though, is that Mary herself is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. And it’s through a little something called typology.
For years, I struggled to stay consistent in my Bible reading. I would start strong with a new plan, only to find myself falling behind after a few weeks. Life’s busyness, distractions, and even feelings of discouragement often got in the way. I wanted to stay grounded in Scripture, but I lacked a clear method to help me stay focused and engaged.
That was when I came across the SOAP Method. Simple in design but powerful in practice, this approach helped me slow down, reflect more deeply, and stay rooted in God’s Word day after day. Whether you are new to Bible study or looking for a way to refresh your devotional time, the SOAP Bible Study Method can provide structure and depth that keeps you connected to God.
SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Let’s explore how each step works and why it can transform your time in the Word.
1. Starting With Scripture
Consistency in Bible study begins with Scripture itself. The first step of the SOAP method encourages us to choose a verse or passage and write it down word for word. Slowing down to copy Scripture is more than a writing exercise; it helps the words sink deeply into our hearts and minds. For example, writing “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, RSV) makes the verse personal. It shifts from something read quickly in a devotional to a truth that actively shapes our perspective.
Writing Scripture also trains focus. Instead of rushing through reading plans or skimming chapters, believers pause and reflect. They begin to notice details they might otherwise miss—the verbs, the promises, and the repeated ideas that underscore God’s character. For many, this simple act of writing marks the difference between reading passively and engaging actively. When Scripture becomes something we handle physically, it becomes something we internalize spiritually, forming a foundation for the rest of the SOAP process.
2. Observation: Seeing What God Is Saying
Once a passage is written, the next step is observation. This involves asking, “What is God communicating here?” Observation encourages careful attention to details, repetition, and overarching themes. It is an invitation to look beyond the surface and uncover spiritual insights.
For instance, consider Jesus’ words in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (RSV). Reading slowly and noticing the repeated word “abide” highlights the importance of continual reliance on Him. Even familiar verses can reveal new meaning when observed carefully, giving believers a fresh perspective on everyday challenges.
Observation is also a reminder that Bible study is active, not passive. It’s about asking questions, noting patterns, and thinking deeply about the implications. This practice helps Scripture move from abstract words to practical, lived truth, preparing the heart for applying these lessons in daily life.
3. Application: Living Out the Word
Observation naturally leads to application, the step where Scripture meets daily life. Application asks believers to consider how a passage informs their thoughts, decisions, or behaviors. It connects the timeless truth of God’s Word with present-day circumstances.
For example, Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (RSV). Recognizing this verse can transform a stressful day into a moment of trust and prayer. When challenges arise, the believer has a tangible Scripture to recall, helping them act according to God’s guidance rather than reacting impulsively.
Application turns knowledge into practice. By reflecting on how a verse addresses specific struggles—whether anxiety, decisions at work, or relationships—believers integrate Scripture into everyday life. Over time, this builds a habit of responding to life through a biblical lens, deepening both faith and obedience.
4. Prayer: Turning Insights Into Conversation
The final step of SOAP is prayer, where observation and application become dialogue with God. Prayer takes the insights gained from Scripture and turns them into a personal conversation. It is an opportunity to express gratitude, confess shortcomings, ask for guidance, or seek wisdom.
Through prayer, the Word becomes relational rather than merely informational. James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him” (RSV). As we pray about what we’ve learned, we rely on God to apply His truth in our lives. Prayer keeps believers anchored, preventing study from becoming an intellectual exercise detached from personal faith.
Daily prayer through SOAP reinforces consistency. Each morning or evening, brief but intentional time spent in reflection and conversation with God nurtures a deeper relationship. It reminds believers that Scripture is living and active, capable of shaping hearts, thoughts, and actions when approached with openness and dependence on Him.
Reaping the Fruit of Consistency
The beauty of the SOAP method is not just in one session but in the long-term consistency it builds. Over time, the simple rhythm of Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer creates a daily habit of meeting with God.
I can personally testify to how this method deepened my faith. Instead of feeling guilty for skipping Bible study or rushing through chapters, I found joy in slowing down and letting God’s Word speak to me. My mornings became more peaceful, my decisions more grounded, and my heart more anchored in God’s truth.
This consistency doesn’t happen overnight, but the SOAP method makes it attainable. Just one passage, a notebook, and a few quiet minutes each day can change your walk with God.
I encourage readers to give the SOAP Bible Study Method a try and see how it transforms your time with God. Start with just one verse today, write it down, observe it, apply it, and pray it back. Over time, Scripture will become a living guide shaping your heart and actions.
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Tom Gould via phone call on June 11th, 2025. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
You’ve been faithfully posting a new comic every Friday since 2014, what inspired that commitment?
I graduated from John Paul the Great Catholic University in California. Matt Martinusen was starting a Catholic men’s blog called The Catholic Fellows. He thought it would be fun to start a comic for the Men’s blog. While the other writers moved on, Matt encouraged me to continue. There wasn’t a meaning to Friday at first, it was originally a deadline for the blog. But as I continued Tomics after the blog ceased, I figured I would keep posting on Fridays as that day has significance for us as Catholics.
How has your creative process evolved over the years?
I think I definitely look stuff up more. It used to mostly be Bible puns, but now I like to use the knowledge I have or acquire to teach the faith. So I’ll be more careful when looking up stuff. I use a Wacom Tablet, and I like to handwrite the lettering. I found a free website where I could turn my handwriting into a font, and have turned my handwriting into a font to save time. It helps with spacing and sizing of letters. I have tried to both streamline and keep the process personalized.
Your comics bring Scripture to life with humor and visual storytelling. How do you strike the balance between being reverent and being funny—especially when depicting scenes with Jesus and the apostles?
That’s a tough one. There are certain lines I don’t cross and not everyone is going to agree with where that line is. My approach to humor is to invite people into the stories. It’s trying to encourage people to the Gospel but understanding that people often think in turns of puns and jokes. I try to make the apostles look silly during the Gospels because they were bumbling fools at times in the Gospels. I don’t do that with Jesus and I don’t recharacterize individuals from how they are portrayed in the Bible.
You occasionally dive into the Old Testament and the lives of the saints. What’s been one of your favorite “non-Gospels” comics to create, and why?
For the Old Testament, in the story of Adam and Eve I portrayed Satan as a sock-puppet. Besides that, Moses puns are fun. The Israelites are freed from slavery and can’t help but complain soon after. Like what’s God done for us lately? I dial up the denseness about Exodus and the Israelites to point out the ridiculousness of their complaints.
Here’s the sock-puppet Satan popping up again in the New Testament this time.
You contributed artwork to the Council at Daybreak game from The Catholic Card Game. What was that collaboration like, and how did your style fit into the world of Catholic tabletop gaming?
Matt had made the Catholic Card Game already. He was great with reaching out to people to collaborate with. He got Fr. Mike Schmitz and Pints with Aquinas to make suggestions for the cards.
A few years later Matt had this idea to make a Catholic Mafia game (based on One Night Werewolf). This game was more illustration focused. I had fun making this game! Matt had all the names of the cards and concepts. I gave him a few test things and he either approved them or added adjustments. I was pretty free to design the cards/characters how I envisioned them.
If a young Catholic artist approached you wanting to evangelize through comics or visual storytelling, what advice would you give them—spiritually and artistically?
That’s a tough one, but I think definitely being knowledgeable about the faith. I have to relook up stuff about Catholicism to make sure I get it right. Before college, I had my Catechism. During college I had philosophy courses to help build up the faith. Nowadays, I look up things in the Bible, the Catechism, and Catholic Answers. I think I take for granted at times how valuable having this knowledge is.
Another thing is not to wait until the art is perfect to start. I think having a deadline where you have to post something helps you get over perfectionism. And the main thing is you are serving God in your art. As long as you are trying to represent the faith well and God well that’s the main thing.
Be open to criticism if you get the theology wrong.
Who do you consider your patron saint?
For my work and my confirmation saint is Lawrence. I connected with the gallow’s humor and his story is short and almost fairy tale like.
The Holy Family is another one I pray to a lot especially as I draw comics about them. Mary and Joseph are the two saints physically closest to Jesus.
Another saint that’s connected to me a lot is Joan of Arc. Her story is a strange place where theology sticks itself with history. Joan brings God into the reality of the war between France and England. Saints that have a very clear space in history help me.
Anytime I do a comic about a particular saint I ask them for intercession.
Where’s the best place for my audience to read your comics?
Instagram is where I am most active and I like the formatting. I think the slides are nice.
I’m a lifelong cartoonist from a big Catholic family. My art was inspired by animated superhero shows and the ever-popular “Peanuts” and “Calvin & Hobbes” comic strips; my faith was formed by my parents, several church communities, and my small Catholic college. I’ve been posting weekly “Tomics” for just over ten years now, and I hope to continue using my gifts to bring people closer to God in a way that’s accessible, faithful, and fun.
Every year, July 29th rolls around and I get to celebrate two things: my birthday and the feast day of one of the most relatable saints in all of Scripture—Saint Martha of Bethany.
Over the years, I’ve come to see Martha not just as a biblical figure who shares my birthday, but as a spiritual companion who understands my temperament, my wiring, and even my weaknesses. She’s a woman of action, but also anxious. A hostess, a worrier, a doer, a disciple. And in many ways, she’s me.
Constant Motion and the Martha Mindset
Diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, I’ve always been moving. Fidgeting, bouncing, thinking ahead to the next thing. Even now, I find it hard to sit still. My kids inherited this gift too. Trying to get them to sit through an entire meal is like herding caffeinated squirrels.
So when I read the story of Martha bustling about the house while Mary just sits at Jesus’ feet, I feel seen. Martha isn’t lazy. She’s not uninterested in Jesus. She’s working, preparing, and hosting. She wants everything to be just right.
But Jesus gently interrupts her whirlwind:
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part” (Luke 10:41–42).
It’s not a harsh correction. It’s a loving invitation to pause. To recognize that Jesus isn’t asking for a five-star meal. He’s asking for you. Not your perfectly arranged table, but your heart.
Prayer Isn’t a Checklist
If I’m honest, I still fall into the same trap Martha did. I love the order of devotions, the structure of routines, and the sense of checking off boxes. But I’ve learned, again and again, that when I turn prayer into performance, I risk missing the Person.
Saint Martha reminds me to prepare the home and the heart. But her sister Mary reminds me how to receive. Both are necessary. As Pope Francis put it in a 2021 homily:
“These are not two attitudes opposed to one another… but are two essential aspects in our Christian life… works of service and charity are never detached from the principle of all our action: that is, listening to the Word of the Lord.”
Martha’s mistake wasn’t serving—it was forgetting to anchor her service in love. And Jesus didn’t scold her because she worked too hard. He lovingly redirected her toward the One Thing that truly matters: Himself.
The Tension Between Trust and Doubt
One of my favorite Martha moments happens in John 11, after her brother Lazarus dies. When Jesus finally arrives, she runs to meet Him and says something I’ve whispered in prayer more times than I can count:
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
It’s honest and raw. The voice of someone who believes but still struggles. Been there? Me too.
But what follows is incredible. Martha, the same woman who once fretted over dinner, proclaims one of the most powerful confessions of faith in the Gospels:
“But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you… I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:22, 27).
Her faith grew in the soil of sorrow. Doubt didn’t disqualify her. It prepared her for deeper trust. That encourages me more than I can say.
Holy Order vs. Hollow Ritual
Order is good. But order without encounter becomes empty. I’ve had moments in my spiritual life where I went through the motions—saying the prayers, doing the devotions, hitting the marks—while my heart remained untouched.
Martha reminds me that external service should flow from internal receptivity. Our rituals are meant to lead to relationships. Our prayers aren’t performance; they’re presence.
Mary of Bethany shows us what it looks like to sit, to be still, and to listen. To place ourselves at the feet of Jesus. I’ve found it helpful to reread Luke 10 as a form of prayer. First imagine yourself as Martha, then as Mary. Where are you distracted? Where are you receptive?
Pope Francis said it beautifully:
“When ecclesial service is attentive only to doing… we forget the centrality of Christ. When time is not set aside for dialogue with Him in prayer, we risk serving ourselves and not God.”
That one hits close to home. I want to serve, but I want my service to be rooted in prayer. In presence, not performance.
From Scrubbing Floors to Scrubbing Souls
Martha is the patron saint of cooks, cleaners, and homemakers. I may not be much of a cook, but I can scrub a sink like a champ. My OCD tends to show up in my need for control and cleanliness, but even that God has used.
I worked fast food through high school and college. Helped my mom with her cleaning business. At the time, it all felt mundane. But looking back, I can see how God was quietly forming a friendship between me and this New Testament saint.
Martha teaches me that holiness isn’t just found in the chapel—it’s found in the kitchen. It’s found in laundry rooms and drive-thrus and carpool lines. God sanctifies the ordinary, if we let Him.
Image: Jesus, Lazarus, Martha and Mary | St. Botolph without Aldersgate
Martha and Mary, Ora et Labora
Saint Benedict’s motto for monastic life was ora et labora—pray and work. Not pray then work. Not work instead of prayer. But a life that is both active and contemplative. That’s the balance I want to seek. And that’s the balance Martha eventually found.
She reminds me that it’s okay to be the one who wants to set the table. Just don’t forget to sit down and eat with the Guest of Honor.
So today, as I celebrate another year of life, I’ll also celebrate a friend in heaven who gets it. Who knew anxiety, doubt, distraction—and still became a beloved disciple of Christ.
Happy Feast Day, Saint Martha. Teach me to love Jesus in the serving and the stillness.
Sponsored: This article is made possible by The Elijah Institute, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.
When we think of biblical heroes, we often picture prophets thundering truths before kings, parting clouds with miracles, and walking through fire with unwavering faith. Elijah fits that image—at least, at first glance. But Scripture doesn’t give us glossy, airbrushed Saints. It gives us real people. And Elijah? Elijah broke down.
His story is one of the clearest in the Bible about what we today would recognize as emotional collapse: anxiety, burnout, despair, even suicidal thoughts. He shows us that holiness and mental struggle are not opposites. They’re often companions.
And his story, now more than ever, speaks directly to those on the front lines of healing—doctors, nurses, counselors, first responders—those who bear others’ pain while quietly carrying their own.
Elijah’s Collapse: After the Fire Comes the Silence
Elijah’s public high point comes on Mount Carmel. In a head-to-head showdown with 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah calls down fire from heaven—and God answers. It’s the kind of moment you’d expect to come with a lifetime supply of spiritual confidence. But it doesn’t.
The very next chapter opens with Elijah running. Queen Jezebel threatens his life, and he flees into the desert, overwhelmed and undone. No followers. No plan. Just a prophet unraveling under the weight of everything.
He prays, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). It’s one of the rawest prayers in all of Scripture.
Elijah had done everything right—and still, he hit a wall. It wasn’t a weakness. It was the human cost of doing the will of God in a broken world.
Elijah Fed by the Ravens by Paolo Fiammingo (between 1585 and 1589).
God Doesn’t Lecture. He Nourishes.
Here’s where things get profoundly beautiful. God doesn’t scold Elijah. He doesn’t give him a pep talk or demand that he pull himself together. He sends an angel. With a snack.
“Arise and eat,” the angel says, “or the journey will be too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7).
God tends to Elijah’s physical needs first: food, water, rest. Then again. And again. Only after Elijah’s body and spirit are gently restored does God speak—on Mount Horeb—not in fire or thunder, but in “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
This is a pattern worth noticing. God understands that healing the whole person—body, mind, and soul—takes time, nourishment, and silence.
Beyond Burnout: The Wounds of Those Who Heal
Elijah’s breakdown wasn’t just about fear. It was about exhaustion, conscience, and the weight of standing alone in truth. Today, we might call this moral injury —a term used to describe the trauma experienced not just from violence or stress, but from the deeper wounds that come when we carry burdens of conscience.
This kind of injury often shows up in those who work in healing ministries: doctors, nurses, first responders, therapists, clergy. These are the people who run toward pain. And like Elijah, they often find themselves emptied out after doing everything “right.”
Moral injury, at its root, is spiritual. It’s the aching question: Did I do enough? Did I do the right thing? Sacred moral injury goes even further—it touches the conscience. It’s a wound that doesn’t just need therapy; it needs forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace.
As one contributor to The Elijah Institute’s work shared in a recent conversation, many of the therapists they train encounter clients (and sometimes themselves) dealing with this very wound. It’s not just burnout. It’s soul-weariness.
The Catholic Response: Integrated, Personal, Sacramental
The Elijah Institute’s model—what they call BPSS-M: Biopsychosocial-Spiritual-Moral—is a Catholic approach to mental health that sees the person as a unity of body, mind, soul, and relationships. It acknowledges that some pain is physical, some emotional, some spiritual—and some moral.
This matters, especially for Catholic therapists. Because not every trauma heals through clinical work alone. Some needs must be named before God. Some wounds require absolution, or a return to the sacraments, or the courage to ask forgiveness.
Elijah’s story echoes this reality. His despair wasn’t irrational—it made sense given what he’d been through. But it also needed God’s personal response. A whisper. A call. A mission renewed.
The Restless Heart and the Path to Peace
St. Augustine, whose own conversion was marked by interior struggle, wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
That restlessness shows up in our modern world in the form of anxiety, perfectionism, and relentless overcommitment. We chase success, affirmation, control—only to find ourselves under our own version of the broom tree, like Elijah, crying out in quiet despair.
But healing—true healing—comes when we let God into the silence. When we accept that therapy, nutrition, community, and prayer are not separate tools, but part of one great invitation: Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28).
Not a Quick Fix, But a Real Hope
Elijah didn’t walk away from Mount Horeb with all his problems solved. He still had to walk his road, face kings, mentor Elisha, and trust again. But he wasn’t the same.
His story reminds us that even prophets cry out in exhaustion. Even saints feel despair. And the God who calls fire from Heaven is also the God who whispers in the dark.
If you or someone you love is walking through burnout, moral injury, or spiritual exhaustion, know this: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
Catholic therapists formed in integrated care, like those trained by The Elijah Institute, are helping men and women reconnect the dots between psychology and spirituality—between moral wounds and Divine Mercy. Healing isn’t always fast, but it’s always possible.
Final Thoughts
Elijah’s life is not just a tale from long ago. It’s a mirror for us. For those doing God’s work and wondering why it hurts so much. For those exhausted by goodness. For those who pray, “Lord, I’ve had enough.”
God hears. God feeds. God speaks.
And He still says to you today:
Arise and eat. The journey is long. But I am with you.
Thanks again to today’s article sponsor, The Elijah Institute! Learn more about how they’re equipping Catholic mental health professionals to care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul—through integrated, faith-filled training at The Elijah Institute.
Every year, fifty days after Easter, the Church throws a birthday party of sorts. But this isn’t the kind of birthday where you blow out candles or awkwardly sing “Happy Birthday.” Pentecost marks something far more profound: the moment the Church was born through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Upper Room: Where It All Began
Imagine the scene. The Apostles and Mary are gathered together in the Upper Room. They’re praying, waiting, wondering what comes next. Jesus had promised them a Helper—the Holy Spirit—but they probably didn’t fully grasp what that meant. Then, suddenly, a mighty wind fills the room, tongues of fire descend, and everything changes (Acts 2:1-4).
This wasn’t some private mystical experience. The Spirit’s arrival empowered the Apostles to speak in different languages, proclaiming the Gospel to people from every corner of the known world. What began as a small, frightened group of disciples instantly became a bold, Spirit-filled Church ready to take the Good News to the ends of the earth.
Pentecost: The Anti-Babel
To understand the full meaning of Pentecost, it helps to look backward—all the way to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). At Babel, humanity’s pride led them to build a tower to heaven, thinking they could reach God on their own terms. God confused their language, scattering them across the earth.
Pentecost reverses Babel. Instead of division, we see unity. Instead of prideful self-reliance, we witness humble reception of God’s gift. The Holy Spirit unites people of every nation, not by erasing their differences, but by enabling them to hear and understand the Gospel in their own language. Everything at Pentecost points back to this truth: all good things—especially unity—come from God.
The Church’s Distinguishing Marks Revealed
Pentecost gives us the Church’s “baby picture.” Even in her earliest moments, we can see her essential features.
Charismatic: The Church is filled with the Holy Spirit’s gifts. Tongues, preaching, healing—all flow from the Spirit’s power.
Trinitarian: The Spirit’s descent reveals the full work of the Trinity—sent by the Father and the Son (Acts 2:33-36).
Marian: Mary is present at Pentecost, just as she was present at Jesus’ conception. The Spirit overshadows both Mary and the Church, birthing Christ and His Body.
Apostolic and Petrine: The Apostles, led by Peter, proclaim the first great homily of the Church, explaining how Christ fulfills the Scriptures. Peter’s leadership demonstrates his unique role (Matthew 16:17-20).
Sacramental: Peter calls the people to repent and be baptized, receiving forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).
Catholic: Though the first converts were Jews, they came from every nation, foreshadowing the Church’s universal mission.
Always in a Situation of Pentecost
Pentecost isn’t simply a historical event to be remembered; it’s the Church’s ongoing reality. Saint John Paul II captured this beautifully: “The Church of Christ is always, so to speak, in a situation of Pentecost: she is always gathered in the Upper Room in prayer, and at the same time, driven by the powerful wind of the Spirit, she is always on the streets preaching” (June 8, 2003).
The same Spirit that empowered Peter and the Apostles is alive and active today. The Church’s mission continues, proclaiming Christ to every nation and generation. Even now, the Holy Spirit unites us across languages, cultures, and continents as one Body in Christ.
Pentecost, Holiness, and Mission
Saint Pope John Paul II often spoke of how holiness fuels mission. The Spirit doesn’t just empower us to preach; He sanctifies us to live holy lives. As John Paul II said, each saint is “a masterpiece of the Holy Spirit.” Holiness isn’t a luxury for a select few but the ordinary path of every Christian, made possible by the Spirit working in us.
This holiness starts in prayer, continues in the sacraments, and grows through charity and humility. As the Holy Spirit moves us closer to Christ, our witness naturally overflows into mission, just as it did for the Apostles on Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit: The Hidden Gift That Makes All Things New
The Holy Spirit remains somewhat mysterious. We cannot see Him, but His effects are undeniable. Like the wind, we hear His movement and feel His presence. He empowers the Church, guides her into truth, convicts hearts, comforts the suffering, and strengthens the weak.
Pentecost reminds us that the Church’s strength never comes from programs, popularity, or human wisdom. It comes from God’s Spirit. What began in the Upper Room now radiates to the entire world—and continues today in every parish, family, and soul open to His presence.
So this Pentecost, as we celebrate the Church’s birthday, may we echo the prayer of Saint John XXIII that John Paul II often repeated:
“O Holy Spirit, Paraclete, perfect in us the work begun by Jesus… Let everything in us be on a grand scale: the search for truth and the devotion to it, and readiness for self-sacrifice, even to the cross and death.”
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Joan Watson via phone call on April 9th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
What drew you specifically to the Holy Door panels as a framework for spiritual reflection?
I have been to Rome about ten times and lived there twice. I studied in my Junior year at Christendom College and a semester when I was a graduate student at Franciscan University. I had been drawn to one panel in particular, it was the Good Shepherd. This panel drew me into the rest of the door. Ave Maria Press reached out to me about doing a book on the Jubilee.
All of my writing and speaking focused on how the Bible should stay with us and change our life. I wanted a book of how the Jubilee can impact our life.
How has your experience as a tour guide in Rome informed your approach to these scriptural reflections?
I wasn’t strictly a tour guide, I led a series of pilgrimages. These experiences helped me notice places in Rome where God could use them as conduits of grace. There’s so many things on pilgrimage He can use as doors to grace so why not the Holy Door. And I wanted this book to speak to all people, not just daily Massgoers, about how Scripture can be part of our life.
Of the sixteen panels on the Holy Door, which one resonates most deeply with you personally, and why?
It was interesting to pray with all of them. Each panel spoke to me differently. Besides the Good Shepherd, probably the panel of the Good Father (in the Prodigal Son story) reminded me to focus on the Father.
Some of the panels are unique and some aren’t as unique, but they are still good reminders like the Prodigal Son to come home to the Father.
How might readers who cannot physically visit St. Peter’s Basilica experience the spiritual significance of crossing a threshold during this Year of Hope?
So that was one of the reasons I wrote the book. Everyone is called to celebrate the Jubilee whether they can go to Rome or not. The world gives us so many reasons to despair even within the Church so many are voices of doom and that the world is ending. Regardless of what the pope or the president or what the stock market does, Jesus is our Savior.
The book connects ancient biblical narratives with our modern spiritual lives. What surprised you most about these connections while writing?
I think the theme that I wanted to bring out is that there’s nothing new under the sun. The Bible is active and not dead. Sometimes we think we have discovered something new or are in “unique times”. But the Scriptures speak to our time and what we need.
Many Catholics may be unfamiliar with the tradition of the Holy Door. What would you like them to understand about its significance in our faith?
I love the quote (JPII- the door is Christ). The door is an outward manifestation of our life. This door is an expression that we are going to start again. That our pilgrimage is just beginning when we go through. What door do you need to open to Christ?
Outside the Jubilee Year the door is closed, what door have you closed to God? Maybe during this Jubilee Year do you need to tear down and open yourself up to Christ?
Where can the audience find more of your work?
My website is joanwatson.faith. This can link to my YouTube channel and my other work.
“It is Christ who is the true ‘Holy Door’; it is he who makes it possible for us to enter the Father’s house and who introduces us into the intimacy of the divine life.”
– Pope St. John Paul II (6 January 2001)
About Joan:
Joan Watson is a Catholic speaker and author who loves to make Scripture, theology, liturgy, and history accessible and applicable. With degrees from Christendom College and Franciscan University of Steubenville, she has worked for the Church and various religious apostolates for almost 20 years. She is currently the Pilgrim Formation Manager at Verso Ministries. In addition to hosting two podcasts, she is the Associate Editor of Integrated Catholic Life, where she writes weekly. Propelled by Luke 12:48, she is passionate about helping others encounter Christ and enter into friendship with Him through the daily circumstances of life. Her first book, Opening the Holy Door: Hope-Filled Reflections from St. Peter’s Basilica is available from Ave Maria Press.
