Spiritual life

Fortress Mentality—How You Can Keep Negativity Away in Your Life

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Editor’s Note: Post originally published on November 5, 2019.

Growing up, I enjoyed constructing blanket forts in the living room or playing under the deck with my siblings in our dirt-laden bunker. Something about forts invokes nostalgia. Security and strength also are words that immediately come to my mind when I think of fort [and fortresses].

Over the past few years, I have noticed an increased anxiety, not only from myself, but from society as a whole. Americans enjoy the pleasure of living in a wealthy and free society—privileges not afforded in other places and times.

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Hungry for Righteousness, Trusting in God

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12a

Dear Friends in Christ,

Daniel had signed the lease, hired two people, and spent most of his savings. Now his new company had three customers and a stack of bills. Each morning, he sat in the empty office and prayed, “Lord, show me how to do what’s right today.”

The first answer was uncomfortable. A supplier offered cheaper materials that Daniel knew would fail the people depending on his products. He said no. Instead, he called customers, listened to their struggles, and changed what the company made.

Months passed. Word spread among families who had long been priced out of the help they needed. Orders grew; so did Daniel’s team. He still prayed before work, especially on hard days.

When a new employee asked why he took such care with each order, Daniel smiled. “God didn’t promise me an easy start. He taught me whom this work is for. That’s why I trust Him.”

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The Saints Who Helped Shape My Catholic Faith

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November 1st—the Solemnity of All Saints—is among my favorite celebrations in the Church’s liturgical calendar. Only the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) eclipse All Saints Day in significance for me personally.

One of my favorite aspects of Catholicism is the beautiful reality of the Communion of Saints. Prayer is a bridge to God, and intercessory prayer reminds us that we don’t have to walk the journey of faith alone. Just as we ask our family and friends to pray for us here on earth, we can turn to our heavenly brothers and sisters to intercede for us before God.

The saints are guides to Christ. They reflect the love of Jesus in unique ways, much like individual mirrors reflecting the same divine light. Some were scholars and theologians. Others were parents, missionaries, martyrs, or ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives of faith.

What unites them isn’t their personalities, accomplishments, or even the particular struggles they faced. It’s their love for Jesus Christ and their willingness to cooperate with God’s grace.

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Loving God by Loving Those Closest to Us

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 22:34-40

Dear Friends in Christ,

My mother was recently diagnosed with ALS. Things she used to do without a second thought—getting around the house, eating a meal, cleaning up, getting dressed—have become difficult. My father is in a rehabilitation center, living with dementia and mobility problems of his own. My sister does the bulk of the caregiving for our family, and my family and I help her as I can.

Some days, love looks less like a feeling and more like helping my mother. It looks like making sure she can eat comfortably. It looks like visiting my father, sitting with him, and giving him our attention even when conversation is difficult. My brother and sisters and I are learning how much patience and care these ordinary moments ask of us.

So when I hear the question in today’s Gospel—“Which commandment in the law is the greatest?”—I hear it differently than I once did. Jesus answers, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Then he adds, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The whole law and the prophets, he says, depend on these two commandments.

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How the Letter of Saint James Guides Your Speech (and Heart)

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Editor’s Note: Post originally published on October 28, 2021.

The Sacred Scriptures contain truth and wisdom from God. These truths are eternal and ever relevant— and practical. When you live in accordance with the Word of God everything in your life is ordered. This doesn’t mean you will be free of struggles and suffering. However, you will experience an otherworldly joy and peace more often than when you don’t follow the Word of God.

Saint James the Less

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the Letter of Saint James. Despite being a short epistle (five chapters) it’s rich in wisdom and practical advice. Chapter 3 is especially relevant for my battle against sin. Saint James details out the importance of how your words can guide your spiritual life. The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is false. Words matter. How you phrase something helps or hurts people. The Apostle gives a few tangible examples in chapter three of his epistle showing how speech helps or hinders the spiritual life.

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How Saint Teresa of Avila Cut Through My Exterior with Her Interior Castle

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Editor’s Note: Post originally published on September 14, 2022.

I struggle with the sin of pride. I often hate to admit I made a mistake. Even if it is a minor one. I tend to blow the error out of proportion in my mind. This leads to me spiraling into a descent of despair. Reason goes out the window and I lash out at my loved ones.

One of the most effective saints at keeping my pride in check is Saint Teresa of Avila. I refer to her as one of the patron saints of my family. We asked for her intercession in May 2018 to protect our unborn daughter (my wife has a history of miscarriages). Since then my wife and I have sought Teresa’s help daily in our bedtime prayers.

This fall I’m am trying to get back into a regular habit of reading spiritual work. I discovered a free course on Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle featured on the Smart Catholic website. I study her work for about 20-30 minutes a day during the week.

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Come and Meet Jesus at the Wedding Feast

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 22:1-14

There once lived a poor couple named Joseph and Anna. Their clothes were worn, their table was simple, and their hands were rough from years of work. Yet every morning they thanked the Father for another day. They spoke to Jesus as a trusted friend, asked the Holy Spirit for guidance, and shared whatever little they possessed.

One day, an invitation arrived from the king: “Come to the wedding feast of my son.”

They were filled with joy—until they looked at their clothing. Joseph’s coat was patched, and Anna’s only dress had faded. “We are not worthy to enter the king’s house,” Anna whispered.

Still, they decided to go. “Perhaps,” Joseph said, “the king wants our presence more than our appearance.”

At the palace entrance, they saw guests dressed in silk and jewels. Embarrassed, the couple began to turn away. Then the king’s son came toward them. His hands and feet bore wounds, yet his face radiated joy.

“Why are you leaving?” he asked.

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