Author Archives: anastaziejoy

For many years my understanding of Mary’s role and therefore my relationship with her was a bit of a struggle. I always loved her. However, I loved her in a sort of matter-of-fact way, “of course I love Mary, she is Jesus’s mom.”  I had no hesitation regarding asking for her intercession. Scripture made itContinue reading “Embracing Mary”

Jerimiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God is faithful and true. He can neither deceive nor be deceived. The Bible, Sacred Scripture, is the revealed word of God. As suchContinue reading “His Word is True”

There can be a tendency among some faithful, life-long Christians to express a certain displeasure when a person who has lived a deeply sinful life has a late in life or even deathbed conversion. A common objection is that it seems too easy, they did nothing to earn their salvation and now, just like that,Continue reading “Better is One Day”

Even at night I will praise Him still. Lord God it is right and just always and everywhere to sing your praise.  Even when we find ourselves in the midst of a dark night, floundering in confusion and sorrow, it is good to praise God. Even in those times, maybe especially in those times, itContinue reading “The Remedy of Praise”

Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ has the power to make us bold. Knowing the truth of who Jesus is, a truth given powerful credence by his truly dying and then truly rising from the dead, allows us to be confident in all that He taught to be true. When we are confident inContinue reading “Made Bold by Faith”

When faced with suffering, grief, and confusion, many of us seek peace in understanding. I know this is true for me. I think that if I can just make sense of something, see the reason for it then I will be able to accept it and have peace. There are several reasons for this belief. InContinue reading “Grace and Peace”

One of my favorite aspects of our Catholic Faith is the celebration of liturgical seasons. Throughout the year, the liturgical seasons allow us to contemplate the various mysteries of our faith, presenting us with moments of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. During the Christmas Season, which begins (notContinue reading “Celebrating the Season”

I have a good friend who likes to quote St. John Henry Newman saying, “10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt.” I appreciate both the quote and being reminded of it often. In recent months I have found it a helpful idea to return to and to ruminate on and in doing so I haveContinue reading “Ten Thousand Difficulties”

 This week in the Gospel of Luke, we encounter one of those lines in Sacred Scripture that can be challenging to us: “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we are obliged to do.” Luke 17: 10 These words from Jesus can sound harsh, they smack against our pride, they seem dismissive of allContinue reading “Unprofitable”

One of my favorite Catholic doctrines is the Church’s teaching on the subject of Purgatory. The idea of Purgatory has at its heart the infinitely deep mercy of God. God, in His great love and mercy, desires the salvation of all His children. He wants us united to Him, with Him enjoying the fullness ofContinue reading “Purgatory”