Downcast podcast subit1/19/2024 ![]() I am now in my forties and working in parish ministry, and the power of Christ in the Eucharist in this moment fuels me, drives me and sustains me through the highs and lows of life. My girlfriend and I eventually broke up and went our separate ways, but remain on good terms. It feels like a lifetime has passed since this experience. It exceeded and went beyond reason and the scientific method. She knew something had happened but she couldn’t fully explain it or make sense of it. For my skeptic girlfriend, it had an impact that grew slower and needed more time. It led me to desire Confession, prayer, study of Scripture and even to work in ministry. This conference, this moment, changed the trajectory of my life. The power of Christ in the Eucharist was further confirmed when I looked over at my girlfriend, the skeptic and doubter, and saw that she too was crying and deeply impacted by the experience. It’s a conviction that sounds simple when written out but to feel and know these two facts in your bones is beyond words. ![]() This revelation changed me from the inside out. As Jesus passed by in the Eucharist, I made an act of faith and my whole being (heart, mind, and soul) was overwhelmed with the simultaneous revelation of being a deep, deep sinner and yet being even more deeply loved. Just around that time, the Eucharistic procession turned the corner and down the aisle closest to us. I saw other teens having visibly powerful experiences such as crying, being slayed in the Spirit, and joy.Īs I looked at my skeptical and downcast girlfriend, I can remember thinking, ‘God, I believe you are here, I believe that is you. Saturday night of the Conference rolled around and the time for Eucharistic adoration and procession began. Truthfully, she really didn’t want to be there. I went willingly and open she, however, remained skeptical and closed off. The summer between my high school sophomore and junior years, my girlfriend and I found ourselves attending a Franciscan University of Steubenville Summer Youth Conference. I realized that we were dealing with something far bigger than ourselves. As time progressed, as questions were answered, and as many debating conversations took place, I began to see the beauty of our faith and its consistency in teaching. This tension led me down a path of questioning and curiosity, partly to prove my girlfriend wrong, and partly out of genuine seeking. I also knew there was a good chance she was mistaken. I knew that if she was right, and the Church really taught hypocritical things and believed lies, I didn’t want to be part of it anymore. ![]() At the time I felt she was wrong but couldn’t express or defend the faith I had been raised in. She felt it was all a bunch of hypocritical lies and not worth the energy and effort. This girlfriend really didn’t care for God, the faith, or the Church. We got along very well and had many things in common, with the exception of the Catholic Church and faith. It was just something we did and I really hadn’t given it much thought.Īs a freshman in high school, I met a girl who became a close friend and eventual girlfriend. By the time I reached high school I wouldn’t say that I exactly loved my faith and its practices, but I wouldn’t say I hated it either. Podcast produced by Maura Currie and Rosemary Belson.As a cradle Catholic I was raised in a devout family who attended Mass, prayed before meals and who overall set a good moral example for me. Sign up now at /momanddadplus to help support our work. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows-you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318. Join us on Facebook and email us at to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. Jamilah recommends: Girls for Gender Equity And we’re doing a round of recommendations, with a twist: In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing charities that we love to support.Įlizabeth recommends: Conservation Fund (or, sign up for a beach/river/creek cleanup) We’ll also share some of the letters and voicemails that listeners have sent in recently. How can parents help their littler kids simmer down- and older kids defend themselves-before anyone gets hurt? On this episode: Zak, Jamilah, and Elizabeth help a listener who’s actually written in to us before-but this time, he needs help with his brawling toddler.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |