Send us a text Today explore the difficult questions that arise during grief and how our Catholic faith offers pathways for healing. We examine how questions of "why" and "what if" can become poignant prayers and how sharing our stories helps us accept the reality of loss. • Questions beginning with "why" are often not really questions but statements of protest or pain • The sacrament of reconciliation helps those struggling with unresolved "what-if" questions and feelings of guilt • Telling you...
Jun 27, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Send us a text Grief is the process by which healing takes place after loss, requiring time and space to work through the emotional wounds. The work of grieving involves accepting the reality of loss, experiencing the pain, recreating the person in memory, adjusting to life without them, and finding new meaning. • The word "bereavement" means "to be torn apart" • Emotional wounds from loss take longer to heal than physical wounds • Grief helps you grow emotionally and spiritually despite the pai...
Jun 20, 2025•10 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Send us a text The loss of a lover represents the most intimate and personal of all losses, one that people rarely discuss even in grief groups or therapy sessions. Through Pablo Neruda's powerful love poems, we explore how poetry can give voice to the unique grief of losing a romantic partner and provide comfort for those experiencing this particular type of loss. • Grief differs across various types of losses, requiring different approaches beyond a one-size-fits-all solution • The intimate na...
Jun 13, 2025•13 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Send us a text CAUTION: TODAY'S EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND SKIP TODAY IF THE SUBJECT SEEMS TOO INTENSE. Today, we explore the concept of "self-death" as an alternative term for suicide, reflecting onmy recent experiences supporting those grieving after suicide. The topic emerges from a week filled with suicide-related grief conversations and the loss of a work colleague, leading to deeper questions about how we support survivors and understand this form of loss. ...
Jun 06, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Send us a text Grief often speaks in simple, powerful truths like "My son is still not here" - words that capture the relentless reality of loss that remains despite our healing efforts. Explore how we can live with these painful realities while still finding connection to God and our loved ones. • Finding prayer in the darkness through simple pleas • Acknowledging the difficulty of waiting for God's help • Remembering and documenting moments of love as a key to healing • Reflecting on Meister E...
May 30, 2025•9 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Send us a text Explore the profound nature of grief through poetic meditation, drawing on theological wisdom and personal imagery to create a space of understanding for those experiencing loss. • Karl Rahner's reflection that "every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart" • The physical dimension of grief and longing to hold loved ones again • Finding comfort in spiritual presence when the way feels lost Feel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to my email. I'll t...
May 23, 2025•9 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Send us a text Finding peace through mindfulness is essential for grief healing. By grounding ourselves in the present moment rather than constantly doing, we can navigate even the most challenging situations with greater clarity. • Welcome this space of healing, love and support for those experiencing grief • Buddha teaches us to question our perceptions, as most are false • Peace becomes possible when we return to ourselves in the present moment • The quality of being determines the quality of...
May 16, 2025•14 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Send us a text Today we share profound verses from Rumi's "Fountain of Fire" that explore the intersection of love, life, and death. These ancient words offer comfort and new perspectives for those navigating the complex landscape of grief. • Exploration of Rumi's poetic wisdom on how the known merges with the unknown • Reflection on the continuity between this life and the next • Reminder that the soul cannot be confined by physical death • Encouragement to practice kindness • Invitation to vie...
May 09, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Send us a text Grief transforms from a static condition to an active process through the concept of "sorrowing"—a verb form shared by a friend also grieving the loss of parents. This perspective honors grief as a journey rather than a problem to solve, connecting us to spiritual traditions that recognize sorrow as a pathway to deeper wisdom. • Ancient poetic texts illustrate how the soul might "take wings" even amid profound loss • Biblical images of Mary at the cross demonstrate faithful presen...
May 02, 2025•8 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Send us a text Spiritual wisdom transcends cultural boundaries when we face grief and loss. Ancient prayers and poetry from Buddhist, Christian, Shinto, Islamic, and Jewish traditions offer comfort by acknowledging pain while providing perspective on life's impermanence. • Dalai Lama reminds us that suffering comes from wanting permanence in an impermanent world • Christian prayers acknowledge Jesus who also experienced grief and wept • Buddhist metaphor of cherry blossoms shows beauty and brevi...
Apr 25, 2025•16 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Send us a text Experience the beloved 23rd Psalm as you've never heard it before through multiple translations that reveal new dimensions of meaning and comfort in this ancient text. • Multiple translations showcase different interpretations while preserving the psalm's essential message • The imagery of shepherd, green pastures, and still waters remains consistent across all versions • Each translation highlights the psalm's movement from speaking about God to speaking directly to God • Various...
Apr 18, 2025•15 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Send us a text We explore the barriers that prevent some people from fully entering the grieving process, particularly when complex relationships with the deceased create emotional blockages. Examining our hearts during Lent provides an opportunity to address unresolved wounds and cultivate the humility necessary for genuine healing and transformation. • Complex relationships can create barriers to grieving fully due to unfinished emotional business • Unexamined slights or forgotten relationship...
Apr 11, 2025•15 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Send us a text Today journey with Jesus through his days in the desert, exploring his contemplation of suffering, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love. Jesus shares his ultimate teaching: that love is the only requirement in this life, and the only foundation that will endure. • Jesus teaches that he loved and knew us before we were born, and wrote his name on our hearts • Love forms the basis of our families, communities, religious practices, society, and even empires • Towers not bu...
Apr 04, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Send us a text Grief and the Lenten season share profound similarities, inviting us to see Jesus as a companion in our desolation. We explore how Christ's 40-day retreat in the desert mirrors our grief journey—both experiences bringing us face-to-face with limitation, aloneness, and the search for meaning. • The desolation of grief parallels Jesus' desert experience during Lent • Jesus contemplated his limited time on earth, just as grief forces us to face mortality • Ecclesiastes reminds us of ...
Mar 28, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Send us a text EXPLORE with us profound ideas about brokenness and healing through Father Greg Boyle's wisdom, offering insights for anyone navigating loss or feeling disconnected in today's divisive world. • Explore how the image reflects how God welcomes us with enthusiastic love • Uncover the universal feeling of brokenness that accompanies grief and loss • Examineour collective societal brokenness and division in current times • Reflecting on Father Greg's philosophy that "no one is healed u...
Mar 21, 2025•15 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Send us a text This episode invites you to explore how grief intertwines with daily routines and how God can be found in every moment of our lives. We share insights and practices to transform ordinary life into a spiritual journey. • Understand the pervasive presence of grief in daily life • Explore Karl Rahner's teachings on the intersection of routine and spirituality • Practical steps to engage with God through everyday tasks Feel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to m...
Mar 14, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Send us a text This week’s podcast brings forth the gentle yet powerful theme of healing through words; as we engage in a heartfelt conversation and share insights and experiences, guiding us through the multifaceted nature of grief and the comfort that can be found within poetry and sacred texts. - Explore the vital role of words in navigating grief - Insights on the grieving process - Highlights of poetic passages providing comfort and connection Feel free to send any questions you might have ...
Mar 07, 2025•13 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Send us a text This episode offers a compassionate exploration of grief, emphasizing the importance of open-heartedness, trust, and connection in the healing process; through thoughtful practices to reclaim love and compassion while navigating a personal journey of loss. In this episode we: • Emphasize the sacredness of listening during grief • Encourage curiosity about others’ experiences of faith • Focus on leaving behind fear and embracing trust • Highlight the significance of silent reflecti...
Feb 28, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Send us a text This episode delves into the profound nature of love experienced during times of grief. Explore imaginative prayer, the unbroken bonds of love, and how to find healing amid sorrow. • Explore imaginative prayer for comfort • Understand the unbroken bond of love • Contemplate the nature of love and grief • Embrace uncertainty and the space for healing • Reach out for spiritual support As you listen, consider sending me your thoughts and questions on grief, both spiritual and practic...
Feb 21, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Send us a text This discussion centers on the healing process associated with grief, emphasizing the importance of love and radical honesty in navigating personal pain. Explore the complex emotions surrounding loss and the transformative relationships that accompany healing while being encouraged to reach out for support and spiritual direction. • Understand grief through a personal lens • The role of love and relationships in healing • Importance of radical honesty and naming fears • Seeking so...
Feb 14, 2025•8 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Send us a text This episode dives into the essential qualities that can guide individuals through their grieving journey, especially during holidays that amplify feelings of loss. We discuss nine practical tips for coping with grief throughout the year, encouraging listeners to embrace their emotions and seek support. • Trusting grief as a vital part of healing • Setting healthy boundaries and asserting limits • Focusing on controllable aspects of life amidst loss • Planning ahead to avoid needl...
Feb 07, 2025•8 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Send us a text The episode focuses on navigating the spiritual aspects of grief through the concepts of consolation and desolation as taught by St. Ignatius. Listeners gain insights on how love persists even amid loss while recognizing the importance of addressing desolation to foster healing. • Understanding spiritual consolation and its role in grief • The significance of love in remembering lost loved ones • Recognizing the nature of spiritual desolation • Emphasizing love as a counter to fee...
Jan 31, 2025•7 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text What if our deepest sorrows could transform into profound spiritual growth? Let us share experiences with those who mourn, offering insights on how God’s unwavering love can guide us through the darkest times. Today, I reflect on the resilience found in faith and community, particularly during devastating events like the recent fires in Los Angeles. This episode invites us to reassess what truly matters—family, home, and those small, cherished moments that weave the fabric of our ...
Jan 24, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text Inspired by the heartfelt teachings of Father Greg Boyle, today we navigate the stories of loss, including the poignant experiences shared about his mother's passing. Terry Jelley is back and together, we explore the power of simply being present—sometimes a silent hand can speak louder than words, offering a spiritual embrace during the darkest moments. Father Boyle's philosophy of love and recognizing inherent goodness becomes a guiding light, showing us the potential for a worl...
Jan 17, 2025•11 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text What if embracing your deepest fears could lead you to a path of peace and love? Today, we'll delve into the depths of Ignatian spirituality, focusing on the challenging concept of desolation in prayer during times of mourning. Drawing inspiration from the lives and teachings of Mother Teresa and St. Ignatius, we uncover the transformative power of surrendering to God's will, even in our most vulnerable moments. Reflect on how fear intricately weaves itself into the fabric of grie...
Jan 10, 2025•10 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text What if letting go of the past isn't an act of betrayal but a step toward healing? Through the verses of Micah, we explore how grief can feel like the last leaf in a storm, and yet, there is comfort in embracing the memories that continue within us. Come into our circle of healing, where we pray for the strength to move beyond pain, comforted by the promise of new life and faith in God Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, a...
Jan 03, 2025•10 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how prayer can be a guiding light through the shadows of grief? Discover through four key steps to connect with God's life-giving power, inspired by Agnes Sanford's teachings. Together, we reflect on the remarkable faith of the centurion in Matthew 8:5-10, illustrating how specific prayers can navigate the complexities of grief while cherishing the love and memories of those we have lost. Let's walk this path of healing and hope together. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION...
Dec 27, 2024•9 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Send us a text Today I welcome back my dear friend Terry Jelley to share our heartfelt experiences of accompanying those during their final moments. Stories from hospital rooms, capture the sacredness of death and the peace that can accompany it, even when loved ones aren't physically present. Amidst the evident pain and sorrow, these narratives highlight the beauty of connection during life's final chapter. Let this episode be a gentle guide to embracing love and healing as you navigate your gr...
Dec 20, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Send us a text Today we focus on the transformative power of acknowledging life's brevity through the teachings of the 14th-century classic, "The Cloud of Unknowing." As we navigates the profound wisdom of scripture, we can see how the eternal attributes of God—His length, breadth, height, and depth—offer a sanctuary of solace amid sorrow -- a spiritual toolkit to harness strength and healing. In Ecclesiastes, we begin to see the outlines of the wisdom and growth that can arise in moments of mou...
Dec 13, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 50
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