Hello everybody, welcome back to these posts.
As we step into March, let’s take a moment to reflect on the virtues of humility and gratitude—two powerful dispositions that our Church emphasizes, capable of bringing peace and healing to our hearts, especially in the midst of the struggles that come with separation and divorce.
The Bible and our Catholic faith call us to be humble. Easier said than done, right? What does that really mean? The answer lies in understanding our relationship with our merciful Jesus. Humility and gratitude are interconnected. To be grateful is to see everything as a gift.
Unlike a payment or reward, a gift is undeserved. True humility is recognizing that we have not earned, nor are we entitled to, anything given to us. Our faith calls us to receive God’s gifts—including even the breath we take in—with deep humility. Humility can be hard to understand or accept until we view it through the lens of gratitude. We are a gift from God, and the only gift we can return to Him is our gratitude.
Separation and divorce can bring deep pain, leaving us feeling rejected, alone, or even unworthy of love. In these moments, the Church invites us to embrace humility—not as a sign of weakness, but as a path to healing. True humility allows us to surrender our hurt to Jesus, acknowledging that we cannot carry our burdens alone. It helps us to see ourselves as He sees us: beloved, wounded, but never alone.
The Catholic Church does not ignore our pain, nor does it define us by our brokenness. Instead, she offers us the wisdom of the saints, the healing power of the Eucharist, and the mercy of Christ. When we cultivate humility, we allow God’s grace to reshape our hearts.
Humility also helps us recognize that we are not alone in our struggles. Others have walked this painful road before us, and through their faith, they have found peace and renewal. When we humble ourselves before God, we acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours, even when we don’t understand His plan. Don’t worry—Jesus will reveal His plan for us slowly over time. Rest assured, it will be better than anything we can imagine for ourselves.
Gratitude flows from humility. When we let go of pride and self-pity, we begin to notice the ways God is still working in our lives. Even in suffering, there are blessings—friends who support us, the beauty of creation, the gift of the sacraments. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we have lost to what remains and what is to come. When we embrace gratitude, we open ourselves to hope.
Gratitude allows us to see that every trial has the potential to draw us closer to Christ, who Himself suffered rejection and sorrow.
By embracing humility and gratitude, we move from despair to trust, from isolation to community, and from brokenness to the wholeness that only Jesus can provide.
No matter what your past holds, God is not finished with your story. Trust in His plan, and let humility and gratitude lead you to new life in Him.
Many warm blessings until next time.
Love,
MJ xo
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