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By: Lila Lowery “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. … 14 Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16 above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17). Sometimes, the world is a pretty grim place, and it can seem like violence, abuse, division, and corruption are at every turn. This is all very discouraging and heartbreaking, but we must not lose hope or our strength to go on. In Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he outlines what Jesus calls us to do in these moments. Jesus calls us to gain strength in Him. The Devil is real, and he’s not the cartoon peering over someone’s shoulder. He seeks the destruction of our world and of our souls. Anguish and distress do not just happen on a world scale, it happens in our own lives. We all deal with struggles and heartbreaks, as well as falling into sin and temptation. The Devil has tempted all of us, even Jesus Himself. But, in the Gospel of Matthew, how did Jesus resist this temptation? He said Scripture aloud. Not mere quoting, but true understanding. He relied on this understanding of God to get Him through the temptation He was facing. We are called to do the same. In this passage, we are told to put on the Armor of God in order to stand against the Devil. Paul is not telling us to be stronger or to have more willpower; he is telling us to have the Lord as our strength! Trust me, I have tried to use my own strength to combat temptation or sorrowful situations in my life. It has not worked. Every time, I return to Jesus, and He is the one who gets me through. And Paul is specific in what the Armor of God truly means. He highlights virtues for us to embody and to keep with us at all times. Truth, righteousness, peace, and faith. For faith specifically, Paul says, “the shield of faith can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Wow! This is extremely important. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can combat the Devil. This is something we all need to realize and then put into practice. If we rely on our faith, we will not fail. We will not fall under the weight of the world, because God will lift us up. This passage also says that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. The Bible, as well as teaching and doctrine, is compared to a sword. This metaphor shows the power these have over the destruction of the devil. The book of Hebrews also mentions this, saying “The Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword.” When Jesus is tempted in the desert, His use of Scripture makes the Devil leave Him alone. And if the Devil tempted the Son of God, he will surely tempt us. This is why it is so important to have a concrete understanding of the Word of God and to know Christ through that. This is also where truth comes in. The Devil has and will misconstrue and manipulate Scripture. Don’t fall into that trap. When you are aware of God’s truth, you are able to combat the Devil’s lies.  We are also called to “take the helmet of salvation.” Again, we cannot use our own strength, because that’s not what the Armor of God is about. It is about accepting the love and salvation Jesus is, and that Jesus died for. Through salvation, God has already won the battle; He has already defeated the evil one. The Devil has lost, so he tries to bring us down with him. Do not allow that. Stay strong in your faith, and put on the Armor of God. When all seems hopeless or lost, remember what your Savior did for you and the whole world, and gain strength from that.

By: Molly Kreikemeier Recently, on my drive to school, I was listening to “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift and one line really stuck out to me because it perfectly encapsulates the feelings of many individuals  (myself included) during the winter months: “all my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February." During the winter months, we often find ourselves in the routine of rinsing and repeating. Repeating the same day over and over again with little to no change eventually leading to feelings of burnout. However, in my own life, this burnout has evidently leaked into my faith life as well. My faith became more about going through the motions of faith and less about that original spark I had for God. Although I repeated the same prayer every night and went to Mass every Sunday, I lacked that feeling of connection with God. In the face of burnout, it became easy for me to distract myself with the dopamine hits from scrolling on Instagram or creating a Pinterest board instead of actually dealing with what was going on. While there is nothing inherently wrong with taking the routine route of faith, when you begin to do it all the time, you can lose that connection with God and the fire for faith that makes it so special. The Bible presents this theme through Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The context of this quote is that the Israelites were in the Babylonian exile, and through their suffering, they felt abandoned by God. In response, God sent the prophet  Isaiah to send a message of comfort to the exiled Israelites. Through Isaiah’s message, God hoped to convey to the Israelites that those who trust in and wait upon God will be strengthened and “soar on wings.” However, it is important to emphasize that this is not passive waiting. You are not waiting for a sudden change in heart when you wake up, rather you have to be actively participating in your faith to strengthen it.  Think about it like this, your faith is a garden, and burnout is the endless harsh winter. The ground is completely coated in snow, and the plant beds that you planted in May appear to be completely dead, with shriveled up plants. Your garden, from an outside perspective, is completely desolate and bare. However, despite its experience in the cold months, the roots remain alive patiently awaiting warmth to return to their full bloom. Similar to the roots, persistent faith is present even when you cannot see any growth. To produce that growth, you must water them through prayer, shield them from the bitter cold through scripture, and believe that with time and care, the garden will bloom again. Some specific ways you can grow your faith in the face of burnout are through gratitude practices, focusing on simple acts of faith, and seeking support from a loved one or a mentor. In particular, you can practice gratitude by telling God five things you are grateful for in your life. I find that this often helps put into perspective and remind you of how God and your faith sustain you, further strengthening your faith. Additionally, try committing small acts of faith. This could be reflecting on a small Bible verse, spending a few minutes a day in prayer, or carrying out small acts of kindness. In my daily life, I like to find a Bible verse that stands out to me and write it on a sticky note and plaster it onto my mirror. This is a small way to remind myself that my faith carries with me every day. Taking small steps will eventually prepare you to take larger steps in repairing your faith later on. Lastly, you can seek support from a loved one or a mentor. It is never embarrassing to reach out and discuss your faith struggles with someone you trust. Chances are that they have been through a similar experience and can help provide guidance or perspective. I’d like to end on a note reminding you that experiencing burnout in your faith is completely normal, and you are not alone in the experience of repairing your faith. There are always resources out there to help dig yourself out of this hole and restore your passion and fire for faith, no matter how hopeless it may feel now. God is also there on this journey with you. He will never shame you for struggling in your faith, but rather, he will help guide you back to the light. To end, I want to share this prayer from Reclaim Today, which discusses the themes of exhaustion and burnout: “Lord, my refuge, you renew my strength, and I can find rest under the shadow of your wings. Grant me grace for the rest of my day, and give me the gift of deep sleep tonight. Tomorrow, help me wake up in your new mercies, and to focus on serving you and others with the strength you give me for tomorrow. And help me to trust that you’ll keep giving me enough strength, one day at a time. Amen.”

By: Gracie Brennan Being asked to wait can be a difficult task. Too often, we find ourselves on edge, waiting for test scores, waiting for school breaks, waiting for people to reply to our text messages. There are MANY examples of waiting in our daily lives, and as we wait, we frequently experience various types of emotions. We might feel excitement or anticipation, nervousness, or restlessness. We may feel anxious, which can lead us to find a distraction. Coming from a teenager, it is sad to say that whenever I have free time or am in a state of “anticipation,” I, most commonly, find myself attached to my iPhone 12. Hours and hours go by as I endlessly scroll on Instagram or Snapchat. As I wait, I continuously find things to preoccupy myself. This may be relatable, as most people have access to a mobile device. But I have a question for you. When you are scrolling on your phone or partaking in random time fillers, do you feel accomplished or satisfied?   Are you using your time wisely when you are in states of anticipation? Advent is a great opportunity for escaping our typical time-consuming habits. During this time, we are asked to wait, for something very good is on the horizon. As we enter the first week of Advent, the first candle, Hope, is lit. This candle shares a bright light with our darkening world. It inspires us to keep going, to keep believing, even when times are challenging and dark. When thinking about hopefulness, a certain verse from Lamentations 3:25-26 comes to mind: "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Reflect on this. It is so important to trust in the Lord’s carefully crafted plan for us. We should not have fear, but have hope. Think about Mary, the pregnant woman. Mary is the symbol of the Advent season as she waits in joyful hope for the birth of her son, Jesus. Mary decided to consume herself with the love of Christ instead of doing meaningless tasks to waste time. She trusted God with everything, and even if she was scared, she chose to spend her time in hopefulness and preparation. If you are seeking to escape your habitual routine of scrolling or looking for time wasters, look instead towards preparing your heart in this Advent season. Simply waiting is never going to bring fulfillment. If we choose to stay in our “bubble," separate and isolated, we are sheltering ourselves from creation, from nature, and from the gifts God has given to us. Even though darkness might consume our thoughts, create a space for God to overcome them. The Holy Spirit’s grace is always there, and we can allow that grace to consume us - to take us over. We have to prepare a place, create that space, within our hearts, and say yes to God like Mary did. When you don’t have an open heart, there is no place for the light of Christ to dwell within you.  When I was younger, I spent a lot of my summers attending a camp at a local church. This camp was filled with fun as I rode carnival rides and slid down multiple slip ’n slides. However, it was in the middle of all these activities where I really began to discover my faith. Throughout my summers at this camp, I learned new stories from the Bible, new methods to pray, and I learned to ask myself extremely good questions that really enhanced my faith as a whole. One story from one of my camp counselors has truly stuck with me to this day. I remember her saying this: Imagine that there is a door within you. On one side of the door, there is you. You are well and are surrounded by friends and family. You have many things that can bring you happiness, but only temporarily. Also, on this side of your door, you carry many things in your arms. Maybe these things are physical, such as a purse or a cell phone. Or, maybe these things are mental. For instance, a grudge or certain stubbornness. You feel as if the world is on your shoulders as you hold all these things, but if you just listen to your surroundings, if you tune out the noises of the things that you carry, you’ll hear there is a knocking on the other side of the door. That knock is from Jesus. He is knocking at the door, asking for you to embrace the love he has for you. He has open arms and is excited to know you on a deeper level. He is asking you to drop the things you are holding so he  can carry them with  you because he wants to walk with you through every stage of your life. And maybe you don’t realize it, but something within you is incomplete. You feel a sense of longing, as if an essential part of your life is missing. That’s because it is. All the things you are holding onto, that occupy you both physically and mentally are just temporary. They might give you pleasure or make you feel self-righteous, but that doesn’t last. Jesus is there for you and is eager to share His everlasting love with you. He will continue to knock. But the question is. Are you ready for Him? Are you ready to open the door? Is your heart eager to accept his love? During this time of Advent, God invites each and every one of you to open your heart to him. Also, it is so important that you do this because the Lord could arrive at any given moment.  Reflecting upon the Gospel from Matthew this past Sunday, there is a good reminder for ALL of us embedded in the texts: " Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." For at an hour we do not expect, the Son of Man will come!! Let that sink in. Why would you spend your time scrolling on your phone when the Lord’s time is near? It is 2025! Ready yourself! Are you ready for the Lord mentally? Have you heard His knocking and opened the door to him? Are you ready physically? Are you in a good place right now in your relationship with God? Examine yourself. How can you more thoroughly go through with the plans He has for you? What can you do to change your unhealthy habits that distance your relationship with God? Advent is a time to prepare, for the birth of Jesus Christ is near. Quoting Dorothea’s talk from last year: “ No matter your personality, no matter your age, no matter what stage of life you're in or what experiences you are facing; you are capable of being transformed and transforming others in this season of Advent.” There are no limits. Anyone  is able to hear the voice of God; you just have to listen and have ears to hear. I challenge you this Advent season to prepare your hearts and wait in joyful hope. Prepare for what is to come, for the Lord has amazing plans in store for you.

By: MSP Writers I have asked my fellow MSP writers to write small reflections on a few Bible verses that I have found meaningful. I asked them to be honest and give insightful answers that will help us to understand the meaning behind God’s words as well as offer multiple perspectives. At the end, I asked them to pick out a verse of their own and explain how it is significant. Through these quick reflections, we hope to reveal a deeper meaning behind these Bible verses. “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We need to rest in God, not the world. Jesus is what we need; He is our comfort. He can help us overcome our troubles when we bring them to Him, not when we try to bear them alone. He wants us to believe in Him and pray to Him because anything is possible with God!!! This reassures us that no matter our current circumstances, if we follow Jesus' teachings, he will give us peace and understanding to overcome those circumstances Don't get distracted by false happiness that the world tries to sell us. It is in God that we find peace and happiness. “ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18) PRAY FOR YOUR PEOPLE!!! Interceding for anyone is so important, and I think it is vital to pray for your loved ones. Ask them how you can pray for them. Also, ask people to pray for you! Your mom, your friends, even Mary and the Saints. The Church is a community, and we should support each other and live out our faith in communion with one another. He's saying we should always pray, and prayer strengthens us with God and our surroundings because it brings us closer to God, which automatically fills our lives with happiness. This verse shows the importance that God places on not only relying on him in prayer but the relationship we can grow with him through prayer. in all moments of every day, we can pray to the Holy Spirit with gratitude, intentions, or strength during a hard day "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) So much is constantly changing in our lives, but God does not change. His Word is a constant, something we can always rely on, no matter what the circumstance. It has held up throughout history and will remain true in the future. This is why it is so important to read the Bible and expose ourselves to God's Word. It's saying that even though other things can wither and deteriorate, God never will. And we can apply this to our own lives by praying and trusting the Lord. These teachings and instructions on how to live life were written 2000 years ago, but are still very relevant to us, and it is no secret that even now in 2025 that applying these teachings to your life will make your life 10 times more joyous, happy, and fulfilled. Many aspects of our world are temporary. The only lasting aspect is God. We should spend our time investing in our eternal relationship with God rather than settling for the momentary things the world promises us. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34) We need to treasure the Lord and keep Him close, so our hearts remain with Him. Whatever you truly care about and spend your time on is what you treasure, so it is important we take that seriously, and treasure things that are good for our hearts! “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) I think this is such a powerful Bible verse because it is a reminder that through God we can endure any obstacle. God empowers us to persevere through difficult challenges we may face through our faith. I like to recite this when I get anxious about something or when I am having difficulty motivating myself to do something, because it helps me find the strength within. “ For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) This verse reminds us that we must rely on our own spiritual faith and understanding, even when there is a lack of evidence to support it. We must trust what we don’t see. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Jesus is inviting us to seek Him when we are “weary” or “burdened.” Jesus can provide us comfort when we are tired, reluctant, unfaithful, overwhelmed, oppressed, or weighed down. Jesus provides us with an outlet for vulnerability, which allows us inner spiritual peace.

By: Kenzie Studer " 9   But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Everyone has faults; it only matters how you embrace them. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Apostle Paul writes of the message God sent him: “…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Over the course of the Bible, our Lord chooses the most unlikely figures to represent him, such as Moses with his speech impediment or Peter with his impulsivity. However, through them God shows His ability to transform and empower, switching their weaknesses into valuable strengths. In this verse, Paul learns to accept his imperfections, allowing his misgivings to lead him through and to God, whose ever-knowing power acknowledges their importance. Paul is “content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities” in Christ, for he has faith in the Lord’s power. Relying on God, letting him shine through your flaws, enrichens His plan for humanity; the Lord is able to reflect His strength via His creation. Our fragile nature showcases God’s divine mercy, aiding in our endurance of the suffering caused by human faults. As humanity is limited, depending on our unlimited God permits Him to shed light on our lives; His “sufficient grace” sparks a path ending in eternal salvation. Rather than pretending to be perfect, embrace your weakness and allow God to work through them. Our trust in Him redefines creation, changing the harmful trajectory of self-reliance into a display of familial teamwork between the divine and human, one keeping the ship afloat and the other driving it along.

By: Molly Kreikemeier “31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) If you’re anything like me, your life is extremely busy and filled with constant chaos. Your brain is constantly computing what the next task is on your to-do list. You have marked down every hour of your day to fill with something productive, and by the time you get to rest, all you want to do is do a brainless task to wind down. For me, that is playing Blockblast while listening to an audiobook. Junior year has hit me like a rock, and I would be lying if I said that I have made God my number one priority for the past month. Between school, work, rehearsals, voice lessons, and volunteering, I have found very little time to spend time in prayer. And when I do, I am distracted by thoughts of my immense stress. But a few weeks ago, when I had the opportunity to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and sit in the chapel in prayer, I had a revelation. What if instead of being overwhelmed by my lack of time with God, I instead acted on it and incorporated God in aspects of my life? I picked this Bible verse because it reminded me that all our actions should be done “for the glory of God.” Every decision we make should be made with the intention of growing our relationship with God. You aren’t just acting on your relationship with God when you pray or go to Mass; you are acting on your relationship with God in every small moment or aspect of your life. For instance, if you sin, you are distancing yourself from God. Or, if you act in love, you are growing your relationship with God. Whether we realize it or not, God is involved in every action. But that begs the question, what does this mean for us? How can we act in a way that grows our relationship with God, especially when we're juggling a million things? The answer lies in intentionally weaving God into our daily lives. It's about transforming mundane and boring tasks into opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. One of the most powerful ways to grow our relationship with God is to act in love, both towards God and towards our neighbors. This means extending kindness, compassion, and understanding to everyone we encounter, regardless of their background or beliefs. It means being patient with our family members, offering a helping hand to a stranger in need, and forgiving those who have wronged us. These small acts of love may seem insignificant, but they have the power to transform our hearts and draw us closer to God. Another way to incorporate God into our busy lives is to practice gratitude. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the blessings in your life, both big and small. Thank God for the roof over your head, the food on your table, and the love of your family and friends. Gratitude helps us to keep a positive attitude and to appreciate the goodness that surrounds us, even in the midst of chaos. Additionally, we can also grow our relationship with God by seeking out opportunities to grow our spirituality. This might mean attending church regularly, participating in a Bible study group, listening to Christian music or podcasts, or simply spending a few minutes each day in prayer. Even when we're short on time, we can still find ways to connect with God and to deepen our faith. Growing our relationship with God in busy times is primarily about making a conscious choice to prioritize our spirituality. It's about recognizing that God is always present in our lives, even when we're feeling overwhelmed and stressed. By intentionally incorporating God into our daily routines, we can transform our lives into a manifestation of peace and joy that comes from knowing and loving God.

By: Lila Lowery “9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) As we begin the new school year, I have made it my mission to “Strive for Sainthood.” I think it is an important mission for me and my peers as high schoolers, because before recently, being a Saint seemed so unreachable in my eyes. I’m just a teenager, it’s not like I’m a nun from 400 years ago. How could I ever go on that path? Well, Sainthood isn’t about one certain way of life, or only for people who did these crazy acts, like martyrdom or leading wars and battles. Sainthood is about holiness, something that everyone is called to.  So, what is holiness? I have been trying to find that out for a long time. I went to my youth group last weekend, and the talk that was given there was about prayer. In his talk, the guy speaking mentioned a Saint Carlo Acutis quote: “Not me, but God”. This quote really stuck out to me, and it made its way back into my thoughts when I was praying in the church that night. I was praying to God about how I felt like my relationship with Him was drying up, and I truly looked at my heart. What came to mind, what God revealed to me, was this: selfishness. All of a sudden, I became so aware of how selfish I had been. Over and over again, I’ve chosen my wants over the Lord’s. Sin is being selfish, doing something I know isn’t good for my own benefit. While praying about this, God reminded me of the Carlo quote again: “Not me, but God”. This quote changed my outlook on holiness. It’s not based on how deeply you think about theology, and it’s not just reserved for nuns and priests. Holiness is being selfless and denying yourself for God. Holiness is picking up your cross, whatever it looks like for you. It’s not being perfect, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s about thinking about what Jesus wants me to do, instead of what I want to do. Because ultimately, if we rely on our own judgment and plans, they will end up falling apart. But if we do our best to follow God’s plan, whatever it may be, that is true success. That is true holiness.  And Saints like the newly canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati inspire us because they weren’t old when they died. Carlo died when he was 15, and look at the impact his short life has had on the Church! These and many more inspiring stories show us one thing: that holiness is attainable. And these saints were selfless, too. Of course, canonized saints have quite a legacy, with prayers and statues devoted to them. But none of them had that in mind as their reason for their holiness. As you all probably know, being a devout Christian can be hard work, and it includes denying yourself and doing things for the sake of God. Saints devote their whole lives to Jesus, and that is what we are called to do as well.  And honestly, now is the time to try to be holy. This world needs Jesus, and we can show others Christ through our holiness. So as you continue through your day and through your week, think about how you can serve God, not yourself.`

By: Lila Lowery “For everything was created by Him, in heaven and in earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones and dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16) No one can deny the beauty of nature. Whether it’s a vast mountain range, a clear ocean, or a bright sunset, we have all looked at the world around us in awe. This amazement is emphasized when we remember who created what we are looking at: God. He created heaven and earth, and every single tree, stone, or flower we pass by is His work of art; it all points to a Creator. And you know what else is His work of art? YOU! When God created humans, He gave us dominion over other creations, because we are made in His likeness. What an honor that is. We are made in the image of God! The creator of the universe gave this blessing to us. And although none of us will ever deserve God’s grace, with this mindset, it makes some more sense why we receive it. We can’t always see it, but nevertheless, there is something special in everyone, something God given. You and I are the pinnacle of God’s creation, and that is not something to forget.  This verse from Colossians tells us that Jesus has existed from the very beginning, and that all things are created through and for Him. So we are created by our Savior and for our Savior. How beautiful is that! How beautiful it is that Jesus has had us chosen since the beginning of time, and that He has had a plan for us all along?  When I really think about how vast creation is, from the depths of the oceans to outer space, it is truly baffling to think about how small I am in the grand scheme of things. But none of us are small to the Lord. In God’s eyes, you are more important than anything else. So if you feel hopeless or unforgivable, remind yourself that you are God’s beloved child. But just because humans have power over other creations, doesn’t mean that those aren’t important as well. In my English class, we are reading a book about the importance of nature and its benefits in our lives. The teacher asked us to spend about 15 minutes in nature, with no distractions, just existing in it. So I sat down next to a tree in my yard and did so. I prayed during this time, contemplating the creation around me. Without my phone or someone else being there to distract me, I felt super connected to the world around me. It was a spiritual moment that made me notice Jesus’ presence. Because nature is truly pointing to the Lord, the one who created it, so I think spending time in it is a great way to connect with God. It reminds us of His presence throughout the world and His presence inside each of us.

By: Molly Kreikemeier "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17) I recently came across a quote while on Pinterest stating, "A true friend is not someone we have chosen for ourselves, but rather someone God has placed in our lives for a purpose." This made me reflect on my own friendships. Is it true that everyone God places in our lives serves a purpose?  I am fortunate enough to be blessed with amazing friendships and bonds. Ones who allow me the ability to grow, who hold me accountable for my wrongs, who are loyal and dependable, but most of all, who allow me to be my most vulnerable and authentic self. I wholeheartedly believe every friendship has a purpose: some teach us lessons, some guide us to the next chapter of our lives, some bring light in dark times, and some become lifelong bonds. Biblically speaking, friendships embody unconditional love. Saints Perpetua and Felicity exemplify this Godly friendship. They were early Christian martyrs in Carthage around 203 AD. Perpetua, a noblewoman, and Felicity, her slave, were arrested for their Christian faith. Despite their different social statuses, they shared a strong bond, supporting each other through imprisonment and persecution, united by their faith and preparing for baptism. They faced their deaths with courage and faith. St. Perpetua and Felicity teach us that we can be great friends by reflecting God’s traits and by forming deep, vulnerable, and authentic bonds. However, even when we struggle to form bonds, God is always there, and He embodies all the qualities we seek in a friend. A study by researchers at Boise State University explored the essential traits of friendship using a budget model. Participants were given "friendship tokens" and asked to pick from traits like loyalty, reliability, trustworthiness, honesty, forgiveness, information sharing, emotional intelligence, and conscientiousness about repaying debts. The study found that loyalty, reliability, trustworthiness, and honesty are necessities, while forgiveness, information sharing, emotional intelligence, and conscientiousness about repaying debts are seen as luxuries in friendships. Thinking about this study, I noticed one thing in particular: God exhibits all these traits:  God is loyal. God never abandons us even when we waver in faith, and he is always patiently awaiting our return. God is reliable. God is always there. He is only one prayer away. Anytime you need to talk to him, he is always listening. God is trustworthy. As exemplified in the Bible verse, “God is within her, she will not fall” (Psalm 46:5), God won’t let us fall. God is honest. He doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear, but rather, he tells us what we need to hear. God embodies all the great qualities of friendship, so even if we lack someone to depend on in real life, we can always depend on Him.  To end, I would like you to think of a friend in need of your support while stating the Irish Blessing:  "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

By: The MSP Writers " 3   ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’" (Jeremiah 33:3) In my faith journey, I’ve found that exploring difficult questions with others brings us closer to understanding. We all walk our own unique paths in our faith, yet the search for answers often leads us to similar places. To build this sense of shared experience, I asked my fellow MSP writers to anonymously answer the following questions. The responses I received were diverse and moving. They each revealed unique perspectives, experiences, and insights.  I hope that their honest and vulnerable answers resonate with you and offer a sense of solidarity in our shared struggles and discoveries. Perhaps within these words, you will find a reflection of your own journey.  Q: Why do you follow God? A: God is the one and only constant in my life that I know I can 100% count on to be there for me, to offer support, and to lift me up when I'm feeling down. My favorite song lyrics that really changed my perspective are "You're more than every dream come true, All of the things I thought I wanted, Don't come close to knowing You." Thinking about everything in my life that consumes me, other than God, my phone, comparing myself to others, and school, none of those things even come close to what God has to offer me, and never gives me the happiness that God gives me. God has also given us everything, given us life, mercy, love, and so much more. So, thinking about all this, I want to strive to do my best to repay that and follow God. A: He’s given me the will to live and wake up every morning. His blessings have transformed my soul quite literally, and it only feels right to try my best to give back to Him every day. A: I follow God because he accepts and loves me unconditionally. Through good times and bad times, God is there to support me. It is impossible to find that kind of love anywhere else. A: He created me and has given me so many opportunities and gifts. I have to praise him because he created me. A: I follow God because I want something I can believe in when I wake up, and rely on throughout the day. A: I follow God because He gives me meaning in my life and He saved me!! Q: What are some ways that you build your relationship with Christ? A: Through my struggles and hardships. A: By reading the Bible, going to Church, praying, writing (like MSP reflections), and learning from others A: Going to mass, participating in retreats, daily prayers, and service A: I build my relationship with God through writing and proclaiming. One of my favorite pastimes is writing, and I try to use it to glorify God. Every time I write an MSP reflection, I gain knowledge about God. Additionally, I think one of the most important ways we can build a relationship with God is by constantly opening ourselves to learning. I do this by learning about the Bible, Saints, prayers, etc. A:  Having good connections/conversations with people, especially about Him. Going on retreats has also really helped me go back to my daily routine with more meaning A: I always like to think of my relationship with Christ as a marathon, not a sprint. There have been moments in my life where I didn't even think God was there anymore, and it took me a while to even admit that, let alone come back from that. But just knowing that God is always there when you come back, and all you have to do to build that relationship back up is by showing up. God is never not going to forgive you, so I always think that all I have to do is confess my sins and God will never stop showing me mercy. All I can do is try to take baby steps and, some days, I feel amazing and praise God with everything I have; other days, it's harder to do that. But God is a loving God and will take anything I can give him. So, just taking those baby steps is how I build my relationship. Every day I show up, whether that's Mass, the Rosary, reading Scripture, or anything else, showing up and aiming to grow is the best way to build the relationship up. Q: Why is openly following God so difficult? A: It is hard to follow God openly because I fear other people's judgment. When I tell people that I am a Catholic, sometimes I get acceptance, agreement, or I gain a brother or sister in Christ. However, other times, I face a lot of judgment. A lot of people automatically assume that I am not welcoming or accepting of others, which is so difficult, because I don't want to be perceived that way. A: Not even just openly following God, but following God period, is difficult. He literally calls us in a world so centered on ourselves to look away at others and serve them. We have to pick up a cross and follow Him, thankfully with Him, but no one necessarily wants to do that in a world with so much temporary comfort. A: Because not everyone else is doing it, and it can be hard to be different from the crowd. It can be scary to think about people judging you for it. A: Because of the times I find my faith wandering. A: Sometimes it can be hard with the judgment of others. A: This is a question that I've constantly pondered in my life. If I love God so much, why is it so hard? When my relationship with God was at its lowest point, I understood why it was hard for me, but why is it hard now when I've made all this progress? That's a question that I still struggle to answer. It's easy to do in the silence of my own heart and at youth group, but when it comes down to it, I struggle to open up about my faith in places like school. I think it's mainly about worrying about judgment because the connotation around following God has become worse and worse, and I have no idea why. I think it's because we get consumed with so many other things in our lives and put God on the back burner, so many people, including me at times, forget at times that God should be the most important priority in our lives. This doesn't mean it is for everyone, but I think that for me personally, I need to have a more open heart and focus more on God, not the environment around me. Q: What is your advice for Christians trying to overcome sin? A: Remember to follow what your heart tells you and always know that God will be there for you through it all. A: Sometimes it's best to just take a step back and re-examine yourself. When you do this, it is easier to find where you are distancing yourself from God. A: Like I said earlier, God is a merciful God. When you come to God and give him all your sins, he isn't going to shy away from your sins and judge you. He's going to love you even more for showing up and being honest. Confession in my faith life has been my saving grace. I am so grateful every day that I get to go to Confession. I used to hate Confession, I used to get so so nervous when going. But when I stopped thinking about being ashamed of my sins or the priest being ashamed of my sins and started thinking about it as having a conversation with God, the priest being the vessel, it became so much more freeing. When going to a Steubenville Conference, one speaker told us to think of our faith journey as a long path. There were many components to this path, but what stood out to me was how he described sin. He said that the seeds we plant in our faith life struggle to grow when we have deeply rooted rocks in our path, our sin. All of us have our deeply rooted rocks, and sometimes it takes a long time to overcome those. But God wants you to overcome sin, not to be ashamed of it. Praying through your sin and consistently showing up to Confession helps so much, and even just taking baby steps into that also helps to build up that discipline. God wants to help you, so starting by just asking for help and guidance is an amazing start. A: Acknowledge it first. It is so difficult to overcome sin when you keep on excusing it. Sometimes I catch myself saying, "Well, it is okay that I spent my whole afternoon on my phone, because I was busy all day." Instead, acknowledge that it was wrong to spend your day on your phone instead of with God. Then, ask for forgiveness in prayer or confession if you are Catholic. Lastly, try to stop or replace your sin. For example, instead of using your phone to scroll on social media, use a Bible or prayer app. A: Don’t let it hold you back from talking to God or continuing in your faith journey. No sin will disqualify you from God loving you A: To realize that you are not unforgivable or hopeless. That God’s love for you is so much more than His hatred for sin. And also that a life following Christ is so much more meaningful than a life in sin. Q: If Jesus were right in front of you, would you change the way you live your life? If so, why? What is holding you back from living a faithful life right now? A: If Jesus were standing right in front of me, I would change the bad habits I have. I need to be more respectful to my loved ones and not take life for granted. I'm not sure what's holding me back A: I would probably change some things, yes. I think things that are holding me back are distractions and getting into the mindset that I don’t need God, when in reality I really really do. A: I think yes, in some ways I would change my life. I think there's always some way that I can come closer to Jesus and build my relationship with him. I recently had a very close moment with Jesus and had a moment where I realized how much I've been holding back from him, and that I need to make a big change in my life. I think what has been holding me back is not thinking I am good enough for Jesus. Just admitting that alone has helped me so much, and going to Confession has helped as well. I've realized that Jesus loves us in the way that we come to him in, and he will love us continually even if we struggle to change the way we live our lives. A: Jesus would serve as a reminder to follow my moral compass and practice what I preach. I think the temptation of the real world is what stops me from finding that light. A: I think what’s hardest is saying no to many of the secular habits offered in front of us, always. When starting to follow Christ later in your life, you have to let go of those things. Also, just following God in general, you have to trust that when you leave your sufferings with Him, He will help you and not just leave you. A: I think if Jesus were right in front of me, I would spend more time in prayer. I think prayer is an important way to communicate with God, and I think a lot of times, I put it on the back burner. I think what is holding me back from living a faithful life right now is the fear of failure as well as my all-or-nothing mindset. I constantly think that to be a good Christian, I have to be completely and utterly perfect, and when I am not, it is hard to make my spiritual life a priority. I know it isn't true, but it is hard to get rid of that mindset.

By: Lila Lowery “20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20) As Christians, Jesus should be our first priority. But in a world full of distractions, sin, and the business of life, it can be difficult to put that into practice. You might think you don’t have any time to spend with Jesus. But how long do you spend scrolling on your phone? I’ve been guilty of this countless times, but it’s important to realize that we all need to make sacrifices in order to make time for God, even if that means changing up our normal habits.  There are many ways to spend time with God. Reading the Bible, attending Adoration, and saying prayers are a few examples. It is important to intentionally carve out time that is dedicated to you and the Lord. And this time should be occurring regularly, not just once a week at Church or five minutes before we go to bed. Although we all should go to Church on Sundays and pray before we go to bed, we should not limit time with Christ to an hour a week or our last minutes of our day when we are half asleep. So, it is so imperative that we invite Jesus into every moment.  In this verse, Jesus describes Himself knocking at your door. He wants to be with you! He wants to talk with you, fill your cup, and help carry your burdens. Jesus is always willing, so the decision is up to you. When you do decide to spend quality time with the Lord and have conversations with Him, your whole life will change, especially if you see Jesus as your best friend. You don’t always have to say fancy prayers, or be kneeling before the altar to speak with Him. You can speak with Him whenever, because He is always there. It should be constant communication, full of honesty and vulnerability.  The first way to start inviting Jesus into every moment is to realize that He is already present. When your eyes are glued to your phone screen, how can you see the blessings He has placed in your path? Jesus is present through beautiful nature, the laughter of a friend, and the silence of an early morning. It is not necessary to fill every part of your day with some sort of entertainment or task. Sometimes, we should take advantage of having nothing to do and simply be with God. Talk with Him, but also listen to what He has to say back. He speaks to us in so many ways, but we aren’t going to understand any of it if we aren’t spending time with Him. So don’t be afraid of silence or boredom, because use it as time to pray and notice Jesus! Another way to spend more time with Jesus is to invite Him into daily tasks. And what I mean by this is if you are cleaning up your room or getting ready for the day, or doing something where your mind can wander, use that time to talk to Jesus. Tell Him about what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, or the events of your day. Say prayers while you’re in the shower, praise Him while you're making your bed. And you can also sacrifice some things, too. Maybe go on a walk listening to a Christian podcast, instead of your usual playlist. Set your alarm a little earlier to have time to read the Word in the morning. Pray the rosary instead of watching your TV show one night. You don’t have to completely cut out these things; it is just important to prioritize God more than our usual habits. These all sound simple, but they matter. If you truly want to live for the Lord, don’t just dedicate a little part of your time to Him. Dedicate your whole day! Consult Him in every decision, rejoice with Him when you are excited, and weep with Him when you are upset. Just talk and listen to Him often. Because your moments with Him add up, they build a life where Jesus is the cornerstone.

By: Dorothea Weingart "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'"(Lamentations 3:22-24) I think it’s so easy for us as humans to distort the love of Christ. Sometimes I think how hypocritical it can be of me to say that someone as broken as I, even follow Christ—that’s what everyone thinks! But that’s the thing, we don’t need any qualifications for God to love us. To follow Him. Regardless, this leads us to see how merciful our God is! He trusts us to represent the church, knowing how broken we are. Hence why it can often be misrepresented. Humans get caught up in their own opinions and beliefs that they lose sight of the radical love of God and how big a part we play in the role of salvation. What’s most important is that we look towards God in moments like these and less towards people. There have been many moments that the humanity of the church has challenged my belief. To be so honest with you, even just last week! I’m sure you have had the same experience. We want to take others seriously, but sometimes in doing so, we see their opinions as more of a god than our own God. What has been so beautiful, though, is that in moments of great doubt or concern, God still reaches us. He wants us to follow Him and the people He guides. He doesn’t want us to listen to people who use their power to distort how God truly loves. I worried a lot that if God was trying to tell me something, I wouldn’t hear Him. That He wouldn’t reach me. However, once you ask for the grace to see Him in everything, you will become overwhelmed with gratitude. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! To see His light. He is everywhere and wants  you to see that! I do want to add, though, that praying for this is a continuous practice. Just because we can see God uniquely in something one time doesn’t mean that we inherit the gift immediately or ever. That’s what’s beautiful about prayer. You have to continue it, it’s not just a one-time thing where you get something and never talk to Him again. Truly, the point of this message is that just because someone has all the bells and whistles and makes you feel less “holy”, doesn’t mean they are. Let their actions speak. Discern what Christ would do. Don’t let “righteous” people deter you from talking to God. You are enough for Him. He let prostitutes wash His feet, let people who betrayed Him SIT AT HIS TABLE, having access to His most holy body. That's what’s unique about Christ. Why on earth would you not be enough for His love? There IS room for you in this universal  (meaning of the word Catholic) church. Room for you to ask for help. Room for you to grow and be intimate with the one who loves you most. Once you do this, God will help lead you into better practices. One final thought. God does miraculously work through us, giving us good intentions and desires with our actions. Often, we try not to sin after we join the church, as we want to stay in communion with Him. However, for anyone to even do that, they have to expose themselves to the love of Christ. Once you open your heart to Him, He will work and help you. We have to remember He is the one doing the transformation of our hearts. Let us pray together, Dear God,  Help us to turn to you in times of doubt, frustration, and challenge. Let us not believe lies and hateful words that support us in looking at ourselves negatively. Let us see in humility that there is so much room for God to work in us and not forget to be aware of our weaknesses- Because of this, help us to never boast about things. Reveal your radical love to us in the most simple ways so we can truly know that you welcome us. You support us and deeply desire us. In a world full of endless distractions, help us see this. It is not easy, but it helps us to see that wrestling is endurance and building our faith and relationship with you. Teach us how to love and serve you (your people) in a way that represents your desires and hopes for the church. Help us to never misrepresent your love, and when we do, as we are humans, make us aware of it so we can efficiently grow in deeper communion with you.  Your beloved, YOUR NAME