The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, the words of prayer are in vain” (CCC 2562). Discover how prayer shapes our desires, draws us closer to God, and leads us toward the happy life our hearts are created to seek.
Christian joy is a deep, abiding state of the soul that comes from living in communion with God. It is not merely a transient emotion, but rather a profound state of being that aligns us with our highest purpose and equips us to experience the richness of life by living fully, loving deeply, and engaging meaningfully with the world around us.
All Christians are universally qualified and individually called to proclaim the Kingdom of God. By living well and sharing our personal encounters with the Lord, we can help others experience the healing love of Jesus Christ.
Every February, the health and fitness industry celebrates American Heart Month to remind us to examine the physical health of our hearts. As we enter into Lent this month and reflect upon God’s great love for us, it is important to also check the spiritual health of our hearts.
We recognize that death can be an end, but it does not have to be the end. For those who have gone before us, our bonds of charity need not be destroyed by death. Through the providential love of God, our connection with the dearly departed is strengthened by the power of intercessory prayer.
Christian stewardship is typically associated with giving time, talent, and treasure in service to God with gratitude for His bounty. Yet full participation as a Christian steward is not simply about what we give but also about how we live.
Gratitude is our way to demonstrate thankful appreciation for everything in our lives. Adopting an attitude of gratitude promotes happiness and wellbeing. Simply put, we cannot be hateful if we are grateful.
An anonymous author observes: “Money will buy a bed but not sleep, books but not brains, food but not an appetite, finery but not beauty, a house but not a home, medicine but not health, luxuries but not culture, amusement but not happiness, and a crucifix but not a Savior.” Our greatest treasure is found not in our material wealth, but in the richness of our faith in God. While our financial treasure should be used to support our spiritual treasure, the contribution we offer to God is a small token compared with the great blessings He bestows upon us.
Our Christian teaching supplements the four cardinal virtues with the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity (or love). These theological virtues elevate and perfect our habits, thus directing us toward the supernatural happiness that can only be achieved by our union with God. Theological virtues are infused in our souls through God’s gift of sanctifying grace.
