+JMJ
Dear family,
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Life has its seasons of joy and sorrow, health and illness, strength and weariness.
As Catholics, we know that our journey often involves moments of hardship and suffering.
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There is a particular danger that lurks in these difficult times...one that can draw us away from God’s grace and into a place of darkness.
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This danger is the subtle but powerful temptation of self-pity.
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Self-pity can seem innocent at first.
When we are physically or emotionally weary, when our plans fall apart or our bodies betray us, it is natural to feel some disappointment or sorrow.
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But if we are not careful, this initial feeling can spiral into a toxic inward focus, a sense of being unfairly burdened, and ultimately, a distancing of ourselves from God.
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St. John of the Cross, in his writings on spiritual growth, warns us of how the enemy can use our weak moments to lead us away from the light of Christ and deeper into ourselves.
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The Demonic Trap of Self-Pity
Why do we call self-pity a “demonic trap”?
It is because self-pity draws our attention away from God and others, and turns our gaze inward.
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It whispers to us that our suffering is unique, that no one understands, and that we are alone in our pain.
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These thoughts, however, are distortions.
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God, in His infinite mercy, never abandons us in our suffering.
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Christ Himself entered into the depths of human suffering on the Cross so that He might be with us in ours.
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To believe that we are alone, or that our suffering is meaningless, is to fall into a lie.
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Moreover, self-pity isolates us not only from God but from others.
It leads us to become consumed by our own pain, blinding us to the needs and struggles of those around us.
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Instead of reaching out in love, self-pity keeps us locked in bitterness and resentment.
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The enemy rejoices when we fall into this state, for it is a place where the love of God can't flow freely.
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Combating Self-Pity with Empathy and Gratitude
So how can we guard ourselves against this temptation, especially in times of illness, weariness, or trial?
The answer lies in turning our hearts outward...toward God and toward others.
First, we must bring our suffering to God in prayer.
As Catholics, we are blessed with a wealth of devotions and practices that allow us to unite our pain with the suffering of Christ.
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Whether it’s praying the Rosary, meditating on the Passion, or offering up our difficulties during Mass, we can transform our suffering into a source of grace.
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We do not suffer in vain, but rather, our trials can become a path to deeper union with Christ.
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Second, we should cultivate empathy for others.
Even in our own pain, there is always someone else who is also suffering.
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Finally, practicing gratitude is a powerful antidote to self-pity.
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In times of trial, it can be difficult to see God’s blessings, but they are always there.
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By consciously choosing to give thanks for the gifts we have we shift our focus from what we lack to what we have been given.
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Embrace the Cross with Trust
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We are not called to deny our suffering or pretend it doesn’t exist.
Christ Himself wept at the death of His friend Lazarus, and in Gethsemane, He asked for the cup of suffering to pass from Him.
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But in the end, Christ surrendered to the Father’s will with trust and love.
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We are called to do the same.
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When we feel the weight of illness, exhaustion, or sorrow pressing down on us, let us resist the temptation to retreat into self-pity.
Instead, let us turn our hearts to Christ, trusting that He is with us and that our suffering, united with His, can become a source of grace and redemption.
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Let us also turn our hearts toward others, knowing that in serving them, we serve Christ Himself.
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May Our Lady, who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross, intercede for us in our times of trial, and may we always seek to unite our sufferings with those of her Son.
In doing so, we guard ourselves from the enemy’s snares and remain firmly rooted in the love and mercy of God.
As always, our entire family is here to give you hope & encouragement! We truly love you and pray for you daily! Never hesitate to send a prayer request!
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Sending our love and prayers to our remnant family...Wendy, Walt and the entire Cukierski family
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(PS: Catholic Spiritual Guidance Lessons for you, featuring writings from Rev. Fr. Kilian McGowan
It's a spiritual lifesaver and you can read more HERE )
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URGENT NEED:
For every meal you provide through our Pediatric Mission, we will match it with a meal for those in the hardest-hit hurricane areas. Head HERE
Please join us in prayer—and in action.
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***Don't Forget to See TODAY'S DAILY SPECIAL as it helps fund the Pediatric Mission! Click HERE**
-----From a physician we help...he sees to the medical needs of children no one else seems to be able to help -----
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We will send you a gift for your help.
GOD BLESS YOU!
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---Some of the many wee ones we've helped---
---HELP IF YOU CAN----
Here is a post, from a recipient of what we do,.
L**** and I were one of the precipitants of This mission. She is right. My parking was 9 per day for 3 months. Then on top of that food cost me approximately 15 per day. That was cheap - I got vouchers for $5.00 per meal. So somedays I did not eat or made meals last for more then one meal. Had to. Parking was $810. Food was $1,300. Then you have normal household bills and I have 3 animals I had to pay to have people come and take care of them. At first I had my dog in the Kennel for 1/2 the time. That was about 500. It is VERY expensive to have a sick child. That was Just ONE hospital stay. We have had numerous ones. Some only a few days, some a week or two. Without their help we would of gone fully under!
From providing necessary funds to actually having families stay with us...we DO what we say we do!
We do what we say we do!
