OK, so it’s an easy question to answer. We all love many people unconditionally. But here’s the twist for Thursday’s show: Is there someone in your life – relative, friend, neighbor, co-worker – who is living in a manner objectively contrary to the gospel? It may be a living arrangement. A lifestyle choice. Someone who had an abortion and thinks that’s just fine. Perhaps an individual who hurt you badly in some way. Have you managed to cultivate or maintain a deep love for that person in spite of the choices they’ve made. Let’s face it. We all act in ways that are in opposition to the gospel at times. God never stops loving us unconditionally. How can we best do the same for the people in our lives?

Have you ever felt like you were pushed to your absolute human limit? Physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, spiritually. Everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. The Bible says God will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to receive it. Yet, how many times do we feel like we are literally on the edge of what we can take? How have you handled such situations in your life? To whom did you turn for support? Let’s talk about this on Wednesday’s show.

Here is the poem that a listener named Kevin wrote about managing and emerging from a period of darkness in one’s life. It’s beautiful!

Steps of Prayer

Inspired by Jerry Usher

In this dark night stillness, a screaming silence, a pain unexplained

A despair so deep my hope is slowly drained

The hours tick slowly, alone my silent tears flowing

My struggle rages on without anyone knowing

I’m being pressed on all sides, the demons are winning

And a peek at the clock reveals the night is just beginning

After another sleepless night I resolve once again

To confront this fight, to conquer this pain

But even the thought of moving is more than I can bear

Am I alone on this journey I cry out in prayer

Then gently so gently God whispers to my heart

“I’m with you my son, just take my hand and we’ll start

Slowly a new sense of hope fills the air

As me and my God take my first steps of prayer

St. Augustine’s famous quote, “Late have I loved you,” is a reference to the fact that it took several decades for him to respond to God’s invitation to believe in His Son Jesus. As we know, it was largely the result of his mother, St. Monica’s, fervent prayers for her wayward son. While many of us are baptized as infants, and are raised to embrace a relationship with Jesus and His Church from an early age, others have come to believe somewhat later in life. Does this describe your personal faith journey? We want to talk about it on Monday, and, as always, be inspired by how God’s grace is alive and working in the hearts of everyone He has created.

We’ve all lost loved ones. It happens to lots of people every day. Their memories live on in our minds and hearts. And sometimes we decide to do something special to keep their memory alive for others as well. It may be a scholarship you fund in someone’s memory. It could be contributing to your parish, hospital or school and naming part of it after them. Some people get very creative and honor loved ones’ memories in unique ways. Have you done this for someone who was close to you? Let’s talk about it on Friday, and discover how close we still are to those who have gone before us.

It’s going to happen to just about everyone. You’ll see something, read something or experience something, and all of a sudden you realize that you’re not twenty-one anymore. It could be when your last child graduated from college. Or when your first grandchild arrived. Or when you’re coaching Little League and the son or daughter of one of your former players is now on your team. You get the idea. On Thursday, let’s talk about these eye-opening moments in our lives, and come away with a better sense of who we are, and an appreciation for all of God’s lifelong gifts to us.

The Church was established by Jesus to reach out and wrap Her arms around every human being. She extends this invitation by proclaiming the truth in charity. Some of those truths can be inconvenient for some, and quite intimidating for others. Many people avoid coming to faith and to the Church because they believe they have sinned too greatly, are presently living in a spiritually unhealthy relationship, and so on. On Tuesday, Jerry and Debbie will ask people to call who feel they are outside the reach of God’s love, God’s mercy, and full membership in the Church, due to sins, bad choices, lifestyle, etc.

Regarding civil divorce and reception of Holy Communion:

https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/communion_of_divorced_and_remarr.htm

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It’s time to start another week of broadcasts. And we’re pretty sure you’ll have something to say about Monday’s show. It was suggested by a listener named Jonetta. As she looks back at certain times and situations in her life, she feels some regret over having not done things differently. That’s something we likely all can say. But Debbie always says, “No regrets!” A few are inevitably going to sneak up on us. It’s what we do – how we respond – to those regrettable things in our lives that determines whether or not we stay stuck in the past, or are able to move forward with peace of mind and soul through self-forgiveness. Don’t miss what we believe is going to be a powerfully impacting hour of radio!

On Friday, Jerry and Debbie will close out the week by inviting you to call if you are married to someone who is a good bit older or younger than you. Or, if you had parents with a gap in their ages. Perhaps you know a couple who fits this description. How are the dynamics of such a relationship similar or different from marriages where couples are closer in age? Have you had to care for an aging spouse when you were still relatively young? As always, we can learn a lot from a discussion like this, including how love can be lived out in a wide variety of ways.

Here are some statistics according to Wikipedia:

Age difference	Percentage of all married couples
Husband 20+ years older than wife	1.0
Husband 15–19 years older than wife	1.6
Husband 10–14 years older than wife	4.8
Husband 6–9 years older than wife	11.6
Husband 4–5 years older than wife	13.3
Husband 2–3 years older than wife	20.4
Husband and wife within 1 year	33.2
Wife 2–3 years older than husband	6.5
Wife 4–5 years older than husband	3.3
Wife 6–9 years older than husband	2.7
Wife 10–14 years older than husband	1.0
Wife 15–19 years older than husband	0.3
Wife 20+ years older than husband	0.3

As the saying goes, there are all types of people in the world. And they range across a wide spectrum of personalities. Some people are instantly friendly with anyone they meet. Others may be more cautious or guarded at first. On Wednesday, let’s talk about times when we’ve encountered someone for the first time, and they were super-friendly toward us. Are you OK with that? Or, are you the type who is a bit more formal, and who likes to get to know someone a bit before you’re comfortable with their bubbly personality? Call 833-288-3986 to join the conversation.

We never know when a total stranger is going to walk through the door of our church. When that happens, how “welcoming is your house of worship?” Of course, it should be a place that feels like “home” to everyone, including those who attend services regularly. Stories abound about parishes and other churches that are notorious for their warm greetings and hospitality. Unfortunately, the opposite is heard too often as well. On Tuesday, let’s talk about how welcoming your church is, and what we all can do to make ours a place where all feel welcome.

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