A Time for Spiritual and Psychological Growth - Palm Sunday - Episode 19 - a podcast by Souls and Hearts

Overall Takeaway

The uncertainty and disruption of the global pandemic reveals the areas where we need to be perfected and challenges us to make an intentional effort to connect with God.

Key Verses from Sunday Readings

The Lord GOD has given me

a well-trained tongue,

that I might know how to speak to the weary

The Lord GOD is my help,

therefore I am not disgraced;

I have set my face like flint,

knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Where Catholicism Meets Psychology

The current crisis can trigger unresolved adversity from our childhood and past. Dr. Gerry recalls the stress associated with his father’s job loss from his childhood that are now surfacing in the current pandemic.

Individuals who have lived through other adversity can thrive in the current situation because they have already learned to be resourceful. You can apply that resourcefulness to more intentionally turning to God.

When the whole world seems threatened with the virus, its economic fallout, and its unknown length and affect, we have no choice but to rely on God and His providence. It becomes a stark reminder for many of us who depend on our own efforts on a day-to-day basis.

Most of us are like Peter. We have every intention of following our Lord, but it suddenly gets really hard when we face adversity to truly trust Him.

Stresses like the current pandemic are going to reveal the areas we need to work on to be perfected. We need to work through our range of emotions, lament our brokenness, and surrender to God. Jesus expresses and works through His range of emotions during the Passion in His humanity.

Action Item

Be determined to persevere. Grapple with our emotions during the crisis, express and accept them, and surrender to God. Try to make an empathetic connection with someone in your life who is struggling, perhaps an elderly relative or someone acutely affected by the pandemic, and be Christ to them.

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