Can you speak whale?

You ever feel like no one understands you?

You ever feel different than everyone else?

Or misunderstood? Or looked down upon?

Well....

Welcome to the Christian life! 'Aint it great? Take a look around!

Oh, you can't see it?

Well, this is awkward...

     To make a long story short, folks, sometimes a guy can feel downright alone in this world. Even (or, especially,) in a house filled with dozens of holy men, a person can feel incredibly misunderstood. But--aha!--there is a bright side! There is a silver-lining! What is it?, you may ask. Well, I'll tell you: the bright side is that innumerable men and women of God have come before us. And let's just say the Catholic Church hasn't always been welcomed by everyone. Ergo, these innumerable ancestors of ours experienced the same problems and hardships we do.

     But how did they get through it?, you may ask. How did they remain holy? The answer is simple--the Church. They found a support group. They bound themselves to that which led them to salvation, to persons who had the same goal as they did. And, in this, they found their strength. All for one, together, united--they each chose to rise up for the Lord and give of their very lives for His Kingdom.

     Though we cannot see them, they are with us. They are helping us. They are praying for us to intercede! They are all around us. It's a little bit like this:

     So, today, I challenge each of us, especially myself, to die to ourselves for the Lord.  Even though we may falter, may we never lose our souls! AMEN! So be it!