FROM THE HEART
November 21, 2025
On Fall and Feelings
LOVE AND RESPONSIBILITY RETREAT
I love fall. But sometimes this time in the liturgical year can bring up a lot of feelings- with All Souls Day and with the readings talking about the end of time and even just the weather getting colder. Maybe it is different for you, but I know I would not exactly call these feelings “fun!”
However, I was privileged to take a course on Love and Responsibility with the TOB Institute at the beginning of November and received a much deeper appreciation for the purpose and beauty of feelings. Pope John Paul II wrote, “The value of a person must be not merely understood by the cold light of reason, but felt. An abstract understanding of the person does not necessarily beget a feeling of value of the person.” He is explaining that the stirrings and emotions of the human person are God-given and meant to be accepted and appreciated so that we can more fully understand the value of ourselves and of others.
One of the main ways that I can disconnect from God is when I try to avoid my feelings, maybe numbing them or fighting them or trying to distract myself from them. This is something we see often in today’s world- a resistance to feeling emotional pain. This looks like going on my phone instead of just accepting that I’m feeling sad or lonely or putting my emotional needs on another person instead of giving them to God.
It could also like anger or fear in trying to do anything to avoid getting yourself into situations where you might feel negative feelings. Even though I have these tendencies, I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus found me worth enough to experience all of the negativity, sadness, and pain that being human involves. So I will gladly embrace any tears for Him!
by: Chiara MacGillivray
