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Today we explore a traditional Rosh Hashanah reading from 1 Samuel about Jonathan's loyal friendship with King David, and; extracts powerful lessons for those on a grief journey. The biblical story demonstrates how love transcends hatred, and ultimately has the healing power to mend our deepest wounds. Especially grief.

• Examination of the biblical story of Jonathan protecting King David from King Saul
• Love is greater than hate, physical harm, and can heal all wounds
• Love, especially God's love, can accompany us through our grief journey
• True and faithful love for God rewards us both in this life and beyond


If you have questions about spiritual direction while grieving, or grief support or grief groups in your community, my contact information is in the show notes.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

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Today we explore how our attachments to physical objects transform during grief. Loss requires us to reconsider what we hold onto and why, as we weave grief into the fabric of our lives rather than trying to overcome it.

• Grief isn't something to "get over" but something we integrate into our lives
• Moving to a new home revealed how many things I was willing to let go
• St. Ignatius teaches about "disordered attachments" that keep us from being closer to God
• Examining our attachments can help us move forward in grief

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

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and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

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Grief chaplain Candy Lucas explores how our attachments to objects mirror our journey through grief, sharing personal stories about moving houses and her father's cherished Mona Lisa painting. She reflects on how objects can both comfort us and sometimes hinder our healing, drawing connections between physical possessions and emotional attachments.

• Loss is a universal human experience we all face if we are truly living
• Some episodes in this podcast are for fresh grief while others are for those further along
• Moving to a new house revealed surprising willingness to let go of possessions
• Story of father's attachment to his Mona Lisa painting in his care facility
• Father's complicated relationship with the painting parallels our grief attachments
• Personal story about mother's portrait that remains treasured but hidden
• St. Ignatius teaches about "disordered attachments" that keep us from God
• Grief work aims to make us closer to God and more open to divine experience

New episodes drop every Friday morning on Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. If you're interested in grief groups, spiritual direction while grieving, or questions about Ignatian spirituality, my contact information is in the show notes. Please be gentle with yourselves this week and to others. Travel with God at your side.

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When we're grieving, our culture of rugged individualism often tells us to face losses alone, but healing requires the presence of others. This episode explores why seeking support during grief isn't weakness but essential wisdom for moving forward.

• Grief and loss are inevitable in life but nearly impossible to manage alone
• Many avoid seeking help due to fear of appearing weak, being vulnerable, or being judged
• Past experiences with grief can provide strength for facing present losses
• Journal writing helps put grief on paper and bring emotions into focus
• Taking the risk of being vulnerable is frightening but essential for healing
• Establishing your rights as a grieving person includes permission to express emotions your way
• Sharing tough questions with trusted companions helps process loss
• Feeling anger is natural, but talking about it helps break its grasp
• You have the right to be happy and to laugh even while grieving
• Seeking a prayer partner provides spiritual support when words fail
• Though loss changes us forever, our lives can be mended as we carry memories forward.

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

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Today we explore how to walk with God during grief when prayer feels impossible and faith seems distant. Grief creates natural spiritual questions as we navigate the physical, emotional, and psychological shifts that come with significant loss.

• Picture God on your side rather than as the cause of suffering
• God's compassionate presence walks with us through our pain
• Trust God's nearness even when feelings suggest otherwise
• Call on good memories to help navigate present darkness
• Find at least one thing each day to be grateful for
• Pray your pain by expressing real feelings to God
• Try alternative prayer forms like walking, music, or open hands
• Look for God in unexpected ways like nature or acts of kindness
• Make time for solitude where invisible healing occurs
• Be patient with yourself as healing takes time
• Find support through others' stories of loss and resilience
• Remember God keeps vigil over you as a loving parent

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

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Today explore the delicate subject of experiencing happiness in the midst of grief, examining how these seemingly contradictory emotions can coexist. 

• Life continues moving forward regardless of our personal grief, which can feel jarring and isolating
• Happiness can emerge unexpectedly during grief through events like births, engagements, or achievements
• Biblical passages often describe joy and sorrow as concurrent experiences rather than opposing emotions
• Pain and joy are grounded in different realities - we can't stop pain from coming, but we can keep joy from disappearing

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

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Journaling serves as both a memorial and milestone marker on our grief journeys, allowing us to process complex emotions and track our healing progress over time.  Journal entries spanning several years document my experiences with various losses and the spiritual dimensions of grief.

• Grief journaling helps memorialize our journey and provides perspective on how far we've come
• Personal journal entries reveal the complex, non-linear nature of grief processing
• Spiritual themes weave throughout the journaling process, showing how faith can anchor us
• Metaphorical language helps express grief emotions that defy straightforward description
• The journey through grief includes moments of both profound despair and glimpses of comfort
• Writing creates a safe space to express emotions that might otherwise remain bottled up

A new episode drops every Friday morning on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple. If you have questions about grieving or spiritual direction, my contact information is in the show notes. Be gentle with yourself this week. Vaya con Dios.

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

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Grief creates a profound rupture in our lives, affecting us spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. The 14th century spiritual classic "The Cloud of Unknowing" offers wisdom for navigating the darkness of grief through contemplative prayer.

• Focuses on prayer as an act of will and love rather than intellect
• Offers practical guidance for being fully present in prayer during difficult times
• Emphasizes that even short, simple prayers are sufficient for connecting with God
• Encourages embracing "the proper awe of the Lord" as foundation for wisdom
• Provides comfort in knowing that souls aligned with God "are immediately heard"
• Parallels between the "unknowing" in contemplative practice and grief journeys

Consider what helps you approach prayer with a willing attitude during your grief journey.  

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

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We explore Karl Rahner's profound spiritual insights from "Encounters with Silence," focusing on finding God within the ordinary routines of daily life. Rahner, a Jesuit priest and influential 20th century theologian who helped shape Vatican II, offers wisdom particularly relevant to those experiencing grief.

• Karl Rahner entered the Society of Jesus in 1922 and was ordained in 1932
• Rahner's vision provided theological support for openness and dialogue between Christians
• His spirituality acknowledges the challenge of finding God amidst life's "empty noise" and "meaningless fury"
• Rahner personally experienced grief through the loss of relatives and friends
• He suggests the only path to God must lead "through the very middle of ordinary life"
• The interior person can find rest and activity unified in the same experience
• Divine love transforms routine activities into a "homecoming" to God

"https://www.amazon.com/Encounters-Silence-Karl-Rahner/"

You can find me on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple. You can contact me through my email in the show notes. A new episode drops every Friday. 

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay