S17 E4 - Hope in Humanity

In this episode, we explore the gift of tears and the importance of allowing ourselves to cry. We reflect on our experiences with crying and talk about how tears, especially in painful moments, can be a powerful expression of surrender, lament, and hope when offered to God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, our sensitivity and capacity to cry reflect the way we were beautifully created to respond to what breaks God's heart. We discuss the vulnerability of crying, the pain of resisting it, and how Jesus crying out on the cross reveals the value of our own cries. Whether you're too tired to cry, afraid to show need, or already feel safe expressing emotion, we invite you to see crying as an act of worship and intercession. In our sorrow, God meets us with love, truth, and the hope that He can actually do something with our pain.

Heather's One Thing - Spirit Breathe by Sarah Kroger and Echo Harbor Worship
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Beloved Son by Carrie Daunt
Michelle's One Thing - Her new back porch!

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Pope Leo XIV's General Audience of September 10, 2025
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Journal Questions:

• When was the last time I cried?
• What would it look like for me to cry well?
• Where has my heart been repressed?
• Where do I need to cry out?

Discussion Questions:

• How did Pope Leo's words change your perspective on crying?
• How are you tempted to give in to cynicism?
• In what ways are you self-reliant in this season of life?
• How can you be an empathetic witness to someone crying out in their life?

Quote to Ponder:
"Finally, she asks God to give her a gift of tears to draw his mercy down upon the world, and especially upon his church. In one of her visions, Catherine records having been told by God: "If you open your mind's eye you will see that the Holy Spirit weeps in the person of every one of my servants who offers me the fragrance of holy desire and constant humble prayer."
(St. Catherine of Sienna, The Dialogue Study Edition)

"We are accustomed to thinking of crying out as something disorderly, to be repressed. The Gospel confers an immense value to our cry, reminding us that it can be an invocation, a protest, a desire, a surrender. It can even be the extreme form of prayer, when there are no words left. In that cry, Jesus gave all that he had left: all his love, all his hope." (General Audience, September 10, 2025, Pope Leo XIV)

Scripture for Lectio:
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1)

Sponsor - Beata Home:
This episode is sponsored by Beata Home, a boutique-style print shop founded by Katie, a wife and mom of four. The word Beata is derived from the Latin word for "blessed," and that is her hope, that each piece will be a blessing to homes and families. Born out of the conviction that beauty has the power to evangelize, Beata Home makes it easy for Catholic families to surround themselves with art that reflects their faith and lifts hearts and…