MSI Press Blog

“My grace is enough for you, For in weakness power reaches perfection.” --St. Paul   I’m in the business of compassionate healing. As a psychologist, my patients come to me in emotional and mental pain. They feel broken and want to be whole. They want relief from their suffering--their depression, anxiety, tempers, compulsions, and disturbing obsessions. Coming to me, they ask me to witness their suffering and bring them relief. Two questions often haunt them: “Why is this happening to me? How can I fix it?” In their desperation, they look for answers from me, whom they consider “the expert.” Contrary to their expectations, I direct those questions back to themselves and assure them, “You have the answers, but don’t know it yet.” I invite them to pay close attention to their own experience, to listen to the subtle voices speaking within, and to engage in open and honest dialogue with themselves. For many, that is a new experience. These voices have been drowned out by the...

  Today, October 18th, marks Dhanteras , the first day of the five-day Diwali festival celebrated across Hindu communities. It’s a day of light, healing, and preparation — not just for festivities, but for resilience. Traditionally, families honor Lord Dhanvantari , the deity of health and Ayurveda, and Goddess Lakshmi , who brings prosperity and clarity. Homes are cleaned, lamps are lit, and symbolic items — from gold coins to humble brooms — are purchased to sweep away poverty and invite renewal. But in 2025, Dhanteras feels especially poignant. The world is aching for healing — physical, economic, spiritual. And this day reminds us that ritual is infrastructure . Lighting a lamp isn’t just tradition; it’s a declaration of hope. Buying a broom isn’t just custom; it’s a gesture of stewardship. In our own interfaith household, where Franciscan hospitality meets practical caregiving, Dhanteras becomes a quiet invitation: to honor the tools that sustain us, to bless the systems w...

  Forgiveness is often described as a gift—but rarely as a struggle. And yet, for many, it is both. It asks us to confront pain, to release resentment, and to choose peace over righteousness. It is not a single act, but a process. Not a surrender, but a reclamation. 🧠 Why Forgiveness Is So Hard Psychologists like Robert Enright and Frederic Luskin describe forgiveness as a  multi-phase journey : Uncovering the Hurt : Naming the pain and acknowledging its impact. Deciding to Forgive : A conscious choice, often made before emotions catch up. Working Toward Understanding : Exploring the offender’s humanity—not to excuse, but to contextualize. Finding Meaning : Reframing the experience in a way that fosters growth. Neuroscience shows that holding onto resentment keeps the body in a low-grade fight-or-flight state. Forgiveness, by contrast, activates brain regions linked to empathy and emotional regulation. It’s not just emotional—it’s physiological. 🌿 What Forgiveness Is Not For...