Several weeks ago, my husband and I started watching a documentary. It wasn’t inherently bad but there came a point when I knew it wasn’t healthy for us to watch it anymore, especially myself, as it was causing a lot of internal strife. I thought I was strong enough to handle it on my own, though.

And so, I made up excuses to continue watching it. Last week, we watched the newest episode and it brought on some spiritual warfare like I haven’t experienced in a long time.

On Friday, at daily Mass, I could not focus because of the onslaught of negativity coming at me. I asked for St. Maria Goretti, Mary, my guardian angel, and St. Michael to pray for me.

Later that day, my son was invited over to a friend’s house to play and after dropping him off, I sat and talked with the mom for a bit. When it was time for me to go, she offered to bring him up to the church, as both our families were going at 5:30pm to confession.

So, with that, I went home and started cleaning and packing for our trip to Mobile. I was being a good Martha, trying to tend to things. But, at about 4:40pm, I felt this urge inside my head that said, “Go up to the church early.”

Surprisingly, I dropped everything, grabbed my keys and drove up to the church. Still suffering from the spiritual warfare inside me, I walked into the church. It was dark, quiet, and there was Jesus waiting just for me. For 30 minutes, I had one-on-one time with Him and it was exactly what my soul needed. I needed to sit with Jesus, like Mary did in today’s Gospel reading.

After Confession, I was restored and have not be suffering since. I know it was the prayers of the good saints I called on that pushed me out the door to church.

There truly is no better place than in the presence of Christ, Catholic Pilgrims. He is the balm for our souls.

Have a blessed Tuesday.