The Kingdom of Heaven is Promised

Easter 2026

The moment you stop doubting God loves you, everything changes.

I was raised in the Catholic faith. I memorized my prayers, the creeds, obediently knelt and traced the sign of the cross ritualistically.

I collected my holy sacraments like holographic Pokémon cards: Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion, Confirmation. I have a few more left to go but I haven’t unlocked those levels in my life yet.

As an adolescent and young adult I drifted and strayed from the path many times, losing myself in the wilderness, crying out with a trembling voice. I did some serious, soulful mental wrestling that got me nowhere but further from my true self.

I’ve learned that doubt is not failure, it’s part of the terrain. In the last few years I returned to studying religion, particularly after I suffered a painful traumatic hospitalization during the pandemic.

There’s no simple way to explain human spirituality. We can talk about it endlessly but it really must be experienced to be understood. You can’t describe what water feels like on your skin to someone who’s never touched it. You can’t fully explain warmth, taste, or presence.

Then one day, you know, and the whole paradigm shifts.

Once you recognize God, there’s no way of not knowing him. It’s like learning how to read. You crack the code and you can’t unlearn it. The symbols become distinct, the patterns are clear, and what was once cryptic is now fully formed language.

Then you see him everywhere. You see what the others said they saw and feel empowered by this. Then right when you are given the gift of this “sight”, this awareness, suddenly you understand you are blind and powerless, and you must humbly surrender to your limits.

The Holy Bible, John 9:39 reads:  And Jesus said, I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

At first, it feels backwards but it isn’t.

The Scripture echoes elsewhere as we are called to walk by faith, not by sight.

The paradox is ubiquitous.

Faith must be encountered, it’s not something you can log into and download; something you can query search. Faith is not about having the answers, it’s about relating to The Source, the Spirit, whom many call God.

Once you begin communicating with God, you want to hit him up constantly- call him, text him, leave him voice memos, send him love letters. You miss him even though he’s always with you. You trust him more than you trust yourself.

I laugh at the absurdity because it’s so simple. It was always there. I was told by the trusted elders over and over! I heard them. I didn’t listen. I resisted. And then one day, the answer appeared in the form of a question: What if I told you you were never lost?

Life’s mysteries are so deep and limitless, that honestly, questioning everything is too much work. In fact, releasing from the shackles of skepticism to surrender lifts the yoke off our shoulders. With this insight, our souls become lighter and centered around the goodness of God’s light.

Religion is an exploration of purpose, and purpose is the meaning we make of our lives. Yes, we are all one of many. As individuals made of flesh we are inherently alone in our bodies and minds. There have been many before us and many will follow, but let’s not confuse insignificance with unimportance. That distinction matters.

This Easter, I reflect on the gifts I have been given. A quiet and gentle heart, my loved ones, my health, and my closeness to Jesus.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Promised and Love Conquers All.

Now that’s a golden egg of wisdom worth finding.