Jonathan Ryan's Blog, page 24

Things Keeping Us Alive, April ’18

April Fool’s! I mean, Happy Easter! April is almost over, but not yet. So it’s time for me and other sick pilgrims to reflect on the small joys that are keeping us going. Honestly, this post isn’t always simple to write. Personally, I’ve been more focused on surviving monotony than on the little things that […]

Dark Devotional: Love in the Kingdom of Heaven

I don’t care for the Bible terribly well. Probably because it was held up like an idol in my youth. “To be holy: read your Bible.” “All answers are to be found in the Bible.” “The Bible is infallible and inerrant.” “Good Christians read their Bibles every day.” These are tiresome. But what I do […]

You Are Not Alone: Catholic Women’s Real Life Experiences of NFP, Part VII

  In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae this summer, Sick Pilgrim will be featuring a series of essays on Natural Family Planning, the only acceptable method of achieving or avoiding pregnancy according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. These essays will not present ideological stances or theological arguments, but will simply offer […]

Dark Devotional: Shepherds in the Suburbs

Art by the fluffy and sheepish Brian Jocks. *****   If you want get to heaven Over on the other shore Stay out of the way of the blood-stained bandit. Oh, good shepherd, Feed my sheep. One for Paul, One for Silas, One for to make my heart rejoice Can’t you hear my lambs a-callin’? […]

You Are Not Alone: Catholic Women’s Real Life Experiences of NFP, Part V

  In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae this summer, Sick Pilgrim will be featuring a series of essays on Natural Family Planning, the only acceptable method of achieving or avoiding pregnancy according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. These essays will not present ideological stances or theological arguments, but will simply offer […]

Dark Devotional: Let’s Play a Game

Art by the wide-eyed and tearful Brian Jocks. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Dear Everyone, I would like to propose a game. It has only three […]

Depression, Survival, and Unlikely Friendships

“Hey man, just thinking about you. I heard about your wife’s cousin last night, and wanted to remind you that I’m here if you need to talk or hang out sometime. Love you brother.” I sent the text and put my phone facedown on my desk at work. Roony texted back a few minutes later, […]

You Are Not Alone: Catholic Women’s Real Life Experiences of NFP, Part IV

In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae this summer, Sick Pilgrim will be featuring a series of essays on Natural Family Planning, the only acceptable method of achieving or avoiding pregnancy according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. These essays will not present ideological stances or theological arguments, but will simply offer unvarnished testimony […]

Dark Devotional: On the Outside with Doubting Thomas

During a lockdown, all of the doors inside and outside of the school are locked. No one is allowed to leave or enter the school building. School shootings are rare, but scary as hell, so we take precautions to prevent them, as we should. My own children attend our local public schools, so far without incident. But […]

You Are Not Alone: Catholic Women’s Real Life Experiences of NFP, Part III

In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae this summer, Sick Pilgrim will be featuring a series of essays on Natural Family Planning, the only acceptable method of achieving or avoiding pregnancy according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. These essays will not present ideological stances or theological arguments, but will simply offer unvarnished testimony […]