Dear people. It's with great humility that I post this. This past week I've been in the depths of despair due to loneliness. Sometimes I don't know how my life got like this. Ten years ago , I was married and living in the comfort and safety of my family ( unaware of an interloper tempting my wife ). Now I live totally alone with my little dog and see my beloved daughter (26) once a week I'm feeling so very lonely and I'm aware that this time makes things very poignant but that knowledge doesn't help. I also know intellectually that I'm loved by God, but I don't always feel it. Pray for me please. Those who can, pray a Rosary for me please. Thank you. Aidan
Aidan, You are in my prayers. I pray our Lord will comfort you and you will be filled with His love and grace. Sometimes our emotions override our reason. Been there. Remember when we are at our darkest, Christ is with us. If you have not, read St John of The Cross: Dark Night of the Soul. I will ask our Blessed Mother to pray for you, as I and my family will pray for you. God's blessings be upon you. Fr. Mark
Praying a rosary for you Aidan. It sounds to me like you are experiencing a spiritual darkness which happen to the best of us. I invite you to watch this video by Father Mike Schmitz on spiritual darkness, it helps me greatly when I feel down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXfYjTqfo9o
Been there, except for daughter. Loneliness brought out in me how much I depended on others to make me feel okay. It also brought out in me what I used to say and do to make sure I was not to experience loneliness. In short, the whole concept is quite exploitative of self and others. God, via the Holy Spirit of Truth, revealed my own truths and I was found wanting. Wanting God to keep me aware of my own truths. This wanting brought me closer to God, and He became like a Father to me, because I wanted Him to be, even though He has always been a Father to us all. Now I am no longer alone. I am never alone. Loneliness no longer has meaning in my life. Loneliness has transformed to solitude and serenity. I love it so much, I have no TV, no radio, no music, just the sounds of nature and the occasional noises of civilization around me. What I am saying is, Everything (fulfillment, unconditional love, joy, serenity, gratitude, acceptance, fearlessness, truth) is available to those who surrender their self to God. One has to let go of everything for Everything. Loneliness is hanging onto everything for nothing. I pray that you too will pray (talk to God (Father), to the Shepherd (Son)), and form a closer relationship with you Truth.
Aidan, I'm sorry to hear you are going through this difficult time. I will keep you in my prayers and say a rosary for you. Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I empathize in many ways sir. Lord have mercy upon you, and me. 31 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. 6 I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. 9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! 10 For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. 11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life. 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. 19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! 22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. 23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
O God, our sovereign and our shepherd, who brought again your Son Jesus Christ from the valley of death, comfort us with your protecting presence and your angels of goodness and love, that we also may come home and dwell with him in your house for ever. Amen. Abide with us, Lord, for it is evening, and day is drawing to a close. Abide with us and with your whole Church, in the evening of the day, in the evening of life, in the evening of the world; abide with us and with all your faithful ones, O Lord, in time and in eternity. Amen.