So often, our faith becomes a “finite” game, one we try to win simply by following the rules. But when the mentality shifts to seeing faith as an “infinite” game, all of a sudden the New Testament, the lives of the saints, and our own lives of faith will begin to take on a new shape.

We all have ups and down in our faith. But how do I respond in the moments of difficulty, the times it feels dry? A true “metanoia” (a change of mind, a new lens for seeing and evaluating life) is needed. And an anti-fragile faith can be born!

Pope Leo XIV’s first homily addressed a simple yet profound reality: many of us believe in Jesus but live as “practical atheists.” In other words, we don’t truly listen to or follow the Good Shepherd. How can we begin to follow Him once again?

“Love is love,” right? In English, sure. But the Greeks had four words for love, and as the Gospels were written in Greek, there is a specific “love” Jesus is talking about. And in this scene of Jesus asking Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” we can learn a lot about what it actually means when Jesus calls us to “love.” Love is the answer, love is the Great Commandment of Jesus. But as the 1990’s “philosopher” Haddaway asked, “What is love?”

As we remember Pope Francis, one word comes to mind from this faithful shepherd of the Church: mercy. The essential content of the Christian faith is mercy. And yet, how does this shape our lives in the Church? Do we allow this faith of ours to truly shape our lives?