AuthorChristina Chase

Although crippled by disease, I'm fully alive in love. I write about the terrible beauty and sacred wonder of life, while living with physical disability and severe dependency. A revert to the Catholic faith through atheism, I'm not afraid to ask life's big questions. I explore what it means to be fully human through my weekly blog and have written a book: It's Good to Be Here, published by Sophia Institute Press.

Posted 2 weeks ago5 Comments poetry

Patient

Note the patience of a violet who, when heavy with bee, droops and bows and nearly breaks, as the strange creature bumbles deep within; brought low to the ground, she … Continue Reading Patient

Posted 4 weeks ago4 Comments doctrine

There’s Something about Mary

There sure are a lot of titles for Mary, the mother of Jesus — more than I can list, or even know and remember. Virgin Mary. Blessed Mother. Our Lady. … Continue Reading There’s Something about Mary

Posted 1 month ago13 Comments poetry

Ode to My Mother

Who was my mother before she was my mother? A little poem from the archives to celebrate Mother’s Day. I love you, Mama! Within Her Hands Within her hands, now … Continue Reading Ode to My Mother

an empty billboard symbolizing a blank canvas or empty page

Posted 2 months ago5 Comments biographical

Writing a Memoir?

Recently, my sister said to me, “If your songs aren’t getting as much air time on the radio, it’s time to release another album.” Point taken. After a whirlwind of … Continue Reading Writing a Memoir?

Posted 2 months ago art, literature, music

Earth Day: Rocky Mountain High

One morning, as he was taking care of me, my dad had John Denver’s song, Rocky Mountain High, in his head, so he asked our smart speaker to play it. … Continue Reading Earth Day: Rocky Mountain High

Posted 2 months ago13 Comments poetry

of false gods

I first wrote this poem in 2016, on April 1, and called it “April’s Fool.” My own personal experiences inspired the writing, though my experiences weren’t so blatant. Poetry is … Continue Reading of false gods

springtime in an orchard, a path beckons the viewer onward and the pink blossoms are infused with radiant sunlight

Posted 2 months ago6 Comments poetry

Lovely

Happy Easter! Happy Spring! Happy Birthday! Rise up from the tomb of gloom, Rise up from your old ways and be not afraid, Rise up to newness of life! The … Continue Reading Lovely

Jesus falling beneath the weight of the Cross

Posted 2 months ago12 Comments poetry

Eternal Passion

Is all human suffering the same suffering — the suffering of God who is a man? Did he not exist before all of us? Did he not live in the … Continue Reading Eternal Passion

Posted 3 months ago3 Comments in the world

Sloth

I’m a generally content person. Considering my debilitating disease, that’s a very good thing. Except when it isn’t. Looking Back When I was 11 years old, I stopped physically attending … Continue Reading Sloth

human being so angry that the face is photographically distorted with open screaming mouth with teeth everywhere

Posted 3 months ago biographical

Wrath

I’m being tested. These past weeks have been difficult. Don’t think that this examination of conscience has just been a way for a writer to write something appealing for her … Continue Reading Wrath

Posted March 11, 20212 Comments biographical

Envy

It was naptime in the church basement kindergarten, and I was lying on my little mat looking through the spokes of my wheelchair at the dimly lit figures of Julie … Continue Reading Envy

Posted March 4, 20216 Comments biographical

Greed

“I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.”[i] But it can buy a lot of nice stuff. Knowing that love is more valuable than any possession … Continue Reading Greed

the silhouette of a couple before a fire

Posted February 25, 20215 Comments in the world

Lust

The temptation toward lust, some may assume, is something that I don’t experience, because I am severely physically disabled and live a fairly sheltered life. But I’m human. Fully human … Continue Reading Lust

Posted February 18, 20211 Comment biographical

Gluttony

Weighing all of 70 pounds, I doubt that anyone would accuse me of the sin of gluttony. But I don’t have to overeat to be a glutton. Looking Back When … Continue Reading Gluttony

a monkey looking in the mirror at his own reflection

Posted February 11, 20214 Comments in the world

Pride

I don’t think I’ve ever suffered from low self-esteem. As the smiling girl in the wheelchair, I’ve experienced much praise and extra complementary attention from childhood onward. Although I have … Continue Reading Pride

Posted February 4, 20212 Comments poetry

The Myth about Stars

The myth about stars is that they’re far from where we are. You, to a grain of sand at distant end of beach, may seem colossally out of reach ‘midst … Continue Reading The Myth about Stars