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 April 20, 201713 Comments biographical

Brave

I feel very brave posting this. Three and a half years of blogging here and I have been careful not to show pictures of myself straight on. In fact, you’ll … Continue Reading Brave

Posted April 13, 20171 Comment life and death

As We Forgive Those Who Trespass against Us

In Watching the Stations of the Cross one Friday night during Lent, I heard the very familiar line of The Lord’s Prayer – “And forgive us our trespasses as we … Continue Reading As We Forgive Those Who Trespass against Us

Posted April 6, 20177 Comments biographical

Preparing to Die in 5 Easy Steps

Last week, I wrote about my reasons for wanting to prepare for death in a way that honors life, because death is an essential part of life as we know … Continue Reading Preparing to Die in 5 Easy Steps

Posted April 4, 20172 Comments life and death

12 March, Human Will VIII: An Unexpected Reward for being less than 100% committed.

Originally posted on agnellusmirror:
I trust Sister Johanna will allow me to continue reflecting on human will from another angle. WT. Litter-picking is one of those fatigues that children in…

Posted March 30, 201710 Comments biographical

Prepare to Die

Wrote this while two people in my life are actively dying, Mr. John Meehan, a friend and mentor, and my cousin’s husband, Larry Winger. May God grant them peace… Well, … Continue Reading Prepare to Die

Posted March 23, 20173 Comments biographical

Redemptive Suffering

The womb that cannot bear new life is, instead, bearing pain. Seemingly meaningless and devoid of promise, for the hard grip – twisted deformed rocks – makes it unrecognized as … Continue Reading Redemptive Suffering

Posted March 17, 20172 Comments life and death

The Navajos and Saint Patrick

Originally posted on Christina Chase:
Unknown to each other, unheard of in distance of time, their two lands with what might as well be a universe than an ocean between…

Posted March 10, 20173 Comments life and death

Trust in You

Trust is not something that I’m very good at. I like to be in control, feeling that I can manage the outcome to my liking. But, of course, I can’t … Continue Reading Trust in You

Posted March 2, 20176 Comments life and death

Expire

Now, breathe out… “His body is letting him down.” We say this about a person who is getting old or becoming sick with an incurable disease. Why? Isn’t the … Continue Reading Expire

Posted February 20, 20178 Comments life and death

Inspire

Breathe in deeply. Over the last six weeks, what with pneumonia, then bronchitis, and menstrual flow for 22 days (and counting) I’ve been struggling. Being as small as I am … Continue Reading Inspire

Posted February 7, 201716 Comments life and death

Air

This post explains my long absence from writing here… Life is fragile. All of life on earth must come to an end. And there are thousands of ways in which … Continue Reading Air

Posted January 5, 20175 Comments holy days

Wisemen Still Seek Him

Everybody wants something. Whether desiring wealth, pleasure, power, health, approval, comfort, freedom, or happy love, very few of us would rest content saying that there is nothing that we want. … Continue Reading Wisemen Still Seek Him

Nativity scene, Christmas, Jesus in manger

Posted December 29, 20164 Comments doctrine

Christmas Cycle

One Christmas Eve, after placing a small figure of baby Jesus in its resin manger at our house, my then 4 or 5-year-old nephew asked, “But… is he… alive?” So … Continue Reading Christmas Cycle

Posted December 22, 20166 Comments biographical

Gathering Stars

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and offering you this poem from decades ago. May you be filled with the wonder of God Among Us – for the Word of God, the … Continue Reading Gathering Stars

Posted December 16, 20161 Comment life and death

All the Smells and Ills

Originally posted on Christina Chase:
The human body isn’t always pretty. Oh no. We all suffer, or will suffer, from one weakness or another, aches and pains and afflictions of…

Posted December 8, 20163 Comments biographical

Joyful

A few words about joy. Well, okay, more than a few… I used to think that Catholicism was very dour, celebrating solemnities (solemn celebrations?) bemoaning sin and life in this … Continue Reading Joyful