Gratitude with Grief: Holding Both in Catholic Life

Can you be grateful while grieving? Should you even try? In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Adam Cross tackles one of the most challenging tensions in Catholic spiritual life: how to honor our grief while maintaining gratitude for God's goodness.

Drawing on Scripture, theological insights from Father Raniero Cantalamessa and Dr. Shan Tobin, and his clinical experience, Adam explores:

• Why "just be grateful" advice can feel dismissive (even when well-intentioned)
• The biblical story of St. Paul singing hymns in prison
• How God became man to suffer with us, not just console us from a distance
• The connection between Mary's trust and her joy
• Practical ways to hold space for both grief and gratitude in your own life and with others

This isn't about dismissing pain or forcing positivity. It's about recognizing that grief and gratitude aren't mutually exclusive but can exist together as we wait for God's resurrection in our lives.

Key Quote: "The opposite of sin is not virtue, but praise. The opposite of sin is remembering that God is goodness."

Referenced Resources:

• "Big God Little Devil" by Dr. Shan Tobin
• Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Preacher to the Papal Household)
• Sister Miriam James on Mary's fiat

Whether you're navigating your own season of grief or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers theological depth and practical wisdom for honoring both the weight of suffering and the hope of the Gospel.

About Adam Cross: Adam Cross is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in Southern California, specializing in Catholic therapy and integrating faith with mental health treatment.

Connect with Adam: Website: www.adamcrosslmft.com Instagram: @adamcrosslmft