MFP 334: An Addiction, a Marriage, and a Priest

Our vows are for life, and we need overwhelming grace to live them out - Kevin Wells

 

Summary

If you ever thought your marriage was in such bad shape that you simply did not know what to do, this podcast is for you.  We were so blessed to be able to talk to Kevin Wells, the author of The Hermit: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family.  This interview is deep because Kevin and his wife Krista have been through the fire together and it is only by the grace of God that they both survived.  Our discussion includes the indissolubility of the marriage vows, how marriage makes you holy sometimes by bringing you to the desert, and the powerful role that our priests can take in shepherding our souls and bringing Jesus to us.  Kevin’s perspective is incredibly hopeful because he has seen the power of God!  Take time to listen to his story and use the lessons he gives to draw closer to the source of life for all of our marriages - the Lord Himself. 

Key Takeaways

• When a person experiences shame, they always need an outlet for that shame.  Sometimes its themselves and people turn inward, and sometimes it is someone else.  

• Satan is a total jerk.  He uses wounds from our childhood, when we were innocent victims, to beat us up and tell us the lie that we are not worthy of love. 

• Every addiction is hiding a wound.  To be truly free from addiction, that wound needs to be healed.

 

• When you are in the “desert” of a troubled marriage, the only way to get through is complete reliance on God.  He calls us deeper into the desert to rest, abide, and surrender. 

• Our vows are for life and this is an impossible task.  It can only be accomplished by the grace of God

• Priests are custodians of the souls of those within their parish.  When one of these souls is in error, they need the Holy Spirit to speak with firmness and candor.  Anything less is false charity and false mercy. 

 

Couple Discussion Questions

1. Are there areas of our life or marriage that aren’t completely surrendered to God?  How can we surrender everything to Him? 

2. Are there priests in our lives who are true shepherds to us?  How can we support and love our priest better?  

 

https://ignatius.com/the-hermit-hermp/