In this episode, we welcome Arthur and Ester Brooks to talk about marriage, suffering, and the path to lasting love. Arthur and Ester share what it's like to minister together, revealing both the grace needed and the hard work it takes to love each other faithfully over decades. We also reflect on suffering as an invitation for growth, why pain is fruitful, and how the hardest places in life are where love is purified. Whether you are married, single, or in religious life, intimacy with God is our source of strength for every situation we encounter in life.

Heather's One Thing - Franciscan's Resurrection Party!

Heather's Other One Thing - 10 Day Pentecost Audio Prayer Plan

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Heather's Easter Spotify Playlist

Michelle's One Thing - Everyone who just came into the Catholic Church!

Ester's One Thing - Her husband Arthur!

Ester's Other One Thing - Professional Cycling

Arthur's One Thing - Opportunities to witness to the Catholic faith during The Meaning of Your Life book launch

Other Resources Mentioned:

Arthur Brooks' Website
Ester Brooks' Instagram
The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness by Arthur Brooks
Other Books by Arthur Brooks

Journal Questions:

What does it look like to fight well?
How have I witnessed or experienced a marriage that is an antenna to God?
What suffering in my life am I resisting?
What are the discomforts and sufferings I have experienced today that I can thank God for?

Discussion Questions:

When are you tempted to be led by your feelings?
When have you had to let go of resisting suffering in the past?
Where in your life, marriage, or relationships do you feel stalled?
How is God inviting you to prioritize Him over your marriage, relationships, and responsibilities?

Quotes to Ponder:

"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal." (Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day, Rome, 2000)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." (Romans 12:9-12)

Sponsor - The Inspired Living:

The Inspired Living is your one-stop shop for Mother's Day and Sacrament season! Whether you're shopping for the mother who inspired your faith, the child whose love for the Eucharist is flourishing, or the bride who is curating her Catholic home, we've sourced the best Catholic home decor, books, toys, and gifts to lift souls to God and inspire our hearts to ponder Heaven. Our unique array of handcrafted goods are made by artisans not only in the United States, but around the world who are committed to bringing eternal beauty into the home.

Abiding Together Listeners get an exclusive 20% off discount using the code ABIDE2026.

The Inspired living - bringing eternal beauty to the home

Timestamps: 00:00 The Inspired Living

00:44 Intro

01:54 Scripture Verse

06:06 Ministering as A Married Couple

10:03 How to Fight and Bring About Deeper Union

15:23 Suffering Helps Us Grow

26:12 Committing to A Prayer Life

32:22 Making Space to Become

36:06 Putting God First and Your Spouse Second

38:10 The Science of Being Happy

41:44 One Things

S18 E13 - Marriage and Meaning with Special Guests Arthur and Ester Brooks