All of our lives are important, even the parts of our past that we have ignored, downplayed, or forgotten. If we open the door to our past, we will discover God there, accompanying us in both happy and sad moments.

James Martin, MA, MDiv, ThM, is an American Jesuit priest, author, and long-time editor-at-large for America magazine. In addition to writing popular books on spiritual development, he became popularly known after becoming the “official chaplain” of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, and he continues to offer his perspectives on news platforms such as CNN, NPR, and TIME magazine. He is best known for his work advocating for the acceptance of LGBTQIA persons within the Catholic community, writing his book Building a Bridge in the wake of the 2016 Orlando, Florida nightclub shooting.