Often, when we are in trouble, or doubting, or struggling, we rely on others to carry us to God. Just as often we must do the carrying, to help friends who are struggling. This is one of the many benefits of organized religion, as we all need others to help us find God. Even though we may disagree with others and find life in a community occasionally annoying and sometimes scandalous, we need others, because the community is one way that we are carried to God, especially when we are too weak to walk to God on our own.

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.