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The American holiday and Christmas seasons overlap, with fuzzy terminuses. Termini. Beginnings and endings. For some, Christmas starts with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That fine old American tradition has been joined by Cyber Monday. Oddly enough, I haven't noticed anguished laments over that newfangled technology and Macy's inflated cartoon characters.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

My reflection for today’s episode of Opening God’s Word gets its inspiration from the scripture reading for today—the prologue of the Gospel of John. We’re talking about beginnings! As you contemplate the past year and the one to come, I hope you will also be inspired by Psalm 96 to sing a new song to the Lord! I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

The Virgin with the Child Jesus and the Child St John the Baptist  Francisco de Zurbarán [ Web Gallery of Art ] You can learn more about the painting   here . In Ireland the Solemnity of the Epiphany is a Holy Day of Obligation and is celebrated this year on Monday 6 January. In many countries the Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 5 January. The readings below are those for the Second Sunday After the Nativity, observed in Ireland. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   John 1:1-18. Shorter form: John 1:1-5, 9-14  [omitted]  ( Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition )     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   He was in the beginning with God;  all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, an...

Looking for a New Year’s resolution, as we close out 2019, and move toward 2020? I have the best New Year’s resolution ever, considering the degree of divisiveness and vitriol language permeating our society.  Embrace friendliness! Make it a point to make friends with someone new each month, especially someone with whom you may not see eye to eye. You might be surprised at what you do have in common. Embrace Friendliness It never hurts to be kind and amiable to others; to offer support. Perhaps you have a relatively new coworker who could use a friend. Help that person navigate the politics of the work environment. Or, maybe, a new neighbor recently moved in. Show some kindness by inviting them for dinner or assist them in finding their way around town. Maybe, you see a new face at Church on Sunday. Introduce yourself and your family. Welcome the new parishioners and let them know some of the great things happening at your parish. As you can see, there are numerous opport...

Oh my!   Is today’s reading from the First Letter of John really telling me I cannot love the world? Am I not allowed to love beautiful sunsets and sandy beaches? And what about my family? My family is in the world.   Am I not supposed to love them either? In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word I clarify this passage by putting it into perspective as I consider the “enticements” this letter warns against and the importance of doing God’s will. After you have listened to this episode, I would like you to do two things.   If you have not already done so, please subscribe.   Secondly, please pray about who in your life might be struggling with worldliness and encourage them to listen to this episode, or better yet, discuss today’s passage with them! I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Flight into Egypt Blessed Fra Angelico  [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt,  and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said,  ‘G...

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Merry Christmas!    Are you afraid to speak up when you find yourself in a conversation with someone about faith? Do you feel that you don’t know enough?    Are you afraid that you will look rather stupid? Are you concerned you might get into an argument? Do not be afraid!    In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word I talk about the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, and how to find the courage to speak up! Please be sure to share this episode with a friend.   Today’s topic is of concern to many of us would-be disciples. Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Of the whole gamut of myths, legends and fairy tales that have been told in human history, not even the most outrageous or outlandish can compare with the message that we can so easily take for granted. It is the message first delivered to poor shepherds as they tended their flocks in the early hours of the first Christmas day.   read on .......

In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word I talk about the hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel and the idea that we are living in exile from God! I hope this will give you a little “food for thought” as we inch our way ever closer to Christmas! Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Merry Christmas, one and all! I write to you today, wishing you Christmas blessings, because I intend to take Wednesday off and celebrate the day with my husband. I have much to be thankful for this year, having received many blessings throughout the year. However, I find the Christmas blessings that Christ bestows on us at this time of year to be very special. Christmas Blessings Peace  – Christ’s peace is ever present, but especially prescient at this time of year. We celebrate the Incarnation of Christ on this day. The revelation of God made man for our sakes, to free us from sin and death, is mind-boggling. Yet, Christ came to bring us Peace. Joy  – Knowing God’s immense love for each of us should bring us a deep and abiding sense of joy. Who else could love us that much to send His only Son to save us from sin and death? Read more...

Adoration of the Shepherds Rembrandt  [ Web Gallery of Art ] What has come into being  in him was life, and the life was the light of all people (John 1:4). The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord  has four different Mass formularies, each with its own prayer and readings. Any of the four fulfills our obligation to attend Mass. These are: Vigil Mass , celebrated 'either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Nativity'; that means starting between 5pm and 7pm. Mass During the Night , known before as 'Midnight Mass'. In many parts of the world it does begin at midnight but in the Philippines since the 1980s it begins earlier, usually at 8:30pm or 9pm. Mass at Dawn . Mass During the Day . When you click on 'Readings' below from the New American Bible you will find links to the readings for each of the four Masses. The readings from the Jerusalem Bible for the four Masses are all on one page. Readings   (New American Bi...