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My husband told me I had to confess this to you, so I will.   I lied.   I cheated.   I laughed about it shamelessly. You see, rea is not a sewing term.   It is just a three letter word I completely made up so that in our scrabble game I could set myself up to use my letter “Q” for aqua. My husband didn’t really think it was a word, but he let me use it anyway, because he didn’t want to lose his turn over such a small number.   (If you don’t know Scrabble, every tile/letter has points on it.) He also pointed out to me that my dishonesty is probably why I lost by so much.   This is actually a charitable statement, because my loss has nothing to do with my dishonesty, but probably more, ahem, due to my limited vocabulary and the luck of the draw. Regardless, there, I’ve confessed it, so let’s move on, if you don’t mind. They say confession is good for the soul, and I do feel so much better. But the truth is, confession isn’t simply about feeling better.   Like I al

Many people confuse Chastity with celibacy, when they are two different things. Celibacy is the total abstention from sexual activity, whereas Chastity is living true to your vocation. By vocation, I do not mean “career.” In this sense, “vocation” means living in accordance with one’s calling from God. We have three vocational possibilities: Single, Married, or Religious (Ordained priests and deacons, as well as religious brothers and sisters). So, Religious and single people remain chaste by abstaining from sexual activity. However, married people remain chaste by engaging in sexual activity only with one’s spouse. Therefore, Chastity pertains to everyone. Why Chastity is Important So, now that we understand that Chastity pertains to everyone, let’s consider why it is so important, to God, that we all remain chaste in accordance with our respective vocations. It boils down to why God created sex, and why He deemed for it to occur within the sacred bonds of matrimony only. Sex

I just listened to an interesting discussion between Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. and Dan Cellucci, the CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute on EWTN Live.  I highly recommend you listen to it.  You can find it here . The Institute visits a lot of churches and has insight into what is working and what is not.  Why do some churches bring 30 people into the church at the Easter Vigil, while some seem to be dying? The problems facing our churches today cross all barriers.  Protestant, Catholic, whoever.  Dan gives some shocking statistics about the retention rate of people who enter the church and seek the sacraments. What is working in Religious Education? What can we do about poor homilies or poor leadership? What should the people in the pews be doing? Be sure to check this out and then consider what you might be able to do for your own church! You can learn more about the institute at CatholicLeaders.org . And don't forget to check out my latest podcast,   Open

“Gird your loins!” “Light your lamps” Be ready for when Jesus returns so that you can be counted among the faithful. We do not know when Jesus will return.  We don’t know the hour or the day, so in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, verse 35, we are given a lesson in being prepared. If you have been thinking about going to church, or wondering what this faith stuff is all about, be sure to take this passage seriously. Listen to the latest Opening God's Word to hear more about it. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” It is meant for all of us.  Let Jesus, upon his arrival, find you prepared and faithful. What a great message this is for us to hear.  Be sure to open your bible and read it for yourself.  Spend some quiet time listening to what God is saying to you---today!  Don’t wait! Janet Cassidy janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

What was the real problem with the Rich Fool in the parable that Jesus told in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 16? Was it so wrong that he had a “bountiful harvest”? Was it so wrong that he was looking forward to the day when he could “rest, eat, drink and be merry”? What does Jesus say will happen to him if he “stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God?” What does “matter to God?” We have lots to learn in this brief passage today, be sure to check it out at janetcassidy.blubrry.net Janet Cassidy janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:   johnseven38@yahoo.com

In today’s Gospel reading, we read about the rich man and the bountiful harvest. The parable stems from a request, by a follower, asking Jesus to tell his brother to share an inheritance with him. Jesus retorts,  “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”  (Luke 12:14). Jesus asks this question because He does not want to get in the middle of the squabble between the follower and his brother. Yet, Jesus never misses an opportunity to take such squabbles and turn them into a teaching moment. Ultimately, we all know that one day we will stand before Jesus, our Judge. In this life, we constantly ask Jesus to intervene in our affairs and arbitrate on our behalf. Therefore, we could all easily see Jesus as our judge and arbitrator. But, on this occasion, Jesus teaches us a different lesson. Judge and Arbitrator, or Savior and Redeemer? Life, a gift from God, is not an accumulation of possessions, but rather an accumulation of what matters to God. What we try to cling t

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Do you feel like the walls are tumbling down around you?   Friends have disappointed you, or even left you feeling abandoned? In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word we get a word of encouragement from Paul, who knows a great deal about this very situation.   He finds himself deserted and alone. What is his attitude in the midst of all of this?   How can he help us today, so many centuries later, that encourages us in our present difficulties? In his wisdom, in the midst of everything, he acknowledges where he finds strength to carry on.   Maybe his words will help you today as well. Don’t forget to subscribe, and share this with a friend in need. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:   johnseven38@yahoo.com

Moses , Michelangelo  [ Web Gallery of Art ] (First Reading,  Exodus 17:8-13 ) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Luke 18:1-8 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.  He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.  In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.”  For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’   And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God grant justic

In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word we jump right into the debate about whether we are saved by faith or the law! We only have a couple of minutes, so let’s simplify it.   Tune in to see how we can take a challenging topic, and through the words of Paul in the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 3, cut to the basics. You will not want to miss this!   Be sure to open up your bible, or go online and look closely at this chapter. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:   johnseven38@yahoo.com

I don't like to complain, BUT, what's up with exercising that doesn't move the dial on the scales?  Surely my walking is making SOME difference, right? Today on Cassidy Comments I talk about doing good, even when you don't see the results. I suggest that you find what it is that you are being called to do, and try your best to do it.  Don’t let the apparent littleness of it stop you.  Don’t let the naysayers discourage you.  Don’t let that little voice in your head convince you it is not worth doing.  Don’t weigh its value against how big a wave it makes today. I hope today's episode will get you thinking and inspire you to continue your good work, even if you can't see the difference it makes. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

God gives every human being an innate ability to understand right from wrong. We call that innate ability “our consciences.”  In assessing our consciences, the priority of Prudence is paramount. Why? Because Prudence impacts every decision that we make. For example, no one needs to tell you that it is wrong to kill. Innately, you just know. How? Your conscience tells you so. If you were to contemplate killing someone, you would feel a sense of uneasiness, warning bells go off in your head, and you just know in the depths of your soul that killing another human being is wrong. The question is, do we listen to the prudent guidance of our consciences? The Priority of Prudence The virtue of Prudence enables us to apply practical reason to our decision-making process, so that we can determine what is good, or bad, every time. Prudence also helps us to choose the proper means for achieving the true good and avoiding those things that go against God’s moral law. We value the priority

Have you ever wondered where we can find evidence of God?  My reflection today on the Book of Romans has the answer! Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome and he makes the logical argument that the world around us gives evidence of God, because "God made it evident to them!" I am so excited to talk about this passage and I hope you will be inspired to really think about this.  Maybe someone you know that is struggling with the existence of God will find it helpful as well. Be sure to share it with a friend! You can find today's podcasts, and all my podcasts at janetcassidy.blubrry.net . If you are looking for Uplifting Prayers in Times of Distress, you can find these free downloadable prayers at janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com. Have a blessed day in God's Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email me at:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

In  A Storyteller’s Guide to a Graced-Filled Life – Vol. II , by Tony Agnesi, we get to read 43 additional stories that couldn’t fit into Vol I. As with Vol I, Agnesi’s stories in Vol II make you laugh, cry and leave you wanting more! There is a special spot in my heart for the story,  Keith , about a young homeless man, who Agnesi befriended. One day, Tony asked Keith about his goals. Keith told Tony that he had three goals, 1) to find a job, 2) to find housing, and 3) to become Catholic. Well, it was that last goal that tugged at my heart. It would for any Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Coordinator, of which I am one for my parish. This beautiful story ends with us learning that Keith met all his goals. This story made me cry tears of joy! Then there is the story titled,  Catholics Come in Many Flavors . In this story, Agnesi describes a multitude of different types of Catholics. You know them. For example, the... Read more...

Let's talk about that clutter! Do you have closets, or a garage, or even a basement full of STUFF?  What is it doing to your peace of mind, and WHY aren't you doing anything about it? Often the massive overflow filling up our homes can become a burden, one that stands between us and God!  How is that possible?  What's the connection? Why is simplicity important? Listen in as I talk about my bookcases and how I approached them when I realized they were becoming overstuffed.  Let's talk about what you may be covering up when you can't let go of things. There may be a few reasons you haven't considered, as to why you are so attached. Please share this podcast with a friend if you think they might find it helpful! Janet Cassidy janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

Most of the time when I walk, I listen to my music, but lately I have been “branching out” and looking for Catholic podcasts to listen to. Today I came across one that I used to listen to all the time – Discerning Hearts . They consider themselves a “spiritual stop for those who travel on the digital sea.” And that is exactly what they are.   I have found their content and interviews to always have something informative and interesting. Today I listed to an interview on contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty who was talking about his book, Contemplative Hunger.   He has solid credits to his name, which include being a long time spiritual director for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. Anyway, I wanted to refer you to this podcast because he discusses the importance of prayer and specifically identifies what one Abbott of a monastery required of his monks to do daily, which led to his entire monastery becoming a truly contemplative place. You see, in any religious

Do you have zeal for Christ? Let’s find out! Do you express a sense of enthusiasm, coupled with intense interest and passion for God and your faith? Do you place God and your faith above all else? Is it within your nature to do big things in the name of Christ? When you see a need, do you do all that you can to fill that need for others? Do You Have Zeal for Christ? If you can answer “yes” to the questions above, then you are zealous for Christ. If not, then there is some work to do, if you want to master the virtue of Zeal. To gain more enthusiasm and passion for God and your faith, spend time learning about your faith. A good place to start is with your parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) sessions. It is here that your fellow parishioners teach the faith to those wishing to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Fellow parishioners are always welcomed to join in and participate. And while there, you will learn more than a thing or two