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What will God find you doing when he comes again?   That’s the question I explore in today's episode of Opening God's Word as we reflect on last Sunday’s reading from the Letter of James. I hope you will give this some serious thought because it can have a great impact on how we set our priorities and even the choices we make. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend! I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

The Dream of St Joseph Georges de La Tour  [ 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) https://www.universalis.com/20191222/mass.htm Gospel   Matthew 1:18-24 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.  But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you are to nam

In today’s gospel from Luke, Chapter 1, we hear four life-giving words from the Angel Gabriel.   Words that we can cling to. Gabriel is very busy in the readings this week.   In today’s reading he tells Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth are going to have a baby in their old age. As you might expect, this is quite surprising to Zechariah, but even more surprising is what happens to Zechariah after he gets the news! In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word you can find some encouragement from the angel that will help you in your own life. Take his four words to heart. I encourage you not to be distracted this week by all of the shopping and the never-ending list of things you have to do.   Take today’s episode as a way to re-focus on the big event coming our way! Please share this with a friend who might be feeling burned out trying to prepare for Christmas.   These readings are a great little retreat for us. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Wo

Ella’s Promise , by Ellen Gable, is the third in a series of romance novels set during World War I, in France. In this third book, Ella Neumann volunteers as a surgical nurse in war-torn France, only to quickly learn that her surgical nursing skills are unwanted. It seems that because she comes from German heritage, discrimination prevents her from making the most of her skills. Albeit, that Ella is American, her supervisor does not trust her, as Ella is fluent in both German and English. Instead, Ella’s supervisor assigns her to work in the Prisoner of War ward. It is here that Ella meets undercover agent Garrett Smith, a Canadian spy for the allies. Will Ella ever get to use her surgical skills in the operating theater? Will Garrett’s cover be protected? Or will he suffer the tragedies of war? Will the ignited spark of love, lit in the Prisoner of War ward, lead to something lasting? Or will the flame die out like everything else in this blasted war? To get the answers to these

Joseph had to listen carefully to the angel in his dream as Mary was betrothed to him and it was discovered that she was pregnant! What was Joseph to do? I’ll go over this passage today in the latest episode of Opening God’s Word and talk about Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy. As we move through this 3 rd week of Advent, I hope you are paying very close attention and anticipating the miraculous event coming next week – the birth of Christ! Don’t let yourself be distracted!   Don’t let these days of Advent distract you from what is most important – the coming of the Savior of the World! I hope you will share this podcast with a friend or family member who needs a bit of encouragement.   Many people get very disheartened during these last few days before Christmas as it is so easy to take our eyes off Christ.   I hope you enjoy these remaining days of Advent! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:   johnseven38@y

ARE YOU HAPPY?

The last straw was when I pulled out my Advent candles and found the rose candle chewed around the edges. Despite living with not one but seven cats, a fat mouse had taken up residence in the hall closet and apparently had dined on my Gaudete candle. I was left with a tarnished, warped Advent wreath, a broken purple candle, another candle burned to a nub, and a chewed "rejoice" rose candle. Isn't that just like my spiritual life? Read on.... An Advent Just Like Me

In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word we’re talking about lists! Opening to that first chapter of Matthew we find “The Genealogy of Jesus.” For many of us this might simply look like a list of names of unknown people, but that is not how it would have been initially received. Let’s talk about the significance of this list and make a relatable list of our own family history. I hope you are having a wonderful Advent and that you have been opening your mind and heart to the wonders of this season. It’s not too late to increase your prayer life and improve your practices as we move through these final days before the coming of Jesus. Have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy Blog: janetcassidy.blogspot.com Podcasts: janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email: johnseven38@yahoo.com