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    As soon as the words left my lips, I knew the error I had made.   In a heartfelt prayer of reflection, I told God, “Let me love you and serve you in the way I desire.” Ugh. It would almost be funny, if it wasn’t so stupid. Will I ever get this right? Immediately I changed the prayer to reflect the humility it should have held in the first place, “Let me love you and serve you in the way you desire.” How often do we find ourselves trying to be in the control seat, trying to lead God toward our ways? I have come to see very clearly that God’s ways are always best, without question, always better than mine!   At times I may have thought I really wanted to do this, or that, and it didn’t happen, and then, only years later, (I’m a slow learner) did I realize how terrible it probably would have been!  Good thing God doesn't always do what I ask! Wherever you find yourself today, listen carefully to God and trust that he knows what is best for you, because his way real

Eight people didn't go home Tuesday. Someone attacked at least five folks at Young's Asian Massage in Acworth, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. Two were dead when police arrived. Another two died in a hospital. A fifth victim is still alive, but wounded. Police found three more bodies at the Gold Spa in northeast Atlanta. They found another at the Aromatherapy Spa, across the street. Six of the eight victims are Asian women. A couple guys died, too. Atlanta-area law enforcement identified and caught a suspect. That was Tuesday.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

      I have found during Lent this year that I have not listened to God as much as I think I should. It is a good realization because it has caused me to return to some of my past practices that have enriched my faith life. I can always tell when I need to “up my game” because I don’t feel mentally stimulated.   What spiritual practices do you use to stay grounded in your faith?   Have you stayed steeped in them, or have they fallen by the wayside during Lent this year? I am trying to return to making a holy hour which includes scripture reading, prayer, spiritual reading and the rosary.   I have occasionally tried to turn off the news and turn on a podcast by Bishop Barron to engage my mind in deeper thought. Am I perfect at it?   No, of course not, but I have found that my efforts have helped me turn my thoughts more to God, and whenever we do that, we are truly blessed, because it is then that we can hear whatever it is he wants to say to us. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blo

The Presentation in the Temple Philippe de Champaigne [ Web Gallery of Art ] A few years ago while at home from the Philippines I was celebrating Sunday Mass  in Blanchardstown, Dublin, when I noticed a family coming in a little late. I realised the parents were Filipinos. They came right up to the front of the church. What touched me was that the husband/father was carrying the couple’s infant. In November 2014 I was in the pre-departure area of Incheon Airport, Seoul, for a flight back to Manila. I saw a Filipino father with his son who clearly had just recently learned to walk and was taking sheer delight in running around. He wasn’t disturbing anyone as there was plenty of space. The child’s father stayed at a distance, moving around and keeping an eye on his son while giving him space. I can imagine St Joseph doing exactly the same with the Child Jesus when he had just learned to walk. Philippe de Champaigne’s painting shows St Joseph carrying Jesus into the temple, just as the yo

March 17 is St. Patrick's Day. It's a public holiday in Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador. Chicago plumbers celebrate by turning the city's river green. It's a day when folks wear something green, and I've heard that some even drink green beer. Why anyone would think green beer is a good idea is beyond me, and that's another topic. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Nicodemus Unknown Flemish Master [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 3:14-21 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Jesus said to Nicodemus: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,   that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.   Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.   And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were e