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    As I was sitting in a lobby, people passed by me heading to rehab.  Various levels of aids, such as wheelchairs, canes and assistants, accompanied those in recovery who were trying to manage the doors to the entrance. I was listening to a recording of Pope Benedict XVI talking about the Eucharist being a blend of humanity and divinity while observing all of these people coming in and going out. It was very powerful listening to the esoteric words of the Pope while witnessing humanity at its best. Everyone coming through those doors had people helping them.  Whether it was their driver, or strangers spontaneous jumping into action, the outpouring of care I witnessed in these exchanges, combined with the Pope's words, was quite thought-provoking. It was as if these interactions brought together exactly what the Pope was talking about in regards to the Eucharist. I hadn't quite thought of the Eucharist in this way. He said, in part: "Eucharist as blending

      I remember having a conversation with an employee at the nursing home where my mom was living.  We were chatting around a table and the lady was talking about her mom. She said that although her mom had died several years before, she still would go to pick up the phone to call her.  My mom and I listened and acknowledged we understood, especially since my grandma had also died several years before. Even at the time, I knew how precious that moment was for me since I could still enjoy my mom's company.  Today, as I remember her on her birthday, I know all to well the longing to talk to her, to call her up, to share something that is going on. Naturally, I pray for her every day.  Those who have gone before us rely on our prayers.  They are no longer in a position to pray for themselves, nor make any changes they may have liked to make while living. That is a good reminder for us, that we should always do our best to grow in holiness, care for others, and avoid

    I looked down and there was one of those super tiny, literally less than a pinhead-sized creature.  I went to take it up and it flew away, I think. It was so small it was almost invisible to the naked eye.  Too small, it seemed, to be able to eat anything, and definitely not much of a meal itself. But doesn't every living, moving thing need to eat?  What could possibly be small enough that this microscopic creature could consume it as its own food? I have questions. One of which is, "Why?"  Why does this minuscule speck-of-dust even exist?  If it is too small to be someone's food source, and probably doesn't contribute much of anything to the insect world, why is it here, and did God actually create it? Like I said, I have questions. Oddly, all of this got me to thinking about my presentation--years ago-- on euthanasia.  I was talking to Confirmation students and their sponsors. One of the questions I posed to them was this: "If grandma (o

                                                                                       News4 JAX                            My husband was poking at a pile of decorative grass that we saved for our garden when all of a sudden we heard SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK! Working nearby, I said, "What was THAT?" He carefully uncovered a nest of three baby bunnies.  Naturally, he replaced the grass (which had bunny fur embedded in it) and left them alone. Over the next few days, I would gently lift the grass to see if they were still alive.  Then, one day, as I lifted it, one of the bunnies literally shot out of the nest and took off, bounding into the neighbor's yard. When I lifted it again, the other two shot out, one running in one direction and the other in the opposite direction. I was glad they weren't fragile, but my husband spoke my very thoughts. "I wonder if they will make it out there on their own now." About a week later, we were sitting on the dec

    Today is a special day in the Church and although I don't normally post on the weekend, this is worth mentioning. As we celebrate Corpus Christi today, I did a little research for you.  Today we focus on the Body and Blood of Christ in its two expressions:  The actual, physical body of Jesus (in the Eucharist), and the Church as the Body of Christ. I found this link with more information, that I thought you might like:  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/solemnity-of-the-most-holy-body-and-blood-of-christ-270 Basically, today draws our attention to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and many Catholic churches will hold processions in the street.  The intention is to draw us toward Jesus' Body, which is carried in a monstrance, out into our communities. Please take time today to fill your heart with gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us and honor his sacred Body, especially in the Eucharist and the Church. Don't forget to honor the poo

It's been 30 years since a Mexican theoretical physicist said that a warp drive was possible: hypothetically. And published math that backed up his claim. Last month, a team of scientists showed how we could build a warp drive: again, with math backing up their claim. This year's variation on the Alcubierre drive couldn't travel faster than light. But it can, they say, be built with materials we have today. This is a very big deal. And it's what I'm talking about this week. Along with whatever else comes to mind. Speed of Light, Math, and Approaching Infinity New "Warp Drive" Approach: This One is Testable Gravity, Newton's Law, Einstein's Math, and — Negative Mass? Math, My Father, and Me: A Digression "Exotic Solutions" Offering a "Novel Means of Transportation" A Testable Warp Solution: Exciting! The Day "Warp Field Mechanics 101" Disappeared History — — And Being Human More at A Catholic Citize

    If I am being honest, this jumped out at me in light of the recent conviction of the former president of the United States, in New York yesterday.   His behavior seems to correspond to this passage, which comes from today's reading from The Book of Zephaniah: "It listens to no voice, accepts no correction." Zephaniah included this in his prophesy, hundreds of years before Jesus, during a time of darkness for Judah and Jerusalem.  The people were stubborn, and his prophecy announced the "fire" of God's passion, his anger at the way they were behaving. BUT, at the end of this very short book, we learn that God has left a remnant of people, who "do no wrong and speak no lies."  It was good news to the people of Jerusalem. What stood out for me yesterday at the former president's conviction, was the lack of humility found in one who will not listen to anyone and who cannot take being corrected.  How can anyone be a good leader if t

      We had a chance to tour an out-of-commission lightship called the Huron.  It was a very nice ship museum (dry-docked).  As we began to walk around it, I felt like I was in one of those roadside Mystery Spot houses that make you feel like you are walking on an angle. I asked about it and the museum docent explained that it was related to the anchor and how it affected the tilt of the ship.  This ship that we call the Church also has an anchor--Jesus.  As we move about, there may be times when we feel a little off-kilter, always being challenged as we are, to steady ourselves when our steps feel a little off. But the truth is, it is Jesus on whom we should rely during those times we need steadying, when we just can't seem to get our bearings.  He is the one who gives us direction, keeps us upright when we feel like we are going to fall, and ultimately, the one who never leaves us alone in the storms of life.  There are lots of ways we describe Jesus--the light in

St Margaret Mary Alacoque Contemplating the Sacred Heart of Jesus Corrado Giaquinto [Web Gallery of Art Web Gallery of Art ] June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus He guides the humble in the right path;  He teaches his way to the poor  (Ps 24[25]:9).   Supper at Emmaus Caravaggio [ Web Gallery of Art ] Corpus Christi, Year B The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B   In most countries  this solemnity, formerly celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, is now celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday, this year replacing the Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In communities where the Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated Corpus Christi is observed on the traditional day, the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, this year 30 May. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Mark 14:12-16, 22-26   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) And o

  Remember my butter fiasco while I was attempting to make banana bread with my new-to-me mixer? (See "What a Morning!") Well, I got brave and decided to make some homemade bread, using the recipe that came with the mixer. Making bread and not having to knead it was the one thing I was really anticipating. I excitedly got all of my ingredients together and put on the dough hooks. As I pushed the buttons and turned up the speed, there was an awful screeeeccchhh that I could barely tolerate. After fussing with it a bit, I resorted to hand kneading, as my husband recognized he had a job to do. The bread turned out very good, but my husband spent a few hours in the garage taking the whole mixer apart. Since the mixer is quite old, he figured it probably needed some oil. When he got it all oiled and put back together, he brought it in the house and the offensive screech was gone! He said something still isn't quite right, but it certainly runs fine now. I can hardly wait

      Look around you. I suspect, like me, you haven't seen Jesus walking down the street. You haven't actually seen the physical person at a social gathering, at work, or sitting at your breakfast table. In reality, one of the possible ways we CAN see Jesus is in one another. It is the responsibility of each of us to live in such a way that others can see Jesus, especially since he is not walking around in a physical body.  We need to be careful that our own words and behavior do not drive people away, but attract. Just being good, morally upright people--while a positive thing--is not enough.  We need to understand the motivation for such good behavior, if we are going to keep ourselves in check. Without solid grounding--like belief in God--we will be easily moved to less virtuous behavior at the first challenge we face. Then, as our anger rises up, for example, we will lose our footing, and rather than self-correct, we will quickly become less of an example of

I think the notion that someone can either be a Christian or appreciate the cosmic scale and wonders of God's creation is fading. Sincerely believing in a conflict where champions of science and reason opposed the dark forces of religion didn't, arguably, start in the 19th century. But that's when the idea got traction. In England and America, at any rate. Even so, fallout from the 19th century could be worse. I could be living in a culture where religiously earnest folks insisted that diamagnetism is diabolical. This week I'll be talking about faith, reason, cultural baggage, and why using my brain is a good idea. "The Watch-Dog of Science" and Cultural Baggage Agnosticism, Diamagnetism — and Levitating Frogs Checking Our Cultural Baggage Remembering the Freethought Road Protecting Their Country From People Like Me Darwin, Divinity, and Letter From an English Priest Thinking is Not a Sin Punctured Pride? Perspectives More at A Catholic C

Holy Trinity Jusepe de Ribera [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel    Matthew 28:16-20     (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.   And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted.   And Jesus came and said to them,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.     Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Léachtaí i nGaeilge Antiphona ad introitum   Entrance Antiphon Benedictus sit Deus Pater, Unigenitusque Dei Filius, Sanctus quoque Spiritus, quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam . Blest be God the Father, and the Only Begot

    Are you frustrated about your choices for the presidential election this year?  Don't know what to do because of the abortion issue? I came across this excellent article from Word on Fire (Bishop Robert Barron's site) that is very helpful.  It doesn't tell you how to vote, but lays out some very balanced points to consider. I hope you will find it helpful and that you will share it wherever you can. It offers some very good questions for us, and although it is directed to Catholics, please don't think it is limited to Catholics, as we are not the only ones who care about morality and its application to politics! Just go to:  https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/abortion-on-the-ballot-this-election/  Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/ https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy

    It all started with two ripe bananas, a new-to-me mixer and the ridiculous notion of "softening" butter on a plate. What a morning! After I "over-softened" the butter, I took it out of the microwave and dumped half the plate of melted butter down my apron, across the counter and all over the floor. Before I could continue, I had to mop the floor, rinse out my apron, and wipe down the counter and cupboards. Then, I took out more butter to soften naturally, a couple of eggs, and started again. My mother-in-law had given me her older mixer/chopper/blender, so I was excited to give it a try.  I mixed up my ingredients, folded in some chocolate chips and carefully placed it in the oven, looking forward to seeing how my banana bread would turn out. It was looking good! But, after placing my pan in the oven, I turned around to face my dishes and realized I had forgotten to add the butter! (I had set it out in a place I normally don't put it.) Out of the o

A helicopter carrying two pilots, a flight technician, and at least five other folks crashed yesterday. They’re all dead. One of them was Iran’s president: which made the aviation accident international news. News “ Iran’s president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast ” Jon Gambrell, AP (May 20, 2024) “ Iran declares five days of mourning for president ” Michael Sheils McNamee, BBC News (May 20, 2024) Wikipedia 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash Ebrahim Raisi I am not happy that at least eight people died in that helicopter. I am particularly troubled, because at least one of those deaths may make life difficult for a great many other folks. All of which may take a little explaining.... But not all that much: more at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Ebrahim Raisi was President of Iran. Now he is dead. So are at least seven other folks. I respond to that, very briefly.)

This month's analysis of a piping hot Super-Earth's atmosphere is a big deal. But it's not the "first" detection of a terrestrial exoplanet's atmosphere, not by about eight years. 1 I'll be talking about how scientists sift through data, 55 Cancri e's atmosphere, its planetary system, why 55 Cancri e — the exoplanet was officially named Janssen in 2015 — and why calling Janssen a "diamond planet" may be appropriate. Scientists and 55 Cancri e: How They Know What They Know Bayesian Basics and Dealing With Incomplete Data Studying Starlight: Transits, Eclipses, and a Whole Lot of Math Welcome to the Copernicus Planetary System There's No Place Like Home: But the Copernicus System Comes Close Copernicus: Giant Planets and a Super-Earth Circling a Slightly Strange Star Janssen: 'Terrestrial', But Not Like Earth Like a Diamond in the Sky? Carbon Planets: Carbides and Maybe Diamonds More at A Catholic Citizen in

    As my mother grew older and her needs increased, my brothers and I took care of her with great love.  As we, her children, cared for her, I'm sure it brought her great comfort and joy in her final years. Today around the world, Christians have reason to celebrate. This is a special day to honor Mary, Mother of the Church. (It always comes on Monday, the day after Pentecost.) Of course, none of us worship idols. Neither do we worship Mary. We honor her.  As Christians, we simply accept her designated role as our Mother, whom Jesus gave us from the cross, using these words from the Gospel of John, Chapter 19 : "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.'” Representing each of us, the "beloved disciple" accepted Mary as his mother, and took her into his home to care for her. We were given to Mary, as her children, in

Pentecost El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] All [the apostles]  with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers . . .  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.   (Acts 1:14; 2:1). Pentecost Sunday,  at the Vigil Mass  (Saturday evening), Years ABC NB: The Vigil Mass has its own prayers and readings. Those for the Mass During the Day on Sunday should not be used – though some priests seem to be unaware of this. It is incorrect to refer to this Vigil Mass as an ‘anticipated Mass’. It is a celebration proper to the evening before Pentecost Sunday and may be celebrated in an extended form. It also fulfils the Sunday obligation.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA Gospel   John 7:37-39  (English Standard Version, Anglicised)  On the last day