Association Of Catholic Bloggers

If an angel came to you in the middle of the night and spoke these words:   “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life,” could you do it? (Acts 5:20)   Are you living “this life?” What would you “tell the people?” This happened to Peter and the other apostles of Jesus.   They were in jail and an angel opened the prison doors and, leading them out, gave them a job to do. After they were taken back to face the court officers because they were found teaching in the temple area just like they had been instructed to do by the angel, they were eventually flogged and released.   The Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 5, Verse 42) tells us that then, “all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.” You see, they just couldn’t stop themselves.   They had such an amazing person to tell the people about, a message that they had been living and suffering for

The Good Shepherd Early Italian Christian Sculptor  [ Web Gallery of Art ] WGA note on this sculpture :  The allegorical figure of the Good Shepherd was originally based on the pagan representation of a man bringing his offering to the altar but, by the 3rd century, had also come to represent the 'ram bearer' with its connotations of philanthropy and loving care. The latter image accorded well with the Christians’ understanding of a divine Shepherd who would lay down his life for his flock.  In a period of persecution, such images had the advantage of directly addressing the adherents of the Christian faith while not drawing attention to them, since the images were already popular with non-Christians [ emphasis  added]. Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  John   10:27-30 ( New Revised Standard Version,

Well, even in Kenosha, Wisconsin, they must be wearing summer clothes, by now. At least I hope everyone has tucked away the sweaters and brought out lighter clothing. With the warmer weather, here in North Carolina, I see lots of tank tops and short shorts. In my humble opinion, that’s okay if you’re running errands around town or attending a picnic. But, when I see such attire at Sunday Mass, well, I give a double-take. I try not to judge the person, but I must admit that I question the prudence of the choice of attire. Modesty seems to be lacking. When I see such skimpy attire at Mass, I wonder what the person thinks of God. Does she realize who she is coming to see? Does God’s opinion of her matter to her? Then, I wonder what the person thinks of herself. Does she feel the need to make a statement? “ Notice me, at all costs !” My mind then drifts to ponder if she dresses like that all the time. How much self-esteem does she lack? As you can see, how we present ourselves, in

Can you use a few words of comfort today, in this moment, for whatever situation is causing you frustration? In this edition of Cassidy Comments I share with you my personal, fast-acting prescription for those times when I find I just cannot fix whatever I am dealing with at the moment.  I hope you will find it useful for you as well. If you like these free podcasts, I invite you to subscribe and share them with a friend.  Also, for more of my reflections, join me at janetcassidy.com. Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Words of Comfort Podcast Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

  por Lourdes de Domenzain

We have a long-honored tradition of dedicating May as a month to honor both Mary, our spiritual mother, and our earthly mothers. We set aside this time to specifically demonstrate our appreciation for motherly love. Whether our earthly mothers are alive or have passed on, we express our eternal gratitude for their unconditional, self-giving love. My mom passed away 19 years ago. Yet, to this day, I express gratitude for all the sacrifices that my mom undertook for me.  Together, with my dad, my parents sacrificed a lot to ensure that I received the best chance at life. The same can be said for Mary, our spiritual mother. She sacrificed her own Son, watching Him die on the Cross, so that we might have eternal life. Ways to Express Gratitude for Motherly Love As we move through this month of May, how might you express your gratitude for the motherly love of both Mary and your earthly mother? Here are a few suggestions: Read more...

The Gospel of John   (2003) Directed by Philip Saville Narrator: Christopher Plummer [Today's Gospel ends at 5:00] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   John   21:1-19 [or 21:1-14]( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.  Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.  Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, ‘

Saint Joseph is so special to the Catholic faithful, that we have two feast days set aside each year to honor him: March 19 th and May 1 st . Typically, on March 19 th , we honor Saint Joseph as husband of Mary, and foster father to Jesus. We thank him for being such a good role model, as a faithful husband and father. Today, we honor Saint Joseph, the Worker, a carpenter, by trade. He worked diligently to provide for his family. Humble in nature, compassionate in heart, he remained ever faithful to God, and Mary. Beyond his humility and compassionate nature, there is so much to admire about this beloved saint. He truly was a virtuous man in every respect. To this day, he continues to serve as an exemplar of virtue for men to follow. Saint Joseph expressed his faithfulness to God, through his obedience in following God’s will. He took Mary, as his wife, and adopted Jesus as his son. He showed his caring nature, by protecting them from Herod. At the angel’s warning, Joseph hurri

In  A Love Such as Heaven Intended , the third in a Civil War series, Amanda Lauer shows us that even during times of war, love wins. In this enchanting book, we meet Josephine Katherine Bigelow, a social elite, of the Washington D.C. circuit. As a recent graduate from the Georgetown Academy for Young Ladies, Josephine has grand plans to become a writer. Thinking she needs no further education, she readies herself to conquer the world with her pen. Yet, her father, on the other hand, Brigadier General Matthias Bigelow, has different designs. Although the country is at war, and the General is one of President Abraham Lincoln’s right-hand men, he wants to see his daughter receive more education. But, Josephine knows well how to get what she wants. By wrapping her father around her little finger, Josephine sets out on an adventure that proves to us all that living life fully means finding a love such as Heaven intended. Josephine Bigelow sets out on a course only God could design.

¿Son acaso de agua los ojos que tienes tú y que tengo yo? En ellos se penetran -¡que maravilla!- los zarcos abismos del corazón Imposible es al hombre saber su profundidad. Imposible es, Mas no para el AMOR.  leer más...

The Incredulity of St Thomas , Rembrandt  [ 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   John  20:19-31 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ But Thomas (who was