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Are you like me, always wondering if you are doing God’s Will, rather than your own? I want to do God’s Will.  However, I sometimes wonder how much of a spin I place on any given task by inserting my own thoughts and feelings into the situation. When I’m not sure, but feel a sense of unease, I seek understanding. Seek Understanding How do I know, for sure, that what I do comports with God’s Will? I pray about it. I ask God for insight. He has this way of answering me through others, as well as through His Word in Scripture. Understanding, as a virtue, can be defined as the desire to know God better, as well as His revelation of Truth. When you know someone, and come to love that someone, then you want to act in a way that pleases that someone, in this case, God. We have the capacity for understanding God and His workings, as well as the ability to apply that comprehension to our daily lives. It’s just a matter of tapping into it. Read more...

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Apollo 11's Lunar Module reached Mare Tranquillitatis fifty years ago this month. I remember hearing Neil A. Armstrong announce the landing site's name: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." A few hours later, Armstrong opened the Lunar Module's MESA — a storage locker built into the lander's side. A television camera in the MESA showed us Armstrong's, and humanity's, first step onto another world. Back on Earth, one out of every five people were watching: at home, in pubs, at cafes, in New York's Central Park and at shop windows. Pope St. Paul VI watched at the Castle Gandolfo observatory.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

On March 24, 1980 the Archbishop of San Salvador was assassinated during Mass.   This is a man who spoke out against violence and was a deeply cherished friend of the poor.    No one was ever convicted of the crime against him.  With that background, we can appreciate this quote from him, who knew the dangers of speaking up against rebels and the necessity of standing up for the voiceless:   “A church that does not provoke any crisis, preach a gospel that does not unsettle, proclaim a word of God that does not get under anyone’s skin or does not touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed:   what kind of gospel is that?” He’s got a point, doesn’t he?   Imagine the opposite.   What would a church look like that was sedate and all-compromising?   What would a church look like whose goal was to keep everyone happy?   What kind of a church would it be if it preached a gospel that had no impact, call to action or accountability? Is that a church yo

When we spend all our energy trying to make more money, we sometimes lose sight of what we should do with all that money. Usually, the inordinate desire for money (greed) stems from fear – fear of not having enough money to live comfortably. That fear is the devil at work on your weak spot. The devil tells you that you can only rely on yourself, and that God won’t be there for you. He further convinces you that the only person you can trust is you. So, you work hard to accumulate money. This can be exhausting – zapping you of all joy in life. You can have all the money in the world, and still be miserable in your greed. Want a surefire cure for greed? Embrace Munificence! Embrace Munificence Munificence is a funny sounding word, but it is a virtuous action that will bring you much joy. You know the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” Why? Because when we give from our excess, especially to those who could never repay the kindness, we receive joy! Doing something

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FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

Christ in the House of Marth and Mary , Tintoretto  [ Web Gallery of Art ] This is  Sunday Reflections  for 21 July 2019, which I am posting early because of going on retreat. You will find  Sunday Reflections  for 14 July  here .   Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Luke 10:38-42 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.  But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’  But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracte

Are you more negative than positive in life? Why is this so? Is it an attitude of mind? Or is life more negative these days? CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER YOURSELF

Moses , Carlo Dolci  [ Web Gallery of Art ] Moses said to the people: ' No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe' (Deuteronomy 30:14, from today's  First Reading ). Because I am going on retreat I have posted  Sunday Reflections  for both 14 July 2019 and for 21 July. You will find the latter  here . Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Luke 10:25-37 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’  He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’  He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind;

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Have you ever given much thought to the cause of your discontent? Might is stem from jealousy, where you wish you had what others have?  Or perhaps, it stems from despair, as a result of a loss of hope. When feeling discontent, it’s time to seek contentment. How so? Steps to Seek Contentment Step 1: Start by taking stock of all your blessings. I start each day thanking God for my husband, our faith, hope and love for each other, for our good health, and the list goes on. You get the point. Count your blessings. Gratitude has a way of lifting your spirits. Step 2: Stop looking at life through the lens of your neighbor and open your own eyes! See all that is good in your life. Perhaps your gifted talents give joy to others. Use your talents, for the benefit of others, and see the smiles. Step 3: Understand ... Read more...

E n estos tiempos modernos cada día se habla m á s d e g é nero . Ha inundado los medios de comunicación, las redes sociales y cada día ha ido penetra n do en todas las á reas de la vida cultural, medi á tica y últimamente en el á rea educativa. Se ha adueñado de una agenda pendiente, cultivada por el abandono hacia las mujeres, grupos vulnerables y las personas que se debaten internamente en su sexualidad. Estas preocupaciones genuinas a las que ha t ra tado de responder esta ideolog í a no son originales ni exclusivas de sus constructores, pues la la f e cat ó lica las ha atendido, combatido y trabajado para hacer conciencia d e sus raíces y efectos desde hace siglos , dentro de todas las culturas y tiempos donde ha estado presente. Preocupaciones centenarias sobre el respet o a cada persona en su particular y diferente condición, la pobreza y re zago desproporcionad o de mujeres, de niños, ancianos enfermos y personas con diferentes d

In today’s edition of Cassidy Comments , I cover a lot of ground!  I’ll be talking about decision-making, morality and even proof of the existence of God!  That’s a lot to take in but I’m confident you will find something here that will help you as you face the question, "Which Path Should I Take?" As always, I invite you to leave me a comment on my blog or share our own method for decision-making. For more columns, visit me at janetcassidy.blogspot.com.  Don't forget to subscribe and share with a friend! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.com janetcassidy.blogspot.com johnseven38@yahoo.com

Summertime is usually the time when we kick back and take a vacation. We use this time to recharge our batteries.  Not so, for me, this year! I’ve been working on the remodeling of our master bathroom, due to a leak in our shower pan, since April! We’re getting there, but we’re not done yet. On top of that, I’m heading to Maine, mid-month, for a faculty meeting. Then at the end of the month, I’m off to Lancaster, PA to speak at a writer’s conference. In between, I’m creating a new seven-week presentation on the  Uniqueness of Catholicism . Yes, life is too chaotic for me! It’s time for me to seek Peace. Seek Peace I take a mini break every week for an hour, sitting before the Blessed Sacrament. This is my favorite hour, every week, because it is my time to bask in Christ’s Peace. Every week, I walk out of the Church feeling as if I had a massage. Being with Christ is quite relaxing, because ... Read more...

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Our neighbors a few doors down shot off a bunch of fireworks for the Fourth of July.   We were able to sit on our front porch and enjoy the display, and I appreciate that.   But, I am of the mindset that there are some people in whose hands fireworks should not be allowed.    I’m just not a big fan of the idea that anyone with a few bucks in their pocket (no doubt more than a few) can purchase fireworks and set off the equivalent of a professional display in their driveway. Let me preface this by saying that I suppose I am in the minority when I admit that I am not a huge fireworks fan.   I don’t mind seeing them from a distance, but I’m not a big fan of having them close by me. Years ago when I was young, I watched a misguided firework go into a crowd of people not too far from where I was sitting.   I guess I sort of grew up with a little fear of them, but we did our due diligence when we had kids and went to displays, did sparklers and so forth, but still, not a bi