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Peasant Girls with Brushwood ,  Jean-François Millet  [ 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   Luke 17:11-19 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.  As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance,  they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’  When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.  He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.    Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of the

Por Blanca Suárez

Today we get to listen to a conversation between Jesus and a scholar.  The scholar is steeped in Mosaic law, but he asks Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus turns the question back to him.  Tune in to find out how their discussion ends and what it means for us today. You can find the latest episode of Opening God's Word here . Have a blessed day in God's Word! ***** The Sunflowers We had three plants sprout in our front garden that we did not plant.   We weren’t even sure what they were until they matured.   To our great surprise, what emerged were several, beautiful, bright sunflowers. I was thinking about these after listening to a podcast about St. Francis of Assisi.   They were talking about the beauty of a garden and that got me to thinking about the importance of the silent witness to God that comes out of beauty in nature. Just by being itself, flowers add interest and texture to our world.   They don’t have to do anythin

It’s one thing to “say” the Rosary. It’s quite another thing to “know” the Rosary. In  Champions of the Rosary , by Donald H. Calloway, MIC, we not only learn how to “say” the Rosary, but we also learn of its history, as well as of those greats who came before us who championed the recitation of the Rosary. Most importantly, Fr. Calloway communicates to us WHY we should say the Rosary. The Rosary is a spiritual weapon, a heavenly sword, fashioned by the hands of the Divine Craftsman .  1 Fr. Calloway takes great pains to explain that the Rosary is a gift from God, given to St. Dominic via a visitation from the Blessed Mother. It is God, Himself, who designed the Rosary. It would take centuries to make the weapon, but, once completed, it would have the power to slay the malicious dragon since it would be equipped with the only thing capable of defeating him – the saving mysteries of the God Man.   2 Fr. Calloway teaches us that it is the faithful’s recitation of the Rosary th

In today’s reflection we are encouraged by Paul in his Second Letter to Timothy (Chapter 1, Verse 6ff) to “stir into flame” the gift that God has given us. Before we can do that, there is one very important, foundational thing we must do. Are you prepared? Do you know what you must do first? Maybe you don’t feel you know enough to talk about God with others.  Maybe you are afraid you will end up in a debate or an argument. If so, you will want to know what must take place first so that you will be ready. I invite you to share this podcast with a friend and let it open up a discussion!  Have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

My mom was one of those people that answered the phone by saying “Yallow.”   She was saying “hello” but it sounded like yallow.   Do you know what I mean? And when she pronounced “tiger” she always said “Tayger.” It’s sort of like when people say “warsh” instead of “wash,” but not exactly. I had a friend years ago that talked like her mom.   They weren’t of any specific ethnicity, but they had a certain intonation to their words that made it almost sound like they had an accent, even though they didn’t. I guess it was just a unique family vocal inheritance. Anyway, I was thinking about these things as I was thinking about the telephone.   As many of you already know, after you have lost a loved one, when the phone rings, your first thought/hope is that it might be them. In a split second, you realize it’s not. My mom and I had a real connection on the telephone, until we didn’t. It was wonderful when she lived at home and we talked almost daily about ev

“I am the Bread of Life” by Mike Moyers MikeMoyersFineArt.com As I was sitting in Church this morning, my eyes happened to fix on the Tabernacle. Inside that little golden box was my Lord. As I sat in front of Him, I couldn’t help but notice how quiet it was... how I was the only one left in the Church. How is it that my Lord should come to me? My thoughts sounded like an echo of St. Elizabeth, greeting the Mother of our Lord. The only difference is that St. Elizabeth must have been a much holier woman than myself. Much holier than this sinner who would probably not be able to muster up the courage to go to His Majesty in full glory. So, He comes to me. Little. Hidden. Quiet. I smile at the paradox. All my Christian life, I have been told to decrease so He can increase. At this moment, all I can see is how He has decreased so I can increase. King to Bread. So I can become a sinner to a Saint. Thank you Jesus. Humble Lyrics by Audrey Assad Humb

Oh my!  Today's big list of sins given in the Book of Baruch cause us to reflect on the ways that we too may "not heed the voice of the Lord," or follow our own hearts and do evil in the sight of God. Let's see what our list looks like and how we can begin to improve it so that when the time comes, we are not only aware of our sins, but can happily say we tried to turn away from them as best we could. Click on Opening God's Word to check out my latest scripture reflection. Have a blessed day in God's Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidyblogspot.com email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

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Do you ever feel like you are living in a foreign land, like the people mourning and weeping along the river in Babylon? Do you ever feel like they did, when others ask you for a new song, but you feel as though you have hung up your harp? As we explore Psalms 137 and 138, we move from mourning and weeping to a grateful heart, where we find that we can sing again!  We discover that the Lord does not forsake us and that his love endures forever! I hope you will visit janetcassidy.blubrry.net for my latest episode of Opening God's Word, a podcast scripture reflection. Have a blessed day in God's Word! Janet Cassidy Contact: johnseven38@yahoo.com

A lot of people see meekness as some sort of weakness. However, meekness has its moments. Sometimes, it is better to be kind that to be right. Therefore, sometimes its better to bite one’s tongue, rather than coming across as assertive, aggressive and arrogant. Such traits are unbecoming, yet many consider them as points of strength. I say otherwise. Coming across as assertive, aggressive and arrogant takes very little self-control.  On the other hand, expressing meekness takes great amounts of self-control and inner strength. Therefore, it is wise to embrace meekness. Exploring Meekness Meekness can be defined as exhibiting docility in communicating with others, bearing the pain of unjust suffering for the glory of God. For example, a coworker decides to point out the flaws of your work at an open staff meeting, without ever coming to speak with you beforehand, privately. Of course, you feel humiliated, but how would you act outwardly? The assertive, aggressive and arrogant ty

#1 I hope you will read my new blog post for today, but first I want to tell you something I am excited about and get your feedback, because there is no point in me doing any of this if YOU aren't interested! I am trying something new.  At my podcast link janetcassidy.blubrry.net I have added a new item called "Opening God's Word."  This will be a place that I put my scripture reflections like those I used to do when I did communion services.  They will show up on the main page, but will also be grouped together under the new tab as well. These are super short and are pretty much a way to bring out a passage's message for those who want a simple, concise thought for the day. (I will start out with just a couple a week for now, God willing.) They are strictly focused on scripture, unlike my longer podcasts which can cover a variety of topics. Please let me know what you think. #2 I am posting my latest blog below, as usual.  As always, I welcome

Farmer in a Field , van Gogh (Luke 17:7)  [ 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   Luke 17:5-10 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’  The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you. ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”?   Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”?  Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?    So you also, when you have done all that you were ord