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Have you ever went out for a walk but first had to check out the sky to see if you were going to get caught in the rain? Which way are the clouds moving?  Should I take a chance? Well, in today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 54, Jesus asks a reasonable question: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” What is he calling YOU to do, at the present time? Spend some time in God’s Word today and reflect on his question. You can listen to my short podcast on this scripture by going to Opening God's Word . Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

  A social worker from hospice told me that older people think a lot.   She said that with so much time on their hands, their advanced age provides them with a lot of time to think about—and deal with—their past.   She explained that when people are young and busy, they sometimes do not have the luxury of processing the events or circumstances of their life, so they revisit painful things sometimes. I thought this was pretty insightful, and although I am not of that age group yet, I have spent a little time thinking about things, and one of the things that pops up that makes me crazy is how young girls of the 60s and 70s (and probably most decades) have been dealt a false ideal in terms of their body image. This is harmful to men and relationships as well, but I’ll get to that in a minute. I know this is nothing new, but I am just beginning to process it.   Just think, an entire generation of women have had put before them a ridiculous ideal to which they should aspire

What is going on in today’s Gospel?  Isn’t Jesus about bringing people together? Love?  Forgiveness? Why is he talking about causing division? Why does he want to “set the earth on fire?” Listen closely to today’s episode of Opening God's Word on the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 49 and following. Jesus is not suggesting we go out and start hating our parents, siblings or in-laws! You are going to want to pay close attention to what he is telling us today. Janet Cassidy janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email: johnseven38@yahoo.com

From   The Bible , a TV miniseries Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Luke 18:9-14 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:  ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector.  The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector.  I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”  But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”  I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other;

My husband told me I had to confess this to you, so I will.   I lied.   I cheated.   I laughed about it shamelessly. You see, rea is not a sewing term.   It is just a three letter word I completely made up so that in our scrabble game I could set myself up to use my letter “Q” for aqua. My husband didn’t really think it was a word, but he let me use it anyway, because he didn’t want to lose his turn over such a small number.   (If you don’t know Scrabble, every tile/letter has points on it.) He also pointed out to me that my dishonesty is probably why I lost by so much.   This is actually a charitable statement, because my loss has nothing to do with my dishonesty, but probably more, ahem, due to my limited vocabulary and the luck of the draw. Regardless, there, I’ve confessed it, so let’s move on, if you don’t mind. They say confession is good for the soul, and I do feel so much better. But the truth is, confession isn’t simply about feeling better.   Like I al

Many people confuse Chastity with celibacy, when they are two different things. Celibacy is the total abstention from sexual activity, whereas Chastity is living true to your vocation. By vocation, I do not mean “career.” In this sense, “vocation” means living in accordance with one’s calling from God. We have three vocational possibilities: Single, Married, or Religious (Ordained priests and deacons, as well as religious brothers and sisters). So, Religious and single people remain chaste by abstaining from sexual activity. However, married people remain chaste by engaging in sexual activity only with one’s spouse. Therefore, Chastity pertains to everyone. Why Chastity is Important So, now that we understand that Chastity pertains to everyone, let’s consider why it is so important, to God, that we all remain chaste in accordance with our respective vocations. It boils down to why God created sex, and why He deemed for it to occur within the sacred bonds of matrimony only. Sex

I just listened to an interesting discussion between Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. and Dan Cellucci, the CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute on EWTN Live.  I highly recommend you listen to it.  You can find it here . The Institute visits a lot of churches and has insight into what is working and what is not.  Why do some churches bring 30 people into the church at the Easter Vigil, while some seem to be dying? The problems facing our churches today cross all barriers.  Protestant, Catholic, whoever.  Dan gives some shocking statistics about the retention rate of people who enter the church and seek the sacraments. What is working in Religious Education? What can we do about poor homilies or poor leadership? What should the people in the pews be doing? Be sure to check this out and then consider what you might be able to do for your own church! You can learn more about the institute at CatholicLeaders.org . And don't forget to check out my latest podcast,   Open

“Gird your loins!” “Light your lamps” Be ready for when Jesus returns so that you can be counted among the faithful. We do not know when Jesus will return.  We don’t know the hour or the day, so in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, verse 35, we are given a lesson in being prepared. If you have been thinking about going to church, or wondering what this faith stuff is all about, be sure to take this passage seriously. Listen to the latest Opening God's Word to hear more about it. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” It is meant for all of us.  Let Jesus, upon his arrival, find you prepared and faithful. What a great message this is for us to hear.  Be sure to open your bible and read it for yourself.  Spend some quiet time listening to what God is saying to you---today!  Don’t wait! Janet Cassidy janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

What was the real problem with the Rich Fool in the parable that Jesus told in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 16? Was it so wrong that he had a “bountiful harvest”? Was it so wrong that he was looking forward to the day when he could “rest, eat, drink and be merry”? What does Jesus say will happen to him if he “stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God?” What does “matter to God?” We have lots to learn in this brief passage today, be sure to check it out at janetcassidy.blubrry.net Janet Cassidy janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:   johnseven38@yahoo.com

In today’s Gospel reading, we read about the rich man and the bountiful harvest. The parable stems from a request, by a follower, asking Jesus to tell his brother to share an inheritance with him. Jesus retorts,  “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”  (Luke 12:14). Jesus asks this question because He does not want to get in the middle of the squabble between the follower and his brother. Yet, Jesus never misses an opportunity to take such squabbles and turn them into a teaching moment. Ultimately, we all know that one day we will stand before Jesus, our Judge. In this life, we constantly ask Jesus to intervene in our affairs and arbitrate on our behalf. Therefore, we could all easily see Jesus as our judge and arbitrator. But, on this occasion, Jesus teaches us a different lesson. Judge and Arbitrator, or Savior and Redeemer? Life, a gift from God, is not an accumulation of possessions, but rather an accumulation of what matters to God. What we try to cling t

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Do you feel like the walls are tumbling down around you?   Friends have disappointed you, or even left you feeling abandoned? In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word we get a word of encouragement from Paul, who knows a great deal about this very situation.   He finds himself deserted and alone. What is his attitude in the midst of all of this?   How can he help us today, so many centuries later, that encourages us in our present difficulties? In his wisdom, in the midst of everything, he acknowledges where he finds strength to carry on.   Maybe his words will help you today as well. Don’t forget to subscribe, and share this with a friend in need. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net janetcassidyinspirations.wordpress.com Email:   johnseven38@yahoo.com