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Our yard is getting very interesting with the various flowers blooming.   My husband was commenting the other day on how many of our flowers have just come up randomly. We planted several plants this year, but so many of our flowers must be the result of wandering birds or the wind.   It seems nature is creating a beautiful landscape all on its own, without any help from us—and it is doing an amazing job! Beauty is one of the primary ways we can encounter God. The beauty of nature cannot be disconnected from our Creator, who is responsible for every living thing. St. Therese of Lisieux understood this intimately.   In this 19 th century nun’s autobiography, Story of a Soul , (Chapter 1, Earliest Memories) she connects the beauty of flowers to “Our Lord’s living garden,” linking the differences in flowers to the varying degrees of sainthood: “Our Lord has deigned to explain this mystery to me. He showed me the book of nature, and I understood that every flower creat

My Fourth of July plans include watching an episode or two of Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man, contemplating the whichness of what while sitting on the front stoop, relaxing and getting a few chores done. And enjoying a virtual fireworks show. Probably one of these.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Leadership.   It is so important to get it right.   When it isn’t done well, it can be so harmful to everyone involved. It has been on my mind this week because we have been suffering from poor leadership in this country.   And while it might be convenient to stop there, it would not be fair to not hold ourselves accountable as well. The reckless behavior evidenced by our cultural activity and attitude moves me beyond belief, for even if our leader doesn’t do what is right, that shouldn’t stop us from doing it. It is natural to be upset at the sight of what is happening, because if it doesn’t move us, there is something wrong with us. I am reminded of the song “ Tired Old World ” by Ann Reed which starts out: If my heart Fails to break At the sight of incredible pain Then this tired old world This crazy time Is havin' it's way When I get to feeling frustrated, there is simply nothing that calms me down and redirects me like scripture.   In today

This Saturday is the Fourth of July: America's Independence Day. It's a day for picnics and parades, barbecues and ice cream. We celebrate with fireworks and carnivals, picnics and concerts, fairs and baseball games. Usually. This year will be different. Plans and Parade Permits Blow Hot, Blow Cold Fireworks Parade Permit Perplexity Street Legal Vehicles and Skimmed News Vanilla Ice and Common Sense Patriotic? Me?! Definitions Viewpoints and Obligations Big Country, Small World Living in Small Town Minnesota, and Loving It "...My Family Celebrating!" Remembering And In Conclusion More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

First Holy Communion Holy Family Home for Girls, Bacolod City, Philippines Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 11:25-30 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition) At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.     All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your s

Many people think that freedom is defined as “doing what I want.” Well, not exactly. Freedom is defined as “the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or do that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility.”  1  So, when a person does what he/she wants, without regard for anyone else, that is not freedom. That is selfishness. Freedom comes with responsibility to act in accordance with the common good. Freedom Comes with Responsibility Let’s take this whole “wearing a mask” debate, as an example. Some people choose to wear a mask; others choose not to wear a mask. Those opting not to wear a mask say that it is their right to not do so. That is a true statement. Such an opinion is valid. Those who opt to wear a mask state that they do so for health reasons; to protect themselves and others from the spread of the coronavirus. This, too, is a true statement. Such an opinion is also valid. So, how might “freedom” impact this “wearing

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Where is God in the midst of this pandemic?  Did he cause the Coronavirus to punish us? Why doesn’t he stop this and save us? These are good questions and today I talk about the one reason God is allowing us to go through this.  Be sure to check it out in today’s edition of Opening God’s Word ! (You can find this podcast at janetcassidy.blubrry.net ) I hope you will share it with a friend! Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

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I caught a video recently of a little ten year old girl singing on America’s Got Talent .   She had an amazing voice and I’d like to tell you about it.   The problem is, I can tell you the song she sang and I can describe her powerful voice and how she carried herself, but no matter how accurately and enthusiastically I tell you about her, you will not be able to experience the beauty of her voice or her performance merely through my telling. That is because there are times that words fail us and the reality is, knowing about someone is not the same as knowing them. This morning I was thinking about the idea of encountering Jesus.   You see, today we celebrate Ss. Peter and Paul and I was reading about St. Paul’s conversion story (Acts, Chapter 9.) You know the one.   He falls to the ground, hears the voice of Jesus and can’t see for three days.   Eventually his sight is restored when he meets Ananias and he is converted and turns away from his past practices. When