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  Have you poured your heart and soul into writing for your blog or podcast only to be disappointed that five people in total are following you? Have you ever given a presentation for work, or given a talk before your civic group, only to realize that the response of your audience implies boredom rather than engagement in your message? How did this make you feel?   If it has happened more than once, it may lead you to reconsider whether your efforts are worth it. One thing that stands out for me has nothing to do with being personally affirmed, or rejected, but whether I feel called to it.   Disappointment can lead us to call into question our own ability.   That seems like a pretty universal thing, but if you are only doing what you do because you need to hear positive feedback, you may be doing it for the wrong reasons. One of the things that is critical to self-assessment when you have put your personal efforts out there for others, is to remove the “me” from the critique.   O

  From  The Gospel of John   (2003) directed by Philip Saville [John 12:12-16 runs from 0:00 to 0:56] The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem Mark 11:1-10   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus   sent two of his disciples   and said to them,  “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it.   If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’”   And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it.   And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”   And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.   And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.   And many spread their cloaks on the

    As soon as the words left my lips, I knew the error I had made.   In a heartfelt prayer of reflection, I told God, “Let me love you and serve you in the way I desire.” Ugh. It would almost be funny, if it wasn’t so stupid. Will I ever get this right? Immediately I changed the prayer to reflect the humility it should have held in the first place, “Let me love you and serve you in the way you desire.” How often do we find ourselves trying to be in the control seat, trying to lead God toward our ways? I have come to see very clearly that God’s ways are always best, without question, always better than mine!   At times I may have thought I really wanted to do this, or that, and it didn’t happen, and then, only years later, (I’m a slow learner) did I realize how terrible it probably would have been!  Good thing God doesn't always do what I ask! Wherever you find yourself today, listen carefully to God and trust that he knows what is best for you, because his way real

Eight people didn't go home Tuesday. Someone attacked at least five folks at Young's Asian Massage in Acworth, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. Two were dead when police arrived. Another two died in a hospital. A fifth victim is still alive, but wounded. Police found three more bodies at the Gold Spa in northeast Atlanta. They found another at the Aromatherapy Spa, across the street. Six of the eight victims are Asian women. A couple guys died, too. Atlanta-area law enforcement identified and caught a suspect. That was Tuesday.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

      I have found during Lent this year that I have not listened to God as much as I think I should. It is a good realization because it has caused me to return to some of my past practices that have enriched my faith life. I can always tell when I need to “up my game” because I don’t feel mentally stimulated.   What spiritual practices do you use to stay grounded in your faith?   Have you stayed steeped in them, or have they fallen by the wayside during Lent this year? I am trying to return to making a holy hour which includes scripture reading, prayer, spiritual reading and the rosary.   I have occasionally tried to turn off the news and turn on a podcast by Bishop Barron to engage my mind in deeper thought. Am I perfect at it?   No, of course not, but I have found that my efforts have helped me turn my thoughts more to God, and whenever we do that, we are truly blessed, because it is then that we can hear whatever it is he wants to say to us. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blo