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  Not that I am into quoting Lenin, but I came across this quote, attributed to him, and thought it was interesting: "There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen." I came across this explanation of the quote, which I have excerpted here: "What Vladimir I. Lenin was referring to, was the tendency for a society to remain stable on the surface for long periods of time, during which various social, economic and political problems continued to fester on the inside. " (Karl Bonner) The quote caught my attention because it seems to me that we have periods where everything goes along quite nicely, and then all of a sudden everything happens at once. It is helpful to have a stable core, where the inside, as well as the surface, can withstand terrifying winds. Scripture tells us that if we build our foundation on rock (Jesus), we can handle the storms that threaten our stability. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts

That's more than just a pretty picture. Well, part of a pretty picture. It's our latest look at the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. Webb's high-resolution cameras are showing details that scientists have never seen before.... ...That's what I started talking about this week. But the Cassiopeia A supernova's underwhelming appearance, or maybe non-appearance, reminded me of famines, coffeehouses, and other malign menaces. So here's what I had, Friday afternoon: Spotting an Invisible Supernova, Coffeehouses, — [disconnecting] [reconnecting] — Flamsteed's Star, and Another Supernova Four Ways Stars Explode: a NASA/JPL (very) Short Video Cassiopeia A: Might have been a FELT Transposing the Invisible: Infrared Astronomy Cosmic Scale and a 15-inch Telescope "...To Follow Knowledge like a Sinking Star...." "On to God!" — "Truth Cannot Contradict Truth" More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Latest NIRCam image from

St John the Baptist Donatello [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 1:6-8, 19-28 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.   He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.   He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”   He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”   And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”   So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”   He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way

  Living in the free will of others is not easy. It can bring us pain, turmoil and lots of hurt. Let's say a dear friend excluded you from something, or they said something terrible about you. Naturally, you are deeply offended and feel entitled to be mad at them. As your anger towards them takes hold, remember, you are not the only one who has to suffer injustice. The question is, "Why does God allow all of this?" The answer is because we have to live in the free will of others. People make choices. They sometimes go against God in the choices they make. When this happens, it doesn't mean it is God's will that terrible things happen (or that free will is a bad thing); it just means God allows us to make decisions because we are not his puppets. I shrugged recently at a frustrating situation, and I said to someone, "Well, I guess they are doing their best," and their response surprised me: "No, not necessarily. I don't think every

  When I saw that Norman Lear died, I surveyed a list of people who died in 2023. Most of them I was familiar with, but some of them I didn't have any idea who they were. That would be me. If I even made such a list--which I am certain I wouldn't--people would ask, "WHO IS THAT?" That's okay with me. I mention that, because I have to promote my reflections and videos, but I hope they are never interpreted to be self-promotions. The challenge when evangelizing online (or anywhere for that matter) is to make sure the message is heard. It's impossible to be a silent messenger, hard as one might try. Thank you for joining me in spreading the Gospel when you read and share my posts. The message is multiplied so many times when you do this; we are all in this together. I am so grateful to all of you. I hope you are having a blessed Advent. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/

St John of the Cross Attributed to Francisco de Zurbarán [ Wikipedia ] Feast Day 14 December (24 November in the Old Calendar) Crisis Magazine  today (13 December) carries an interesting article about South African poet Roy Campbell (1901-1957) written by Joseph Pearce, under the intriguing title  A Convert Among Communists and Carmelites . I have used translations by Roy Campbell of poems by St John of the Cross (1542-1591) on this blog but never knew until I read Pearce's article of the intimate connection between the poet and the archives of the saint given to him by the Carmelite friars in Toledo, Spain, during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) for safekeeping. Continue at Bangor to Bobbio .

  Do you find it hard to let go of disappointment, hurt and anger? Do you ever feel like the person in this picture carrying around baggage, letting it weigh you down and block your vision? Whenever we carry such things around with us, we are not free to be all that God calls us to be. How can we be free to love as we ought, when all of these things get in the way? A good scripture passage to help us reflect on this more, is the Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36+). We have a Redeemer--Jesus--who understands what it is like to be ignored, excluded, suffer and feel real sorrow. Interestingly, when we are feeling this way, we are that much closer to Jesus and we can begin--in a small way--to comprehend what he went through. And, we can learn from what he did in the midst of suffering--call on the Father and follow his will, straight through the pain. Put your baggage down and be free. Satan is the only one who wants us to hang on to the hurt and anger, because it prevents us from be

    What a beautiful feast day! Today we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. Do you know the story of Juan Diego? Do you know the part his tilma played in this feast day? Do you know what a tilma is? Check out this link to learn more about this saint: https://www.nationalshrine.org/blog/st-juan-diego-and-the-miracle-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe/ Amazingly, his tilma, or cloak, is still preserved today. Read on! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Follow me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/

  I was watching an interview with the actor George Clooney and he quoted Robert Mitchum from "Out of the Past" (I've never seen it, so I cannot recommend it.) Here's the quote: "I never learned anything from hearing myself talk." What a great line! Doesn't it make you want to become a better listener? Consider this quote when you are approaching our Father in prayer, and you might begin to hear his voice in the silence. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Follow me on Facebook by clicking "follow" at: https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/  

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day: 12 December Patroness of the Americas ,  of Mexico,  of Unborn Children  and Secondary Patroness of the Philippines The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe Opening Prayer of the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe   12 December O God, Father of mercies,  who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son’s most holy Mother, grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, may seek with ever more lively faith the progress of people in the way of justice and of peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Continue at Bangor to Bobbio .

  I am so pathetic when it comes to the power of suggestion. If someone is eating popcorn and watching a movie on TV, I want some. If someone is eating pizza, all of a sudden I'm hungry for it. I've been watching far too many movies focused on baking, that's for sure. Anyway, I think the power of suggestion can be used for better things. Our Pastor gave a beautiful homily on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Mary's day!) and he made a suggestion that has stuck with me. He said that mistakes are not sins, and although we all make mistakes, we can choose not to sin. While we may not be perfect, and we have an inclination to sin, that doesn't mean we we are powerless over our choices. Just the thought that we can mindfully, intentionally choose not to sin, has been framing my own thoughts and actions. This does not mean we have to become obsessive/compulsive, or unforgiving of ourselves, but it means we can get better at identifying sin and choosing against i

Several dozen students in the Islamic City of Marawi were allowed to start their First Sunday of Advent Mass in a university gymnasium. Then, when they got to the "Lord, have mercy" part, a bomb went off. Four of them died. Many — I've seen both 42 and 72 reported — were injured. I'll talk about that, along with whatever else comes to mind. I've been running a fever, so this week's post may be — interesting. Well, of course. It's supposed to be interesting. But — you get the idea. I hope. Mass in a Gymnasium Rebuilding: Eventually Prayer and Neighbors An Abrahamic Aside Under the Circumstances…. Getting a Grip — or — Seeing Humanity as “Us”, not “Me” and “Them” The Mystery of the Missing Domain — and Something Serious More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (An Advent mass interrupted by a bomb. Rebuilding a city with several names. Priorities, prayer and neighbors. An Abrahamic aside and an unwell week.)

St John the Baptist Preaching Joseph Parrocel [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings  (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Mark 1:1-8 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,  “Behold, I send my   messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness:   ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,  make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.   And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.   Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt round his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.   And he preached, saying, “After me comes h

T oday all of us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholics go to Mass. Because this holy woman, prepared in advance by God in her mother's womb, without sin, said Yes! to carrying, loving, and bringing Jesus into this world, this is a day for all Christians to give her honor. She is not worshiped, as God is, but honored, as chosen by the Father, from her conception. If you believe in Jesus, then thank God for giving us Mary, as she is our Mother, too. We know this from the words of Jesus on the cross: "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.'" (John 19: 26-27) Mary is the Ark of the Covenant. She has carried the Son of God, the Christ child. The Church didn't invent the idea that Mary is holy and immaculate. God created her that way, so she holds a special place for us. Pray to her often. &q

 

  Image Source: @The Chosen   I was reflecting on yesterday's reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 15, Verses 29-37 about Jesus feeding the crowd with seven loaves and "a few fish." After breaking the bread, Jesus gave it to his disciples. They in turn, gave it to the crowd, which, as it turned out was so abundant, there was food left over. "Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full." What is Jesus giving you today, that he wants you to share with others? Don't hold back. If he gives you a mission, he will also supply what you need to fulfill it. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com   Will you click "follow" on my Facebook page?  https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/