Thursday, March 28, 2024

Holy Thursday

 

 


On this Holy Thursday, as we enter the three holiest days of the year, may your experience of the Passion of Christ open your heart to his saving grace.

Worship God. Live gratefully. Love deeply.

Janet Cassidy
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What is your aim in life?

 


 

I came across this line in a little reflection I was reading:

"Most lives aim at nothing in particular and achieve it."

I paused, thinking that's a pretty depressing thought, and then asking, "Is that true?"

The actual point of the reflection was to note that the goal of Jesus was "to save humanity from its sin . . . to seek and save the lost."  Jesus, you see, had a goal.

But back to us.  If it's true that we wander aimlessly about, and are satisfied in doing so, perhaps we need to rethink our behavior.  Christians shouldn't lack a goal, because disciples who follow Christ have their goal in his.

We're not God, so we're not saving humanity like Jesus did, but we certainly are supposed to be participating in his mission.  

St. Paul understood his role perfectly.

As he wrote to the people of Philippi from jail, he told them that their "boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again."

You see, St. Paul knew that his conduct--and the conduct of all disciples--needed to be "worthy of the gospel of Christ."  He rejoiced in knowing that the people of Philippi stood firm "in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not intimidated in any way by [their] opponents." (Philippians, Chapter 1)

St. Paul daringly put himself out there as a model of Christianity that benefited others. That's a pretty tough position to be in. To do that, he had to be confident in his service to others and God's hand on his ministry.

If you're looking for a goal, pray over the one that allows your faith to benefit others, encouraging others to stand firm, and to spread the gospel without hesitation.

We may not be perfect in our attempt, but neither was St. Paul.  But, for the "sake of Christ," believing in him and having a willingness to suffer for him, seems like a worthwhile goal.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.com
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https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
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https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy



Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Stubborn Child? Join the Club!

Do you struggle with a particular child?  Maybe this child is quite challenging, stubborn and just not easy to raise?

Well, you are not alone!

I was listening to a Discerning Hearts PODCAST recently with Fr. Timothy Gallagher and he was talking about one of St. Thérese of Lisieux's sisters, Léonie.  Fr. Gallagher was reading some letters that Thérese's mother wrote in which she expressed the difficulties she had with Léonie. 

It seems that moms in the 1800s experienced similar problems that moms do today. This brutally honest account of what it was like for this saintly mother will provide inspiration for moms who feel inadequate in dealing with "difficult" children, as Léonie was called.

Léonie is now a "Servant of God," which is a title given to one who is under investigation as a candidate for sainthood!

So, not only might your difficult child help you achieve sainthood, but you may help them get there as well!

Never give up hope!

(Just click on the word podcast above to listen)

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy