Do You Believe Jesus is God?

 

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts that was created years ago, and the priest who does it is always very enthusiastic. He always encourages his listeners to go to Mass and he starts his podcast by giving praise to God.

Today he was focused on the Gospel of John (Chapter 5: 31-47).

As the podcast continued, the priest went on to ask, over and over again,

"Do you believe Jesus is God?"

If we do not, he said, then we have nothing.

This led me to think about the Eucharist, where at the Catholic Mass we receive Jesus in Holy Communion.

That led me to think, "What would be the point of receiving communion, if it is not the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus?"

Think about it.  

Do you know what you are receiving in your church? 

I encourage you to explore the answer to that question, maybe even beyond your church leaders, using historically, authentic sources. 

I want to share a couple of articles for those of you who want to know more about how the term Real Presence (relative to Holy Communion) originated and how its meaning has been used over the years in Catholic and non-Catholic churches.

Yes, even in non-Catholic churches. I learned that there is quite a difference in the meaning of the term, depending on who is using it.

The second article is to help us understand the term "transubstantiation," which helps us understand what happens to the bread and wine on the altar during Mass.

These articles may be challenging, but I encourage you to take the time to read through them and do your best to process them. Jot down any questions that come up as you read them, and keep exploring, using trustworthy sources like the ones below, of course.

Article One: "Beware the Term 'Real Presence'"

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/beware-the-term-real-presence 

Article Two: "Transubstantiation for Beginners"

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/transubstantiation-for-beginners

If you are dedicated to your church, and living your life centered on Jesus, you really owe it to yourself to dive a little deeper into this. Share and discuss these with a friend and take the journey together.

Be open to what unfolds before you. Be an interested learner.

You may be surprised what God reveals to you along the way.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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

 

No Money for Almsgivinng?

                                        Credit: © Hero Images/Hero Images/Corbis

Years ago, when we were in San Francisco, we went into a fast food place that had a happy man standing outside the business holding the door and greeting customers. I actually thought they had hired him to do this because he did such an exceptional job.

Turns out, he was one of the many, many homeless people in the city who was simply hoping for a tip in exchange for his "service." I was impressed that they allowed him to do it, likely seeing him as an asset to the business, rather than an annoyance to the customers.

During Lent, almsgiving is highlighted, but if you happen to be someone without money in your pocket to share, I have an idea for you.

Practice generosity of words.

Yes, generosity. It doesn't have to come in the form of money, but it can still be a way to give alms. As you go through your week, look for opportunities to lift up other people by your words. 

Tell your restaurant servers what a good job they are doing and how much you appreciate their good service. Refer to them by name.

Let the direct care workers of your loved ones know that their compassion and joy is a real gift.

Let those doing work on your house know that you notice how hard they work and how skillful they are. Don't hesitate to mention it to their boss.

Never assume those you encounter know you appreciate them. It helps for them to hear you say it.

I have never--not once--said something nice like this to someone without seeing a smile rise up on their face, causing them to return a genuine expression of gratitude for being "seen."

Your generosity of words can make such a difference. We've had waitstaff absolutely beam when we acknowledged what a good server they were.

Our compliments are genuine and truly come from the heart. We don't give them because we hope to get something in return. We just believe that speaking our admiration out loud to others makes the world a better place.

I guarantee, once you start giving alms in this way, you will make it your life's practice.

Of course, if you can give monetary alms, do that as well, but remember to add a little generosity of words to your gift.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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

 

 

Who's on your "people to not love" list?

 

"Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:20-21)

Now you might be thinking, "I love everybody." 

Or you might be thinking, "That is impossible."

It's pretty hard to love an abuser, a liar or a cheater. For some, loving the President can be pretty hard. It can also be hard to love people that do not share your values, or live differently.

I have not read in the bible where Jesus said we are to just love people who look, think and live like we do. I've never seen where he made a "people to love" and "people to not love" list. He didn't seem to make exceptions when he commanded that we love one another. 

But, there are a lot of people today who have made an "exceptions to love" list, who think they are being righteous when they are actually just being judgmental.

We must keep in mind that loving someone does not mean accepting and allowing their behavior. It doesn't mean keeping them close to you when they are dangerous.

For instance, an abuser will quickly try to make a Christian feel like they are not being Christian-like if an apology for their abusive behavior is met with hesitation.

That's just nonsense.  

Love them and pray for them--from a safe distance. Don't wish evil upon them. Don't do harmful things to them, but stay away from them. Take time to work through a path to forgiveness.

Many people make choices and hold beliefs that I do not agree with, that I know to be contrary to the ways of Jesus, that truly leave me fearful for them, but even so, I love them.

If you have made a secret list of people who don't deserve your love, remember, love doesn't have to be deserved. If that were the case, I expect we might all be in trouble.

Thank goodness God loves each of us unconditionally. We must try to love our brothers and sisters the same.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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