Every Thought You Think . . .

 

I've been reading about spiritual formation.

I came across a good reminder about the importance of having a healthy balance between our sins and faults, and acceptance:

"Every thought you think, every emotion you let shape your behavior, every attitude you let rest in your body, every decision you make, each word you speak, every relationship you enter into . . ." (the list goes on and on), is "forming us into a particular shape."

In other words, stop beating yourself up over every flaw you have, because everything is working toward forming us.

When you get frustrated with yourself, it helps to remember that we are in a process where "We are being either transformed into the love and beauty of Jesus or malformed by the entropy of sin and death." (Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer)

Like me, you are probably not who you want to be. Not quite yet. This is evidenced by our imitation of St. Paul, who famously said, "What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate."(Romans 7:15)

This third week of Advent calls us to rejoice. This is closely tied to our gratitude for Jesus, who loves us deeply and is unlimited in his mercy.

Turn to him and allow yourself to be spiritually formed, and he will show you the way. Try not to be so hard on yourself when you come up short.

The freedom that comes from our relationship with Jesus is remarkable. 

During the busy days ahead when you find yourself more challenged than usual, open your heart even more to Jesus and receive the totality of the gift he brings.

Janet Cassidy

Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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Listening

 

As we finish out this second week of Advent, I want to talk about listening. By listening, we can be God's presence to others, and they to us.

Let me explain.

My husband and I stopped into a box store looking for a particular item. Since we had no idea where to find it, I followed the nearest employee to ask about it.

As I approached her, I realized she was on a personal telephone call. She was talking exceptionally loud into the phone.

As we waited, I silently indicated to her that it was all right, that we could wait.

When she finished, she apologized profusely and explained that she was talking to her dad, who was becoming hard of hearing. "No problem," we told her, and then she gave us some of her personal story.

As we listened, she told us that, remarkably, at the age of 70, her dad (self-taught) took up sculpting and ended up sculpting some important statues around our community.

He was also famous nationwide for his intricate carving, a scrimshander of sorts, on guns.

We were both fascinated and inspired.

She expressed appreciation for our patience while she was on the phone and we left with my husband letting her know that we would pray for her and her dad (she had just lost her mom.)

Take time this Advent to listen to others. You will benefit from their stories, and they can benefit from your prayers.

We're in this together, and I thank God that we can go through this time together.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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Immaculate Conception of Mary

 

I finally got to see "Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin." I have been looking forward to its release for awhile now.

I was not disappointed. 

Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran Pastor from the "Confessing Church" who realized before most people in the church that Hitler was not someone to be followed. He was strong in his defiance of Hitler and risked his own life to stand against him.

He really makes you wonder if you would even recognize a bad leader; would you be among those courageously speaking out, or would you follow a maniacal controller? Would you even realize you were being duped?

Too many people just did not see it until it was too late.

Bonhoeffer became unafraid of the consequences of standing up for the good of his country and people. Forgoing his personal safety, he courageously ran towards what he needed to do. 

God, he felt, would be with him as he pursued a path against evil.

This all reminds me of the story about the frog sitting in a pot of water. As the water is slowly heated, the frog doesn't realize what is coming, since his death is coming on so slowly.

You might say that is sort of what happened in the time of Hitler, and, I suppose, some people may see a relationship to what is happening today. 

As antisemitism is on the rise, nationalism and the exclusion of others  promoted, not to mention the popularization of hate speech being embraced, we need our Mother Mary, more than ever.

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the virgin, conceived without sin in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. (This is not the conception of Jesus.)

Mary, the JEWISH mother of the SAVIOR of the World, JESUS, is the perfect person in whom we can seek peace. She remains the Patron Saint of the United States.

Let us turn to our Mother, who lovingly cares for ALL of us, as we strive to reject anything that opposes the way of her Son.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Janet Cassidy

Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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