The Bible as required reading?

 

                                                                   AP News

I can't believe this is the side I am taking, but I do not think the Bible should be required reading for children in a public school. (The Texas school board is voting on that today.)

Here are my concerns:

--It will give the impression that the Bible is just like any other required book in the curriculum. It is not. It is God's divine Word, his self-revelation to us. It is sacred.

--Will the lessons delve into the depths of scripture? If so, who do we think is going to be doing that? While we have a lot of wonderful, even faith-filled--teachers, they should not be expected to be able to explain the parables and stories and passages that would be required to be included.

--And if the lessons are not going to delve into the depths of scripture, then really, what is the point? 

Naturally, I think everyone should read and pray with scripture, but to make it required reading in a public school curriculum today would be a mistake.

That's just my two cents worth.

Pray for peace, joy, and an end to war.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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

 

 

Be a "living image of mercy"

 

 

I was listening to a reflection about the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Deacon Arthur Miller, and he said: 

"Jesus sends us back into the world as living images of his mercy." 

If you have ever wondered about what Jesus is calling you to do in this world or who to be in this world, that's it!

Each of us is called to be a "living image" of the mercy of Jesus.

What does that mean?

That means that you actively show forgiveness and set aside judgment or personal criticism and offer love to others.

That means resisting the temptation to lean into any unkind attitude and consider how you can help someone.

I'm reading a book by Robin Roberts of Good Morning America, and throughout the book she keeps repeating a motto of her mother, which happens to be the title of her book: Everybody's Got Something.

That is so true. Indeed, everybody's dealing with something in their life, even if you cannot see it and are unaware of it.

Our "job" is to love not only with our human heart, but with the divine heart of Jesus. We know how he loved. We can see it on the cross.

Give everything to the Father for the sake of drawing others to him. Have courage. Have faith. Trust in his promises.

You never really know what an impact you might make when you become a "living image of the mercy of Jesus" because you may be the only visible proof for someone that God truly exists.

Pray for peace, joy, and an end to war.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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

 

Résumé or eulogy virtues?

 

Do you think the virtues should be used to measure a politician's past or present behavior?  

Somewhere along the way I heard Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, reference a quote by author David Brooks, that I thought was interesting.

Brooks referred to two sets of "competing" values identifying them as  "résumé virtues versus your eulogy virtues."

Is it more important to exhibit virtues that we need for work, i.e. our skill set, or those we want recognized at our funeral?

Further, while your eulogy virtues, such as your morality and honesty for example, can be used in a worthwhile way in your work, I can't see where your résumé virtues can enhance your eulogy virtues.

Of course, I could be wrong. How do you see it? 

Either way, it is clear that the superior virtues that can be universally applied everywhere in your life are what Christians call both Cardinal Virtues and Theological Virtues.

The Cardinal Virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

The Theological Virtues are: faith, hope and charity (love)

I encourage you to read up on the virtues and see if you are living them out daily and consider where you might increase your understanding and use of them.

Pray for peace, joy, and an end to war.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy (Please sign in on that page to see all of my videos)