Dealing with your decision

 Sometimes feelings of doubt in ourselves can get in the way of accomplishing God's will.

What do I mean by that?

Well, let me give you a few examples . . . 

Let's say, in your enthusiasm in responding to what you consider a call from God--be it a vocational call, a call to a particular job, writing a blog, or even a call to ministry--you move forward happily. Then, when it gets tough, you start wavering by thinking maybe you can't really do what you thought you could.

What do you do at that point, after you have made your initial decision?

First, ask yourself if you are confident that God called you to do this. If you are, then you can be sure that God will sustain you as you move forward.  It will not be easy to move by your own determination, but with God's help you can continue to move along the path chosen. God will provide what you need to keep your commitment to him.

But, if you know that you rushed into it without much thought or prayer--moving simply on your own enthusiasm or emotions--then you may need to rethink your decision.

It is easy to fall deep into feelings of doubt or inadequacy when you face a struggle, but if you know that God called you to the place you are right now, than you will be able to withstand whatever storms come your way.

Cling to him and stay the course, if this is where he has put you. Even if you do not see what the end result will be, or how you will get there, know with certainty that he will show you the way and give you what you need in the moment.

Pray for peace and an end to war.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at: jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
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Detecting your talent

 

 

My husband and I have this ongoing "competition" when we watch a favorite police investigation show. Without any humility, I can honestly say that most often I can identify the culprit within the first minutes of the show.

Now that's not always true, but it often is. Happily, my husband is now catching on and has vastly improved his detective skills. 

I have to admit that identifying a criminal in a television show isn't actually a skill I can use very often at this point in my life (thank goodness!), but one of the detectives on the show does have a skill I wouldn't mind having to a greater degree--the gift of observation.

This particular detective notes all of the tiny, incidental things that help to make their case.

For me, the skill of observance would be a good one to perfect.

I've noticed that comedians like Jerry Seinfeld seem to have the gift of observance, but I have noticed that some comedians overuse their gift to the point of being critical. Of course, they do it in the interest of being funny and making a joke, but at times it comes across as being just plain mean. 

Ask most people and they don't recognize the gifts, or talents, God has given them. Our talents might be subtle, such as being a good listener, or being well-organized, but the truth is, each one of us has gifts that we can use to contribute to the mission of the Church.

It is important that we recognize what we do well. Genuine humility might keep us from ever thinking about our gifts, but acknowledging them is not a problem as long as we credit God for gifting them to us!

Actually, it can be false modesty to claim we don't have any talents; it can be a denial of God's generosity, and it can also be an excuse to just float along, claiming we have nothing to offer. 

I encourage you to spend some time today reflecting on what it is that you do well, and offer it back to God in whatever way he needs you to use it.

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 

 

 

 

My Response

In response to the comment I received (*see below), which was written as a reply to my post, "Mary, an obstacle?" I do want to take a minute to answer the questions the writer asks. 

Typically, I let readers' comments stand so as to respect the writer and to avoid a lengthy back and forth, but occasionally I find it necessary to clarify, not out of an attempt to persuade, but to offer accuracy. 

I will try to do that here.

As always, thank you for your comments, they are most welcome!

Catholics would agree that there is one God and one mediator between God and the human race--Jesus--who is 100% human and 100% divine. 

Mary, does not share the divine nature of Jesus, only his humanity.

The distinction here is that Mary is not our redeemer and does not replace Jesus as such. She is an intercessor for us in her unique role as his mother, and she can take our petitions to him. 

Mary could not take the place of Jesus on the cross. She does not forgive sins. She is an intercessor for us in her unique role. (See my original post about her role at the Wedding at Cana.)

In 1 Tim 2:1 we read:

"First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone . . ." That is, we are encouraged to pray for others. 

Clearly, when scripture encourages us to ask family and friends to pray for us, Mary would not be excluded from helping us. We can take our prayers to Jesus or Mary.

Furthermore, we learn that "by God's grace Mary was preserved from sin at her conception, but we are cleansed from sin after our birth." (Beginning Apologetics I)

Free from sin, the gospel stresses the holiness of Mary.  She is called Blessed (Luke 1:26-56) by Elizabeth, and "favored one," by the Angel Gabriel when he exclaims, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you," at the Annunciation.

And finally, Gabriel says, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God."

If you believe that passage from scripture, then isn't it also reasonable to believe that God, for whom nothing is impossible, could conceive Mary without sin?  

It wasn't only the state of being sinless that makes Jesus our Redeemer, but his divine nature shared with the Trinity that makes it possible. He IS God, and only God saves!

Indeed, it is good to ask questions about what we have been taught and learn from others as well. 

Hope this helps.

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 

*Online Comment: 

"I can give you one reason why we shouldn’t pray to Mary: Jesus. And that is the only reason needed. There are plenty of passages about Jesus being the one and only mediator, but this one stands out. And in context, it’s even more powerful.
“Prayer and Conduct. First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

You say that Mary is not God. But only God is sinless. If Mary had no sin, then why didn’t she stand in and go to the cross? Why would Jesus be necessary?

Asking questions of what we are taught is important. And going to the Bible for answers is what we need to do. " Anonymous