Are you ready to be transformed?

 

As I was watching the priest prepare the vessels at the altar by distributing the bread and pouring the wine in the vessels before the consecration, I had a thought.

I asked God to allow me to be prepared in a similar way . . .

The vessels were sitting their empty, ready to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. All they could do at that moment was wait to be filled. The ciborium (which receives the consecrated hosts) and the cups (which hold the Precious Blood) make no contribution in and of themselves.

We, too, are like vessels to be filled, but we are actually transformed when we receive Jesus. And, we, too, do not make the transformation happen. It is all dependent upon the Holy Spirit.

But there are two more points to consider:

First, unlike the precious metal or wood vessels waiting to be filled, we should come to the altar ready. In anticipation of receiving Jesus, our hearts and minds should be open, ready to receive him, by prayer, fasting and focus.

Furthermore, once our bodily "vessel" is filled and transformed, we move from being in a fixed state to being engaged with the world around us. In fact, we have a responsibility to carry the love of Jesus we just received, to others.

We can do that in many ways, depending on our state in life. Maybe it is by praying for others, or teaching, or corporal works of mercy. Regardless of how God calls us, we must respond, as he has transformed us for the work he wants us to do by the love he has poured out on us.

And remember, it's not that our earthly vessels have to be perfect to receive Jesus and do his work, but it is by receiving him that we are made holy, i.e., perfect.

Below I am sharing a great little video that I hope you will enjoy. In honor of the Fourth of July, this great reflection by a former military chaplain in the Air Force, reminds us of what makes America great. 

Here is the direct link in case the video doesn't come through:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D0BIJcg7vA&t=7s 

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 

 

 

Stop racing around me!

 

Okay, I'm just going to say it . . .

As I turn onto the end of our road, people are always irritated that I'm not racing around the turn. I'm a good driver. Not too slow, not too fast, but apparently, I am never fast enough for the person behind me who wants to continue down the road past me.

Soooo many times, they race around me, sometimes even honking, as they move into the oncoming lane so they don't have to slow down.

And that is the key--nobody wants to slow down and wait for anyone anymore.

I see it all the time in traffic too. People are cutting in and out, closely flying between cars, with barely the space to do so, all because they don't want to slow down or wait.

When did we get to be such impatient drivers?

There's always been those people, but now it seems like it's most people.

We try to give them the benefit of the doubt, "Maybe they have a family emergency," but somehow we know that everybody can't be having an emergency.

They just don't realize how dangerous they are. When they tried to hurry me around the corner at the end of my street the other day (by tailgating me), I realized I had to move out of their way lest they run into me. In doing so, I saw a neighbor with his dog, not too far from the corner.

Good thing I was in control.

As we head into this holiday weekend, please be kind to other drivers. Wherever you're going simply cannot be so important as to add stress, or risk, to other people.

So with that, I genuinely wish each of you a SAFE and FUN Fourth of July! 

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 

 

 

 

 

What storm are you facing?

 

I was reading about Chris Johnson, the former NFL player who was diagnosed with ALS last year. It was a total shock to him as he does not have anyone in his family with the disease, and sadly he was so young (39) when he was diagnosed.

I was thinking about him as I read the Gospel reading for today (Matthew 8:23-27).

In this passage a violent storm came up while the disciples were at sea and their boat was being swamped. Like most of us would be, they were afraid. In desperation they woke up Jesus and yelled for help. 

Jesus came to their rescue, calming the storm.

The "storms" of our life can come on suddenly, too, sometimes, making us feel swamped. We may not be sitting in a boat being overcome by waves, but our storms can still be just as scary nonetheless. 

Our storms might look like health problems, or grief, or addiction or other personal struggles. And like the disciples, Jesus is always there for us. 

But we mustn't see Jesus as simply our lifeguard in times of trouble.

He is our Savior. 

Because of Jesus, we can hope in eternal life, which is a bigger "save" than calming the storms of this world. 

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