Do you start to sink when you look at yourself?

 

I wonder if you can relate to this event in the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 14:22-36).

It's the familiar passage of Peter getting out of the boat and walking on the water after Jesus told him to "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 

It's a big step which I think we can all appreciate.

I was reading a reflection in the Gaudete App for August 3, 2026 and I was stirred by a couple of lines.

First, in referring to Peter's courage and faith, it says, "Imagine how strong Peter felt in the Lord, walking on water, defying the laws of nature!" "

And when he started to sink . . .

"[Peter] looked at himself, he doubted, he remembered he could not walk on water, and he started to sink. We cannot do what the Lord can do, and we are called to remember that, believe in him and keep our eyes fixed on him. He gives the courage we do not have when we need it."

How often have we felt confident that God was calling us to do something, only to allow doubt to creep in when we looked at ourselves?

Maybe you think you can't do that job, or have that baby, or stand up for yourself. Maybe you don't feel you have what it takes to live a religious vocation, give up your single life to marry, or face an uphill health battle.

Don't allow your personal doubts or fears to stop you from doing whatever God is calling you to do. 

Count on God and "keep your eyes fixed on him." 

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 

 

 

 

 

Working with yeast

"We can live our lives on earth without faith . . . but there's a flatness to all of that. Life blossoms with faith. Life has meaning with faith. And you and I are called to find the yeast of the kingdom and work it into our lives." 

"Another thing about yeast is that once it is in the dough, it's changed forever . . . once we have the yeast of the kingdom within us, we're changed forever. We can't take it out."

I was watching a video by Msgr. James Vlaun (President/CEO of Catholic Faith Network) where he was reflecting on yeast and bread. He went on to talk about the yeast of the kingdom of God and how just a small amount of it can make a difference in our life. 

Is your life animated by the yeast of the kingdom, by your faith, so that it raises up those around you?

I am including the link to his video and I encourage you to watch it.

https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video/2026-07-27-reflection-401 

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 

Tired of struggling with prayer?

 

 

I was listening to a few different reflections the other day when this twofold prayer came up:

"Lord, let me praise and please you this day." 

Wow. 

I mean, Wow. 

This little prayer says it all, and it's really not complicated.

What does it mean to praise God?  

We praise God by appreciating all that he is, and living humbly and gratefully, before him. 

We praise God by adoring him.

What does it mean to please God?

We please God by wanting what he wants, loving how he loves, forgiving how he forgives (as best we can.)

We please God by living a life of trust in him. 

Ultimately, we please God by being the person he has called us to be, and by putting him before all else.

So if you struggle with how to pray, or you get lost or bored in long, tangled words and thoughts, just pray:

"Lord, let me praise and please you this day." 

As you go through your day, offer everything you do to praise and please him. It's really that simple.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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