A parable for you?

  

As we will hear in Sunday's reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 13:1-23) Jesus teaches a crowd by using the Parable of the Sower.

As we listen to it, we often get caught up in where the seeds landed, how they were destroyed or how they took root in good soil. There are important lessons we can learn from reflecting on this.

But let's step away from the details for a minute . . .

What is also notable is that Jesus was speaking to the people in ways that they could understand. He had other parables as well, but to this one in particular they might have connected, because of their familiarity with farming. 

How would Jesus speak to us today in ways that we would understand? 

Could he reach us by talking about money and material things?

Would we understand him best if he spoke to us in terms of our striving for position or power? 

Would he speak to us about being anxious or depressed, isolated or despairing?

Maybe he could reach us by talking about healthy family life and our strong faith, serving our community or speaking his name to others.

What do you think a personal parable for you might include?

In response to his disciples asking him about why he spoke to the people in parables, Jesus said this:

“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted . . . ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.’" 

If we want to be among those in the crowd that are called disciples, let us strive to see and hear, listen and understand, all that Jesus has to teach us.

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 

 

Shaping your life

 

I read a book my mother-in-law recommended titled "Eternal." I just finished it and learned a lot, as this is a historical fiction novel focused on Mussolini's reign over Rome and his laws against the Jewish people living there. It also described how many people were duped by the fascist leader.

In case you don't know, Mussolini ruled from 1922 to 1943 and he created anti-Semitic race laws that wreaked havoc on the Jewish community, terrorizing their lives and attempting to destroy their existence.

In the book, one of the fictional characters who was going through a hard time making a decision about a relationship, received this advice from a friend: 

"Take your life in your hands, like dough. Form it the way you want it to be." 

At first, it seems like pretty good advice, but compare it to Isaiah 64:7:

"Yet, LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you our potter:
we are all the work of your hand."

How do we reconcile these two ideas? Are we in charge of our own life, or is God? To what extent do we make our life what we want it to be?

I don't think these have to be mutually exclusive.

But first, we must recognize that we have been created by God, our loving Father, who cares for us and "knows every hair on our head." At the same time, knowing this, we can work on shaping our life.

The key is to work on shaping our life so that it is aligned with God.

If we strive to put our life in God's hands, rather than try to go solo, we will be able to face anything, for we will be uplifted by the fact that we are never alone, confident that true joy comes from following God.

Work on shaping your life, definitely, but shape it according to God's design. 

The book I read identifies people of strong faith who went through terrible times due to the evil decisions of so-called leaders. But, acting out of the love their faith taught them, they never lost their way, even to the point of giving up their life for others.

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 

 

 

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