What a Morning!

 

It all started with two ripe bananas, a new-to-me mixer and the ridiculous notion of "softening" butter on a plate.

What a morning!

After I "over-softened" the butter, I took it out of the microwave and dumped half the plate of melted butter down my apron, across the counter and all over the floor.

Before I could continue, I had to mop the floor, rinse out my apron, and wipe down the counter and cupboards.

Then, I took out more butter to soften naturally, a couple of eggs, and started again.

My mother-in-law had given me her older mixer/chopper/blender, so I was excited to give it a try.  I mixed up my ingredients, folded in some chocolate chips and carefully placed it in the oven, looking forward to seeing how my banana bread would turn out. It was looking good!

But, after placing my pan in the oven, I turned around to face my dishes and realized I had forgotten to add the butter! (I had set it out in a place I normally don't put it.) Out of the oven the slightly warm batter came, and back into the mixer it went, the butter finally making it into the bowl.  Needless to say, my banana bread had become chocolate banana bread.

Surprisingly, thankfully, it tasted fine and was worth the effort.

You see, I had all the ingredients I needed, but I made quite a mess of things.  Still, I didn't give up, and eventually things came together.

As I discovered, there is always potential in the messes we make. That is true of our world today.  While we operate imperfectly, the good news is that God doesn't leave us in the chaos. He never gives up on us.

The beauty of this arrangement is that God trusts us to do what we should, and to keep striving to the end.  If we find ourselves in a mess, he's right there, helping us mop it all up.

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

 

Our Sweet Mother

 

As my mother grew older and her needs increased, my brothers and I took care of her with great love.  As we, her children, cared for her, I'm sure it brought her great comfort and joy in her final years.

Today around the world, Christians have reason to celebrate. This is a special day to honor Mary, Mother of the Church. (It always comes on Monday, the day after Pentecost.)

Of course, none of us worship idols. Neither do we worship Mary. We honor her.  As Christians, we simply accept her designated role as our Mother, whom Jesus gave us from the cross, using these words from the Gospel of John, Chapter 19:

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.'”

Representing each of us, the "beloved disciple" accepted Mary as his mother, and took her into his home to care for her. We were given to Mary, as her children, in this exchange as well.

When we love Jesus, it pleases Mary, and when we love Mary, Jesus must certainly be pleased as well, since he made her our responsibility, by his words on the cross.

It is not a coincidence that after celebrating the Holy Spirit of love on Pentecost yesterday--the Spirit that unites the Father and the Son, and us as well--that we are reminded on this day to love the Mother of Jesus, our Mother, by loving each other.

Yes, Mary is the Mother of the Church, the one who brought Jesus into the world, uniting us to him.  

Remember to thank God today for the family he has given us.

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

 

 
                                                                           

 

The Facts about Jesus

 

 

I came across an ABC Special that Peter Jennings did years ago which was an attempt to search for Jesus.

True to his journalistic style, he set out to visit the places identified to be where Jesus was born, grew up, died and was resurrected.  He investigated whether Jesus was a political figure, whether he was truly resurrected, and whether facts outside of the Bible could verify the events around Jesus as non-fiction.

Jennings introduced scholars and various, conflicting opinions, and "evidence" that led to more questions than answers.

It was all a bit frustrating to me, since I know that there is so much true about Jesus that cannot be known by just looking into facts. Details will never change who I know him to be through my relationship with him.

But it also confirmed for me one of the reasons I don't feel motivated to visit the Holy Land.  I'm not saying it's not good to do so, but if you go because you are looking for affirmations of your beliefs, rather than beauty and history, you might better take a personal look at the foundation upon which your faith is based, before going.

There is a lot of truth to be uncovered there, of course, but you also may find some confusion.

But, a couple of things did stand out for me in this old documentary.

They could not--nor could they ever--conclude that Jesus was not a real person, who lived in a particular time, in and around a particular place.

Also significant was the fact that if Jesus was not who he said he was--then upon his death--his followers would have just melded into history, or, they would have found another popular leader to follow.

In other words, the Church would not still exist today, if it solely depended on Jesus continuing to walk this earth, or if he was just a good, moral leader. 

In God's wisdom, however, Jesus kept his promise and sent us an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to keep things moving in the hearts of his disciples.

This is no small thing.

As we celebrate Pentecost this weekend, I hope you are overjoyed--and overwhelmed--by the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.  Remember, it is the very same Holy Spirit that came upon the Apostles, who remains with us, still today.

Happy Pentecost!!!!

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