A close call

 

Remember when I recently complained about people impatiently driving around me at the end of my road? (*See the link below)

Well we were coming home from a Detroit Tiger's baseball game and a car sped past us on the expressway so close it almost clipped the passenger-side front bumper. I mean it was REALLY close.

Fortunately, he missed us, but unfortunately we had to watch in disbelief as he continued to do the same in the traffic in front of us. He was weaving in and out so fast I couldn't believe he didn't hit someone.

Then a few minutes later a motorcycle came flying by (we're guessing at about 100 mph), doing the same thing!

Reflecting on our close call, I was reminded that before we travel, we always offer a prayer in the car, out loud, asking God to put his holy angels around us and protect us. We started that practice when the kids were young, but we continue it today, even when they are not with us.

We were glad the five guardian angels protecting us that night weren't sleeping on the job!

Anyway, it is quite upsetting to think that if that guy had clipped the corner of our car, he could have easily sent us into the median. Any one, or all of us, could have been injured or died that night.

It's another reminder of how important it is to not wait until tomorrow to get your life in order when it comes to faith. 

Although we may assume it, none of our days are guaranteed.

Today could be the day you meet God. What are you going to say?

Sorry, I was kind of busy? I didn't really believe in you? The hypocrisy of your people turned me off? I don't believe in institutional religion?

I encourage you to drop the excuses and evaluate your relationship with God (or lack thereof), today. 

A great starting place to dive a little deeper into Pascal's Wager and the struggle to believe is to follow this article link:

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/understanding-pascals-wager

*Below is a link to the video about Pascal's Wager. (Albeit a simplified, perhaps imperfect, explanation.)

Some day, your time for excuses will run out, and where will that leave you?

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 

*Here is the direct link to a video about Pascal's Wager:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZAawc0_aqCw 

**Here is the link to my previous blog:

https://janetcassidy.blogspot.com/2026/07/stop-racing-around-me.html

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