Listen Now

In preparation for Mass this weekend, I have recorded a short reflection on the First Reading, which comes from the Book of Numbers, Chapter 11:25-29. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com

Do you have days when you feel spent? Do you ever feel like you do not have any motivation? In today’s Cassidy Comments podcast, I’d like to offer a prayer for you that I wrote during the time leading up to my mom’s death. You can find a link to this prayer under the “Uplifting Prayers” tab on my blog at janetcassidy.blogspot.com along with some of the other prayers I wrote.  God really blessed me during those days, moving me from elation to exhaustion and everything in between! Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy

Returning to my audio version of Cassidy Comments, I hope you will enjoy today’s reflection on the Seven Social Sins Mohandus Ghandi wrote about in his weekly newspaper in 1925! They are definitely something to think about! I welcome your comments and invite you to subscribe to my blog at janetcassidy.blogspot.com. Do you think these social sins apply to us today? Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com

Where is God in the midst of this pandemic?  Did he cause the Coronavirus to punish us? Why doesn’t he stop this and save us? These are good questions and today I talk about the one reason God is allowing us to go through this.  Be sure to check it out in today’s edition of Opening God’s Word! I also invite you to check out my blog at janetcassidy.blogspot.com for more inspirational and informative discussions. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Do you love others like you love a pepperoni pizza, or do you practice a selfless love like Jesus did? What Jesus did for us, and what he asks us to do for each other, goes far beyond the way we think of love today. Today I look at how our seemingly ordinary acts of service can be transformed into acts of genuine, sacrificial love. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Would you have the courage to “Step out of Line” if you were faced with an unbelievable decision? In today’s episode of Cassidy Comments, I’ll explain what I am referring to by “Step out of Line” as I tell the story of a holocaust survivor whose quick, life or death decision, impacted generations. It is a good opportunity for each of us to pause and consider the need to prepare ourselves now for whatever we may face as disciples of Christ. I hope you will tune in and find some inspiration from today’s podcast. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Do you feel like you are bearing a cross that is simply too heavy to bear? Are you wondering where you can find some relief? I have a little story for you that I think goes well with today’s gospel reading from Luke (Chapter 9, Verse 23). I hope you will tune in to listen; it’s called The Cross Room. In today’s reading Jesus tells his disciples (and you and me), “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” I look at this as our Lenten assignment. Practice these as best you can; maybe they will even become a virtuous habit for you! Self-discipline, Take up your daily cross, Follow Jesus   Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

What happens if someone, on their deathbed, asks for forgiveness for a lifetime of sin? What if they have been living without paying any attention to God? Should they be forgiven? In today’s podcast I reflect on Psalm 81 to answer those questions and to raise a few more . . . Are you burdened by past sins? Do you think whatever you have done is unforgivable? When we put all of this together, we see that God in his great wisdom has anticipated these questions, and our needs, and readily supplies us with good news. Check out today’s podcast at janetcassidy.blubrry.net, and don’t forget to share it with a friend! Have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

In today’s first reading from the Second Book of Samuel, David is doing a lot of fussing.  He is living in a cedar house while God is traveling around under a tent of cloth. Listen in as we are told what God’s response is to all of this fuss David is making.  What will happen after David is gone? And then ask yourself what you are fussing about that may be of your own doing, not of God? Tune in for another engaging scriptural reflection that just might have you asking, “What am I worrying about?” You can find all of my podcasts at janetcassidy.blubrry.net and my blog postings at janetcassidy.blogspot.com Please be sure to subscribe and send it to a friend or re-post it to encourage others to listen to the Word of God today! Have a blessed day! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net janetcassidy.blogspot.com

Do you ever feeling like you are living in a vacuum, where you are “walking in darkness” and gloom is casting a shadow over you? In today’s podcast I talk about Chapter 8-9 in the Old Testament Book of Isaiah which describes what happens to all of that darkness and gloom with the appearance of Jesus Christ. I hope you will visit me at janetcassidy.blubrry.net for a little encouragement.  Don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend! Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

As I was writing out my Christmas cards this year, I was saddened by some of the people that are no longer with us. Flipping through the pages I see the address of an old friend from high school who died this year.  Her name has been in my address book for years, but she passed away without our ever being able to reconnect. The names and addresses of beloved family members that I hold close to my heart, including special aunts and uncles, as well as long ago neighbors, bring back sacred memories as I turn each page. While I keep current the addresses of several people on my phone today, our address book reads like a history book.  It speaks of moves, deaths and friends that have somehow slipped away. Why is it that we stay close with some people, but others have disappeared from our lives?  Is it simply a matter of losing touch, or do we grow apart as we grow up, and our life—and interests—change? This makes me think of a situation recently where I was talking with someone who was not steeped in faith-related topics.  I felt limited in being able to converse with them because we didn’t share that common body of interest in religion or a familiar language of faith. Like scientists and mathematicians who share a language which connects them, the same is true in religious circles as well.  Since I connect with so many of my friends and acquaintances through this common language of faith, when it is missing, it is noticeable. It’s good to be aware of this so that words can be clarified.  Our inclination should not be to avoid challenging conversations, but to find ways to communicate more effectively with one another. In today’s Opening God’s Word, we don’t have to work very hard at all to recognize a common theme that binds us all together.  I invite you to turn to the First Letter of John Chapter 4 as you listen to my podcast so that you, too, will discover the one unifying language God offers us. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Today’s reading follows both the Baptism of Jesus (which we will celebrate January 12th) and the temptation of Jesus by the devil in the desert. In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 4, Jesus learns that John the Baptist has been arrested so Jesus goes to Galilee.  He has left Nazareth and gone to live in Capernaum “by the sea.” Here’s what I want to focus on:  Jesus takes up the words of John the Baptist when he says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Of course, the kingdom is at hand due to the presence of Jesus as he is speaking the words, as well as his presence with us today, but what does that message mean for us today? While listening to the latest episode of Opening God’s Word, let those words of John and Jesus sink in.  We are always wondering what we can DO to make a difference in this world, and here we have Jesus himself telling us! Are we ready to repent of our sins and the sins of the world?  Just imagine how doing so would change the way we relate to each other and how we act! I hope you will share this with a friend who might need a little encouragement today. Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

My reflection for today’s episode of Opening God’s Word gets its inspiration from the scripture reading for today—the prologue of the Gospel of John. We’re talking about beginnings! As you contemplate the past year and the one to come, I hope you will also be inspired by Psalm 96 to sing a new song to the Lord! Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Oh my!  Is today’s reading from the First Letter of John really telling me I cannot love the world? Am I not allowed to love beautiful sunsets and sandy beaches? And what about my family? My family is in the world.  Am I not supposed to love them either? In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word I clarify this passage by putting it into perspective as I consider the “enticements” this letter warns against and the importance of doing God’s will. After you have listened to this episode, I would like you to do two things.  If you have not already done so, please subscribe.  Secondly, please pray about who in your life might be struggling with worldliness and encourage them to listen to this episode, or better yet, discuss today’s passage with them! I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Merry Christmas! Are you afraid to speak up when you find yourself in a conversation with someone about faith? Do you feel that you don’t know enough? Are you afraid that you will look rather stupid? Are you concerned you might get into an argument? Do not be afraid! In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word I talk about the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, and how to find the courage to speak up! Please be sure to share this episode with a friend.  Today’s topic is of concern to many of us would-be disciples. Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word I talk about the hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel and the idea that we are living in exile from God! I hope this will give you a little “food for thought” as we inch our way ever closer to Christmas! Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

What will God find you doing when he comes again? That’s the question I explore today as we reflect on last Sunday’s reading from the Letter of James. I hope you will give this some serious thought because it can have a great impact on how we set our priorities and even the choices we make. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend! I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

In today’s gospel from Luke, Chapter 1, we hear four life-giving words from the Angel Gabriel.  Words that we can cling to. Gabriel is very busy in the readings this week.  In today’s reading he tells Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth are going to have a baby in their old age. As you might expect, this is quite surprising to Zechariah, but even more surprising is what happens to Zechariah after he gets the news! In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word you can find some encouragement from the angel that will help you in your own life. Take his four words to heart. I encourage you not to be distracted this week by all of the shopping and the never-ending list of things you have to do.  Take today’s episode as a way to re-focus on the big event coming our way! Please share this with a friend who might be feeling burned out trying to prepare for Christmas.  These readings are a great little retreat for us. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Word! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

Joseph had to listen carefully to the angel in his dream as Mary was betrothed to him and it was discovered that she was pregnant! What was Joseph to do? I’ll go over this passage today in the latest episode of Opening God’s Word and talk about Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy. As we move through this 3rd week of Advent, I hope you are paying very close attention and anticipating the miraculous event coming next week – the birth of Christ! Don’t let yourself be distracted!  Don’t let these days of Advent distract you from what is most important – the coming of the Savior of the World! I hope you will share this podcast with a friend or family member who needs a bit of encouragement.  Many people get very disheartened during these last few days before Christmas as it is so easy to take our eyes off Christ. I hope you enjoy these remaining days of Advent! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com

In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word we’re talking about lists!  Opening to that first chapter of Matthew we find “The Genealogy of Jesus.” For many of us this might simply look like a list of names of unknown people, but that is not how it would have been initially received. Let’s talk about the significance of this list and make a relatable list of our own family history. I hope you are having a wonderful Advent and that you have been opening your mind and heart to the wonders of this season.  It’s not too late to increase your prayer life and improve your practices as we move through these final days before the coming of Jesus. Have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy Blog: janetcassidy.blogspot.com Podcasts: janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:  johnseven38@yahoo.com