Ewww

 

stock photo                           

 

I've taken up a little battle on my front porch railings. I started noticing little red specks moving up and down my handrails and across the front. This didn't set very well with me because I use those railings.

It has always been our philosophy, as former campers, that when we are in nature, we need to respect the life that lives within it. We would often say, "We're in their home." 

So when my railings became inhabited--even though they are outside and I do respect creatures in their own home--I had to do something. Wiping them away just left red stains (sorry to be gross), so I read up on what to do.

It seems we may have clover mites, and these little creatures, which are many times smaller than a pencil tip, can be eliminated by a mixture of vinegar, water and dish soap.

So, apart from my hands smelling like a pickle (from the sprayer that held my concoction) I must say, so far, so good (well, not for them.)

What always amazes me about nature is that such microscopic creatures exist. To some people, like me, they were merely a harmless inconvenience, but as a part of nature, surely they had their purpose. In that one moment in time, I wiped out little living creatures.

At the time, my only perspective was how those little mites impacted me. 

They were a menace. They were inconvenient. In my way. Taking over a space I didn't want to give up. Yet, totally harmless.

It occurs to me that this is exactly the way we treat tiny, microscopic, human zygotes (the one-cell organism created upon conception) and  embryos, when we exterminate them through abortion.

Let's not do this anymore. 

If God has placed a life within you, see to it that you protect it with all your heart. It may be an inconvenient time in your life to have a baby. You may not want to "give up" your body, your space, to allow him/her to grow. The circumstances surrounding your pregnancy may not be ideal, but the truth is, you owe them their life.

Abortion permanently alters our world, taking a life that was destined to be here.

Let's not do this anymore.

Seek out someone who can help you bring this life into our world. You don't have to do it alone. If you need a resource, let me know.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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

 

  

Good, holy fathers

 

What Act are you in, in this chapter in your life?

Are you in Act One, where you are just beginning, Act Two where your story is unfolding, or Act Three, which we could call Pentecost?

I love Pentecost, which we celebrated last week. I love the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I love reading about the Apostles. I love how beautiful our churches are decorated. I love it all.

I love that Pentecost really covers our journey in its entirety, as the Holy Spirit moves in many and varied ways throughout our lifetime. 

This weekend we celebrate Trinity Sunday (Father, Son & Holy Spirit.)

The Holy Spirit is present at the beginning of our life, when we are baptized in the Trinity. Upon our awakening to the movement of the Holy Spirit, we gain some wisdom and knowledge, and lastly, the grace we received at the beginning, which has been with us all along, is activated in a unique way through our increased participation in living out the gospel.

While the church primarily celebrates Pentecost on one Sunday a year, in my mind, it never ends. 

Yes, on Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in Acts Chapter 2, but we should be careful not to distance ourselves from that initial movement of the Holy Spirit. If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit living in us today, our world would look a lot different!

The relationship within the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) is love shared, so it goes without saying that our reception of the Trinity allows us to share in that love as well.

The expectation, then, is that we will in turn spread the love we have received to others.

I hope you will be celebrating Father's Day this weekend as you recall the Trinity. Our divine Father, as well as our earthly fathers, gives us life and forms us.

Happy Father's Day to all of our wonderful fathers everywhere. As you celebrate them, share the virtues, love and goodness they have modeled. 

Our world needs good, holy fathers. Let us be grateful for them.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com
janetcassidy.com

Check out my YouTube channel and all my videos: 

https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy/videos

 

 

 

Need a lift? Watch today's video

Today I am sharing a quote that I came across in Pope Francis' autobiography, HOPE. It comes from the poet Charles Péguy.

As you know, I love quotes, and I found this one to be very direct in addressing the struggles we have sometimes.

Please let me know if you find these little videos helpful.

The direct link to this one is:

https://youtu.be/DPNyd1Kve-g 

 

Janet Cassidy 

Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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