Bet This Book Review of "Fleeting Glimpses" Will Get Your Attention?

With much gratitude to Cristina T. for taking the time to read and recommend my book, Fleeting Glimpses of the Silly, Sentimental and Sublime.

She really captured the purpose and flavor of what I tried to accomplish in this little book. I thoroughly enjoyed the subtle way in which she chose to introduce it to her readers:

"A book review where dropping your pants and seeing crosses as toothpicks are my favorite parts! Not what you think, but it grabs your attention, eh? Written by a Lay Dominican too! ‪

Read her full review here now: http://fillingmyprayercloset.com/2014/07/23/book-review-fleeting-glimpses-of-the-silly-sentimental-and-sublime/

Do yourself a favor and start following Cristina T. Her writing will bless you, touch your heart and stir your soul.

Eucharistic Reflection - Taste And See

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

"Jesus Christ finds the means to console a soul that remains with a recollected spirit before the Most Blessed Sacrament, far beyond what the world can do with all its feasts and pastimes. Oh, how sweet a joy it is to remain with faith and tender devotion before an altar, and converse familiarly with Jesus Christ, who is there for the express purpose of listening to and graciously hearing those who pray to him; to ask his pardon for the displeasures which we have caused him; to represent our wants to him, as a friend does to a friend in whom he places all his confidence; to ask him for his graces, for his love, and for his kingdom; but above all, oh, what a heaven it is there to remain making acts of love towards that Lord who is on the very altar praying to the Eternal Father for us, and is there burning with love for us. Indeed that love it is which detains him there, thus hidden and unknown, and where he is even despised by ungrateful souls! But why should we say more? 'Taste and see'." 

(From Visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Alphonsus Liquori)

St. Mary Magdalene and the Dominican Order

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Today the universal Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene - great sinner transformed by the forgiveness, mercy and grace of her beloved Lord into a great saint.

Over the centuries various spiritual writers have referred to her to as the Apostle to the Apostles, the Evangelist of the Resurrection and the Apostle of the Ascension.

The Dominicans have a great devotion to Mary Magdalene as explained here by the Nashville Dominicans. She is also the patroness of the Dominican Order. You can find out why by watching this most informative presentation by Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P..

Before visiting those sites, why not join the rest of the Dominican family, by reading the following excerpt from the Life Of St. Mary Magdalene by Rabanus Maurus, which is offered as the second reading in today’s Office of Readings  in the Dominican supplement to the Liturgy of the Hours:

Monday Musings - Ask For It

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

 
"...if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
 

(Matthew 17:20)

We often take the many blessings we receive for granted and easily forget from whence they come. These blessings, gifts, and "things" to which we have become attached can be taken away from us at any time. They are not our property. They come from God and are His gifts to us. We can neither earn them nor do we deserve them.

How then do we react when these blessings, gifts, and "things" are taken from us? Do we accept their loss as God's will for us, despite any attendant hardships that come with their absence, or do we shout out at our Lord in resentment and out of a sinful sense of entitlement?

Is our happiness dependent on trusting God under all circumstances or on holding onto the blessings, gifts and "things" He has given us?

I doubt many of the Israelites who were thrown into slavery in Egypt were pleased with those turn in events. I suspect that few, if any of them, thanked God for that "blessing".  Not many believed their enslavement was best for their eternal well-being and consistent with God's plan for them.

But that is exactly the type of Faith each of us is called to have and to live.

Few of us have such Faith!

We should ask God for it.  

Sunday Snippets - July 20, 2014

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

It's Sunday and time to join an interesting group of Catholic bloggers at RAnn'splace where you are sure to find something that will touch your heart and stir your soul. Take a few minutes and visit!

Here is a sampling of what I shared this week:

Eucharistic Reflection - Touch, Kiss and Cry

One of Those Difficult Questions: Do You Love Your Family More Than God? 

Pondering Tidbits of Truth- July 17, 2014

What Does Christian Morality Really Teach Us?

What does Christian morality really tells us?

So simple, yet so profound:

Last Chance for FREE Copy of "Pondering Tidbits of Truth" - the Book

Today is you last chance to get your copy of this book of inspiring and challenging quotations  BY CLICKING HERE.