Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

Charlie: God has prompted me to share this little story.   I thought you would enjoy it and maybe pass it on. Harry had known Larry for years. Larry was a wonderful man who for most of his life did everything He could to bring honor and glory to God. He obeyed God’s commandments and shared God’s love with those around him. He gave of his time generously to help those less fortunate than himself. Larry led a good life but eventually became a little complacent in his faith and stopped going to Mass on Sunday.   He had always gone to Mass because he loved being there with His Lord and others who believed. Overtime, he forgot St. Paul ’s advice that it is not how we start the race but how we finish it that counts. Larry told Harry that he had stopped going to Mass.   Harry loved Larry very much.   Although it was difficult to do so, he reminded Larry that it was a mortal sin not to attend Mass on Sunday.   But he quickly reminded Larry that all he h...

Upon further reflection and prayer, I prefer this version to that post which I previously posted.   After recently reading the familiar Gospel story about Lazarus and the rich man, I saw the following internet headline: “Pastor who does not believe in hell fired!”   God’s timing is impeccable, isn’t it? My immediate thought after reading this headline was: “and this pastor was caught off guard by his dismissal?”   The sad reality is that it is not just this specific minister, but so many other Christians, including many Catholics (even some of their priests), who have abandoned the fundamental truth that there are eternal consequences to a life lived in unrepentant and unconfessed sin (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sections 1033-1041).   “Our God is far too merciful,” these dissidents argue, “than to banish anyone to an eternity in hell.” What Scripture and what Catechism do they read? How have we arrived at this state of confusion on such...

We can not get to know another person or develop a loving relationship with that individual unless we spend time with that person. To say that you love someone, but never visit, engage in conversation with or spend time with that person would be to live a lie and deceive yourself. God is calling each of us to a personal and intimate encounter and relationship with Him.  But how can we experience such a relationship if we do not get to know Him, or spend time with Him, or talk to Him, or lay our burdens before Him, or listen to Him, or trust Him? Just as we could not maintain our physical health by limiting physical nourishment to one hour a week, we are foolish to think that our mere presence in a Church building on Sunday for an hour can create and sustain the type of intimate spiritual relationship God offers and desires with each of us.   Oh, how He Who is love is not loved in return! He hungers to have you acknowledge His Real Presence in the Eucharist. ...

See the link below. Padre Pio says it a great deal better than the sentiments I shared yesterday. Would that we would listen to his voice and disseminate his words widely in our Churches.   http://www.sanpadrepio.com/PadrePioLetter.htm

What if you had given everything you had (including your life) in order that others might live but only a handful of those for whom you died seemed to care?   What if you returned ready to comfort, strengthen and sustain them through life’s daily challenges and struggles, but only a small number acknowledged your presence among them and even fewer spent time with you or sought your aid? What if the majority of people totally ignored you and acted as if you were not even there?   If you or I were treated this way, we would cry.   Jesus, the King of King and Lords of Lords, is treated that way day after day by many who claim to be Catholic.   Yet, so great is His love for us that He chooses to remain locked in the tabernacles of His churches, day after day, waiting for us to acknowledge His presence among us, to visit and speak to Him, and to ask for His help.   He too must have recently cried.   I’ll tell you why. A man entered a Catholic church...