No Time To Become Complacent

When we are tempted to think ourselves "better" than our sinful neighbor, we would be well advised to recall these words of St. Augustine:

Sunday Snippets - April 27, 2014

(Vancouver, BC)

Photo©Joseph Seagriff

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

Among my posts from this week are the following:

What A Wonderful Easter Gift

Monday Musings - Forgotten Truths - An Unexpected Blessing

Why Is The Catholic Church Hated? 

Eucharistic Reflection - We Too Are A Stiff Neck People

Pondering Tidbits of Truth - April 24, 2014 

I was also privileged to host a guest blog by Connie Rossini, entitled "What Is A Mystic?"

Guest Post - What Is A Mystic?

It is my privilege to welcome Connie Rossini as my guest blogger today. Connie is a homeschooling Mom of four boys, a Lay Carmelite and a gifted writer and author who hails from Minnesota.. You will want to visit her blog regularly:

What is a Mystic?

by Connie Rossini

The word mystic presents a similar problem as the word contemplation. It's not particular to Catholics, or even Christians. And among Catholics, mystic is understood in different senses. What does it mean to be a mystic, according to the Catholic Church? How did the Carmelite saints view mysticism? Is mysticism for a chosen few, or for everyone?

First, let's look at the history of the word mystic. Mystic comes from a Greek root meaning "hidden" or "concealed." In the rime of Christ and the early Church, many people in Eastern Europe, which was then under the influence of Hellenistic (Greek) culture, practiced mystery religions. Practitioners were initiated into spiritual secrets through private rites.

Early Christians adopted the word mystical to refer to the Eucharist, and the Greek culture influenced the development of the liturgy. When converts were preparing to enter the Church, they left Mass before the Eucharistic prayer. They did not observe the consecration until they were baptized and ready to receive Communion themselves. 

This practice has changed only in the past several decades. Last week, catechumens were admitted to the Eucharist for the first time, at the Easter Vigil Mass. But, as we know, they were welcome to attend the entire Mass before their initiation was complete, even though they could not yet receive the Sacrament. 

In popular parlance, a mystic is someone who experiences supernatural communication with God (or a pagan deity, etc.) through visions, locutions, or altered states of consciousness. So, if we hear that a woman is a mystic, we might suspect she is receiving private revelations. When non-Christians hear the word mystic, they may think of a Buddhist monk in meditation.

Continue reading at Connie's blog Contemplative Homeschool.

Pondering Tidbits of Truth - April 24, 2014

((Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Pondering Tidbits of Truth is my simple and inadequate way of providing nuggets of spiritual wisdom for you to chew on from time to time.

Blessed John Paul II

"...the numbing of conscience, their indifference to good and evil, their deviations, are a great threat for man. Indirectly, they are also a great threat for society, because in the the last analysis the level of morality of society depends on the human conscience."

(Angelus, March 15, 1981)

Eucharistic Reflection - We Too Are A Stiff Neck People

[Blessed soon to be Saint John Paul II had this to say about the Eucharist: “This Sacrament of Love shall be the center of the life of the people of God.”] 

 

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

“The Blessed Sacrament is Jesus living in our midst to fulfill a promise made long ago: ‘I Myself will pas­ture my sheep. I Myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal’ (Ezek 34:15-16).

Why Is The Catholic Church Hated?

Monday Musings - Forgotten Truths - An Unexpected Blessing

As I have said many times, the power of the words in Forgotten Truths to Set Faith Afire! - Words to Inspire, Challenge and Instruct "opened my eyes, spoke to my heart and stirred my soul". I was and remain convinced that these Truths could and would "awaken a hunger in others to know, study and live more fully the Truths of the Catholic Faith".

In one interview I stated that if that hope became a reality for at least one other person, then my labor of love in compiling these quotations would have been worth the effort.

What A Wonderful Easter Gift

Just had to share this song on this Day of Joy!!! Thanks to Cathy V. for passing it on to me. Share it with family and friends.

Sunday Snippets - April 20, 2014

A blessed and glorious Easter!

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

This was a week in which I was prompted to write more than usual. May you find something of value here:

A Lenten Reflection From St. Thomas Aquinas

Monday Musings - You Will Not Find Happiness There!

Stop Running From Suffering - Embrace It as God's Will For You

Of Holy Thursday, the Eucharist, Priests and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Eucharist- An Eternal But Forgotten Truth!

Good Friday Reflection

Don't Ever Stop Gazing at the Crucified Christ

Don't Ever Stop Gazing at the Crucified Christ

If you want to be filled with hope, do as St. Bernard suggests:

Good Friday Reflection

This is not just another Friday. This is Good Friday. Will that fact make any difference in the way we live this day? 

For far too many of us, today will likely pass much like any other Friday - a mad rush to get to the weekend with little thought of He Who made us and whose sacrificial and brutal death redeemed us. Where is our gratitude?

Unforgettable

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

This the day so long foretold

This the day of justice lacking

This the day of man’s ingratitude

This the day of cowardice and fear

The Eucharist - An Eternal But Forgotten Truth

This is Holy Thursday. How could I not share this powerful video from CatholicsComeHome.org?


Pass it along ! Help this Holy Thursday be special for the person or persons most in need of hearing this life-changing Truth!

Of Holy Thursday, Priests, the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

In case you missed this on Catholic Online, here is something to ponder this Holy Thursday

Stop Running Away From Suffering - Embrace It As God's Will for You

As Catholics we are supposed to be counter cultural. But are we?

What spiritual concept is more foreign in today's culture than the idea that we should embrace suffering? Probably none, since the majority of us run away from, reject, and complain about any and all forms of suffering.  We are always looking for some pill to pop or syrup to ingest to get rid of even the slightest physical pain. How many of us seek escape from emotional pain through the abuse of alcohol, drugs, food, and sex?

We forget that Christ not only suffered and died for us but He told us we too  must pick up the crosses He sends us and suffer as did He if we wish to be with Him eternally. If you express that vital teaching today, most of those with whom you share it will mock you for believing so. The fact that they reject this essential Truth doesn't change it from being true!

While we do not have to seek suffering, when it comes our way may we embrace it as God's will for us and draw strength, comfort and encouragement from the words of this great spiritual director:

Admittedly, this is a  lot easier to say than to do. Embracing suffering is impossible without God's grace - grace readily available and sufficient for those who seek and grasp it.

Monday Musings - You Will Not Find Happiness There!

 [If God used Balaam’s donkey to get that prophet’s attention, I guess he can use me to get yours. May these periodic postings (God willing) generate fruitful discussion and faithful change.]

Although the following quotation was in the context of using contraception, its wisdom applies to all sin and demonstrates the power of just a few well-chosen words:

A Lenten Reflection from St. Thomas Aquinas

(St. Agatha's, Canastota, NY)

I have been journeying through Lent this year with the aid of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. I thought you might find the following worthy of reflection and contemplation this Passion week:

“The Passion of Christ suffices to reform completely our entire life. For whosoever desires to live perfectly, need do nothing more than despise those things which Christ on the cross despised, and love the things which Christ loved. For no example of virtue is absent from the cross.

Sunday Snippets - April 13, 2014

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

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

Question of the Week: What is your favorite part of Holy Week? Holy Thursday. 

Here are my postings for this week:


Will Your Lie Cost Your Life?

Eucharistic Reflection - O Jesus Hidden God

Pondering Tidbits of Truth - April 10, 2014

Pondering Tidbits of Truth - April 10, 2014

Pondering Tidbits of Truth is my simple and inadequate way of providing nuggets of spiritual wisdom for you to chew on from time to time.

St. Thomas Aquinas, O.P.

"Just as it is better to illuminate than merely to shine, so to pass on what one has contemplated is better than to merely contemplate."

(From Summa Theologica, II— II, 188)

Mother Julienne Morrell, O.P.

"He is not poor who never lacks anything but possesses an ample supply of everything. If we wish to be truly poor in spirit, we must be poor in fact, contenting ourselves, as do the poor, with having what is strictly necessary in regard to food, drink, clothes and bedding, neither seeking nor desiring anything superfluous but rather rejoicing when we lack for anything and are thereby enabled to practice this very precious virtue of poverty of spirit. "

(From Commentary, Chapter 1, A Treatise on The Spiritual Life by St. Vincent Ferrer)

Johann Tauler, O.P.

"Our Lord said one thing is necessary. What is this thing, which is so necessary? It is that you should know that you are nothing, That is what you have, that is what you are, and that is who you are of yourself: nothing."

(From Spiritual Conferences)

Eucharistic Reflection - O Jesus Hidden God

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

“O Jesus hidden God, I come before You, earnestly imploring that You would enliven my faith so that I may realize what Your Presence on this altar means. I believe with all my heart and soul that You are here, but without Your special grace my faith is dull, and moves me not as it ought to love You. I picture You as You did appear to Your disciples and friends on earth, and I think how sweet it would have been to kneel at Your Sacred feet, to kiss your Sacred hands, to tell You all my wants, my troubles, and my failings. How sweet it would have been even to linger near You, hoping for a look from Your compassionate eyes – one glance from which left Peter heartbroken for his fault against You!

Will Your Lie Cost You Your Life?

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

If there is one Scripture passage that we defense lawyers should especially appreciate, it has to be today’s first reading (Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62).

The case against Susanna was open and shut. All seemed hopeless. There were two eye witnesses – and they were judges and well-known leaders of the community to boot! How could anyone credit the adulteress’ self-serving denial? No one did, save for Daniel.

Sunday Snippets - April 6, 2014

(Chicago-The Windy City)

It is Sunday and time to visit RAnn's Place and the diverse group of Catholic bloggers she invites to post there every week. Those bloggers and RAnn would appreciate your visit. There is enough inspiring material there to make it worth your while.

This is what I wrote about this week:

Monday Musings - Where Are Your Eyes Looking?

Do Not Be Discouraged - Ponder These Words Of Wisdom

Reflection On Today's Gospel - Do You Want To Get Well?

Eucharistic Reflection - Oh, The Angels Cry!

Monday Musings - We Must Not Politicize The Eucharist, Except...

Come Meet St. Vincent Ferrer, O.P.

Come Meet St. Vincent Ferrer, O.P.

(Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, NYC)

Today we celebrate the feast day of one of the greatest preachers, confessors and healers in the history of the Dominican Order, St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419).

He preached throughout Europe, unafraid to share the Truth knowing It had the power to convert and transform reluctant and sinful hearts. Thousands of lukewarm Catholics and clergy had their faith reignited. Similarly thousand of Jews and Muslims became Catholics.

One thing is crystal clear: St. Vincent Ferrer’s zeal for the salvation of souls knew no bounds. He valued and tried to reach every soul that crossed his path.

Monday Musings - We Must Not Politicize the Eucharist, Except....

[I know it is Friday but this could not wait. Someone has to raise this issue]

Please help me to understand.

The most frequently cited justification I have heard offered for not withholding Holy Communion from prominent Catholic politicians and public figures who obstinately persist in supporting laws and public policies contrary to Catholic Church teaching is “the unwillingness to politicize the Eucharist”.

But somehow THIS does not politicize the Eucharist?

Which must be more important to the Catholic Church and its members: the salvation of souls and protecting the Sacredness of the Eucharist or immigration reform? 

The future of our Church and the salvation of souls rest on answering  this question correctly.

Eucharistic Reflection - Oh, The Angels Cry!

(St. Francis Xavier Hyannis, MA)

“No wonder Angels frown. Jesus Christ so loved man that He died for him; and ‘greater love than this no man has!’ Ah, Jesus Christ is God and he has a greater love for man than man’s love. He gave man’s proof of love by dying; He gives God’s proof by living. Jesus Christ died; He arose from the dead; He ascended into heaven; and yet, He would not leave the earth! No. He loves man too much! He must be near man. That is love’s way. Nearness is not enough; love craves union! So Jesus Christ became Food and Drink that He might live in man and man might live in Him. The Divine Beggar has beggared Himself. More, He cannot do…

Reflection on Today’s Gospel – Do You Really Want To Get Well?

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Did you notice in today’s Gospel (John 5:1-16) that the paralytic did not answer Jesus’ question: “Do you want to get well?” Instead, he complained and whined about the injustice of not having anyone to put him into the healing waters of the pool once they were “stirred up”.

In not answering the specific question posed to him, this paralyzed man was much like many of us. One of the most difficult things I could get my clients to understand when I practiced law was the necessity to just answer the specific question they were asked. It is shocking how few of them and us actually do that. We are all over the place, either because we didn’t listen carefully enough to what was asked or because we want to avoid answering that question at all costs – to do so might make us uncomfortable or suggest changes we should, but are unwilling, to make in our lives.

Do Not Be Discouraged - Ponder These Words of Wisdom

By our human nature, we are prone to sin. It is only with God's grace that we  have any hope of thwarting the Evil one's desire to destroy our souls. 

Do not succumb to Satan's invitation to become discouraged. Have courage. Fight the good fight. When you fail, pick yourself up, recall these words of St. Francis de Sales and get back into the fight: