|
|
 |
|
(Photo©Michael Seagriff)
|
Here is what I shared:
(Photo ©Father Lawrence Lew, O.P. Used with Permission)
Sunday Snippets - February 1, 2015
Pondering Tidbits of Truth - January 29, 2015
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.
Father Jean Nicholas Grou
“God wishes-us to fear His
justice, so that we may avoid sin, so that we may forsake it as soon as
possible, so that we may expiate it by penance, so that we may never think we
have expiated it sufficiently, and so that we may not lightly presume on the
hope of pardon. But at the same time He wishes us to trust in Him, to hope for
all things from His mercy, to return to Him through love rather than fear, and
never to allow ourselves to become the prey of a terror that is without foundation
and injurious to God, and that can have no other effect than to discourage
and dishearten us.
But how far are we to carry this
trust in God? As far as His power and His goodness; as far as our own weakness
and our own misery; that is to say, our trust is to be boundless.”
(From The Spiritual Life-A Comprehensive Guide for Catholics Seeking
Salvation)
[Almsgiving] is more useful for the one who practices it than for the one who receives it, for the man who makes a practice of almsgiving draws out a spiritual profit from his acts, whilst those who receive his alms receive only a temporal benefit.
(From Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corintihians)
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
“But whatever be the reason for these trying days, of this we may
be certain: The Christ Who suffered under Pontius Pilate signed
Pilate’s death warrant; it was not Pilate who signed Christ’s. Christ’s
Church will be attacked, scorned, and ridiculed, but it will never be
destroyed…. The bold fact the enemies of God must face is that modern
civilization has conquered the world, but in doing so has lost its
soul. And in losing its soul it will lose the very world it gained.
Even our own so-called liberal culture in the United States, which has
tried to avoid complete secularization by leaving little zones of
individual freedom, is in danger of forgetting that these zones were
preserved only because religion was in their soul. And as religion
fades so will freedom, for only where the spirit of God is, is there
liberty.”
(From Characters of Passion as quoted by Patti McGuire Armstrong in Venerable Fulton J. Sheen on Politics)
(From Characters of Passion as quoted by Patti McGuire Armstrong in Venerable Fulton J. Sheen on Politics)
“It’s Worth Revisiting” Wednesday - Not This Time Buddy
Thanks to the generosity and
encouragement of Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, an ever-expanding group
of Catholic bloggers take the time each week to re-post their favorite articles
on “It’s Worth Revisiting” Wednesday.
Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every
Wednesday) and let these authors bless and challenge you in Faith journey.
During the rest of each
week. visit Allison at Reconciled To You and
Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb.
You will be pleased with what they share.
Here is what I am sharing
this week:
Not This Time Buddy
(Originally posted 4/23/12)
In reflecting (many times) on what might set me off on this non-productive path, I discovered a number of culprits, these being the “big three” - thinking I can actually accomplish anything of value by myself and without God’s grace and assistance; being self-centered and self-absorbed; and not being present and helpful to others.
The solution then seems so obvious: allow God to be God and use me as His instrument, put others before myself, and do something concrete to help someone.
Inevitably, the “blues” evaporate whenever I stop thinking of myself and focus on God and my neighbor.
But lately, these demons, like vultures circling their prey, have refused to leave. They have used my love for our Eucharistic Lord and passion for Eucharistic Adoration, to imbed their claws into my weak soul.
No Better Place To Be! No Better Thing To Do!
There is no better place to be and no better thing to do on this earth than to be on our knees adoring and worshiping our Loving Lord who humbles Himself to remain with us until the end of time.
Thanks to Video Catechism and JD Trevors for sharing this video. Pass it along then go visit Him!
Thanks to Video Catechism and JD Trevors for sharing this video. Pass it along then go visit Him!
On The Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas
I recently began reading St. Thomas Aquinas by G.K. Chesterton. I highly recommend this book!
Although I do not know if the following tale Chesterton shares about our Angelic Doctor is true, I just had to share it with you:
"It was of him [St.Thomas Aquinas] that the tale was told, and would certainly have been told more widely among us if it had been told of a Puritan, that the Pope pointed to his gorgeous Papal Palace and said, "Peter can no longer say 'Silver and gold have I none' "; and the Spanish friar answered, "No, and neither can he now say, 'Rise and walk.' "
St. Thomas Aquinas pray for us.
Eucharistic Reflection – There Would Have Been No Need of Christ Coming to Earth If…
.
(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, December 20, 1964 )
Guest Post - A Prophetic Warning!
Barbara Schoeneberger, M.A. has challenged and stirred my soul (and countless other souls) through her words and inspiring example.
She has struggled for more than a decade with, among other crosses, physical limitations, surgeries and chronic pain. Once she understood "the purpose of her suffering", her life changed. Through sharing her life's experiences and spiritual journey, Barbara hopes her writings will "help others to make the most of the challenges God has sent them."
You would serve the welfare of your soul well if you made a point of visiting her frequently at Suffering With Joy.
Barbara has graciously consented to my sharing one of her most recent and timely posts - one that should be widely read and disseminated :
A Prophetic Warning!
by Barbara Schoeneberger
Cleaning out a
file cabinet this past week I found this copy of a presentation Servant of God
Father John A. Hardon, S.J. gave in 1999 at the national meeting of the
Institute on Religious Life. I’ve been a fan of Father Hardon’s ever since he
came to my attention in the mid to late 1990s. At that time I took his Marian
Catechist program and bought all of the tapes he offered through Eternal Life. It was a great blessing to
hear him speak the teachings of the Church with no ambiguity.
Present at that
meeting of the Institute were Cardinal George, Bishops Bruskewitz, Doran, and
Timlin, and many superiors of religious institutes. As we begin a new year in a
world that has deteriorated measurably since 1999, we, although we may not be
vowed religious, would do well to reflect on his words.
Sunday Snippets - January 25, 2015
 |
(Photo©Michael Seagriff)
|
These are the posts I shared:
"It's Worth Revisiting" Wednesday - Monday Musings - So When Can We Expect to Hear Humane Vitae Preached At Sunday Mass?
Thanks to the generosity and
encouragement of Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, an ever-expanding group
of Catholic bloggers take the time each week to re-post their favorite articles
on “It’s Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.
Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every
Wednesday) and let these authors bless and challenge you in your Faith journey.
During the rest of each
week. visit Allison at Reconciled To You and
Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb.
You will be pleased with what they share.
Here is what I am sharing
this week:
Monday Musings - So When Can We Expect to Hear Humane Vitae Preached At Sunday Mass?
(Originally published 7/22/13)
 |
| (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
As I am wont to do, I simply passed it along to several social media sites with the same question I posed in today's post. That's all I did. What a stir it created.
Eucharistic Reflection – The Invention of Love
 |
| (St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, NYC) |
. . .Poor pitiable sinners, do not turn away
from me. . . . Day and night, I am on the watch for you in the tabernacle. I
will not reproach you. . . I will not cast your sins in your face.. . But I
will wash them in My Blood and in My Wounds. No need to be afraid. . . . Come
to Me. . . . If you but knew how dearly I love you.
Sunday Snippets - January 18, 2015
 |
|
(Photo©Michael Seagriff)
|
This is what I posted this week:
Monday Musings-A Simple Man Shouts: Love Him! Revere Him! Visit Him! Quench His Thirst!
Guest Blog From Vultus Christi - Listen My Priests!
Eucharistic Reflection - The August Prisoner
It's "Worth Revisiting" Wednesday Apostles of the Eucharist
Pondering Tidbits of Truth January 15, 2015
Pondering Tidbits of Truth - January 15, 2015
 |
| (Image 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.
St. Peter Julian Eymard
"If you read the Gospel, bring it to the Eucharist and, from the Eucharist, into yourself. You then have much greater power. The Gospel becomes clear, and you have before your eyes and in reality the continuation of what you are reading."
(From Adore in Spirit and In Truth)
“It’s Worth Revisiting” Wednesday - Apostles of The Eucharist
Another week of “It’s Worth Revisiting”Wednesday has arrived where an ever-expanding group
of Catholic bloggers takes the time to re-share some of their favorite posts.
Show your appreciation to Allison Gingras at Reconciled To You and Elizabeth Riordan, at Theology Is A Verb for hosting this site by visiting them from time to time.
Here is what I am sharing
this week:
Apostles of the Eucharist - St. Peter Julian Eymard
(Originally posted 8/ 21 /11)
(Originally posted 8/ 21 /11)
Saint
Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868) founded the Society of the Blessed
Sacrament, and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. He is often
referred to as the Apostle of the Eucharist. His writings, including
those on the Eucharist, are extensive and have been compiled into a 17 volume work. Even a cursory review of quotations attributable to him should set any heart afire. Let me share a few of them:
“Receive Communion often, and Jesus will change you into himself."
"Be
the apostle of the Divine Eucharist, like a flame which enlightens and
warms, like the Angel of His heart who will go to proclaim Him to those
who don’t know Him and will encourage those who love Him and are
suffering."
Eucharistic Reflection – The August Prisoner
"If souls understood what
treasure they possess in the divine Eucharist, it would be necessary to
protect tabernacles with impregnable ramparts; because, in the delirium of a
holy and devouring hunger, they would go themselves to feed on the Manna of the
Seraphim. Churches, at night as in daytime, would overflow with worshipers
wasting away with love for the august prisoner."'
(Blessed Dina Belanger as quoted by Father Florian
Racini in Could You Not Watch With Me One
Hour-How to Cultivate a Deeper Relationship with the Lord through Eucharistic
Adoration)
Guest Blog - From Vultus Christi - Listen My Priests!
 |
| (Image Source: Vultus Christi) |
From time to time, it is my privilege to share the powerful exhortations posted on Vultus Christi by Dom Mark Daniel Kirby, O.S.B. - intended to re-ignite a passionate love for the Eucharist in all of us, and most particularly in his brother priests.
Father is the Prior of the Benedictine Monks of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar at Silverstream Monastery, whose website describes their community as follows:
"Under the patronage
of Our Lady of the Cenacle, the
monks of Silverstream Priory devote themselves to the worthy celebration of the
Sacred Liturgy (which St
Benedict called the Opus Dei, or "Work of God"), in its
age-old classical forms and to perpetual adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
of the Altar, the Eucharistic
Face of Christ, in a spirit of reparation. Their life of
praise and adoration is marked by a heartfelt solicitude for the sanctification
of priests."
[Consider helping Father’s efforts bear even
greater fruit by printing a copy of this reflection and giving it to your priests.
May I also encourage you to consider a financial contribution to his community?]
And now the reflection:
Listen My Priest!
Leave aside the things
that distract you from Me.
I am the One Thing Necessary to you
in this life.
Save your eyes, your ears,
your mouth, your hands, and your heart,
your whole being for Me,
and I will unite you to Myself.
that distract you from Me.
I am the One Thing Necessary to you
in this life.
Save your eyes, your ears,
your mouth, your hands, and your heart,
your whole being for Me,
and I will unite you to Myself.
Monday Musings - A Simple Man Shouts: "Love Him! Revere Him! Visit Him! Quench His Thirst!"
 |
| (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
Fewer and fewer Catholics believe that our Lord is really and substantially present Body, Blood Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament. How painful and horrible it is to acknowledge this sad fact! Help re-ignite awe amazement and reverence for our Savior's Eucharistic Presence here among us! Get a copy of I Thirst For Your Love.
Catholic blogger, Barbara Schoeneberger, (Suffering With Joy), found this book – “full of little reminders as eye-opening as they are stimulating and, in some cases, conscience pricking” – and believes it needs “to be promoted in every parish for the sake of evangelizing ourselves and others.”
Sunday Snippets- January 11, 2015
 |
|
(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!
I was able to post the following this past week:
Knowledge of God
This is an essential spiritual Truth, shared by so many of our predecessors in the Faith, yet so frequently dismissed and mocked.
"It’s Worth Revisiting" Wednesday - Unlock The Doors Before It's Too Late
Thanks to the generosity and encouragement of Allison Gingras
and Elizabeth Riordan, an ever-expanding group of Catholic bloggers take the time
each week to re-post their favorite articles on “It’s Worth Revisiting”
Wednesday.
Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every Wednesday) and
let these authors bless and challenge you in Faith journey.
During the rest of each week. visit Allison at Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb. You will be pleased with what
they share.
Here is what I am sharing this week:
Unlock The Doors Before Its Too Late
(Originally posted April 1, 2011)
 |
| Image Source: Wikimedia Commons and Bob Jones) |
How
joyful I felt as I drove up to Your place later that same day. I did
not have a lot of time to spend with You, but You can do so much in such
a short period of time. It is nice to end my day with You, however
briefly our time together may be.
I
began talking to You as I walked towards the Church door. As I grabbed
the door handle, I was anxious to be with You. Suddenly, my peace was
shattered. The door was locked. I could not get in. You were there
waiting for me, but I could not get in. It was only 3:30 in the
afternoon!!! Had others come and been denied admittance? So few ever
visit You; how disappointed You must be when finally we come to see You
but cannot get in.
Eucharistic Reflection – Our Annex to Paradise
 |
| (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
(St. Claude de la
Colombiere from Christian Reflections)
Monday Musings - To Scold or Not To Scold
Not to beat a dead horse but I believe this is worth repeating: Love and Justice require us to share God's Truth unambiguously but lovingly with our fallen-away or non-practicing Catholic family and friends.
Sunday Snippets - January 4, 2015
 |
|
(Photo©Michael Seagriff)
|
The Blessed Ordinariness of Everyday Work
Eucharistic Reflection - Encountering Our Lord in Adoration
Want To Be Perfect? Renounce Yourself!
Pondering Tidbits of Truth -December 31, 2014
Want To Be Perfect? Renounce Yourself!
A Blessed and Happy New Year!
Why not begin the new year with a question?
Did you know that we pose the biggest obstacle to our own spiritual development and advancement?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Eucharistic Reflection - Would A Stranger Know?
"The Eucharist is alive. If a stranger who knew nothing about the Eucharist were to watch the way we receive, would he know...
-
Thank you Father Darr Schoenhofen: Palm Sunday without Palms This day, the beginning of an extraordinary Holy Week of unpre... -
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament) "Mary devoted herself exclusively to the Eucharistic Glory of Jesus. She knew t... -
What if the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was always and everywhere offered in accordance with the dignity, reverence and obedience our God mer... -
.jpg)
"When you have received Holy Communion, rise up reverently, return to your place and kneel down; do not at once take your book or your ... -
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. F... -
" You envy the opportunity of the woman who touched the vestments of Jesus, of the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears, of ...