Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

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.   Cassian  "The peace of our spirit does not depend on the good nature and kindness of other people. Our neighbors' good nature and kindness are in in no way subject to our control or opinion. That would be absurd. The tranquility of our heart depends on ourselves. The ability to avoid anger, with all its ridiculous effects, has to come from within ourselves and not be dependent on the nature of other people. The power to overcome the evil in our character must not depend on some perfection outside us, but on our own virtue." (From Constitutions , 8)

Thank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, for inviting your fellow Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on “It’s Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.   Go there now (and every Wednesday) and enjoy what these authors have to offer. During the rest of each week. visit Allison at  Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb .  There is no better way to approach the end of another calendar year than to reflect on the Eucharist. This gem comes from God's faithful servant,  Dr. Peter Kreeft:  It's Not That Difficult To Be A Good Catholic (Originally posted May 1, 2014)   “There is no gimmick. We just (1) believe everything God has told us through Church and Scripture, and (2) respond with adoration. (Source: Wikimedia Commons ) And then everything else that is necessary will follow – as it did for Mary, for whom there was ‘only one thing needful,’ and as it did for all the saints, and as it does for ...

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) Your reasons for warning me to stay away from Holy Communion are exactly the ones which cause me to go so often. My distractions are great, but it is in Communion that I recollect myself. I have temptations many times a day. By daily Communion I get the strength to overcome them. I have much very important business to handle and I need light and wisdom. It is for these reasons that I go to Holy Communion every day to consult Jesus about them. St. Thomas More

For this to take place, our Churches must return to the silent, reverent, Sacred spaces they were intended to be and to which our loving Lord deserves.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) Imagine this Christmas that before exchanging gifts with family and friends, Jesus thanks you for the greatest gift you could have possibly given Him.  What might that be? Interested?  Listen here.

Merry Christmas to Allison Gingras, Elizabeth Reardon, and all the bloggers and visitors who stop by every week at "Worth Revisiting Wednesday". I am sure you will enjoy this week's contributions which you can view here. You can also show your appreciation to Allison and Elizabeth for hosting this weekly post by visiting them at Reconciled to You and Theology Is A Verb . I hope you enjoy this gift from Father Hardon: The Mysteries of Christmas and the Eucharist (Originally posted December 26, 2013) Take a few minutes to view Christmas and the Eucharist through the eyes of an Apostle of the Eucharist - another great gift from the late and beloved Father John A. Hardon, S.J. You can find this saintly priest's reflection here.

When you next make a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament imagine hearing these words flowing from Jesus' lips to your heart and soul: ( Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) Since you came to console Me, do not end this Holy Hour without recalling here at My feet those favorites of My merciful Heart, the fallen, the prodigals, those who have wandered from the fold. Numberless they pass before this Host which veils Me from your eyes.  How they march, the haughty who insult My annihilation, the blasphemers who cover Me with opprobrium, the apostates and the impious, who come up to Me with the gall of sarcasm on their lips. How great the legion of ingrates, of those who make Me suffer by their icy indifference. Who can count them? I see them from My Tabernacle, among them, too, are My one-time friends, traitors and disloyal ones. And there are also children! Listen to Me, mothers. Yes, there are children who betray the Heart of Jesus, their great friend. My soul is so...

From Vultus Christi - Prayer of a Priest [What follows is another gem from Father Mark at Vultus Christi . I thought you might want to print this and give it as a gift to your priest. It is a great reminder for us to prayer for them as well.]   (Image Source: Vultus Christi ) "Convert Thou me entirely, O my beloved Jesus, that I may live every moment— up to and including the very moment of my death — with my eyes fixed on Thine adorable Face, and with my heart hidden in Thy piercèd Heart. Make me, I pray Thee, what Thou hast called me to be. Let me so love Thee and adore Thee that I may be for Thine afflicted Heart the consoling friend for whom Thou hast waited so long. Leave me not alone, never forsake me, so that I may never leave Thee alone, and never forsake Thee. Fix my vagrant heart before Thy tabernacle — before the one where Thou art least adored and most forgotten — that I may persevere in a watch of adoration, of reparation, and of l...

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) I had just read the parable of the Good Samaritan before leaving for Mass. Guess I was not paying attention. Listen here :

Thank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, for extending a weekly invitation to Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "Worth Revisiting” Wednesday. Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every Wednesday). During the rest of each week. be sure to visit Allison at   Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb .  May you find something of value in what follows: Reflecting On Advent (Originally posted December 6, 2011) (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) As we travel through this earthly sphere and are confronted with many challenges and obstacles to our spiritual and eternal well-being, the prophet Isaiah reminds us to take comfort knowing that there is a loving God, who sent His only Son to take on human flesh, to live among us, to suffer and die a cruel and painful death on our behalf, and to rise from the dead in order to restore life – all of this to atone for our sins and to reinstate the opportunity for ea...

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) “If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist; and that Bread, which is your God humbling and disguising Himself, will teach you humility. If the fever of selfish greed rages in you, feed on this Bread; and you will learn generosity. If the cold wind of coveting withers you, hasten to the Bread of Angels; and charity will come to blossom in your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, Who practiced heroic self-control during His earthly life; and you will become temperate. If you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, strengthen yourself with this heavenly Food; and you will grow fervent. Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to the banquet of the Angels; and the spotless Flesh of Christ will make you pure and chaste.” (St Cyril of Alexandria as quoted by Father Stefano Manelli, OFM   CONV. In Jesus Our Eucharistic Love ) ...