Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

Do you really believe (as we Catholics must): (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) That all of us, including the greatest sinners among us, were created in the image and likeness of God?  and That each of us, by and through the unearned and undeserved grace of Almighty God, can become new creations in Him Who made us, despite what we might have become or done in the past? and  That these two Truths must apply to everyone one of us? With no exceptions? Then listen here.

Thank you, Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, for inviting an ever-expanding group of Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on “Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays. 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 .  Here is what I am sharing this week: Don't Ever Be A Hissing Candle! (Originally posted on June 18, 2013) [Wanted to share this now since I will be on the road April 29th when we celebrate the memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Lay Dominican, Doctor of the Church, mystic and author of the spiritual treasure, The Dialogue.]  (Adoration Chapel-St. Agatha's) “But anyone who would approach this gracious sacrament while guilty of deadly sin would receive no grace from it, even though such a person would really be receiving Me as I am,...

 (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) "Far from us be disgust, negligence, and frivolity. Alas! Is it possible that it should be burdensome for us to converse with our Sovereign Lord? Where is one better than close to one’s Father, to one’s Spouse, to one’s all? To live with Jesus, is this not to begin to live on earth the life that we are called to live in heaven? Ah! Can we say that we have faith if we complain of the length of time that we spend before the Most Holy Sacrament?" Mother Mectilde de Bar

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 Henry Suso, O.P.  "Lord, some complain that you give them suffering. Ah. Blessed is that suffering which unites the soul to you. Lord, my cherished Spouse, a pure soul finds such delight in one spiritual embrace from you that she forgets all suffering…" ( From The Exemplar: Life and Writings of Blessed Henry Suso, OP Vol. Two )

(Photo©Michael Seagriff) W e thank Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for inviting Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "Worth Revisiting” Wednesday.  Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every Wednesday) and gouge yourself on a feast of spiritual treasures. Be sure to visit Allison at  Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb during the rest of the week.  You will find much spiritual nourishment and encouragement there. Here is my contribution:    Blessed Henry Suso, O.P. and The Eucharist  (Originally posted on January 23, 2016) [Today] we remember Blessed Henry Suso, O.P. (1290-1365) a German Dominican priest, mystic and spiritual writer. Some suggest that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction when discussing  this gifted Friar. He had as many critics as he did followers. There is a brief but interesting account of his life in Sister Mary Jean Dorcy, O.P.'s ...

If we are to restore a sense of the Sacred to our Churches and rediscover a sense of awe and wonder in the Eucharist as Father  Richard Heilman recently suggested   [and we must], we have a long way to go. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons) "Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest." St.  Francis of Assisi

Holy fear is one Gift of the Holy Spirit we must rediscover and cherish:  (Image source: Wikimedia Commons )   The law of fear was the Old Law that I gave to Moses. It was built on fear alone: Whoever sinned suffered the penalty. The law of love is the New Law given by the Word, my only-begotten Son. It is built on love. The Old Law was not dissolved by the New, but fulfilled. This is what my Truth said: "I have come not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it." He thus joined the law of fear with that of love.  The imperfectness of the fear of suffering was taken away by love, and what remained was the perfectness of holy fear, that is, fear simply of sinning, not because of personal damnation but because sin is an insult to me, supreme Goodness. So the imperfect law was made perfect by the law of love . (Jesus to St. Catherine of Siena in The Dialogue )

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons) Ever wonder why so very few Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is really, truly and substantially present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament?  Many have. I am among that number and wish to share these simple thoughts with you today. Click here if you are interested. What do you think?

T hank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for inviting Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.   Go there now (and every Wednesday) and gouge yourself on a feast of spiritual treasures. Be sure to visit Allison at  Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb during the rest of the week.  You will find much spiritual nourishment and encouragement there. I am sharing the following post: Monday Musings – Mary My Mother – Be at My Side  (Originally published January 4, 2016) (Photo©Michael Seagriff) [The great value of retreats is that the guidance and insight gained during those intense times of prayer and silence never stop giving. Every time I re-read my notes from past retreats I gain additional direction and encouragement. Let me share an example of what I mean.] On the second day of my retreat, I found myself distracted particularly at Communion. This upset me and...

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) “It became obvious why Catholics had built such beautiful cathedrals and churches throughout the world. Not as gathering or meeting places for Christians. But as a home for Jesus Himself in the Blessed Sacrament. Cathedrals house Jesus. Christians merely come and visit Him. The cathedrals and churches architecturally prepare our souls for the beauty of the Eucharist.” ( Allen R. Hunt , from Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church )