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.   St. Thomas Aquinas, O.P. "God prepares whomsoever He desires for a specific mission. He also grants the particular person the necessary graces to carry out that task they are entrusted with."  (From Summa Theologiae, 2, q27, a4 )

Thank you Allison Gingras  (Reconciled To You) and Elizabeth Riordan ( Theology Is A Verb) for another opportunity to re-publish our favorite posts on Worth Revisiting . Stop for a visit now (and every Wednesday). The gifted hostesses and other writers who post each week will no doubt have much of value to offer you.. [I share the following thoughts with a renewed sense of urgency. We are spinning our wheels and jeopardizing souls if we do not become lovers of the Eucharist.] Eucharistic Reflection - Of Mute and Silent Tabernacles and Lifeless Hosts  (Originally posted September 22, 2015) “We ministers of the Lord, for whom the Tabernacle has become mute and silent, the stone of consecration cold, the Host a venerable, but lifeless, memento: have been unable to turn souls from their evil. How could we ever draw them out of the mire or forbidden pleasures? And yet we have talked to them about the joys of religion and of good conscienc

"Today, I have come to understand many of God's mysteries. I have come to know that Holy Communion remains in me until the next Holy Communion.  (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) A vivid and clearly felt presence of God continues in my soul. The awareness of this plunges me into deep recollection, without the slightest effort on my part. My heart is a living tabernacle in which the living Host is reserved. I have never sought God in some far-off place, but within myself. It is in the depths of my own being that I commune with my God." (From Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska)

[I first shared these memories 5 years ago]   Most of us recall the joy and excitement we experienced as young children singing Christmas carols and happy birthday to Jesus while waiting to see what gifts Santa would leave under our tree.   How many times did my siblings and I resolve to catch the jolly old man in the act only to fall fast asleep – many hours later than Mom and Dad would have liked?   Strange how we could not quite understand why they looked so tired as we exploded into their bedroom at 3 A.M. and at fifteen minute intervals thereafter until they finally conceded defeat, crawled out of bed, and witnessed our glee and excitement. After becoming parents ourselves, we acquired a greater appreciation for the many sacrifices Mom and Dad had made to bring joy to our silly trusting little hearts.   Of course, Christmas was not Christmas unless we went to Church, left a gift, and had a special dinner. Those of us blessed with such precious memories have done our best

I thought I would re-share this earlier podcast before the formal festivities begin. Merry Christmas! (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.

Thank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for another opportunity to re-publish our favorite posts on Worth Revisiting Go there now (and every Wednesday) and be nourished spiritually. V isit Allison at   Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb during the rest of each week.   You will enjoy your visit.     A Merry Christmas to Allison, Elizabeth and to all who visit each week. Here is m y contribution:   He Came and He Will Return (Originally posted December 23, 2013) (Source: Wikimedia Commons ) The Jewish people waited centuries for the coming of the promised Messiah.  When He came their leaders rejected and killed Him. As we approach Christmas Day, ponder this sad reality: many who profess being Catholic today are no better prepared to receive and accept their Lord upon His return than were the Chosen people when He first arrived.

“It is good to consider sometimes what must be the sentiments of Jesus Christ upon the Altar on seeing Himself forgotten and abandoned by almost all. We may imagine, at the same time, that He says to us what He said to His Apostles for a similar reason: … ‘Will you also go away ?’ (John 6.67). (Photo©Michael Seagriff) At the same time, with the tenderest sentiments of love, grief, and gratitude, we must answer with St. Peter: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?’ Thou hast the words of eternal life; we have believed and known that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God.’ (John 6: 68-69). We may also, in order to excite ourselves to greater love, and to force Jesus Christ, as it were, to embrace us with a more tender and ardent charity, represent to ourselves that He asks us from the Altar, as He once asked St. Peter: ‘Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me ?’ (John 21:15). We must reply with the same Apostle: ‘Yes, Lord, Thou knowest well that I love Thee' (John 21:16);or

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) As we gaze lovingly upon the infant Christ in the manger this Christmas, let us not forget, as St. Anthony of Padua reminds us, why He took on human flesh and what torture awaits our loving Savior - Who died in order that we might have eternal life: "Christ Who is your life is hanging before you, so that you may look at the cross as in a mirror. There you will be able to know how mortal were your wounds, that no medicine other than the Blood of the Son of God could heal… Nowhere other than looking at himself in the mirror of the cross can man better understand how much he is worth. " (From the Sermons of St. Anthony of Padua)