Eucharistic Reflection - This Reflection Should Make All Of Us Feel Uncomfortable - Very Uncomfortable

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

"The most significant crisis in the Catholic Church [and our world] today, from which all the other problems we are experiencing flow, is the fact that an overwhelming majority of those identifying themselves as Catholic, no longer believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is really, truly and substantially present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament!...

The late Apostle of the Eucharist, Father John Hardon, S.J., realized 'that everything, everything, quote EVERTHING of our faith (indeed the virtue of faith itself) depends on our faith in God being really present with us today in both His human and Divine nature, united in His Divine Person in the Holy Eucharist'.

Each of us must come to that same realization if we and those around us are to be the holy people God has called us to be...

Stop a minute and ponder these Truths.

Our God does not need any of us, not even for a millisecond. Yet, as Jesus hung from the cross more than 2000 years ago, He let us know He was thirsty – not a physical thirst - but an unquenchable spiritual thirst as our Lord, Savior and Redeemer to be loved by those He created and for whose eternal benefit He died.

In the ensuing centuries, not enough of us have made sufficient effort to quench His thirst. For the most part, many of us ignore His plea to love Him as He loves us. He still thirsts for our love. He is still waiting for us to love Him! Has He not waited long enough? Why have so many of us been unwilling to quench His thirst?

There is only one credible and honest answer to that question - one that should make each of us uncomfortable but spur us to action:

If we really believed Jesus Christ was truly here with us, we would go visit Him. Nothing would prevent us from doing so. We would not permit anyone or anything to take precedence over Him. But we do not come as we ought because not enough of us believe He is here! We are the only ones who can quench His thirst. All we have to do is come into His Presence and tell Him we love Him! That’s it! But most of us don’t and won’t."

He remains not only thirsty but heartbroken!

Shame on us for denying Him what He deserves, what He has asked of us and that which would be so very easy to give Him!...

 (Excerpt from my book, I Thirst For Your Love)

"To have such a great gift, to have a God so easily accessible and not to reverence and appreciate that Gift, is the greatest of all human failings.

 Love Him! Reverence Him! Visit Him! Quench His thirst!"

 

Monday Musings - The Death Of A Distinguished Person - Guest Post From Joe Sixpack - The Every Catholic Guy

[This guest post written by Joe Sixpack - The Every Catholic Guy - should not surprise anyone. We have known for decades that most individuals claiming to be Catholic do not know the tenets of their Faith and therefore don't practice or live them. Our shepherds have have been aware of this problem for just as long. Some of them demonstrate little concern for the salvation of their flock's souls and have chosen not to teach the Truth to the sheep sitting in front of them for fear of offending their tender and sinful souls. The priest Joe describes in The Death of A Distinguished Person is not among that group.

(Used With Permission)

I have enjoyed  reading the What We Believe & Why We Believe weekly column that Joe has been contributing to The Wanderer.

 

His most recent column is one that must be read and shared widely. Since there was no link to his piece that I could share with my readers, I contacted Joe and he was most gracious and generous in giving me permission to post it here. After you read it, you will understand why I wanted to share it with you.

 

Please pass Joe's column on to all those souls you love and for whose salvation you have been praying for. I urge you to regularly visit Joe's website The Cantankerous Catholic. You will find Joe to be an interesting and candid soul. He will challenge you to learn, live and defend the Truths of our Catholic Faith.] 

  The Death Of A Distinguished Person by Joe Sixpack…The Every Catholic Guy

"A very holy young priest who loved the souls of his parishioners made an announcement one Sunday morning after Mass. He said, "A distinguished person of the parish has died. The funeral will be held Wednesday at nine o'clock."

Since Father never mentioned the distinguished person's name, the whole parish was abuzz about who the person might be. They tried and tried to figure it out but couldn't, so curiosity filled the church on Wednesday morning. In fact, the church was so full that people had to stand in the back.

When the casket was opened, the people filed past to see the remains of the distinguished person. Many people gasped in surprise as they looked into the casket. 

Pondering Tidbits of Truth - February 18, 2021

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.

 

 

 

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen 

“At the very moment when a tree turns against Him and becomes a cross, when iron turns against Him and becomes nails, when roses turn against Him and become thorns, when men turn against Him and become executioners, He lets fall from His lips for the first time in the history of the world a prayer for enemies: ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34)” 

(From The Rainbow of Sorrow)

 

St. Thomas More

"If I am distracted, Holy Communion helps me to become recollected. If opportunities are offered by each day to offend my God, I arm myself anew each day for the combat by the reception of the Eucharist. If I am in special need of light and prudence in order to discharge my burdensome duties, I draw nigh to my Savior and seek counsel and light from him."  

 

St. Paul of the Cross 

"Build an oratory within yourself, and there have Jesus on the altar of your heart. Speak to Him often while you are doing your work. Speak to Him of His holy love, of His holy sufferings and of the sorrows of most holy Mary."

(From  Flowers of the Passion -Thoughts of St Paul of the Cross)