Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

Although the words quoted below were uttered by the fictional Pope Kiril I in The Shoes of the Fisherman , they are well worth pondering. I thank Armand Scenna for sharing them with me.  

W e thank Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for inviting Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.  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:   It Is The Truth, Not Nuanced Language, That Will Set Us Free (Originally posted on October 26, 2015) (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) What a treasure St. Catherine of Siena is! One does not become a Doctor of the Church by being fearful to express, teach and live God's Truth in its entirety.  How ill-advised we are to discount, ignore or try to nuance the wisdom God has shared over the centuries through such faithful servants as she.  Less likely ...

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,...

Once again we thank Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for inviting Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.  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. When Was The Last Time You Really Looked At A Crucifix? (Originally posted August 2, 2015) There are still Catholics (albeit their numbers are dwindling) who attend Mass on Sunday, even though some of them often complain that Mass is boring and/or that they get nothing out of it.  Let me ask two questions. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) When was the last time you really looked at a crucifix? I mean really gazed at one and pondered the realities it depicts. When wa...

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 "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. 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. This is my contribution: One Man's Example (Originally posted on May 4, 2012) From the inception of the Adoration Chapel in our parish and without interruption for nearly five years until a few days before his death, this gentleman came every Saturday morning.  Initially, he came for two hours each week – from 3 A.M. to 5 A.M.  Eventually, another person lent a helping hand by coming in a half-hour early ea...

We thanks 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 .  You will be pleased with what they share. Here is what I am sharing this week:   One of Those Difficult Questions: Do You Love Your Family More Than God?  (Originally posted  July 16, 2014) (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) I should have written this little reflection when the Gospel reading was taken from Matthew (10:35-39). I did not want to. Why? I am a coward. That specific Scripture makes me uncomfortable. Does it have the same impact on you? It is another one of Jesus’ “hard sayings” and one that at times w...

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 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: Recalling Life Changing Moments (Originally posted August 18, 2014) (Photo©Michael Seagriff) [There are times when we should just stop, sit and silently recall some of the life-changing moments we have experienced in our lives but may have buried in the stone piles of our mind. My writing group recently suggested that we resurrect and record some of those memories. It was a good exercise and one I hope you will be encourag...

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 “Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays. Go there now (and every Wednesday) and let these authors bless and challenge you in your Faith journey. During the rest of each week, be sure to  visit Allison at Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb .  Here is what I am sharing this week: Every Knee Shall Bend! (Originally posted May 12, 2014 and is excerpted from my book - I Thirst For Your Love ) A few days ago, I was prompted to read through some older journal entries and discovered one from more than 13 years ago. How timeless are the insights God gives us, especially those we may have forgotten but are blessed to rediscover! Let me share with you what I wrote (with some editing) more than a decade ago: “I attended Mass...

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 .  What follows is a clear, necessary and unambiguous challenge : Eucharistic Reflection - The Jesus We Ignore (Originally posted on August 12, 2013) "Jesus Christ dwells in the midst of us in the same manner He dwelt at Nazareth amidst His relatives. He was there without being known by them, and without working in their favor, the miracles that He wrought elsewhere. Our blindness and evil dispositions prevent Him from letting us experience the wonderful operations with which He favors those whom He finds well disposed… (St. Agatha's, Canastota, NY)

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 ...

Thank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, for inviting your fellow Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "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 .  Given the rampant disbelief in and irreverence toward the Holy Eucharist, I chose to share this 2013 post: "Holy Spirit" vs. "Spirit of Vatican II" (Originally posted January 21, 2013) I have made a commitment during this Year of Faith to do a number of things, including reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Vatican II Documents. Both exercises have been worthwhile. From time to time I hope to share the fruits of my efforts. Today, I will start with a few questions. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) Did you know that at the time of Vatican II the vast majority of C...