Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) " There are no words to describe the privilege which I grant you in Holy Communion. Avoid routine. Never become so accustomed to receiving Me that you lose your appreciation of this privilege. Try to make every reception a grand occasion. Do it by putting variety in your preparation and thanksgiving. Do not always say the same prayers, nor always follow the same method. One day meditate on My words or your daily life. On another day say vocal prayers or read prayer books.  At another time sing hymns within your mind. Use variety and you will never fall into the dull rut of routine. Do not let the thought of your unworthiness hold you back from Holy Communion. Think only of this, that I want you to receive Me because you need Me. For this reason, I command you to come to Me. If it were strictly a matter of worthiness, no one could ever receive Me." (Father Anthony J. Paone, S.J. from My Daily Bread )

“My Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, how can I ever express the sympathy and sorrow which should be expressed for the unbelievable foolishness which we show in our daily neglect of You. The church is so crowded on Sunday [written in 1954] with men and women who are ready to do what they must do to save their souls. But on weekdays, the same Church has but a handful of people who rise a little earlier to come and kneel at Your feet. Others will rise earlier for a number of other reasons, but for an extra half hour with You, they will not do so.  (Photo©Michael Seagriff) You offer so much in the Mass and Holy Communion, yet we do so little to deserve Your generosity and love. Lord, place my heart in Yours for a moment and inflame it with the fire of Your love. Let me grow in appreciation of Holy Communion so that I may come to You more often. You desire to come to me that You many grant me more graces and blessings. In Holy Communion the privilege is all mine. I s...

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 "The executioners expected Jesus to cry, for everyone pinned to the gibbet of the Cross had done it before Him. Seneca wrote that those who were crucified cursed the day of their birthday, the executioners, their mothers, and even spat on those who looked upon them. Cicero recorded that at times it was necessary to cut out the tongues of those who were crucified to stop their terrible blasphemies. Hence the executioners expected a word, but not the kind of word that they heard...Like some fragrant trees which bathe in perfume the very axe which gashes them, the great Heart on the Tree of Love poured out from its depths something  less than a cry than a prayer - the soft, low prayer of pardon and forgiveness." (From The Life of Christ ) Ven. Cardinal Nguyen Von Thuan "Kn...

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 . Father Anthony J. Paone, S.J. Man’s earthly life is full of miseries and crosses. Wherever you turn, you will find a cross. If you carry it willingly, you will find greater strength in the cross, and it will lead you towards Heaven. If you bear it unwillingly, you only make it a greater burden than it already is; and you still have to bear it. One who runs away from the cross is only running toward another cross, perhaps a heavier one. There is no other road to Heaven except the way of the cross. No man can escape his cross.” (From My Daily Bread )