Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

 

"Why art Thou left alone in this Most Holy Sacrament? Where are Thy adorers and Thy friends? Has Thy Church failed to announce Thy Gospel to the world, and to make Thy presence known? Why art Thou so ignored, forsaken, and left alone in Thy tabernacles, without honor and with no one to thank Thee for the gift of Thy Real Presence? Why is the world kept in the dark concerning Thee in this Most Holy Sacrament, when Thou art all that this world needs, and all that souls desire?"  ( Vultus Christi - Thursday of Adoration and Reparation for Priests )

A timely and challenging reflection for our times: Photo©Michael Seagriff "How is He [my Son] betrayed? His priests, my own sons, betray Him when they fail to make Him known, when by not teaching the mystery of His real presence they leave souls in the darkness of ignorance, without fire or light. They betray my Son when, by their example, they discourage reverence and adoration, and a loving attention to His presence. They betray Him when they offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, and when they hand Him over to sinners who have no intention of giving Him their hearts and seeking His mercy and His pardon for their sins. They betray Him when they leave Him alone in locked churches and when they make it difficult or impossible for souls to approach His tabernacles and rest in the radiance of His Eucharistic Face. They betray Him when they allow His churches to become places of noise and worldly chatter, and when they do nothing to recall souls to the living mystery of...

Thank you, Allison Gingras at  Reconciled To You  and Elizabeth Riordan at  Theology Is A Verb   for hosting Worth Revisiting each week. It is a privilege to share our work with you and your followers .   I would like to share the following post:   Wanted: Lepers and Prophets    (Originally published 8/13/18) Few people warm up to lepers or prophets. That is most unfortunate. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) In Jesus’ time, lepers were shunned. Rarely would they show themselves in public and when they did so they kept their distance from the rest of the community – warning those nearby of their diseased presence by their voices and/or by ringing bells. What great courage and faith it took for them to seek Jesus out. They knew He was the source of mercy, forgiveness, healing and eternal life. They begged Him to have mercy on them and cleanse them physically. Jesus, defying the norms of His day, not only app...

Few people warm up to lepers or prophets. That is most unfortunate. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) In Jesus’ time, lepers were shunned. Rarely would they show themselves in public and when they did so they kept their distance from the rest of the community – warning those nearby of their diseased presence by their voices and/or by ringing bells. What great courage and faith it took for them to seek Jesus out. They knew He was the source of mercy, forgiveness, healing and eternal life. They begged Him to have mercy on them and cleanse them physically. Jesus, defying the norms of His day, not only approached them, He touched and healed them. Unfortunately, true to human nature, not all of those cured expressed their thanksgiving and gratitude for the opportunity at a new life. Man’s ingratitude toward His God has continued over the centuries. As the undeserved beneficiaries of God’s mercy and spiritual healing, how have we expressed our gratitude ...

T hank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Reardon for hosting Worth Revisiting each week. Please visit them regularly at Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb , respectively. May you find the following post worthwhile: I wish to share this post with you: Monday Musings - Hearts Have Grown Cold (Originally posted on March 6, 2017) Our world, country and Church are in turmoil - all because we have turned our backs to God. We think we know better than He. So prideful and self-centered have we become that we treat Him far too often as an unnecessary outdated crutch whom only weak and fearful people need. We prefer instant earthly pleasure rather than deferred eternal joy. We want to impose our will on Him rather than conforming ours to His. But it is not too late to allow Him to change our hearts and to lead us into His eternal embrace. But we must make that choice. He will not force Himself on us, not even on His priests. The way back i...