Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

  (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) There is a vital lesson to learn from the paralytic in John's Gospel. When we fail to listen to, and answer the specific question, God places in our hearts, we may lose the opportunity to receive a great and undeserved gift. Listen here .

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. This week all three tidbits are gifts from Venerable Fulton J. Sheen Venerable Fulton J. Sheen "Our Lord never promised safety to His Apostles; He promised them persecution. He did not promise them health or comfort. He promised strength to bear their trials."                                       (From March 18, 2025 Reflection on  Sheen Institute ) Venerable Fulton J. Sheen "To a great extent, the world is what we make it. We get back what we give. If we sow hate, we reap hate; if we scatter love and gentleness, we harvest love and happiness. Other people are like a mirror which reflects back on us, the kind of image we cast..." (From Way to Happiness ) Venerable Fulton J Sheen "...there are few listeners, although St. Paul tells us that 'faith comes...

"A great many people habitually make the mistake of talking too much in their thanksgiving, that highest of prayers; by over-much speaking they render their Communion ineffective - Do but listen to  our Lord a little after Communion. This is not the time to seek, but to enjoy. This is the time when God makes Himself known through Himself: Et erunt docibiles Dei -"And they shall all be taught of God." (Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash) "How does a mother teach her little child what endless love and tenderness she has for it? She is content to show by her devotion that she loves it. God does the same in Communion. Remember that one who does not receive Communion will never know the Heart of our Lord or the magnitude of His love. The heart makes itself known through itself alone; we must feel it beating." (St. Peter Julian Eymard from Holy Communion )

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) There is a vital lesson to learn from the paralytic in John's Gospel. When we fail to listen to, and answer the specific question, God places in our hearts, we may lose the opportunity to receive a great and undeserved gift. Listen here .