Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

In my last post, building upon the observations of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, I suggested he would agree that many who flocked to pyschologists and psychiatrists would be better served by spending less time on the couch and more time at the foot of Jesus’ Cross, on their knees in front of His tabernacle and in the confessional from which flows the spiritual cleansing and healing graces they seek and which our loving and merciful Lord offers in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Today, a friend Mary T. shared this with her Facebook friends, of which I am one. I don't think I could have found a more appropriate follow-up to my previous blog. May many more come to discover the mercy, forgiveness, and graces that flow from the Sacrment of Reconcilation! (Video credit to RomanCatholic33 and YouTube.com)

We marvel at the physical miracles, big and small, that Jesus performed during His time here on earth – for example raising Lazarus from the dead and healing St. Peter’s mother-in-law of her fever. And well we should. But what we often overlook is the frequency with which Jesus spoke to and expelled demons – as is mentioned in today’s Gospel. Isn’t it foolish to think that there is less demonic presence in our current times then when Jesus walked this earth? The reality of Satan and the never ending spiritual battle to which we are subjected during our earthly lives are two topics rarely discussed or considered these days. Too few among us recognize that we are engaged in spiritual combat with the unseen demons roaming the world in search of our souls. This is not, according to Father George P. Schommer, O.P., a good thing: “The devil is real.   We fail to recognize the reality of his existence and power and therefore we often fall prey to his many tricks.  ...