Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) "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, wholly God, wholly human. But do you know the situation of the soul who receives the Sacrament unworthily? She is like a candle that has been doused with water and only hisses when it is brought under the fire. The flame no more than touches it, but it goes out, and nothing remains but smoke. Just so, this soul brings the candle she received in holy baptism and throws the water of sin over it, a water that drenches the wick of baptismal grace that is meant to bear the light. And unless she dries the wick out with the fire of true contrition by confessing her sin, she will physically receive the light when she approaches the table of the altar, but she will not receive it into her spirit. If the soul is not disposed as she should be for so great a mystery, this true...

Be sure to visit Allison Gingras   (Reconciled To You)  and  Elizabeth Riordan ( Theology Is A Verb ) each week for  Revisiting Wednesday , a place for Catholic writers to share their wares and stir your souls.  Stop for a visit now   (and every Wednesday). Here is what I posted. Sadly, I am still waiting for an answer.... Monday Musings - Don't Tickle My Ears (Originally published on February 6, 2017) After reading a recent syndicated column in my Diocesan newspaper, I could not remain silent. The columnist, Father Ron Rolheiser, a well-known Catholic priest and theologian, criticized a brother priest who had had the courage to preach the Truth. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) Some background first.  For decades, observers have decried the absence of quality catechesis within the Catholic Church – this despite the universal recognition that many Catholics do not know or fully understand their Faith. Several res...

After reading a recent syndicated column in my Diocesan newspaper, I could not remain silent. The columnist, Father Ron Rolheiser, a well-known Catholic priest and theologian, criticized a brother priest who had had the courage to preach the Truth. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) Some background first.  For decades, observers have decried the absence of quality catechesis within the Catholic Church – this despite the universal recognition that many Catholics do not know or fully understand their Faith. Several respected polls have concluded that as many as seventy-five per cent of those professing to be Catholic do not attend Sunday Mass on any regular basis, if at all. The number of non-attendees may be even greater than this reported percentage. The salvation of its members’ souls is the Church’s primary mission. Yet rarely is the necessity of attending and participating in Sunday Mass ever addressed. When was the last time you heard a homily on the ...

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) I am excited to post my first podcast - one that I hope you will enjoy and which will lead to my posting others in the future. What do you tell a friend who has stopped attending Mass? Write him a letter. You can listen to it here.

You have got to listen to this video. Father Z got it from P.P. of Blackfen and I must share it with you. You should share it with those you love.

Charlie: God has prompted me to share this little story.   I thought you would enjoy it and maybe pass it on. Harry had known Larry for years. Larry was a wonderful man who for most of his life did everything He could to bring honor and glory to God. He obeyed God’s commandments and shared God’s love with those around him. He gave of his time generously to help those less fortunate than himself. Larry led a good life but eventually became a little complacent in his faith and stopped going to Mass on Sunday.   He had always gone to Mass because he loved being there with His Lord and others who believed. Overtime, he forgot St. Paul ’s advice that it is not how we start the race but how we finish it that counts. Larry told Harry that he had stopped going to Mass.   Harry loved Larry very much.   Although it was difficult to do so, he reminded Larry that it was a mortal sin not to attend Mass on Sunday.   But he quickly reminded Larry that all he h...