Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

(Image from Biblebios.com) I stopped in Church for a visit, intending to spend some time in the Presence of our Lord, to pray the rosary and recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Midway through my recitation of the rosary, a woman came in quietly and almost unnoticeably. She sat in the very last pew, knelt down and pulled out her rosary beads. I did not know who she was. We were just two simple souls drawn to the silent sacredness that palpably files this holy place.   

It's actually Monday not Sunday. I have been with my Lay Dominican family since Thursday of last week with no internet access. But it is never too late  to join an interesting group of Catholic bloggers at RAnn's place  where you are sure to find something that will speak to your soul. Stop in a visit.   I am in "trying to catch up mode" so I will postpone answering this week's question and refer you two of my posts:   Eucharistic Reflection - How Hard Can The Human Heart Become?   Pondering Tidbits of Truth - September 26, 2013

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. Pope Leo XIII "What St. Paul taught was all the truths and precepts of Christ, even the most demanding ones, without silencing or watering down any.   He spoke of humility, of self-denial, of chastity, of detachment from earthly goods, of obedience…And he did not fear to stress that one had to choose between serving God and serving Baal, because it is not possible to serve the two together. He taught that after death all had to undergo a woeful judgment; that no one can bargain with God; that one can only expect eternal life if one has kept God’s laws; that seeking pleasures by breaking these laws one can only expect eternal damnation…Never did the Preacher of truth think he had to omit these things because   they might seem harsh to his listeners, especially in view of the corruption of the times…Since when does a doctor give use...

"Here upon the altar you will find not a relic, nor a monument to someone’s memory, but Me, alive as ever, all-powerful, all-loving, all-perfect. All the treasures and wonders of this world – whatever can attract the human heart – these things are nothing compared to what you find upon the altar. You will not be drawn to Me by any curiosity or shallow virtue. Only a firm faith, a steady hope and a burning love will draw you to Me and keep you loyal to Me.

  (via AdorationNetwork.com)

It's Sunday (I'm cheating again) and time to join an interesting group of Catholic bloggers at RAnn's This That and The Other Thing  where you are sure to find some interesting blogs. It is worth your time to visit!   This week we were asked to tell you what we like about our parish. For me it is simple: our Pastor who evidences his deep abiding love in and for the Eucharist by the way He celebrates Mass and by the witness he gives us by praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Let me share three of my posts: Monday Musings - Do You Really Want To Remain Silent? Eucharistic Reflection - If We Need You Lord (And We Certainly Do) Why Do So Few Of Us pend Time In Your Presence? Eucharistic Adoration and Pope Francis

Have not yet seen the following excerpt get much play or discussion. Have you? From the recent interview of our Holy Father, we learn that, he, like his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, makes a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament every evening. Certainly, if our Holy Father makes Eucharistic Adoration a priority of his daily life, we, if we really wanted to, can and should find one hour each week to do likewise. Why the on-going reluctance to promote this most vital devotion - one that Our Lord Himself has asked us to do?