It's Not Neglectful

Judging Others

Using Time

Pondering Tidbits of Truth (Volume 2) Now Available on Kindle

If you have been waiting for the Kindle version of Pondering Tidbits of Truth (Volume 2), your wait is over.

So why would you want a copy?

Let me ask you two questions? Are you at the point in your spiritual life where you sense God prodding you to spend more time each day reading, pondering and reflecting on the truths of your Catholic faith, but you do not know where to begin or how you will find the time to do so? Fret no more. The hard work has been done for you.

Pondering Tidbits of Truth (Volume 2), like its Volume 1 predecessor, sets forth 100 quotations from ancient and contemporary Catholics that will challenge and inspire you. The wisdom contained within these books will provide much fruit for your contemplation.

You can get your $.99 cent copy HERE.

Would you help spread the word?

It's "Worth Revisiting" Wednesday - Are You A Scoundrel?

Thanks to the on-going generosity and encouragement of Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, a talented group of Catholic bloggers take the time each week to re-post their favorite articles on It’s "Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.

Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every Wednesday) and let these authors bless and challenge you in your Faith journey.

During the rest of each week, visit Allison at  Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb.  You will enjoy your time there.

Here is what I am sharing this week:

 
Are You A Scoundrel? 

(Originally published on November 24, 2014)

(Image Source)

I have been working my way through a second reading of Finding God’s Will For You by St. Francis de Sales. His explanations of fundamental Truths always challenge his readers to reassess their relationship with the God they claim to love and serve. This gifted spiritual adviser always provides much fruit for contemplation.

God has a plan for each of us – one that will lead to eternal happiness. He provides us with the graces sufficient to discover, accept and live out that plan. At the same time, He gave us free will and allows us to reject the path He sets before us.

Many in our contemporary world (even among some clergy and members of our Church) ridicule and reject that which He calls us to believe and live. “Dogma” and “Doctrine” have become dirty words and those who dare treasure and teach God’s Truths are often ridiculed and attacked for doing so.

St. Martin de Porres and My Sister

[Today's memorial is a fitting time for me to re-post this article and to renew my request that you pray for my sister Jane]

(Statue of St. Martin de Porres at St. Vicnert Ferrer Parish, NYC)

Today we Dominicans celebrate the memorial of St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) – one of three Dominican saints who walked the streets of Lima, Peru in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries - St. Rose of Lima and St. John Macias being the other two. 

St. John XXIII canonized St. Martin on May 6, 1962.

There are a number of reasons why I have a great fondness for St. Martin de Porres.

He was a simple, humble and holy layman who initially refused the Dominican habit, not feeling worthy to wear it. After serving his Dominican brothers for nine years, as an act of obedience, he made his Solemn vows as a lay Dominican brother.

Eucharistic Reflection - The Real Me

Eucharistic Reflection - The Real Me

As you gaze at the crucifix remember that the figure on the cross is a representation of Me. It draws the eye and the senses towards Me. The Real Me.

Look at the Real Me in the monstrance, here I AM gazing at you. I gaze on your soul. I see you as you really are and I love you my child. There is nothing else to say that is not contained in the words "I love you".

I love you with all of my being - I ask nothing of you; but that you allow yourself to be loved by Me.

And in the passivity of being loved, you will grow into my likeness And you will see the world as I see it.

You will become Christ-like and all this from visiting Me and allowing Me to love you.

Prayer in response

My Lord and my God.

I sit here gazing at You and You gaze on my soul. I am willing to passively accept Your love for me - to let You love me as You will.

But more than this Lord I ask You to pour out on me all Your love that has been rejected by others, so that it is not rejected any longer.

I receive Your love with all my heart. Fill it to overflowing so that it flows out to all mankind.

Fill this Warrior of Light with Your love so that it will shine out on the whole world. Like through a prism breaking the light of your love into its constituent parts - rays radiating ever outwards. Always being given away - never kept back.

                      (© Steve O'Sullivan – Reprinted with Permission)