Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

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 . St. Anthony Mary Claret "...the most important point on which depends your whole welfare in the spiritual life...one must tread in the footsteps which Jesus Christ left before us, and keeping Him faithful company, patiently bear the desolation and affliction in one's spirit, pain and hardships in one's body, outrages, injuries, ill-will and persecution from whatever source they come." (From The Golden Key to Heaven)

Thank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for another opportunity to re-publish our favorite posts on  Worth Revisiting .   Go there now  and be nourished spiritually. Be sure to visit Allison at  Reconciled to You  and Elizabeth at  Theology Is A Verb  during the rest of the week. You will be glad you stopped by. Here is my contribution: Imagine  (Originally posted on March 28, 2011)  Imagine what we, our families, our priests, our Church, our communities and our world would be like if the Eucharist was, in fact, the source, center and summit of our daily lives. The following two men have something significant to share with all of us, be we lay men and women, priests or religious, about the value of Eucharistic Adoration. May our spiritual journey and desire for holiness be enriched by reading and reflecting on what they have said. Father James M. Sullivan, O.P. – “Adoration is not just one more thing t...

"Until the Church cries out that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is worthy of perpetual adoration for all He has done for our salvation, it will continue to be defeated by it's enemies.  (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) I believe, the best, the surest and the most effective way of establishing everlasting peace on the face of the earth is through the great power of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament."   Archbishop Charles Maung Bo

There are certain books which strike such a powerful chord, they are meant to be read over and over. Christine M. Arabik, M.A. puts Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections in that category:  "Slumbering Souls is a beautiful anthology from saints, mystics and friends of Jesus. This book has the potential to facilitate deeper reflection and response for its readers who truly seek to grow in their faith and appreciation for the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. For some, just one quote could bring the moment of change and profound conversion for which they have longed. For others, this will be a companion to them in their prayer times at home and in Church. As for me, it will be among my select and treasured go-to spiritual books." Why not get your copy today?

I don't recall the exact day several years ago that I stumbled upon Tony Agnesi's blog and podcast but I know that I have thanked God for leading me to him.  Tony is an inspirational storyteller, author and blogger. His Sunday blog and Wednesday podcasts have an international audience. I rarely miss them.  He is a frequent guest on Catholic Radio, a member of the Radio and Television Hall of Fame, and the Catholic Writers Guild. At one point, his blog ranked in the top three internationally in the Religion/Spirituality category. When Tony asked me to review his first book, one many of us have been eagerly awaiting, I jumped at the opportunity. I knew he would not disappoint his readers.  Here is my review: 

Thank you Allison Gingras at  Reconciled To You   and Elizabeth Riordan at  Theology Is A Verb   for  hosting Catholic bloggers at  Worth   Revisiting .  It is a privilege for us to share our work with you and your readers .    Stop by for a visit now .  A Eucharistic Glance (Originally published December 23, 2012) (Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) Some spiritual writers have described Mary as the first tabernacle since the Son of God resided in her womb. She took the newly and spiritually conceived Savior of the world to her aged cousin Elizabeth, who, after Mary and Joseph, is the first recorded Adorer of our Lord. Elizabeth was beside herself to be so blessed as to be in the presence of God. How sad that so many of us today do not share that appreciation when we are in His Presence. Rather than leaping for joy as did John the Baptist in his mother’s womb, we walk by ignoring the King of Kings and...

“I can remember when, after four months in the hospital, I began to recover: I was reading Mass on an altar constructed over the bed before a few priests and friends. I spontaneously gave a sermon, which I remember so well. I said that I was glad that I had open-heart surgery, because when the Lord comes to take us all, He will look to see if we have any marks of the Cross upon ourselves. He will look at our hands to see if they are crucified from sacrificial giving; He will look at our feet to see if they have been thorn-bruised and nail-pierced searching for lost sheep; He will look at our heart to see if that has been opened to receive His Divine Heart. Oh what joy is mine just to have endured the minuscule imitation of His suffering on the Cross by having a wounded side. Maybe He will recognize me from that scar and receive me into His Kingdom." (Venerable Fulton J Sheen – Treasure in Clay )