Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

(Photo©Michael Seagriff) “This same God who in His incarnation deigned to unite Himself so closely to me [Blessed Mother Mary] also wants to be united to you, my child, through Communion. But you are much less eager to receive than He is to give. Your laziness and a false humility will suggest excuses for staying away from the holy table; do not accept them. There is the excuse of fear and reverence; but fear and reverence must be subordinated to love and simply serve to make love more attentive. To stay away from Communion out of a false reverence is to rob Jesus of the satisfaction He finds in dwelling with you He has told you of this satisfaction when He said: “My delight is to be with the children of men” (Proverbs 8:31). You say that because of your frequent sins you dare not frequently approached the Holy of Holies. But, my child, however weak a soul may be, if it makes every effort to improve, Jesus will always find it a joy to come to it. You say you stay away ...

 

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.       Brother Finbar Kantor, O.P. "Saint Barnabas urges us in the midst of ‘evil days’ to look first to that problem which is most intimate to us—the salvation of our eternal soul. Before worrying about political policy or ecclesial bickering, the state of our soul should be our first concern. What is my relationship like with God? With my family? With my neighbors? ( Mt 22:37-40 ) These are the things that should really matter to us because they affect our salvation. If we get this hierarchy wrong and seek to gain the world rather than our salvation, we risk a terrible loss ( Mt 8:36-38 )." (From Dominicana - The Things That Matter )    Venerable Louis of Granada, O.P. "When you feel the promptings of this shameful disorder [gluttony] subdue them by the following considerations: Call to mind  that it was a sin o...

( Image Source) Why dilute your love in an unceasing flow of words? Why destroy the charm of intimate communings with Him by childish loquacity? May the silence of the Eucharist teach you silent recollection! But, while your lips are still, let your eyes speak. Yes, tell it all to Jesus with a long gaze full of adoration, love, and pleading.   Put all   your tenderness in that look, all your desires, your sorrows, your disillusions - in a word, your whole soul. Stir up your faith and seek the eyes of Jesus through the Eucharistic veils. May His gaze and yours meet, be united, and form together one and the same light and one and the same fire of love. Why do you look for more? Ask Him only to deign to look upon you. Tell Him with entire confidence: 'Look upon me and have mercy on me' (Ps 118:132). Remembering that, as soon as Jesus had looked on that young man who came to Him, He loved him, fear not to tell Him also: 'Look upon me and … love me!'   ( The Holy Euchari...