Eucharistic Reflection - Don't Take Him For Granted

(Image Source: Hands At Mass)

"Don't take the Eucharist for granted. The Lord is present among us, dwelling in every tabernacle. If we would only take the time to contemplate this mystery, our spiritual lives would be transformed!"

Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P.  

Monday Musings - Why Were We Created?

 

 

Eucharistic Reflection - Two Devotions That Require One Another

"Devotion to the Sacred Heart should bring us to a life of intimate union with Jesus who, we know, is truly present and living in the Eucharist. The two devotions — to the Sacred Heart and to the Eucharist — are closely connected. They call upon one another and, we may even say, they require one another. The Sacred Heart explains the mystery of the love of Jesus by which He becomes bread in order to nourish us with His substance, while in the Eucharist we have the real presence of this same Heart, living in our midst. It is wonderful to contemplate Jesus as the symbol of His infinite love, but it is even more wonderful to find Him always near us in the Sacrament of the altar. The Sacred Heart which we honor is not a dead person's heart which no longer palpitates, so that we have only the memory of him, but it is the Heart of a living Person, of One who lives eternally. He lives not only in heaven where His sacred humanity dwells in glory, but He lives also on earth wherever the Eucharist is reserved. In speaking of the Eucharist, Our Lord says to us, 'Behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world' (Mt 28, 20). In Holy Communion, then, this Heart beats within us, it touches our heart; through the love of this Heart, we are fed with His Flesh and with His Blood, so that we may abide in Him and He in us."

(From "Divine Intimacy" by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.)

WANTED: Lepers and Prophets!

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

I will continue to share this post so long as the issues it discusses continue to be ignored. There can be no authentic Eucharistic Revival until we reestablish the sense of the Sacred in our Churches.

Few people warm up to lepers or prophets. That is most unfortunate.

In Jesus’ time, lepers were shunned. Rarely would they show themselves in public and when they did so they kept their distance from the rest of the community – warning those nearby of their diseased presence by their voices and/or by ringing bells.

What great courage and faith it took for them to seek Jesus out. They knew He was the source of mercy, forgiveness, healing and eternal life. They begged Him to have mercy on them and cleanse them physically. Jesus, defying the norms of His day, not only approached them, He touched and healed them. Unfortunately, true to human nature, not all of those cured expressed their thanksgiving and gratitude for the opportunity at a new life.

Man’s ingratitude toward His God has continued over the centuries.

As the undeserved beneficiaries of God’s mercy and spiritual healing, how have we expressed our gratitude to Him? What portion of the 168 hours in each week that He gives us, have we given back to Him by talking to Him, listening to Him, adoring Him and spending time in His Presence?

As best as I can recall from my reading of Scripture over the years, prophets fared little better than lepers in the reception they received. It was an important but difficult and painful task for those chosen to share God’s words. Not many of the Lord’s prophets were willing ones. Can you blame them? No one wants to constantly hear “Here’s trouble. All he ever does is focus on the negative. He’ll have nothing positive, to say.” Much of what these messengers had to share were predictions of captivity, destruction, doom, eternal damnation and war. Few were thrilled about serving in that capacity. One became so discouraged, he sought death rather than the treatment to which he was subjected. They rarely felt welcomed; they were often despised, ignored, imprisoned or killed. Some tried to flee from their duties.

Pondering Tidbits of Truth - June 22, 2023

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. Faustina Kowalska

"All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God; even if a person's sins were as dark as night, God's mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary, that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God's merciful Grace, and then God will do the rest."

(From Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska - Divine Mercy in My Soul)

Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P. "The Church’s invitation to join the Eucharistic Revival isn’t just another program. It’s a plea for each and every disciple’s heart to be re-ignited with a greater love for Christ in the Eucharist. Renewed love for the Eucharist will transform our lives and the very shape of the Church in our country." (From Daily Catholic Wisdom)

 

Christine Watkins

"Our Lady never shouldered any undertaking or spoke serious words without first aligning herself in prayer with the Lord's will. As you go through your day, remind yourself to consult God before you speak or act, asking Him what He would have you do or say. Make this a lifelong habit and the virtue of prudence will direct your steps, paving a trail of no regret."

(From Mary's Mantle)

Eucharistic Reflection - Toward A More Intimate Relationship

“While no one suggests that Christ is more present in the exposed sacrament than in the tabernacle, this physical visibility can be a powerful aid in learning to be attentive to the Lord in prayer . . .exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is an extension of the Mass. It prolongs the Mass. . . (and is) a means to drawing the adorer into a deeper life of prayer, a more intimate relationship with Christ.” 

(Father Gabriel O’Donnell, O.P.)

Monday Musings - Truth and Goodness