Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

Let us end this year and enter the new one pondering the vastness of the following Truth and how we should respond to It: The act of adoration expresses the realization that God is greatness, pure and simple, and that man is smallness, pure and simple; that God exists by reason of Himself and in Himself, but man only through God and by God's grace. Adoration affirms: "Thou are God; I am man. Thou art the One that truly is, self-created, substantial from all eternity. I am only through Thee and in Thy sight. Thou has plentitude of being and all fullness of value, all sublimity of meaning; Thou are Lord and unto Thyself. The meaning of my existence, however, is derived from Thine. I live in Thy light and the measure of my existence is in Thee."   (From the Art of Praying by Monsignor Romano Guardini) Let us also end this last blog entry for 2011 with an inspiring hymn and a heartfelt blessing for a happy and holy New Year !    ...

If only souls knew the power to purify and to transform that emanates from My tabernacles! If only My priests knew this they would hasten into My presence and remain there, waiting for Me to do in them what, of themselves, they cannot do. (From In Sinu Iesu , The Journal of a Priest)

I will never understand the opposition some of our priests have to participating in and encouraging their parishioners to participate in Eucharstic Adoration. What follows is another pearl from Father Mark and from In Sinu Jesu , The Journal of a Priest                                                      Holiness Through Adoration Please share this with your Pastor.

 "The principal sorrow which afflicted the heart of Jesus so much was not the sight of the torments and infamy which men were preparing for him, but the sight of their ingratitude towards his immense love. He distinctly foresaw all the sins which we should commit after all his sufferings and such a bitter and ignominious death. He foresaw, especially, the horrible insults which men would offer to his adorable heart, which he has left us in the Most Holy Sacrament as a proof of his affection. O my God, what affronts has not Jesus Christ received from men in this Sacrament of love?   (St. Alphonsus Liguori)

Another gifted young Dominican speaks of his vocation.

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Most of us recall the joy and excitement we experienced as young children singing Christmas carols and happy birthday to Jesus while waiting to see what gifts Santa would leave under our tree.   How many times did my siblings and I resolve to catch the jolly old man in the act only to fall fast asleep – many hours later than Mom and Dad would have liked?   Strange how we could not quite understand why they looked so tired as we exploded into their bedroom at 3 A.M. and at fifteen minute intervals thereafter until they finally conceded defeat, crawled out of bed, and witnessed our glee and excitement. After becoming parents ourselves, we acquired a greater appreciation for the many sacrifices Mom and Dad had made to bring joy to our silly trusting little hearts.   Of course, Christmas was not Christmas unless we went to Church, left a gift, and had a special dinner. Those of us blessed with such precious memories have done our best to re-create them for our own ch...