Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ) 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. Cardinal Charles Journet “The Church continues to live in her children who are not in the state of grace. The Church seeks to work against the evil that corrupts their souls. She struggles to keep them in her fold, to bring them back to life with her love. She con­serves them as one conserves a treasure not easily parted from. And it is not because she wants to carry around dead weight. She only hopes that through the power of patience, gentleness and pardon the sinner will make his return to her. It is like the withered branch which for lack of sap is allowed time to regain health and flower once more.” (From Theology of the Church )

Why is there any hesitancy to share this truth from our pulpits?

"Dear Eucharistic soul: In that hour [of the Last Supper] Jesus thought of you. Have no doubt about it. He thought of you in particular, and had you before His eyes. He understood that, without that small, white, consecrated wafer, which you adore and which you receive every morning, you would feel lonely, very lonely, in your exile here below. He knew that your heart would hunger and thirst for love and be the prey of unmitigated nostalgia for heaven. He knew that on the road through life you would find many a cause for grief and, behind a smiling appearance, would have to conceal many a galling sorrow. And for your sake, dear soul, lest you be orphaned and without a loyal friend in whose understanding heart you might pour out the overflowing bitterness of your heart, Jesus overlooked all those sacrileges, profanations, and ingratitudes and, in that night, instituted the Eucharist for you—understand this well!—just for you. And for your sake He has remained in that small, ...

[I am honored to welcome Rev. Mr. Adolph Uryniak as my guest blogger today. Ordained to the permanent Diaconate in 2006, the good Deacon resides in New York State with his wife, Sue, their three sons and six precious grandchildren. He fuels and sustains his passion to evangelize by spending much time each week before the Eucharistic Lord he loves and serves so well.] Be Disruptive! By Deacon Adolph Uryniak (Source of Image: Wikimedia Commons ) “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” With these words Christ poses a disruptive challenge. Disruptive in that it exchanges following Mosaic Law, for following the two great Commandments of “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” In reality, following the two Great Commandments encompasses all of Mosaic law; it’s a matter of how you go about it. The disruption comes in how one changes f...

(Photo©Michael Seagriff) It's Sunday (almost) and time to join an interesting group of Catholic bloggers at RAnn's place  where you are sure to find something that will touch your heart and stir your soul. Take a few minutes and visit! For a number of reasons, I have not been responding to the question of the week for awhile. A friend challenged me on that failure. I appreciate that she did. I may go back when I have time and answer the questions I missed.  I will just briefly tackle this week's question: Do you use Facebook? Do you promote your blog there? Why or why not? I have a Facebook presence but I am not very clear on what I hope to accomplish by being there. My author friends and acquaintances feel it is essential to be visible there. I will link to some of the things I write on my blog and use it periodically to promote my books. But more often I use it to share links to the many interesting articles I run across. Here is what I shared t...

With much gratitude to Cristina T. for taking the time to read and recommend my book, Fleeting Glimpses of the Silly, Sentimental and Sublime. She really captured the purpose and flavor of what I tried to accomplish in this little book. I thoroughly enjoyed the subtle way in which she chose to introduce it to her readers: "A book review where dropping your pants and seeing crosses as toothpicks are my favorite parts! Not what you think, but it grabs your attention, eh? Written by a Lay Dominican too! ‪ Read her full review here now: http://fillingmyprayercloset.com/2014/07/23/book-review-fleeting-glimpses-of-the-silly-sentimental-and-sublime/ Do yourself a favor and start following Cristina T. Her writing will bless you, touch your heart and stir your soul.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) "Jesus Christ finds the means to console a soul that remains with a recollected spirit before the Most Blessed Sacrament, far beyond what the world can do with all its feasts and pastimes. Oh, how sweet a joy it is to remain with faith and tender devotion before an altar, and converse familiarly with Jesus Christ, who is there for the express purpose of listening to and graciously hearing those who pray to him; to ask his pardon for the displeasures which we have caused him; to represent our wants to him, as a friend does to a friend in whom he places all his confidence; to ask him for his graces, for his love, and for his kingdom; but above all, oh, what a heaven it is there to remain making acts of love towards that Lord who is on the very altar praying to the Eternal Father for us, and is there burning with love for us. Indeed that love it is which detains him there, thus hidden and unknown, and where he is even despised by ungrateful s...