Five Minutes with Tony Agnesi

FMWT-145 “Hi-yo, Silver! Away!”

In this podcast Tony reminisces about the super heroes of yesteryear and how they remained humble and grateful to do God’s work.  We explore what has changed today.

Scripture:
“[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them;otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  Matthew 6:1-4

Quotes:
Forget about applause, honors, or awards. Do great things simply because it’s the right thing to do! –Tony Agnesi

Reflection:
What can we learn from the code of conduct of the old 1950’s superheroes like The Lone Ranger?

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FMWT-142 Blessed, I'm Blessed!

In this podcast, Tony remembers an old friend who when asked,  “Ace, how are you?”  Would always answer,” Blessed, I’m Blessed!”   Let’s look at our blessings.

Scripture:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”   Matthew 5:3-10

Reflection:
If someone asked, “How are you?”  Would you answer blessed?  Do you feel blessed?  What do you think of my friend Ace’s answer?

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FMWT-141 Evening in Paris

In this podcast, Tony talks about Mother’s Day and the gift he bought his mother every years, Evening in Paris perfume.  Do you have a memory of something thoughtful that someone gave you.  Maybe it’s your Evening in Paris!

Reflection:  Do you have a found memory of your mother on this mother’s day?  When you remember your mom, what is the one thing that sticks out above all the rest?

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FMWT-140 To Have a Father

In this Podcast, Tony relates a story of a young man going to prison for 25 years.  How passing judgement on this young man proved to be an eye-opening experience for Tony.  Let’s not be so quick to judge.  We never know the circumstances that get someone to a particular point in their lives.

Reflection:  As you listened to the story, did you pass judgement on this young man?  Once you understood the circumstances, did it change the way you will approach judgement in the future?

Scripture: We have become orphans, fatherless; widowed are our mothers.  Lam 5:3

Note: *Dr. Ray Guarendi is the father of 10, clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and nationally syndicated radio host. His radio show― “The Doctor Is In” can be heard on EWTN.

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FMWT-139 What Do We Gain From Prayer?

An unattributed quote about the benefits of prayer has been making its way across the internet via social media the past few weeks. Reading it, I was moved to reflect on the question, “What do we gain from prayer?   In this podcast, Tony asks the question, “What do we really gain from praying?”

Quote: Once a man was asked, “what did you gain by regularly praying to God?” The man replied, “Nothing…but let me tell you what I lost: anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and fear of death.” Sometimes the answer to our prayers is not gaining but losing; which ultimately is the gain. –Anonymous

Scripture: Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. –John 16:23

But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. –James 1:5

Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. –Matthew 18:19

Reflections: Do you ever ask Jesus for help with your problems?  What do you do when you realize you can’t handle a situation on your own?  Do you have an example of how God met your needs through prayer?

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FMWT-138 The Power of Hope

Faith, Hope and Love are the three theological virtues by which we participate in the divine nature of God. But hope is the least understood of these virtues.  Hope is often confused with optimism, of an attitude that things will turn out for the best. Hope is not the result of positive thinking, expecting a good outcome, or denying the reality of a situation.  In this podcast, Tony discusses hope.

Catechism: Into everyone’s heart, God has placed a search for happiness. Hope responds to this desire. It sustains man, frees him from discouragement, preserves him from selfishness, and leads to happiness on earth and in heaven. –CCC 1818

Scripture: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” –Romans 15:13

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

Quote: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reflections: Do you understand the difference between optimism and hope? How do we stay positive and still hope for God’s will?  What does it mean to have our hope in God’s promise?

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FMWT-137 Leave It at the Altar

Today, as many of us get ready to go off to Easter mass we are heavily burdened. Easter, the most joyous day of the year, seems to be tainted by the burdens we are carrying.  In this podcast, Tony discusses leaving your problems at the altar this Easter Sunday.

Scripture: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

“Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. He will never allow the righteous to stumble.” –Psalm 55

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”   2 Timothy 1:7

Reflections:  What burdens are you laying at the altar this Easter Sunday?  Do you place your burdens in God’s loving care?  How can we use Tony’s thoughts to have a happier Easter?

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FMWT-136 Enter Into My Rest

Every day, as I read Psalm 95 to begin the divine office, the phrase, “enter into my rest” seems to jump off the page.  What is this rest that God speaks of? What did the Israelites do to fail to enter into it? And, more importantly, what can we do to enter into God’s rest? In this podcast, Tony discusses Enter into my rest.

Scripture: Forty years I loathed that generation; I said: “This people’s heart goes astray; they do not know my ways.” Therefore I swore in my anger: “They shall never enter my rest.” –Psalm 95:10-11

Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. –Hebrews 4:1

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.^{”  –Ephesians 2:8-9}

“Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.” — Hebrews 3:13

“For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.” –Hebrews 4:2

Reflections:  We all need God’s rest.  How are you entering into His rest?  How would you define God’s rest?  How does faith help us enter into God’s rest?

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FMWT-135 Making It Through Hard Times

Hard times, we are all going to have them. And, some of us get through them better than others.  Others don’t do so well. They suffer openly, have a negative destructive attitude and feel that their happiness has been shortchanged. In this podcast, Tony discusses hard times.

Scripture: “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7

Quote: “Suffering has to come because if you look at the cross Jesus has his head bending down. He wants to kiss you. And he has his arms opened wide. He wants to embrace you. When you feel miserable inside look at the cross. Suffering, pain, sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus, a sign you have come so close he can kiss you.Suffering, pain, humiliation – this is the kiss of Jesus!” – Blessed Theresa of Calcutta

“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be, it’s the way it is. The way you cope is what makes the difference.” –- Virginia Satir

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reflections: How has God helped you through hard times?  What is you feeling about suffering?  Is there anything we can learn from experiencing hard times?

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FMWT-134 A Giving Heart

The father was unemployed, the oldest child was ill, and every penny they had could hardly keep the family together. “Wouldn’t it be nice,” the preacher offered, “if the congregation would all bring in what they could next Sunday and present it to this wonderful family.” In this podcast, Tony discusses The Giving Heart.

Scripture: “When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” –Luke 21:1-4

Quote: “The most obvious lesson in Christ’s teaching is that there is no happiness in having or getting anything, but only in giving.” –Henry Drummond

 

Reflections: Who are the most Christ-like people you know?  Do you believe that generosity has little to do with the amount of money involved?  How do we measure our generosity?

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