Five Minutes with Tony Agnesi

I am a passionate person. I live life passionately. I am passionate about my marriage, my family, friends, my work, my writing and speaking , fishing, golf, and most importantly, I am passionate about my Catholic faith.  In this podcast Tony talks about the importance of passion. Scripture: He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it:You shall love your neighbor as yourself. –Matthew 22:37-39 Quote: “It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who has never experienced it than we can explain light to the blind.” – T.S. Elliot Reflections: What are you passionate about?  Are you passionate about your faith?  What drives your passions?

Most people spend their lives in pursuit of the extraordinary. We look at the lives of celebrities, glorify their excesses, and wish that our lives could be more like theirs.  In this podcast, Tony talks about the ordinary moments that represent 99% of our time on earth. Quote: For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his [or her] happiness on major events like a great job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.        – -Andy Rooney The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you fin

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” ― Francis of Assisi I’ve always been a fan of this quote from St. Francis. It speaks volumes about ministry. In this podcast, Tony discusses the personal ministries that we do every day. Scripture: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” ― Francis of Assisi But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.–1 Peter 2:9 Reflection:   What do you do in your daily life that you would consider ministry? Have you ever considered that the way you treat people is part of your ministry?  How do others minister to you?

Occasionally, an Evangelical friend or acquaintance will ask the question, “Do you have a close personal relationship with Jesus?”  This question throws many Catholics into a dazed look with no idea of how to answer. In this podcast, Tony examines the question and offers some thoughts. Scripture: So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.  1 Peter 5:6-7 Quote: There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.  –Blaise Pascal Reflection:   What about you, do you have a close personal relationship with Jesus?  How do you define a close personal relationship?  What about Tony's suggestions, have you tried any of these?

In this podcast, Tony offers seven spiritual resolutions for your new year.  We are either on one of two trajectories, growing in our relationship with God, or frankly, we are growing away from God (toward the devil).  As we are reminded in the book of Romans; we are either moving toward darkness or moving toward the light. Scripture:   And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;  the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armor of light .  Romans 13:11-12 Quote:  “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul. –G.K. Chesterton Prayer: O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,