Five Minutes with Tony Agnesi

Our living room is rarely used. It has become a place to go to make a quiet phone call, read or just get away from the noise and activity of the day. It’s our quiet room. It is also the place where my wife, Diane sets up the nativity scene each year, a place where I enjoy going to pray and reflect on the birth of our Savior. In this podcast, Tony discusses the nativity and its relationship to the Eucharist. Scripture: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. –John 6:35 Reflections: Have you ever thought about the nativity and the Eucharist? what do you think of Tony’s comparison? Can we truly have Christmas every day in the Eucharist?

Before I could open the box my parents sat me down and told me that a neighbor boy’s father had been laid off and they couldn’t afford presents for my friend. Wouldn’t it be nice if I gave up one of my toys, so that he would have something under his Christmas tree? In this podcast Tony discusses the tough decision he was forced to make on Christmas morning and the Christmas lesson we can learn from little children. Scripture: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” Matthew 18:3-5 Reflection: Do you think that the six year old’s in your life would pass the test? How about your teenagers? Have you ever given up something that you wanted to help someone in need? How did that make you feel?

Growing up in a blue collar family, having a new coat for winter was truly a welcomed gift. That is one of the reasons I remember my Aunt Jay so fondly. Each year she would scrimp and save from her 90-cent an hour job at the dry cleaners to buy winter coats for my cousins, Diane, Steven, and Susan, and my sister Angie and me. In this podcast, Tony discusses sacrifices and a new coat. Scripture: Give and gifts will be given to you, a good measure, packed together shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. Luke 6:38 Reflections: Was there someone in your life who sacrificed for you? How did it make you feel when you realized how much love was involved? Have you ever been the “angel” for someone?

Christmas day is fast approaching. For many people, it is the happiest and most joyful time of the year. For others, Christmas can be the saddest time of the year. In this podcast, Tony give some helpful advice if you find yourself sad or lonely at Christmas and what you can do to help others that are alone, lonely or sad at this time of year. Quote: he Christian faith can never be separated from the soil of sacred events, from the choice made by God, who wanted to speak to us, to become man, to die and rise again, in a particular place and at a particular time. — Pope Benedict XVI I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses. –Taylor Caldwell Reflections: Have you ever been sad at Christmastime? What did you do that helped you get through the holiday? Is t...