Five Minutes with Tony Agnesi

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. If you have enjoyed listening to this podcast, please subscribe by clinking the Follow Link on the lest hand side of the page. Don't miss a single Five Minutes with Tony Podcast!

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 ...

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 pra...

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? If you have enjoyed listening to this podcast, please subscri...

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 rec...