Day: September 21, 2023

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 21 September – The Heart of Judas

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Thought for the Day – 21 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Heart of Judas

“Even after his betrayal, Judas still had time to make amends.
It would have sufficed if he had gone to Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness.
He would certainly have received the kiss of peace.
He was overcome by despair, however and decided that his sin was too great to be forgiven.
So, throwing away his money, the reward of his betrayal, he took a rope and “hanged himself with a halter” (Mt 27:5).

If we should ever have the misfortune to fall into sin, we should remember that the mercy of God is infinite.

It is enough to go to Him and to ask for pardon and for the grace not to offend Him any more under any circumstances.
We should then resolve to love Him with all the power of our poor hearts, to atone for our sins and to serve Him faithfully for the rest of our lives.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/08/thought-for-the-day-8-september-the-heart-of-judas/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/07/thought-for-the-day-7-april-the-heart-of-judas/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr

“For, as Scripture says,
“The first living creature was like a lion,” (Rev 4:7)
symbolising His effectual working,
His leadership and Royal Power;
“the second was like a calf,”
signifying His Sacrificial and Priestly order
but, “the third had, as it were, the face as of a man,”
– an evident description of His coming as a human being;
“the fourth was like a flying eagle,”
pointing out the gift of the Spirit
hovering with its wings over the Church.
And, therefore, the Gospels of
Mark, Luke, Matthew and John
are in accord with these living things,
among which Christ Jesus is seated. …”

St Irenaeus (c130-c202)
Bishop, Martyr, Father

“Why did Jesus not call Matthew,
at the same time, as He called Peter
and John and the rest?
He came to each one, at a particular time,
when He knew that they would respond to Him.
He came at a different time to call Matthew,
when He was assured
that Matthew would surrender to His call.
For He, Who is acquainted
with our inmost hearts
and knows the secrets of our minds,
knows when each one of us is ready
to respond fully.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Prayer to St Matthew
as your Patron Saint

Saint Matthew, whom I have chosen
as my Special Patron, pray for me,
that I, too, may one day
glorify the Blessed Trinity in Heaven.
Obtain for me your lively faith,
that I may consider all persons,
things and events,
in the light of Almighty God.
Pray, that I may be generous
in making sacrifices of temporal things,
to promote my eternal interests,
as you, so wisely did.
Set me on fire with a love for Jesus,
that I may thirst for His sacraments
and burn with zeal,
for the spread of His kingdom.
By your powerful intercession,
help me in the performance
of my duties to God,
to myself and to all the world.
Win for me the virtue of purity
and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin.
Protect me this day
and everyday of my life.
Keep me from mortal sin.
Obtain for me the grace of a happy death.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MERCY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? ” – Matthew 9:11

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One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr – Ezekiel 1:10-14, Matthew 9:9-13– – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? ” – Matthew 9:11

REFLECTION – “Our Lord chose Matthew, the Tax Collector, to encourage his fellows to join him. He looked on sinners, called them and brought them to sit beside Him. What a wonderful sight! Angels stand trembling while Publicans, seated, rejoice! The Angels are struck with awe before the Lord’s greatness, while sinners eat and drink with Him! The Scribes choke with hatred and indignation, the Publicans rejoice because of his mercy. The heavens saw the sight and were filled with wonder; hell saw it and was maddened. Satan saw it and was enraged; death saw it and withered; the Scribes saw it and were much troubled.

There was joy in Heaven and happiness among the Angels because the rebellious had been persuaded, the recalcitrant quieted and sinners reformed and because, Publicans had been made righteous. Just as our Lord did not turn away from the shamefulness of the Cross, in spite of the entreaties, of His friends (Mt 16:22) so, He did not refuse the company of Publicans in spite of the taunts of His enemies. He despised mockery and scorned praise, thus, accomplishing all that is for mankind’s good!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel).

PRAYER – May we be helped, O Lord, by the prayers of the blessed Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew that what we ourselves cannot obtain, maybe granted by his intercession. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 21 September – Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice!

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Our Morning Offering – 21 September – Feast of St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist

Exsultet Orbis!
Let the World Rejoice!
Unknown Author

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles’ glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the Sacred Gates on high.
At your command apart they fly.
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey,
At your command they go or stay.
From sin’s disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called, those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)
An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the 10th Century in a Hymnal of Moissac Abbey.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Saint of the Day – 21 September – Saint Iphigenia of Ethiopia (1st Century) Virgin, Converted, Baptised and Consecrated to God by St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

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Saint of the Day – 21 September – Saint Iphigenia of Ethiopia (1st Century) Virgin, Princess, Abbess, Converted, Baptised and Consecrated to God by St Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist and sharing his Feast day today. Also known as – Ephigenia, Iphigenia of Abyssinia.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Ethiopia, St Iphigenia, virgin, who being Baptised and Consecrated to God by the blessed Apostle, St Matthew, ended her holy life in peace.”

Iphigenia was born a Princess to the Royal House of Ethiopia in the 1st Century. As a nation steeped in the paganism of the era, Ethiopia was to become witness to St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, who spread the Gospel there and converted much of the people.

Although we know little for certain about the events that transpired, an idea of her conversion and the efforts of the Apostle can be garnered from the 13th Century, “Golden Legend” by Blessed James of Voragin OP c1226-1298) the Archbishop of Genoa. Originally in Latin, it was the most widely read book during the late Middle Ages. This legend gives detail to St Matthew’s travels in Africa – his story is closely bound to the Princess Iphigenia.

“The Ethiopian King, at the time of St Matthew’s arrival, was named Egippus. He sent for all the men in his Provinces saying to them: “Come and see ye God in the likeness of a man.” Upon this, the people came with crowns of gold and divers manner of sacrifices and would have sacrificed to him. St Matthew beheld them and said: “What do ye men? I am not God but I am servant of our Lord.“

[Therefore, from the resources brought, they instead built a Church for the glory and honour of the Lord]. In which Church the Apostle sat three and thirty years and converted all Ethiopia to the Faith of Christ. The King Egippus, with his wife and his daughter,Iphigenia and all the people, were Baptised. And then the apostle hallowed to God Iphigenia the King’s daughter and made her mistress and governess of more than two hundred virgins.

And after this, Hirtacus succeeded to the King and coveted the said virgin Iphigenia and the Apostle said to him that after the custom of his predecessor, he should come on the Sunday to the Church and Iphigenia being present with the other virgins, he should hear what he should say of the goodness of lawful marriage.

And when the virgins and all the people were assembled, he spoke long of good and lawful matrimony and he made rehearsal of his sermon saying that marriage is good if it be truly held by good alliance. But ye that be here, know ye well that if any servant would take the wife of a king wedded, he should not only run to the offence of the king but above that, he should deserve death and not for to wed her but for that he in so taking the spouse of his lord should corrupt the marriage joined. And thou the king that knew that Iphigenia is made the spouse of the King perdurable [eternal] and is sacred with the holy veil, how mayst thou take the wife of a more puissant [powerful] king and couple her to thee by marriage?

And when the King heard this he began to enrage and departed [in a] frantic rage. And the Apostle without dread confirmed all the others to patience. And Iphigenia, Iying before him for dread, he blessed and all the other virgins too. And after the solemnities of the Mass, the King sent a tormentor, with a sword behind him, which slew Matthew, who was standing by the Altar holding up his hands unto Heaven and so was consecrated a Martyr.

[Following Hirtacus’ death sometime later] the people then established for to be King, the brother of Iphigenia whom the Apostle had Baptised too and reigned seventy years and established his son for to be King after him and increased much the honour of Christianity and replenished all Ethiopia with noble Churches of our Lord.”

Blessed James of Voragin OP c1226-1298)
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/13/saint-of-the-day-13-july-blessed-james-of-voragine-op-c-1226-1298-author-of-the-golden-legend/

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist, Beata Vergine del Tresto / The Blessed Virgin of Tresto, Italy (1468) and Memorials of the Saints for 21 September

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St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist
St Matthew!:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist-martyr-and-a-prayer-to-st-matthew-as-your-patron-saint/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/21/feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist-2/
AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-

Beata Vergine del Tresto / The Blessed Virgin of Tresto, Ospedaletto Euganeo, Italy (1468) – 21September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/21/feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist-beata-vergine-del-tresto-the-blessed-virgin-of-tresto-ospedaletto-euganeo-italy-1468-and-memorials-of-the-saints-21-september/

St Alexander of the Via Claudia
St Eusebius of Phoenicia
St Gerulph
St Iphigenia of Ethiopia 1st Century) Virgin converted by St Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist
St Isaac of Cyprus
St Jonas the Prophet
St Landelino of Ettenheim

Blessed Mark Scalabrini of Modena OP (c 1420-1498) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Prior, Miracle-worker. Blessed Mark was Beatified on 10 September 1857 by Pope Pius IX.
Biograohy:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-blessed-mark-scalabrini-of-modena-op-c-1420-1498/

St Maura of Troyes
St Meletius of Cyprus
St Pamphilus of Rome

Martyrs of Gaza – 3 Saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.