Posted in GOD ALONE!, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 July – The Second Fruit of Patience: – Hope

Thought for the Day – 11 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month

The Second Fruit of Patience: – Hope

  1. Patience,’ says St Paul, ‘works out our trial and trial, hope.‘ (Romans 5 : 4) If we humbly accept the sufferings God sends us without rebellion or complaint, then, we reap the reward in rapid growth of hope within our heart. Through the darkness, we descry a bright light in the distance and, although our path be a dreary and a painful one, this prospect cheers us and makes us go on our way, rejoicing.
    In the earlier part of the time of trial, hope was dim and faint but, when we have been proved faithful servants, hope begins to anticipate the future and to fill us with a happiness which makes the present sufferings comparatively light.
    Have I attained that happy state?
  2. Joined to this prospect of the future, is a great confidence in God, in the present! Confidence is part of hope.
    When we have learned, by patience, to trust Him amid sorrow, tribulation, disappointment, then, we have a solid foundation for trusting Him, all the rest of our lives, not only with a sort of blind assurance that all He does is best but, with a consciousness of the happy results to come, from all that patience bids us bear, results, too which we begin to experience even here.
    I must then aim at this confidence and pray that I may gain it, by patience.
  3. St Paul tells us that if we hope for that which we see not, we have to wait for it, for the perfect ,work of patience, is to wait contentedly for the time, when God will give us the good things He has promised us.
    This was the Apostle’s frame of mind when he said: ‘I have fought a good fight, have kept the faith, at the last there is laid up for me, a crown of justice.’ (2 Timothy 4 : 7) So, too, for me, if I persevere to the end, there is laid up a like crown.
    The thought of it shall animate me to fresh patience.
Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 July – ‘ … Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour. …’

Quote/s of the Day – 11 July – St Pius I, Pope (Died c 154) Martyr – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

But the God of all grace,
Who hath called us into His eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little,
will Himself perfect you and confirm you
and establish you.
To Him be glory and empire
forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11

Wake up then, believer
and note what
is stated here:
“In My Name.”
That [Name] is Christ Jesus.
Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour.
Therefore, whatever we ask for
that would hinder our salvation,
we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name
and yet, He is our Saviour,
not only when He does what we ask
but also, when He does not.
When He sees us ask anything
to the disadvantage of our salvation,
He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it.
The physician knows
whether what the sick person asks for,
is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health.
And [the physician] does not allow
what would be harmful to him,
although the sick person himself, desires it.
But the physician looks to his final cure.

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church

The Kingdom of Heaven, says the Gospel,
is like a mustard seed …
Christ is the Kingdom of Heaven!
Sown like a mustard seed
in the garden of the Virgin’s womb,
He grew up into the Tree of the Cross,
whose branches,
stretch across the world …
Christ is the Kingdom
because all the glory of His Kingdom,
is within Him.
Christ is a Man
because all humanity is restored in Him.
Christ is a Mustard Seed
because the infinitude of Divine greatness,
is accommodated to
the littleness of flesh and blood!

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

May Christ be heard in our language,
may Christ be seen in our life,
may He be perceived in our hearts”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

He is the origin of all wisdom.
The Word of God in the heights,
is the source of wisdom.
Christ is the source of all true knowledge,
for He is “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). …
As way, Christ is the teacher
and origin of knowledge …
Without this Light,
which is Christ,
no-one can penetrate
the secrets of faith.

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Posted in CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on WATCHING, St PETER!, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 July– ‘ … He did not abandon watching over His beloved sheep. … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Pius I, Pope (Died c 154) Martyr – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Upon this rock I will build My Church” – Matthew 16:18

REFLECTION – “Brothers, when it comes to fulfilling my duties as Bishop, I discover that I am weak and slack, weighed down by the weakness of my own condition, while at the same time, I want to act generously and courageously. However, I draw my strength from the untiring intercession of the almighty and eternal Priest, Who, like us but equal to the Father, lowered His Divinity to the level of man and raised humankind to the level of God. The decisions He made, give me a just and holy joy. For, when He delegated many shepherds to care for His flock, He did not abandon watching over His beloved sheep. Thanks to that fundamental and eternal assistance, I in turn, have received the protection and support of the Apostle Peter, who also does not abandon his function. This solid foundation, on which the whole of the Church is built, never grows tired of carrying the whole weight, of the building which rests upon it.

The firmness of faith, for which the first of the Apostles was praised, never fails. Just as everything which Peter professed in Christ remains, so that which Christ established in Peter, remains … The order willed by God’s Truth remains. Saint Peter perseveres in the solidity which he received; he has not abandoned the governance of the Church which was placed in his hands. That, my brothers, is what that profession of faith, inspired by God the Father, obtained in the heart of the Apostle. He received the solidity of a rock which no assault can shake. In the entire Church, Peter says everyday: “Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God. – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the anniversary of his Consecration as Bishop).

PRAYER – Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Pius thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.. Through the same 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 July – Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart A Prayer for GuidanceBy St Bede

Our Morning Offering – 11 July

Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart
A Prayer for Guidance
By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

ALMIGHTY God,
open Thou my heart
and enlighten me with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
to see those things which are well-pleasing to Thy will.
Direct my thoughts and understanding
to those things which it is proper to meditate upon
and to take in hand;
in such fashion, as by fitting character
and deeds, I might be found worthy
of the eternal joy of heavenly life.
Direct my acts to Thy commandments,
that I might, by labour
so unbrokenly study to bring them to fulfilment,
as to attain to an everlasting reward.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 11 July – Saint Berthevin of Laval (10th Century) Deacon Martyr

Saint of the Day – 11 July – Saint Berthevin of Laval (10th Century) Deacon Martyr, Hermit, Teacher. We believe he was born in Parigny, in the region of Lisieux, France and died in Laval by being murdered.
Also known as – Berthevin of Laval, Berthevin of Parigny, Berthevin of Vicoin, Berthevin of Val-Guidon, Bertevin, Bertewin, Bertewinusn Berthvinn Berthwinus, Bertininus, Bertivinus, Bertunius, Bertunus, Bertuwinus, Bertuwius, Bertwin, Brévin. Additional Memorials – 11 June (translation of Relics) and 8 September on some calendars.

Berthevin was a member of the noble family of Argence. He is said to be the son of Pierre d’Argence. A village of the same name St Berthevin, still exists in Parigny today.

What we know about Saint-Berthevin was transcribed by a Monk of Mont Saint-Michel in the 12th or 14th Century.

Saint-Berthevin, a Cleric from Parigny in Normandy, became a Hermit to escape the Norman invaders. The Lord of Laval , noticed his virtues and he charged him with ensuring the education of his children. Berthevin carried out his new function with zeal. As soon as he had the leisure, he would retire to his old Hermit’s cave to pray and instruct thimself and he children of the surrounding area.

His Vita tells us that, while carrying out his duties with prudence and justice, he studied Sacred Scripture and spiritual literature and went to pray every day in a Church dedicated to Saint Nicholas .

Having gained the full trust of his Master, other servants killed him out of jealousy and threw his body into a river near which he was accustomed to pray. But then, fearing that his body would be discovered, they hid it, in turn, in a fountain in the Vicoin, before hoisting it into the crevice of a cliff overlooking the Vicoin. It was there that his godmother, warned by a heavenly voice, came to collect his body and brought it to Parigny.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna del Carmine / Our Lady of Carmine, Italy, (1536), St Pius I, Pope and Martyr and Memorials of the Saints – 11 July

St Abundius of Ananelos
St Amabilis of Rouen
St Anna An Jiaoshi
St Anna An Xingshi
Bl Antonio Muller
St Berthevin of Laval (Died 10th Century) Deacon Martyr
St Cindeus
St Cowair
St Cyprian of Brescia
St Cyriacus the Executioner
St Hidulf of Moyenmoutier
St Januarius
St John of Bergamo

St Leontius the Younger
St Marcian of Lycaonia
St Marciana of Caesarea
Bl Maria An Guoshi
Bl Maria An Linghua
Bl Marie-Clotilde Blanc
Bl Marie-Marguerite de Barbégie d’Albrède


St Thurketyl