One Minute Reflection – 10 November – “Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Readings: Jer 29:11-12; 29:14, Ps 84:2, Phil 3:17-21; 4:1-3, Matt 9:18-26
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the crowds, behold, a ruler came up and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, my daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand upon her, and she will return to life.”
Matt 9:18-26
REFLECTION – Let us consider, dear friends, how the Master is continually proving to us that there is to be a resurrection, of which he made the Lord Jesus Christ the first fruits when he raised him from the dead. Let us observe, dear friends, the resurrection that is regularly taking place. Day and night show us a resurrection; night falls asleep, day arises; day departs, night comes on. Let us take the crops; how and in what way does the sowing take place? The sower goes out and sows each seed in the ground. They fall into the ground dry and bare, and decay; then from their decay the greatness of the Master’s providence raises them up, and from a single grain many spring up and bear fruit. Do we, then, regard it as a great and marvellous thing for the Creator of all things to bring about the resurrection of those who have served him with holiness in the assurance of a good faith?
With this hope, then, let our souls be bound to him that is faithful to his promises and upright in his judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie will much more not lie himself. For nothing is impossible to God except lying. So let faith in him be rekindled in us, and let us understand that all things are possible to him.
With his majestic word he constituted all things and with a word he can overturn them. When he pleases, and as he pleases, he will do everything, and none of the things he has decreed will pass away. All things are in his sight and nothing has escaped his Providence.
St Clement of Rome
PRAYER – Lord God, You built Your Church on the firm foundation of the Apostle Peter and You promised that the gates of hell would never overcome it. So too, may we trust in Your power, that by our faith we may receive the grace to withstand the enemy who will not prevail against us. May we always serve You in our brother and may your Holy Spirit grant us the grace of fortitude to withstand our temptations and thus gain eternal life, supported by the prayers of all the Angels, Saints and our Blessed Mother Mary. Through Christ, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God now and forever, amen.
