Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 February – “You can make me clean” – Mark 1:40-45

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One Minute Reflection – 14 February – Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46, Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 11, 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, Mark 1:40-45 and the Memorial of Sts Cyril and Methodius, “Apostles to the Slavs”- Patrons of Europe

“You can make me clean” – Mark 1:40

REFLECTION – “You must never fail to trust in God, nor despair of His mercy. I should not like you to doubt, or despair of becoming better. For even if the devil were able to throw you down, from the heights of virtue, to the depths of wickedness, how much more, can God recall you to the summit of goodness. And, not just bring you back to the state you were in before your fall but He can make you much happier, than you seemed to be before.
Do not lose heart, I beg you and do not close your eyes to the hope of good, for fear that what happens to people, who don’t love God, should happen to you. For it is not, the great number of one’s sins, that leads the soul to despair but disdain for God.
As the Wise man says: “It is the characteristic of the impious to despair of salvation and hold it in contempt since they have fallen into the pit of sin” (cf. Prv 18,3 Vg).

Therefore, every thought that takes our hope away, follows on from a lack of faith, like a heavy stone around our neck, it forces us to be always looking downwards, to the earth and doesn’t allow us to raise our eyes to the Lord.
But those with a brave heart and enlightened mind, know how to release their necks from this horrid weight.
“Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so our eyes are on the Lord our God till he have pity on us” (Ps 123,2). – St Rabanus Maurus OSB (776-856) Archbishop, Monk, Abbot,Theologian, Poet – Three books dedicated to Bonosus, Bk 3, 4

PRAYER – To those who love You, Lord, You promise to come with Your Son and make Your home within them. If You will, You can make us clean, come then with Your purifying grace and make our hearts a place where You can dwell. May the prayers of intercession of Saints Cyril and Methodius, help us to reach our everlasting home with You. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY

Thought for the Day – 13 February – Religion and Action

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Thought for the Day – 13 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Action

“Anyone who fails to correspond with the grace of God, is not living the life of Jesus.
Without the life of Jesus, he is a dead limb, a withered branch cut away from the vine.
It is not enough to say “Lord, Lord!” in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven, but, it is necessary to do the will of our Heavenly Father (Cf Mt 7:21).
The grace of God must produce an abundant harvest of good works, no matter what sacrifices this may cost us.
Otherwise, God’s gift would have been bestowed in vain and, before the Supreme Judge one day, would be a reason for a terrible retribution, instead of a reward.
Let us think seriously about this.
Has the spirit of religion become reduced to an empty form of belief and ritual action, or are we really living what we believe?
Meditate with attention to these words of St James: “What will it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but does not have works? Can the faith save him? And if a brother or a sister be naked and in want of daily food and, one of you say to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for the body, what does it profit? So faith too, unless it has works, is dead in itself” (Js 2:14-17).

Even the devil believes but he is damned forever (Cf Js 2:18).
“Religion pure and undefiled before God the Father is this – to give aid to orphans and widows in their tribulation and to keep oneself unspotted from this world!” (Js 1:27).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/07/thought-for-the-day-7-february-religion-and-action/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOMINICAN OP, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Quote/s of the Day – 13 February – Bl Jordan of Saxony

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 February – The Memorial of Blessed Jordan of Saxony OP (1190-1237)

“I send you a you a very little word,
THE WORD,
made little in the crib,
THE WORD,
made flesh for us ….
THE WORD,
of salvation and grace
THE WORD,
of sweetness and glory
THE WORD
Who is good and gentle –
JESUS CHRIST.”

“There are two ways of keeping God’s word,
namely, one, whereby we store in our memory
what we hear and the other,
whereby we put into practice,
what we have heard
(and none will deny that the latter
is more commendable, inasmuch,
as it is better to sow grain,
than to store it in the barn).”

“Virtue –
humility and patience,
kindness and obedience,
charity also and sobriety –
can never grow to excess.”

Meeting a vagabond upon the road who feigned sickness and poverty, Blessed Jordan gave him one of his tunics, which the fellow at once carried straight to a tavern for drink. The brethren, seeing this done, taunted him with his simplicity:

‘There now, Master, see how wisely you have bestowed your tunic.’

“I did so,’ said he,
‘because I believed him to be in want,
through sickness and poverty
and it seemed, at the moment,
to be a charity to help him.
Still, I reckon it better, to have parted
with my tunic than with charity.”

Blessed Jordan of Saxony (1190-1237)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SIN, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – – 12 February – The Divine Remedy

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Quote/s of the Day – – 12 February – Readings: Genesis 3:1-8, Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 6,7, Mark 7:31-37

The Divine Remedy

But the serpent said to the woman,
“You will not surely die.
For God knows, that when you eat of it,
your eyes will be opened
and you will be like God …”

Genesis 3:4-5

“Those who have been tricked into taking poison,
offset its harmful effect, by another drug.
The remedy, moreover,
just like the poison,
has to enter the system,
so that its remedial effect
may thereby spread through the whole body.
Similarly, having tasted the poison,
that is the fruit,
that dissolved our nature,
we were necessarily, in need of something, to reunite it.
Such a remedy had to enter into us,
so that it might, by its counteraction,
undo the harm the body had already encountered from the poison.
And what is this remedy?
Nothing else than the body
that proved itself superior to death
and became the source of our life.”

St Greogory of Nyssa (c 335– c 395)
Father of the Church

“An inborn imperfection in our human dough
was removed, thanks to the leaven
that comes from His perfect body…
To complete what was missing,
in these human bodies of ours,
He gave something of Himself,
just as He gives Himself to be eaten …”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“This Body He gave to us to keep and eat,
as a mark of His intense love’.”

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

“Dust, so to speak,
had forcibly entered humanity’s eye;
earth had entered it,
had injured the eye
and it could not see the light.
… That physician made a salve for you.
And because He came, in such a way,
that by His flesh,
He might extinguish the faults of the flesh
and by His death He might kill death … ”

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

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 12 February – St Augustine – ‘Your health is Christ!’ Mark 7:31-37

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One Minute Reflection – 12 February – Readings Genesis 3:1-8, Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 6,7, Mark 7:31-37

“And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears and, after spitting. touched his tongue.” – Mark 7:33

REFLECTION – “The Lord heals all your ills” (Ps 102:3). Never fear, all your ills will healed. You say they are big ones but the Doctor is even greater. For an all-powerful Doctor there is no such thing as an incurable sickness. Simply let yourself be cared for, do not push away His hand, He knows what to do. Do not be happy only when He acts with gentleness but bear with it, too, when He prunes. Accept the unpleasantness of the cure, by thinking of the healing it will bring you.
Notice all those things, brethren which people put up with in their physical ills, so as to prolong their lives a few days … You, at least, are not suffering for an uncertain result – He, Who has promised you your health,, cannot be mistaken. Why is it that doctors are sometimes mistaken? Because they have not created the body they are treating. But God has made your body, God has made your soul. He knows how to re-create that which He has created; He knows how to re-fashion that which He has formed. You have only to abandon yourself into His Doctor’s Hand! … Endure His Hands, then, O soul who “blesses Him and forgets not all His benefits – He heals all your ills” (P2 102:2-3).
He who had made you never to become sick, if you would keep His precepts, will He not heal you? He who made the Angels and, in re-creating you, will make you equal to the Angels – will He not heal you? He who made Heaven and earth, will He not heal you, after having made you, in His Image? (Gn 1:26) He will heal you but you must consent to be healed. He heals every sickness perfectly but He does not heal it, in spite of Himself … Your health is Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon on the Psalms, Ps 102[103]: 5-6; PL 37, 1319

PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, open the ears and eyes of our hearts and fill us with Your grace. May we follow You in holiness all the days of our lives. Grant we pray, that as You brought Your Saints and Martyrs to overcome fearlessly, the persecutions of Your people, that we too may remain invincible under Your protection and by their prayers, be strengthened against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on ZEAL, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Come O Holy Spirit! By St Alphonsus Liguori

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Our Morning Offering – 12 February

Come O Holy Spirit!
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

You made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal,
enflame our hearts with Your love.
You are the Spirit of goodness,
give us the courage to confront evil.
You are Fire,
set us ablaze with Your love.
You are Light,
enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly good and true.
You are the Dove,
give us gentleness.
You are a soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms that rage within us.
You are the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Your protection.
O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us,
an earnest desire to please You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 11 February – The Power of Mary

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Thought for the Day – 11 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Power of Mary

“We should turn confidently to Mary, especially when we are tempted.
She cannot allow us to offend her Jesus and to fall into the foils of the devil, as long as we pray to her with faith in her intercession.
“The devil, as a roaring lion,” says St Peter, “goes about seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
But, our Mother Mary is always by our side seeking to protect us.
Let us entrust ourselves to her maternal care.
Not only does Mary wish to help us, declares St Bonaventure but, those who do not pray to her, commit almost as great an offence, as those who openly insult her (In Spec Virg)!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/15/thought-for-the-day-15-may-the-power-of-mary/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 February – ‘… Trust in the goodness of the supreme Benefactor …’ The Canaanite woman – Mark 7:24-30

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One Minute Reflection – 13 February – Readings: Genesis 2:18-25, Psalms 128:1-2, 3,4-5, Mark 7:24-30 and the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” … Mark 7:28

REFLECTION – “O woman, your faith is great. Let it be done to you as you wish” (Mt 15:28). Indeed, she had great enough faith, since she knew neither the ancient miracles, commands and promises of the prophets, nor the more recent ones of the Lord Himself. In addition, as often as she was disregarded by the Lord, she persevered in her entreaties and she did not cease knocking by asking Him, though she knew only by popular opinion that He was the Saviour. On account of this, she secured the great object for which she implored. …
If one of us has a conscience polluted by the stain of avarice, conceit, vain-glory, indignation, irascibility, or envy and the other vices, he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon” like the Canaanite woman. He should hasten to the Lord, making supplication for her healing. … Being submissive with due humility, [such a person] must not judge himself to be worthy of the company of the sheep of Israel, (that is, souls that are pure) but instead, he must be of the opinion, that he is unworthy of heavenly favours. Nevertheless, let him not in despair rest from the earnestness of his entreaty but with his mind free of doubt, let him trust in the goodness of the supreme Benefactor, for the One who could make a confessor from a robber (Lk 23:39f.), an Apostle from a persecutor (Acts 9:1-30, an Evangelist from a publican (Mt 9:9-13) and who could make sons for Abraham out of stones, could turn even the most insignificant dog, into an Israelite sheep.” – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the Gospels

PRAYER – Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may, with the help of her intercession, rise up from our iniquities. Grant, we pray that our lives may be gifts to all those who cry out in pain. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever, amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 10 February – The Human Soul

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Thought for the Day – 10 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Human Soul

“Consider that you have only one soul, which belongs entirely to God and has Heaven for its true home.
God has given you two hands, two feet, two ears and two eyes but, He has given you only one soul.
What a disaster, if you should lose it, for you would then be damned forever!
When God made you to be free, He placed your fate in your own hands.
“When God, in the beginning, created man, He made him subject to his own free choice” (Ecclus 15:14).
Remember that the salvation of your soul is the most necessary work which you have to do!
It is more precious to you than gold or silver.
“More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit, than coral” (Ecclus 30:15).
All our attention should be devoted to keeping our soul free from sin and endowing it with every virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on COWARDICE, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – “The things that come out of a person …. ” Mark 7:15

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – Readings: Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17, Psalms 104:1-2,27-28, 29-30, Mark 7:14-23

“The things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

Mark 7:15

“The evil speaker,
eats the flesh of his brother
and bites the body, of his neighbour.”

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

“The sky and the earth and the waters
and the things that are in them, the fishes
and the birds and the trees are not evil.
All these are good;
it is evil men who make this evil world.”

“What is reprehensible,
is that while leading good lives themselves
and abhorring those of wicked men,
some, fearing to offend,
shut their eyes to evil deeds
instead of condemning them
and pointing out their malice.”

St Augustine (354-407)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“…If I do not speak the truth,
I become a slave of the father of lies
and become a member of this father of lies.”

St Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537)

“Let the enemy rage at the gate;
let him knock, pound, scream, howl;
let him do his worst.
We know for certain,
that he cannot enter our soul,
except by the door of our consent.”

St Francis de Sales ((1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

“We are generally the carpenters
of our own crosses.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“Sin is the assassin of the soul.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

“The power of evil men, lives,
on the cowardice of the good!”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – Be ‘a living monstrance of God’ … Mark 7:14-23

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17, Psalms 104:1-2,27-28, 29-30, Mark 7:14-23 and The Memorial of St Scholastica (480-547) Twin sister of St Benedict (480-547)

And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and they defile a man.” – Mark 7:20-23

REFLECTION – “It is a terrible misfortune, when there is not to be found, one really interior soul among all those at the head of important Catholic projects. Then, it seems, as though the supernatural had undergone an eclipse and the power of God, were in chains! And the saints teach us that, when this happens, a whole nation may fall into a decline and Providence will seem to have given evil men a free hand, to do all the harm they desire!
Make no mistake, there is a sort of instinct by which souls, without clearly defining what it is they sense, are aware of this radiation of the supernatural.
What else would bring the sinner, of his own accord, to cast himself at the feet of the Priest and ask pardon, recognising God Himself in His representative? …
“John, indeed, did no sign.” (Jn 10:41) Without working a single miracle, St John the Baptist attracted great crowds. St John Vianney, had a voice so weak, that it could not reach most of those in the crowd that surged around him. But, if people could hardly hear him, they saw him; they saw a living monstrance of God and the mere sight of him overwhelmed those who were there and, converted them!” – Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard OCSO (1858-1935) – The Soul of the Apostolate, Part 4, C

PRAYER – God our Saviour, through the grace of Baptism, You made us children of light. Hear our prayer, that we may always walk in that light and work for truth, as Your witnesses before men. May our hearts be purified by You grace and may our hands and lips speak with sincere words of love. May the prayers of St Scholastica and St Benedict, help us in this, our exile. We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on NATURE - GOD'S CREATION

Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Love of God

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Thought for the Day – 9 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Love of God

“If we really know God, we should love Him above all created things.
“I have loved you too little, My God,” said St Augustine in his Confessions, “because I have not known You well enough.”
If we knew God, we should recognise, that He is infinite beauty, goodness and wisdom.
We should realise, that the beauty of creatures is like a passing cloud, for it is a vague and distant reflection of the eternal beauty of God.
We should realise, that the wisdom of men, is only a ray of God’s light which comes from Him and must return to Him.
Finally, we should perceive that men are good, only insofar, as they do their best to respond to the inspirations of grace which God has placed in their hearts.
God alone is in Himself and of Himself, supremely true, beautiful, good, wise and holy.
Created things are only an invitation to love God, their Creator.
God alone, therefore, is supremely lovable in Himself.
In the apt words of St Bernard, “God Himself is the reason why we should love God and, the measure of our love should be measureless.”

Let us not allow ourselves to become entangled in the empty passing things of this world but, let us raise our minds and hearts to God alone.
There is only one thing necessary!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/10/thought-for-the-day-10-february-the-love-of-god/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HEART, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – Where is our Heart?

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – Genesis 1:20 – 2: 4, Psalms 8:4-5, 6-7,8-9, Mark 7:1-13

Where is our Heart?

“This people honours me with their lips
but their hearts are far from me”

Mark 7:6

“Whatever you do, do from the heart,
as for the Lord and not for others,
knowing that you will receive
from the Lord
the due payment of the inheritance;
be slaves of the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24

“Remember God
more often
than you breathe!”

St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“You first loved us
so that we might love You—
not because You needed our love
but because, we could not be
what You created us to be,
except by loving You.”

“Loving You, O God,
brings its own reward here on earth,
as well as the eternal reward of heaven.
By becoming mirrors of Your love,
by wearing the mask of Your likeness
and by allowing You to make us perfect,
we can know the joy of heaven,
even while we abide here on earth.”

William of Saint Thierry (c 1075-1148)

“Immediately after rising
and throughout the day,
all make the Sign of the Cross
and renew their trust in God:
to be strengthened by the power of the Father,
to be enlightened by the wisdom of the Son
and to be sanctified by the love of the Holy Spirit.
And as they bless themselves, they may say:
Of myself I can do nothing,
with God I can do everything,
I want to do everything for love of God.”

St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

One Minute Reflection – 9 February – “Man looks at the appearance but God looks at the heart”

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One Minute Reflection – 9 February –Genesis 1:20 – 2: 4, Psalms 8:4-5, 6-7,8-9, Mark 7:1-13 and the Memorial of St Sabinus of Canosa (c 461–566) Bishop

“This people honours me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” … Mark 7:6

REFLECTION – “WE MUST not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. We have but little inborn light and this we quickly lose through negligence. Often we are not aware that we are so blind in heart. Meanwhile, we do wrong and then do worse in excusing it. At times, we are moved by passion and we think it zeal. We take others to task for small mistakes and overlook greater ones in ourselves. We are quick enough to feel and brood over the things we suffer from others but we think nothing of how much others suffer from us. If a man would weigh his own deeds fully and rightly, he would find little cause to pass severe judgement on others.
The interior man, puts the care of himself before all other concerns and he who attends to himself carefully, does not find it hard to hold his tongue about others. You will never be devout of heart unless you are thus silent about the affairs of others and pay particular attention to yourself. If you attend wholly to God and yourself, you will be little disturbed by what you see about you.
… You will sweetly repose if your heart does not rebuke you. Rejoice at nothing but only your good deeds. Bad men have never a true joy, nor feel inner peace, for “there is no peace for the wicked” (Is 57:21). … He is easily calmed and contented whose conscience is clean. Praise makes you not more holy, nor insult more worthless. What you are you are, what God knows of you, is all that can be said for you. If you will only look at what you truly are, you will not care what men say of you. “Man looks at the appearance but God looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). – Thomas`a Kempis – The Imitation of Christ – Book II, ch. 5-6

PRAYER – Almighty Lord and God, protect us by your power throughout the course of this day, do not let us turn aside to any sin, purify our conscience and let our every thought, wod and dedd aim at doing only what is pleasing in Your sight. May the intercession of our Holy Mother and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 8 February– Faith and Hope

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Thought for the Day – 8 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Faith and Hope

“Christian hope derives from faith.
When we believe in the infinitely good and merciful God, Who was made man for us and Who shed His Precious Blood, for our salvation, we experience a great hope and a great confidence.
No matter how numerous our sins and our defects, as long as we are sincerely repentant, we should continue to hope for the forgiveness of God.
Despair, which led Judas to commit suicide, should never be allowed to enter our minds.
Like the penitent Magdalen, like the prodigal son, like the lost sheep and, like the good thief, let us trust in Jesus with faith, hope and sorrow for our sins.
Let us remember, that He is infinitely good and merciful and ardently desires to pardon us.
Together with this hope of God’s forgiveness, we should nurture the hope of gaining Heaven, which the Lord, in His infinite goodness, has promised, not only to innocent souls but, also to repentant sinners.
In order that this hope may not be in vain, however, we should include, in our repentance for our sins, a firm purpose of amendment.

Let us remember, that the more we hope for, the more we shall obtain!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/25/thought-for-the-day-24-september-faith/

Posted in "Follow Me", QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY, THEOLOGICAL

Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – St Jerome Emiliani

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – The Memorial of St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

“For God, …
does not work in those
who refuse to place all their confidence
and hope in Him alone.
But He does impart
the fullness of His love
upon those who possess
a deep faith and hope;
for them He does great things.”

“With your patience you will save your soul.”

(Letter 3 #1)

“Therefore, having done what you could,
the Lord will be satisfied with you
because for Him,
who is the most benign,
goodwill compensates
for the lack of success.”

(Letter 5 #4)

“…If I do not speak the truth,
I become a slave of the father of lies
and become a member of this father of lies.”

(Letter 6 #5)

St Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537)

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – ‘That they might touch, even the fringe of his garment.’ – Mark 6:53-56

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – Monday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time, Readings: Genesis 1:1-19, Psalms 104:1-2, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35, Mark 6:53-56 and the Memorial of St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him, that they might touch, even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it, were made well. – Mark 6:56

REFLECTION – “Let us set before our interior consideration, someone gravely wounded who is about to breathe his last. … Now, the soul’s wound is sin, of which Scripture speaks in these terms: “Wound and welt and gaping gash, not drained or bandaged or eased with salve” (Is 1:6). Oh you who are wounded, recognise your Physician within you and show him the wounds of your sins. May He understand your heart’s groaning who already knows its secret thoughts. May your tears move Him. Go as far as a little shamelessness in your beseeching (cf. Lk 11:8). Bring forth deep sighs to Him, without ceasing, from the depth of your heart.
May your grief reach Him so that He may say to you also : “The Lord has pardoned your sin” (2 Sam 12:13). Cry out with David, who said: “Have mercy on me, O God, in … the greatness of your compassion” (Ps 50[51]:3). It is as though one were to say: “I am in great danger because of an enormous wound, that no doctor can cure, unless the all-powerful Physician comes to help me.” For this all-powerful Physician, nothing is incurable. He heals without charge, with one word He restores to health. I would have despaired of my wound were it not that I placed my trust in the Almighty.” – St Pope Gregory the Great (c 540-604) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Psalm 50[51]

PRAYER– Father of mercy, You chose St Jerome Emiliani to be a father to orphans in their need. Grant that through his prayer, we may keep faithfully the spirit of sonship, by which we are not only called but really are Your children. Help us to imitate his love and faith, manifesting by our commitment to Your commandments, our true faith. May we seek your grace in temptation and seek ever to avoid the occasions of sin and if we should fall, to run to You in grief and beg Your forgiveness. We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTRINE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 7 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Purgatory

“Devotion to the dead and the belief in a place of expiation and purification after death, can be traced back, not only to the early days of the Church but, even to the dawn of the human race.
Although Luther denied the existence of Purgatory, he was compelled to acknowledge the existence of this ancient and universal belief, sanctioned by Tradition, by faith and by human reason.
This belief was already present among pagan people, as is attested by the better-known writers of antiquity such as Homer, Sophocles, Plato and Virgil and, by ancient funeral inscriptions.
Evidence of the belief among the Jews, is found in Sacred Scripture, where it is related that, after he had conquered the worshippers of Jamnia, Judas Machabaeus, collected twelve thousand drachmas of silver, in order to have sacrifices offered for the dead.
It is a holy and wholesome thought, adds the text, to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins (2 Macc 12:46).

This is a very consoling doctrine.
It is comforting to know, that one day we shall find a way of purifying ourselves of all trace of sin and imperfection and, that meanwhile, we can be spiritually united with our departed loved ones and can help them by our prayers.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SOLITUDE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Solitude

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Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Solitude

“A little solitude is necessry for everone but, “it is dangerous to concentrate our attention too much o ourselves if, having discovered our own weakness, we do not raise our thoughts towards God to implore His mercy” (Mariano Cordovani OP, Breviario Spirituale p 14).
It is disastrous, if solitude leads to laziness or to futile mental rambling.
Solitude should be active and fervent.
It should be an ascent towards God.
It should help us to form the habit of continual conversation with God, so that nothing can break our union with Him.
A man who only prays when he is on his knees, prays very little.
The Gospel says that we ought always to pray.
Solitude of the heart, enables us to obey this precept.
“Of what us is the solitude of the body,” asks St Gregory the Great, “without the solitude of the heart?” (Moralia, Bk XXX, Xh 52).

If we wish to have this spiritual solitude which will keep us close to God, our hearts must be detached from worldly affairs. “If a glass vase is filled with earth,” writes St Alphonsus, “the light of the sun cannot penetrate it. Similarly, the divine light cannot penetrate a heart which is preoccupied with the love of pleasure and of honours” (Al Divino Servizio, III, 2).

Let us love solitude then.
Let us look for it whenever it is possible but, above all, let us keep our hearts free from earthly attachments and united to God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/26/thought-for-the-day-26-may-solitude/

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SOLITUDE, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – Solitude

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – Readings: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6, Mark 6:30-34

“Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place
and rest awhile”

Mark 6:31

“The supreme goal to which the monk tends,
the summit of the perfection of his heart,
is indeed the union of his heart with his Lord.”

St John Cassian (c 360-435)
Monk, Father of the Church

“O Hermitage, only those who know you,
who rest sweetly in your arms,
can tell of your grandeur
and chant your praises.
As for me, I only know this
and affirm it in all sincerity –
Whoever forces himself with perseverance
to enter more and more
into the desire to love You,
will finally enter Your mystery and,
at the same time,
the mystery of God.”

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

“What benefits
What divine exultation
The solitude and silence of the desert
Hold in store for those who love it!”

St Bruno (c 1030-1101)

“Until I was alone I never really lived.
Until I was alone, I was not with myself.
Until I was alone, I never drew near to my creator.”

Bl Paolo Giustiniani (1476-1528)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SOLITUDE, SAINT of the DAY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – “Come away … ” Mark 6:31

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One Minute Reflection – 8 February – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time Readings: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6, Mark 6:30-34 and the Memorial of Saint Amand of Maastricht (c 584-c 679) Bishop

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile” … Mark 6:31

REFLECTION – “If you wish to come and find Me, seek me aside. As Mark says: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile. People were coming and going in great numbers and they had no opportunity even to eat.” (Mk 6:31).
Alas, such are the passions of the flesh and the turmoil of thoughts coming and going in our hearts that we have no time to eat the food of everlasting sweetness, nor perceive the taste of interior contemplation. That is why our Lord says: “Come away” from the noisy crowd “to a deserted place,” to solitude of mind and heart, “and rest awhile.” For truly, as the book of Revelation says: “There will be silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Rv 8:1); and in the Psalm: “Who will give me wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest” (Ps 54[55]:7 LXX).
But let us listen to what the prophet Hosea says: “I will seduce her and lead her into the wilderness and I will speak to her heart” (cf. Hos 2:16 Vg). These three expressions: seduce, lead into the wilderness, speak to her heart, represent the three stages of the spiritual life – the beginning, development and perfection. The Lord seduces the beginner when He enlightens him with His grace so that he may grow and progress from virtue to virtue. Then he leads him aside from the din of the vices and disordered thoughts, into peace of spirit. Finally, once guided to perfection, God speaks to his heart. Then the soul experiences the sweetness of divine inspiration and can surrender totally to joy of spirit.
What depth of devotion, of wonderment and happiness in his heart! By devotion, he is raised above himself, through wonder, he is led above himself, through happiness, he is transported out of himself.” … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church – Sermon for the feast of Saint John the Evangelist

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed. May our hearts be eternally longing for that time alone with You, our one true Love. May our worldly duties be such that they never impede our progress in devotion and may the intercession of our Holy Mother, St Amand and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 February – Doing Everything for the Love of God

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Thought for the Day – 5 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Doing Everything for the Love of God

“As St John says, God is love; he who dwells in love dwells in God and God dwells in him (1 Jn 4:16).
Since He is love, God longs to be loved by us.
Our actions should come from and, be accompanied by, our love for Him.
“Love, therefore, is the fulfilment of the law,” writes St Paul (Rom 13:10).
We must perform all our actions, therefore for the love of God.
The alchemists of old, made a great many experiments in the hope of being able to transform base metals into gold.
What was impossible in the physical order, however, is quite possible in the moral and spiritual order.
We can transform all our actions into pure gold, by means of the love of God.

There is a story told about a sculptor who was chiselling out a small statue which was to be placed on the highest pinnacle of the temple.
He was striving after perfection in the tiniest details, as if it would be possible for the statue to be inspected at close quarters.
Somebody asked him why he was so particular and careful in his work and he replied: “I am not working for those who are looking up from below but, for Him, Who is looking down from above. I am working for God alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/08/thought-for-the-day-8-february-doing-everything-for-the-love-of-god/

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – St Agatha

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin Martyr

“My fellow Christians, our annual celebration
of a Martyr’s feast, has brought us together.
Agatha achieved renown in the early Church
for her noble victory.
… For her, Christ’s death was recent,
His blood was still moist.
Her robe is the mark of her faithful witness to Christ.
Agatha, the name of our saint, means “good.”
She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God.
Agatha, her goodness coincides with her name
and her way of life. She won a good name
by her noble deeds and by her name,
she points to the nobility of those deeds.
Agatha, her mere name wins all men over to her company.
She teaches them by her example,
to hasten with her to the true Good, God alone.”

“The woman who invites us to this banquet
is both a wife and virgin.
To use the analogy of Paul,
she is the bride who has been betrothed
to one husband, Christ.
A true virgin, she wore the glow of pure conscience
and the crimson of the Lamb’s blood for her cosmetics.”

St Methodius of Sicily (c 788-c 847)
From a homily on Saint Agatha

St Agatha’s Words here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/02/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-february-the-memorial-of-st-agatha-c-231-c-251/

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, The WILL of GOD, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – Let Your Will be Mine

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Our Morning Offering – 5 February

Let Your Will be Mine
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O most merciful Jesus,
grant me Your grace,
that it may remain with me always
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire,
what is more pleasing and acceptable to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
in perfect conformity with it.
Let my will and desires, always be one with Yours
and let me be unable to will or not to will,
except as You will or do not will.
Grant that I may die to all worldly things
and that I may be despised and unknown
for love of You.
Grant, above all things to be desired,
that I may find rest in You
and that in Your Heart alone, may be my peace.
You, O Lord, give true peace to the heart
and perfect rest to body and soul.
Apart from You, all is difficult and never still.
In that peace, in You Who are the one,
supreme and eternal Good,
I will sleep and take my rest.
Amen

Posted in QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 4 February– Confidence in the Providence of God

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Thought for the Day – 4 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Confidence in the
Providence of God

“An excessive pre-occupation with worldly affairs may often be responsible for our lack of perfect confidence in God.
We worry about tomorrow and about our many material need.
But Jesus has warned us about this.
“Do not be anxious for your life,” He said, “what you shall eat, nor yet for your body, what you shall wear … Look at the birds of the air – they do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much more value than they? …
Consider how the lilies of the field grow, they neither toil nor spon, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory, was arrayed like one of these.
But, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which flourishes today but tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more you, O you of little faith!
Therefore, do not be anxious …
But seek first the kingdom of God and his justice and all these things shall be given ou besides.
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will have anxieties of its own.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Cf Mt 6:25-34).

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
And yet, not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave.
But, as for you, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Therefore, do not be afraid!” (Cf Mt 10:29-31).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/20/thought-for-the-day-20-august-confidence-in-the-providence-of-god/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – Thursday – ‘Go!’ Mark 6:7-13

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Readings: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24, Psalms 48:2-3,3-4, 9, 10-11, Mark 6:7-13

And he called the twelve
and began to send them out,
two by two …

Mark 6:7

“Go into all the world
and proclaim the gospel
to vthe whole creation.”

Mark 16:15

“Lord, if Your people still have need
of my services,
I will not avoid the toil.
Your will be done.
I have fought the good fight long enough.
Yet, if You bid me to continue to hold
the battle line, in defence of Your camp,
I will never beg to be excused
from failing strength.
I will do the work You entrust to me.
While You command,
I will fight beneath Your banner.
Amen”

St Martin de Tours (c 316-397)

“Pray as though everything depended on God.
Work as though everything depended on you.”

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

“What a tragedy,
how many souls
are being shut out of heaven
and falling into hell,
thanks to you!”

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

“We ought to instruct with meekness
those whom heresy has made bitter and suspicious
and has estranged from orthodox Catholics,
… Thus, by whole-hearted charity and goodwill,
we may win them over to us in the Lord.”

St Peter Canisius (1521-1397)
Doctor of the Church

“Let us go in simplicity,
where merciful Providence leads us,
content to see the stone on which we should step,
without wanting to discover,
all at once and completely,
the windings of the road.”

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam (1813–1853)
“Servant to the Poor”

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – The sending of the Twelve – Mark 6:7-13

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One Minute Reflection – 6 February – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Readings: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24, Psalms 48:2-3,3-4, 9, 10-11, Mark 6:7-13 and the Memorial of St Andrew Corsini O.Carm (1302-1373) Bishop

And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil, many who were sick and healed them. – Mark 6:13

REFLECTION – “Accordingly, in affirming that they are sent by Him, just as He was sent by the Father, Christ sums up in a few words the approach, they themselves should take to their apostolate. From what He said, they would gather, that it was their vocation to call sinners to repentance, to heal those who were sick, whether in body or spirit, to seek in all their dealing, never to do their own will but the will of Him who sent them and, as far as possible, to save the world by their teaching.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Human weakness finds its anchor in You, Lord and our faith is build on You as on a rock. Supported by the teachings, lives and prayers of our fathers, Your Apostles, may we always answer Your call and live in ever-closer union with You. And may St Andrew Corsini and all your Angels, Martyrs and Saints, pray for Holy Mother Church and for us all. Through Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spiirt, God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 3 February – Religion and Devotion

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Thought for the Day – 3 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Devotion

“Religion, should not be a cold, mehcanical practice of obedience to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Deep spiritual devotion and supernatural charity are necessary, as well as religion.
In other words, religion should not be merely external but, should spring from the mind and heart, this is devotion, which is the spirit of religion.
“Devotion,” wites Aquinas, “seems to be the determination to give one’s self readily to the service of God” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 1).
But this determination should be loving and effective because, as St Thomas also observes, “charity generates devotion” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 2).

St Francis de Sales analysed and expanded these ideas.
“True and living devotion,” he writes, “presupposes the love of God – indeed, it really is a true love of God… but a love… which has reached that height of perfection at which it not only causes us to act but, to act zealously, frequently and promptly…” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Bk I, C 1).
He continues: “Since devotion consists in an unique degree of charity, it not only makes us prompt, active and zealous in the observance of all the divine commands but, incites us, furthermore, to perform readily and lovingly, as many good works as we can… even if they are only recommended or suggested” (Ibid).
From this solid and sincere devotion flows, that taste for divine things, that inner gentleness and peace of spirit which the Saints enjoyed, even in the midst of sorrow and disillusionment.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and heart, that God wants most of all.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 February – ‘Draw near, then and listen …’

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One Minute Reflection – 3 February – Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15, Psalms 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18, Mark 6:1-6 and The Memorial of St Blaise – Martyr (Died c 316)

“What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?” – Mark 6:2

REFLECTION – “The Father sent the Word to appear to the world, who was dishonoured by His people, preached through Apostles and believed in by pagan nations. It is He who was from the beginning (Jn 1:1), who appeared new and proved to be old and is ever born young in the hearts of saints. He is the eternal, today counted a son (Ps 2:7).
Through Him the Church is enriched and grace unfolding is multiplied in the saints, affording understanding, revealing secrets mysteries, making them understand the signs of the times, rejoicing over the faithful, given to those who seek for it, by whom pledges of faith are not broken and the boundaries set by the Fathers are not passed over. Then the fear of the law is praised in song and the grace announced by the prophets is learned and the faith of the gospels is established and what has been handed down from the Apostles is guarded and the Grace of the Church exults for joy.
If you do not offend this Grace, you will learn what the Word talks about, through those through whom He wishes to talk, when He pleases … Draw near, then and listen earnestly to them and you will know what God bestows on those who truly love Him, who become a garden of delight, causing to grow in themselves a thriving tree bearing all kinds of rich fruits. For in this place are planted the tree of knowledge and the tree of life (Gn 2:9) … Let your mind be knowledge and the Word of truth become your life. If this tree grows in you and, if you ardently long for its fruit, you will always gather the vintage of God’s best gifts.” – A Letter to Diognetus (c 130) – 11, 3-7; 12, 1-2 and 7-8;

PRAYER – Lord our God, make us love You above all things and all our fellow-men, with a love that is worthy of You. May we look to Your Divine Son in love and imitation. Grant too, that by the prayers of St Blaise, we too may be granted the grace to follow Your only Son, no matter our sufferings, to one day reachYou, in our heavenly home. We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever amen.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘ … If anyone leaves this world …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of the Lord, Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24:7-10, Hebrew 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace …” Luke 2:29

REFLECTION – “A woman touched the tassel on Jesus’ cloak and she was cured.” (cf. Mt 9:20). If this woman gained so many benefits from touching the border of His cloak, what are we to think of Simeon who “took the child in his arms” and, holding him, gave himself up to rejoicing as he perceived, that he was carrying the Child who had come to “proclaim liberty to captives” (Lk 4:18) and that he himself, was about to be set free from the constraints of the body?
He recognised, that no one could release someone from the prison-house of the body, in hope of the life to come, except He whom he held in his arms. And it was to Him that he spoke, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace. For so long as I was not holding Christ, so long as I was not cradling Him in my arms, I was held fast and unable to escape from my bonds.”

Moreover, not Simeon alone but the whole human race, is to be understood by these words.
If anyone leaves this world, if anyone is set free from prison and the place of captivity, to gain the royal throne, he should take Jesus in his hands and wrap his arms around Him; he should draw Him wholly to his heart.
Then, leaping for joy, he will be able to go wherever He wills.” – Origen (c 185-253) Priest and Theologian, Father of the Church – Homilies on Saint Luke’s Gospel, no 15

PRAYER –
O Light of All the Earth!
Prayer, Morning Hymn
for the Feast of the Presentation
Liturgy of the Hours

Hail to the Lord who comes,
comes to His temple gate,
not with His angel host,
not in His kingly state.

But borne upon the throne
of Mary’s gentle breast,
thus to His Father’s house
He comes, the heavenly guest.

There Joseph at her side,
in reverent wonder stands
and, filled with holy joy,
old Simeon in his hands,
takes up the promised Child,
the glory of all lands.

The world’s true light draws near,
All darkness to dispel,
the flame of faith is lit
and dies the power of hell.

Our bodies and our souls,
are temples now for Him,
for we are are born of grace –
God lights our souls within.

O Light of all the earth!
We light our lives with Thee,
the chains of darkness gone,
all sons of God are free.