Category: CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 June – “If God so clothes the grass of the field… will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?” – Matthew 6:30

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One Minute Reflection – 19 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart”- Readings: Second Corinthians 12: 1-10, Psalms 34: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, Matthew 6: 24-34

“If God so clothes the grass of the field… will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?” – Matthew 6:30

REFLECTION – “Today I take up my pen in the Name of God, so that my words, imprinting themselves on the white paper, may give service in perpetual praise of God, the blessed author of my life, my soul, my heart. I would like the whole Universe, with all the planets, stars and the countless sidereal systems, to be a vast smooth surface on which could be written the Name of God. I would like my voice to be stronger than a thousand thunders, more powerful than the surge of the sea, more fearful than the eruption of volcanoes, only to say the Name of God. I would like my heart to be as great as Heaven, pure as that of the Angels, guileless as that of the dove (Mt 10,16), so that it could possess God. But as none of these grandiose dreams can be realised, satisfy yourself, Brother Rafael, with little, and you who are nothing, that very nothing must suffice…

Why keep silent about it? Why hide it? Why not cry out to the whole world and proclaim to the four winds, the wonders of God? Why not say to everyone, what they would like to hear: “You see what I am? You see what I was? You see my wretchedness, dragged through the mire? No matter – marvel at it – in spite of everything, I have God. God is my Friend!” God loves me so deeply that if the whole world understood this, everyone would go mad and shout in sheer amazement. Still more, all that is but a little. God loves me so much that the Angels themselves don’t understand it! (cf. 1Pt 1,12) How great is the mercy of God! To love me, to be my Friend, my Brother, my Father, my Master. To be God! And I to be what I am!

Oh Jesus! I don’t have paper or pen. What can I say? How am I not to go mad!” – St Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938) Spanish Trappist Monk – To know how to wait, 04/03/1938

PRAYER – O my God, how great is Your love and how so can it be? For to our nothingness and taking on that garment, You sent Your Divine Son. To cleanse me and die for me! And I, then, do not understand this love?! Help me, teach me, soften my heart and open its eyes and ears that I may learn minute by minute and day by day, to love You more and more. By the prayers and love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my Mother, that I may reach You in Heaven. Through Christ our Lord and Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.
HEART of JESUS burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. – Indulgence 100 Days Once a Day – Raccolta 164 Pope Leo XIII, 16 July 1893.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 June – ‘You are a jailor of your wealth, not its owner … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 18 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart”- Readings: Second Corinthians 11: 18, 21-30, Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, Gospel: Matthew 6: 19-23

“Lay not up for yourselves, treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves, treasures in heaven” – Matthew 6:19,20

REFLECTION – “You are a jailor of your wealth, not its owner, you who bury your gold in the ground (cf Mt 25,25); you are its slave and not its master. Christ said: “Where your treasure is, there also your heart will be” so it is your heart you have buried. Rather, sell your gold and buy salvation; sell what is metal and acquire God’s Kingdom; sell the field and purchase for yourself, eternal life. In saying this I am speaking the truth because I am relying on the words of Him who is Truth: “If you wish to be perfect, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mt 19,21).
Do not be cast down by these words lest the same thing be said to you, as to the rich young man: “It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (v.23). Still more, when you read this sentence, consider that death can snatch these possessions away from you, that the aggression of someone powerful can carry them away.
At the end of the day, you will have seen no further than insignificant goods, in place of great wealth – these are no more than a treasure of coins rather than treasures of grace. By their very nature they perish, rather than remaining forever.” – St Ambrose (340-397), Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church – Naboth the poor, 58.

PRAYER – Lord God, You fill us with Your grace and teach us true faith. Strengthen in our hearts that faith that no trials may quench the fire, that we may seek Your face in every moment and accept AND LIVE all of Your will. May You be our first thought and our last each day. Grant us the grace of true charity of our neighbour that no earthly wealth can equal the treasures of love. Send us Your Spirit to keep the fire blazing. May the humble love and intercession of Mary Mother of our faith, be our succour and may she intercede for us on our pilgrim way. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.
DIVINE Heart of JESUS, convert sinners, save the dying, set free the holy souls in Purgatory. Indulgence 300 Days Everytime – St Pius X, 11 September, 1907

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on PRAYER, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 17 June – The “Our Father”

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Thought for the Day – 17 Juner– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The “Our Father”

“Our Lord exhorted His disciples on many occasions to pray often and with confidence, if they wished to be heard.
Everything which they asked His heavenly Father, in His name, He said, they would obtain.
Ask, He said and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.
Finally, He insisted that we ought to pray and never to give up.
In other words, life can be a continuous prayer if we offer to God all our thoughts, words and actions.

The ideal Christian prayer is to do the will of God at all times from the motive of pure love.
The Apostles, however, who had not made that much progress in the spiritual life, asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Lk 11:1).
It was then that Our Lord composed the most beautiful of prayer, the “Our Father” (Mt 6:9-13).
When we recite it, we speak to God, in the words of Jesus Christ Himself and unite our weak voices, with the powerful voice of the Son of God!
We address the Eternal God, moreover, by the name of Father.
Even in the Old Testament, God is often referred to in this way.
Then, however, He figured as the Father of the chosen people, whereas now, He is the Father of all.
He is our Father, the Father of all mankind and of all races, whom He has willed to redeem from the slavery of sin.
The term “Our Father” has taken on a new and fuller meaning.
Our weak prayer becomes united to that of Jesus, our first-born Brother and to the prayers of the Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins and Confessors, who form and have formed, throughout the centuries, the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church.
We need no longer feel that we are on our own, for through the Communion of Saints, our entreaties are joined to those of the entire Church, militant, suffering and triumphant.
We can be confident, therefore, that our prayer will be heard!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 June – “This is how you are to pray.” – Matthew 6:9

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One Minute Reflection – 17 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: Second Corinthians 11: 1-11. Psalms 111: 1b-2, 3-4, 7-8, Gospel: Matthew 6: 7-15

“This is how you are to pray.” – Matthew 6:9

REFLECTION – “So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us.
To ask the Father in words His Son has given us, to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer. Let the Father recognise the words of His Son. Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips. We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father, when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins, let us use the words given by our Advocate. He tells us – Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you. What more effective prayer could we then make, in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer? …

As the Lord’s Prayer continues, we ask: Give us this day our daily bread.
We can understand this petition in a spiritual and in a literal sense. For in the divine plan both senses may help toward our salvation. For Christ is the Bread of Life; this Bread does not belong to everyone but is ours alone.
When we say, our Father, we understand that He is the Father of those who know Him and believe in Him. In the same way, we speak of our daily bread because Christ is the Bread of those who touch His body.” – St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258) Bishop, Father of the Church and Martyr – An excerpt from his “On the Lord’s Prayer”

PRAYER – Our Father Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection –16 June – “They have received their reward” – Matthew 6:5

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One Minute Reflection –16 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: Second Corinthians 9: 6-11, Psalms 112: 1bc-2, 3-4, 9, Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

“They have received their reward” – Matthew 6:5

REFLECTION – “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them.” Why not? If people see them then what will you get out of them? “You will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” My brethren, the Lord is not bringing judgement here but giving an explanation. He casts light on the wiles of our thoughts, He strips bare the secret intentions of our souls. He draws attention to the measure of a just retribution, to those unrighteous, pondering righteousness. Righteousness that sets itself in the sight of others can expect no divine reward from the Father. It wanted to be seen and it was seen; it wanted to please others and it pleased them. It has received the recompense it wanted – the recompense it did not want, it will not have …

“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do.” “Blow your trumpet” – this is the exact phrase in that this kind of alms is more like a deed of war than of peace. It passes wholly into its sound but has nothing to do with mercy. It comes from the land of disunion but has not been nourished by goodness. It is a dealing in outward show, not chaste commerce …. “So, then, when you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” You have taken good note: – alms offered at a meeting, in public square and street corners, is not an offering made for the comforting of the poor but has been set forward in the sight of others to attract their admiration … Flee hypocrisy, my brethren, flee from it …. It does not bring comfort to the poor; the groans of the homeless but is only a pretext for it, to seek out even more busily, a spectacular glory for itself. It inflates its praise of the suffering of the poor. – St Peter Chrysologus (406-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon 9

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom, You created us, by Your providence You rule us, penetrate our inmost being with Your light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service to You, as we follow the way of Your Son. Holy Mother, guide us as you guided Your Son. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God, amen.
SACRED Heart of JESUS, Thy Kingdom come! – Indulgence 300 Days – Every time – Raccolta 179 St Pius X, 6 November 1906.

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One Minute Reflection –15 June – ‘Proclaim the goodness of God. ‘ – Matthew 5: 43-48

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One Minute Reflection –15 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: Second Corinthians 8: 1-9, Psalms 146: 2, 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a, Gospel: Matthew 5: 43-48

“ Your Father, … makes his sun to rise upon the good,and bad and rains upon the just and the unjust.” – Matthew 5:45

REFLECTION – “Proclaim the goodness of God. For even while you are unworthy, He guides you and when you owe Him everything, He asks for nothing back and in return for the little things you do for Him, He repays you with great things! Therefore, do not simply call God “just” since it is not with regard to what you yourself do, that He reveals His justice. If David calls Him just and right (Ps 33[32],5), His Son has revealed to us, that He is yet more kind and gentle: “He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked,” (Lk 6,35).

How can you possibly remain at the level of God’s simple justice when you read the chapter about the workmen’s wages? “My friend, I am not cheating you. I wish to give this last one the same as you. Are you envious because I am generous?” (Mt 20,13-15). How can one say no more, than that God is just when one reads the chapter about the prodigal son, who squandered his father’s wealth in a life of dissipation and how, at the merest sign of compunction shown by him, his father ran to him, threw his arms round him and granted him full rights over all his wealth? (cf Lk 15,11ff.). It was not some other who told us all this about God, causing us to have doubts about it. It is His Son in person -He Himself gave this testimony concerning God. So where is God’s justice to be found? Is it not in this: “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Rom 5,8)? If God reveals Himself to be compassionate here below, then let us believe, that He will be so for all eternity.” – St Isaac the Syrian of Nineveh (c 613- c 700) Bishop of Nineveh, Monk at Mosul – Ascetical discourses, 1st. series, no.60

PRAYER – Almighty God, to whom this world, with all it’s goodness and beauty belongs, give us grace joyfully, to begin this day for Christ Your Son, in Him and with Him and to fill it, with an active love for all Your children, even those who may not like or who do us harm. Help us to love as You do, so that we may become like You. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen. OUR Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us. Indulgence 100 Days. Raccolta 174 St Pius X, 9 July 1904.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 June – “And, should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” – Matthew 5:41

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One Minute Reflection – 14 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: Second Corinthians 6: 1-10, 98: 1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4, Matthew 5: 38-42

“And, should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” – Matthew 5:41

REFLECTION – “If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well; from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back and do to others what you would have them do to you,” (Mt 5.40; Lk 6.30-31). In that way, we will not be dismayed like those whose possessions have been taken away against their will but, to the contrary, will be glad like people who have willingly given, since we would rather make a free gift to our neighbour, than give way to constraint. “And,” He continues, “should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” In that way, we are not following him like a slave but going before him like a free man. So, in everything, Christ invites you to be of service to your neighbour, taking no thought for his wickedness but filling your own goodness to the brim. Thus He invites us to become like our Father “who makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,” (Mt 5.45).

All this is not the deed of someone who abolishes the Law but of someone who fulfils and develops it for us (Mt 5.17). To serve freedom is an even greater service and our Liberator puts forward, an even deeper submission and devotion towards Him. For He has not set us free from the obligations of the old Law to make us independent of Himself… but so that, having received His grace, yet more abundantly, we might love Him all the more and, in loving Him all the more, might receive an even greater glory from Him, when we are forever in the presence of His Father. ” – St Irenaeus of Lyons (c 130-c.208) Bishop, Martyr, Ttheologian – Against the Heresies, IV, 13, 3

PRAYER – True Light of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, as You enlighten all men for their salvation, give us Your grace, we pray to herald Your coming by preparing the ways of justice and of peace. Grant, that by the prayers of Your Saints who have gone before us and the assistance of Your Blessed Mother, we may follow more closely in Your footsteps and obey Your words. We pray to You Lord Jesus, Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.
All praise, honour and glory to the divine HEART of JESUS. – Indulgence 50 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SPIRIT, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – St Anthony of Padua

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Memorial of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“The breadth of charity,
widens the narrow heart,
of the sinner.”

“Charity is the soul of faith and makes it alive;
without love, faith dies.”

“He prays best ,
who does not know
that he is praying.”

“The life of the body,
is the soul,
the life of the soul,
is Christ.”

“Attribute to God,
every good that you have received.
If you take credit for something
that does not belong to you,
you will be guilty of theft!”

O God, send forth Your Holy Spirit
By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church

O God,
send forth Your Holy Spirit
into my heart
that I may perceive,
into my mind,
that I may remember,
and into my soul,
that I may meditate.
Inspire me to speak
with piety,
holiness,
tenderness
and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts
and senses, from beginning to end.
May Your grace,
ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now
with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of Your infinite mercy.
Amen

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-of-padua/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-june-the-memorial-of-st-anthony-of-padua-1195-1231-doctor-of-the-church/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, INDULGENCES, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – ‘ … Christ is a mustard seed …’ St Peter Chrysologus

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One Minute Reflection – 13 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Sunday within the Octave, Readings: Ezekiel 17: 22-24, Psalms 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16, Second Corinthians 5: 6-10, Mark 4: 26-34

“It puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade” – Mark 4:32

REFLECTION – “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.

Do we need further examples? Christ became all things in order to restore all of us in Himself. The man Christ, received the mustard seed which represents the kingdom of God … though as God, He had always possessed it He sowed it in His garden.

The Church is a garden extending over the whole world, tilled by the plough of the Gospel, fenced in by stakes of doctrine and discipline, cleared of every harmful weed by the labour of the Apostles, fragrant and lovely with perennial flowers – virgins’ lilies and martyrs’ roses, set amid the pleasant verdure of all, who bear witness to Christ and the tender plants of all, who have faith in Him.

Such then is the mustard seed which Christ sowed in His garden. When He promised a kingdom to the partriarchs, the seed took root in them, with the prophets it sprang up, with the Apostles it grew tall in the Church – it became a great tree putting forth innumerable branches laden with gifts. And now, you too must take the wings of the psalmist’s dove (Ps 68[67]:14) … and fly to rest forever among those sturdy, fruitful branches. No snares are set to trap you there (Ps 91[90]:3); fly off, then, with confidence and dwell securely in its shelter.” – St Peter Chrysologus (406-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon 98.

PRAYER – Almighty Father, we bless You Lord of life, through whom all living things tend. You are the source of all, our first beginning and our end! Grant holy Father, that we may allow the Word to enter our hearts and grow by Your grace, so that we may always live for Your glory. May the intercession of the Blessed Virgi Mary, all Your Angels and Saints, grant us strength and zeal. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen. Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 161 Blessed Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 12 June – O Mother Blest

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Our Morning Offering – 12 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Mother Blest
By St Alphonsus Maria Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Trns. Fr Edmund Vaughn C.SS,R, (1827 – 1908 )

O Mother blest, whom God bestows
On sinners and on just,
What joy, what hope thou givest those
Who in thy mercy trust.
Thou are clement, thou are chaste,
Mary thou art fair,
Of all mothers, sweetest best,
none with thee compare.

O heavenly Mother, mistress sweet!
it never yet was told
that suppliant sinner left thy feet,
unpitied, unconsoled.
Thou are clement, thou are chaste, …

O Mother, pitiful and mild,
Cease not to pray for me;
For I do love thee as a child,
And sigh for love of thee.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …

Most powerful Mother, all men know
Thy Son denies thee nought;
Thou askest, wishest it, and lo!
His power thy will hath wrought.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …

O Mother blest, for me obtain,
Ungrateful though I be,
To love that God who first could deign
To show such love for me.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste,
Mary, thou art fair.
Of all mothers, sweetest, best,
None with thee compare.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 June – ‘So where can our fragility find rest and security if not in the Saviour’s wounds?’ – St Bernard

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One Minute Reflection – 11 June – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Readings: First: Hosea 11: 1, 3-4, 8c-9, Psalm: Isaias 12: 2-3, 4, 5-6 (3),
Second: Ephesians 3: 8-12, 14-19, Gospel: John 19: 31-37

“With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation” – Isaias 12:3

REFLECTION – “So where can our fragility find rest and security if not in the Saviour’s wounds? … They pierced His hands, His feet and His side with a thrust of a lance. Through these gaping holes, I can taste the honey from the rock (Ps 81:17) and the oil that flows from the very hard rock, which is to say, “Taste and see how good the Lord is.” (Ps 34:9) He had plans of peace (cf. Jer 29:11) and I did not know it. “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’” (Rom 11:34) The nail that enters His flesh has become for me, a key that opens to me, the mystery of His plans.

How could we not see through these openings? The nails and the wounds cry out, that truly, in the person of Christ, God reconciles the world to Himself. Iron pierced His being and touched His Heart, so that He is no longer ignorant of how to suffer my weaknesses. The secret of His Heart, is laid bare, in the wounds of His body; we see revealed the great mystery of His kindness, the merciful tenderness of our God, “the Dayspring who visited us from on high.” (Lk 1:78) And how could this tenderness not be manifested in His wounds? How could You show more clearly, than by Your wounds, that You, Lord, are gentle and compassionate and very merciful, since there is no greater love, than to give one’s life (Jn 15:13) for those who are condemned to death?!

So, all my merit is the Lord’s mercy and I shall not be lacking in merit, so long as mercy is not lacking in Him. If God’s mercies multiply, my merits will be many. But what will happen if I have to reproach myself with many faults? “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Rom 5:20) And if “the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting,” I for my part “will sing forever the favours of the Lord.” (Ps 103:17; 89:2) Is that my righteousness? Lord, I shall remember Your righteousness alone, for it is my righteousness, since You became “righteousness of God for me (Rom 1:17). ”- St Bernard (1091-1153) Mellifluous Ddoctor of the Church – Homilies on the Song of Songs, no. 61, 3-5

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, we glory in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your beloved Son, as we dwell on the great things His love has done for us. Fill us with the grace which flows in abundance from the wounded Heart of Jesus, the source of Heaven’s gifts and eternal life. Through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirt and the glory of God the Father, amen. Sweet Heart of my JESUS, Make me love Thee ever more and more! – 300 Days Indulgence Once a day, Plenary Once a month – Blesed Pope Pius IX – 26 November 1876

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 11 June – Sweet Heart of Jesus! Fount of Love and Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 11 June – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sweet Heart of Jesus!
Fount of Love and Mercy
Attrib: Sister Marie Josephine.

Sweet Heart of Jesus! Fount of love and mercy,
Today we come, Thy blessings to implore;
Oh touch our hearts, so cold and so ungrateful
And make them Lord, Thine own for evermore.

Sweet Heart of Jesus! We implore,
Oh, make us love Thee, more and more.

Sweet Heart of Jesus! Make us know and love Thee.
Unfold to us, the treasures of Thy grace.
That so our hearts, from things of earth uplifted,
May long alone, to gaze upon Thy face.

Sweet Heart of Jesus! Make us pure and gentle
And teach us how, to do Thy blessed will;
To follow close, the print of Thy dear footsteps,
And when we fall, sweet Heart oh, love us still.

Sweet Heart of Jesus!
Bless all hearts that love thee,
And make Thine own Heart, ever blessed be.
Bless us dear Lord and bless the friends we cherish,
And keep us true to Mary and to Thee.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, INDULGENCES, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 June – “Give, Lord, because we have given.” Matthew 5:20-26

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One Minute Reflection – 10 June – Readings: First: Second Corinthians 3: 15 — 4: 1, 3-6, Psalm: Psalms 85: 9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14, Gospel: Matthew 5: 20-26

“Go first and be reconciled with your brother” – Matthew 5:24

REFLECTION – “In heaven there is a mercy that we attain by mercy here on earth… And there are two kinds of almsgiving: one good, the other better. The first consists in offering a morsel of bread to the poor; the other in at once forgiving the brother who has sinned against you. With our Lord’s help let us hasten to put into practice these two kinds of almsgiving that we may be fit to receive eternal pardon and the true mercy that is Christ’s. For He Himself has said: “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you will not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions” (Mt 6,14-15). And elsewhere the Holy Spirit cries aloud: “Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows yet seek God’s pardon for his own sins?” (Sir 28,3-4)…

Let us make haste as much as we can and, for as long as we live, to acquire these two kinds of alms and distribute them to others. Then, on the day of judgement, we shall be able to say with full assurance: “Give, Lord, because we have given.” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop and Monk – Sermons to the people no 25

PRAYER – Lord God, true light and creator of light, grant that faithfully following the instructions of Your Son and pondering all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of Your presence. By the gifts of the Holy Spirit, may we always be light to our neighbour. Mary, Mother of Love and our loving mother, by your prayers, may we grow in charity and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord amen. SACRED Heart of JESUS, I trust in Thee. 300 Days Indulgence Once a Day – Plenary, Once a month. Raccolta 175 – St Pius X, 19 August 1905; 27 June 1906.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 June – ‘… He who is the end of the law …’

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One Minute Reflection – 9 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: First: Second Corinthians 3: 4-11, Psalm: Psalms 99: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9m Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-19

“I have come, not to abolish but to fulfil.” … Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “Do you want to know how Jesus, far from abolishing the law and the prophets, comes rather to confirm and to complete them? Where the prophets are concerned, this happens first of all ,when He confirms, through His works, what they had announced. This is where the expression comes from, constantly repeated in St Matthew: “That the word of the prophets might be fulfilled” …

Where the law is concerned, Jesus fulfilled it in three ways. First of all, by not omitting any of its legal requirements. He told John the Baptist: “We must do this if we would fulfil all of God’s demands,” (Mt 3:15). To the Jews He said: “Can any of you convict me of sin?” (Jn 8:46) … In the second place, He fulfils it because He wanted to submit Himself to it for our salvation. Oh marvel! By submitting to it, He communicated to us, too, the grace of fulfilling it! St Paul teaches us this when he says: “Christ is the end of the law. Through him, justice comes to everyone who believes,” (Rom 10:4). He also says that the Saviour condemned sin in the flesh “so that the just demands of the law might be fulfilled in us who live not according to the flesh,” (Rom 8:4.) He also says: “Are we then abolishing the law by means of faith? Not at all! On the contrary, we are confirming the law,” (Rom 3:31).

For the law aimed at making a person righteous but it didn’t have the strength do so so; then Christ came, He who is the end of the law and He showed us the way which leads to righteousness, that is to say – faith. Thus He fulfilled the law’s intention. The letter of the law could not justify the sinner; faith in Jesus Christ will justify him. That is why He can say: “I have not come to abolish the law.”

Now, if we look more closely, we can perceive a third way of fulfilling the law. What is this? It consists in the very precepts, which Christ had to give; far from overturning those of Moses, they are their just consequence and their natural complement.” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Homilies on St. Matthew 16

PRAYER – Shed your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled. May the Mother of Our God and our Mother, be at our side and guide our way. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen. All praise, honour and glory to the divine Heart of JESUS. 50 Days Indulgence, Once a day, Raccolta, 168 Pope Leo XIII, 13 June 1901.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 June – “You are the salt of the earth” – Matthew 5:13

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One Minute Reflection – 8 June – Readings: First: Second Corinthians 1: 18-22,
Psalm: Psalms 119: 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, Gospel: Matthew 5: 13-16

“You are the salt of the earth” – Matthew 5:13

REFLECTION – “Salt is useful for so many purposes in human life! What need is there to speak about this? Now is the proper time to say why Jesus’ disciples are compared with salt. Salt preserves meats from decaying into stench and worms. It makes them edible for a longer period. They would not last through time and be found useful without salt. So also Christ’s disciples, standing in the way of the stench that comes from the sins of idolatry and fornication, support and hold together, this whole earthly realm.” – Origen Adamantius (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father – (Fragment 91)

PRAYER – Holy Almighty Father, we pray that we may be the light of Your divine Son and the salt of the earth. Help us, we pray, to ever strive to be both the light and salt of the earth and may the protection of Our Lady of Grace, first disciple of Jesus and model, be of help to believers who live every day their vocation and mission in history. May our Mother help us, to let ourselves always be purified and illumined by the Lord, to become in turn “salt of the earth” and “light of the world. Through the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God now and for all eternity, amen. MAY the HEART of JESUS be loved everywhere. 100 Days, Indulgence Once a day – Bl Pope Pius IX 23 September 1860

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection –7 June – “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” – Matthew 5:12

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One Minute Reflection –7 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: First: Second Corinthians 1: 1-7, Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” – Matthew 5:12

REFLECTION – “Rejoice in the Lord without ceasing (cf. Phil 4:4), my dear children. I beg you rejoice, citizens of heaven but exiles on earth, inhabitants of the Jerusalem on high (cf. Gal 4:26) but banished from affairs here below, inheritors of the kingdom of heaven but disinherited from taking any part at all, in earthly pleasures! Rejoice, ardent travellers, at undergoing exile and maltreatment in a foreign land in the name of the commandment of God! Rejoice, you who are last in this world but lords of blessings that exceed our understanding (cf. Phil 4:7).
Rejoice, noble company, brought together by God, assembly united in heart and soul, who give life to filial and fraternal love, a replica on earth of the host of angels! (…) Rejoice, God’s workers, apostolic men. … Rejoice, you who set your joy in each other, each making his own the reputation of his brother, you in whom is found neither jealousy, rivalry nor envy but, in their place, peace and charity and life in common. In truth, I do not say that we are not attacked – indeed, who is crowned if not the one who struggles and fights, who exchanges thrusts and wounds with his assailants? – but I say that we should not let ourselves be brought down by the machinations of Satan.
Yes, my children, assembly of God, nourish yourselves with the food of the Spirit and drink the water given by the Lord – whoever comes to possess this water, will never thirst again but it will become, in Him, a spring of living water welling up to eternal life (cf. Jn 4:14). … Yet a little while and we shall have vanquished. And blessed shall we be; blessed also, it shall be said, are the places, family and countries that have borne you (cf. Lk 11:27-28).” – St Theodore the Studite (759-826) – Catechesis 47 (The Great Catecheses)

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over or hearts and bodies this day. Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to the commandments of Your law, so that now and forever, Your grace may free and save us. Teach us Lord to walk in the ways of the Cross of Your Son, our Saviour, rlonging for and rejoicing always in our heavenly home as St Robert Newminster so lovingly and willingly inspires us to do. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen. Sweet Heart of my JESUS, make me love Thee ever more and more! 300 Days Once a Day. ii. Plenary, Once a month. Raccolta – 162. Blessed Pope Pius IX, 26 November 1876.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD is LOVE, HYMNS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – Corpus Christi

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Corpus Christi, The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

“O how unspeakable is this Sacrament
which sets our affections ablaze with charity.
… It is the fulfillment of Christ’s Mystical Body.”

“Source of all we have or know,
feed and lead us here below.
Grant that with Your saints above,
Sitting at the feast of love,
We may see You face to face.”

Amen Alleluia!

(Last verse of the Lauda Sion)

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love.
It signifies Love,
It produces love.
The Eucharist is the consummation
of the whole spiritual life.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus/Doctor communis

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 6 June – Pange Lingua

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Our Morning Offering – 6 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi – The Most Holy Body ad Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Pange Lingua
Sing, My Tongue
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Eng trans – Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)
(Excerpt on the image – the 4 last stanzas)

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory,
Of His Flesh, the mystery sing;
Of the Blood, all price exceeding,
Shed by our Immortal King,
Destined, for the world’s redemption,
From a noble Womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His Life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the Paschal Victim eating,
First fulfils the Law’s command;
Then as Food to all His brethren
Gives Himself with His own Hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
By His Word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes,
What though sense no change discerns.
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo, the sacred Host we hail,
Lo, o’er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail,
Faith for all defects supplying,
When the feeble senses fail.

To the Everlasting Father
And the Son who comes on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honour, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia.

Written by St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this Hymn is considered the most beautiful of Aquinas’ Hymns and one of the great seven Hymns of the Church.
The Hymn is also used on Holy Thursday. The last two stanzas make up the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling) that is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

PANGE, lingua, gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus
ex intacta Virgine,
et in mundo conversatus,
sparso verbi semine,
sui moras incolatus
miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte cenae
recumbens cum fratribus
observata lege plene
cibis in legalibus,
cibum turbae duodenae
se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum
verbo carnem efficit:
fitque sanguis Christi merum,
et si sensus deficit,
ad firmandum cor sincerum
sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
laus et iubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio.
Amen. Alleluia.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 June – ‘ … All He requires is love’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Readings: First: Tobit 12: 1, 5-15, 20, Psalm: Tobit 13: 2, 6efgh, 7, 8, Gospel: Mark 12: 38-44 and the Memorial of St Bopniface (672-754) “The Apostle of Germany,” Martyr and Bl Ferdinand of Portugal (1402-1443) “The Holy Prince”

“For they all contributed out of their abundance but she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, her whole living.”… Mark 12:44

REFLECTION – “Now, if someone is wondering what the cost is, here is their answer – He who offers a Kingdom in heaven has no need of earthly coin. No-one can offer God anything, except what already belongs to Him, since all that exists is His. And yet, God does not give away so great a thing, without a price being placed on it, He does not give it to someone who doesn’t value it. For indeed, nobody gives away something they hold dear without placing some kind of value on it.
From now on, then, if God has no need of your goods, neither does He have to give you this great thing, if you refuse to love Him, all He requires is love, without which nothing constrains His giving. Love, then and you will receive the Kingdom, love and you will possess it… Love God more than yourself and already, you begin to have what it is your desire to possess fully, in heaven.”… St Anselm (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Lord God, Your Son has shown us the way. As we follow in His steps, may we never wander from the path that leads to life. Renew the wonders of Your grace in our hearts so that neither death nor life may separate us from Your love. Holy Father, as You were glorified by the life and death of St Boniface and Blessed Ferdinand of Portugal, grant that by their prayers, we may receive strength to always give You our hearts, minds and complete selves. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, with You in union with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. 300 days ONCE A DAY – Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) Pope Leo XIII 21 May 1892.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 June – David himself calls him ‘lord.’ … Mark 12:37

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One Minute Reflection – 4 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” –Readings: First: Tobit 11: 5-17, Psalm: Psalms 146: 1b-2, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10, Gospel: Mark 12: 35-37

David himself calls him ‘lord.’ … Mark 12:37

REFLECTION – “Be mindful of the mystery of Christ!   Born from the Virgin’s womb, both Servant and Lord – Servant to set to work, Lord to command so that He might plant a Kingdom for God in people’s hearts. Twofold in origin but one in nature, He is not one thing when He comes from the Father, another when He comes from the Virgin.   He is the very same, the one born of the Father before all ages and who has taken flesh of the Virgin in the course of time.   And that is why He is named both Servant and Lord – Servant with respect to us but, due to the unity of the divine substance, God from God, Principle from Principle, Son equal in all things to the Father who is His equal.   For the Father has not begotten a Son different to Himself – the Son of whom He asserted:  “In him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17) (…)

In every respect the Servant preserves His titles of dignity.   God is great and the Servant is also great – when He came in the flesh He did not lose this “greatness that has no limit” (Ps 145[144]:3) …   “Though he was in the form of God he did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.   Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Phil 2:6-7) … Therefore, as Son of God He is equal to God, He took the form of a slave by becoming incarnate, He whose greatness has no limit “tasted death” (Heb 2:9) (…)

How good is the condition of the Servant who has set us all free!   Yes, how good it is!   It won for Him “the name which is above all other names!”   How good that humility is!   It was through it that, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).” … St Ambrose (c 340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon on Psalm 36[35]:4-5

PRAYER – Almighty God, Whose grace, even here on earth brings us the gifts of heaven, turn our hearts to Yourself Lord, so that in seeking the ways of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, we too may walk in humility and love, always seeking the one thing necessary for the glory of Your kingdom. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Sprit, God now and for ll eternity, amen. “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.” – 300 Days, EVERYTIME. (Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) St Pope Pius X, 15 September 1905.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 June – Lauda Sion Salvatorem

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Our Morning Offering – 3 June – Solemnty of Corpus Christ, The Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

St Thomas Aquinas wrote the Liturgy for Corpus Christi when Pope Urban IV added the Solemnity to the universal Church’s Liturgical calendar in 1264. He provided a great sequence, one of the great poems chanted or recited before the proclamation of the Gospel.
Lauda Sion is one of only four medieval sequences which were preserved in the Roman Missal published in 1570 following the Council of Trent (1545–1563)—the others being Victimae Paschali Laudes (Easter), Veni Sancte Spiritus (Pentecost) and Dies irae (requiem masses).
(A fifth, Stabat Mater, would later be added in 1727.)
Before Trent, many feasts had their own sequences. The existing versions were unified in the Roman Missal promulgated in 1570.
The Lauda Sion is still sung today as solemn Eucharistic hymn, though its use is optional in the post-Vatican II Ordinary form.
As with St Thomas’s other three Eucharistic Hymns, the last few stanzas of the Lauda Sion are often used alone, in this case, to form the “Ecce Panis Angelorum”.

Lauda Sion Salvatorem
Sion, Lift Up thy Voice and Sing
(Excerpt)
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

Sion, lift thy voice and sing,
Praise thy Saviour and thy King,
Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true,
Dare thy most to praise Him well,
For He doth all praise excel,
None can ever reach His due.

Special theme of praise is Thine,
That true living Bread divine,
That life-giving flesh adored,
Which the brethren twelve received,
As most faithfully believed,
At the Supper of the Lord.

Let the chant be loud and high,
Sweet and tranquil be the joy
Felt to-day in every breast;
On this festival divine
Which recounts the origin
Of the glorious Eucharist.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 June – God of the living – Mark 12:27

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One Minute Reflection – 2 June – “Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Readings: First: Tobit 3: 1-11a, 16-17a, Psalm: Psalms 25: 2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9, Gospel: Mark 12: 18-27

“He is not God of the dead but of the living. You, therefore, do greatly err ” – Mark 12:27

REFLECTION – “Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living,” (Rom 14,9); “He is not God of the dead but of the living.” Since He, the Lord of the dead, is living, the dead are no longer dead, but living. Life reigns in them so that they might live and never more fear death, just as “Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more,” (Rom 6,9). Raised and set free from corruption, they will never more see death; they will have a share in the resurrection of Christ just as He also shared their death. Indeed, if He came on earth, which up till then had been an everlasting prison-house, it was to “shatter bronze doors and snap iron bars,” (Is 45,2), to draw our life out of corruption, by drawing it to Himself and to give us freedom, instead of slavery.

If this plan of salvation has not yet been fully realised (since men continue to die and their bodies to be destroyed by death), that should not be any reason for unbelief. We have already received the firstfruits of what has been promised to us, in the person of Him, Who is our firstborn… “God has raised us up with him and seated us with him in Christ Jesus,” (Eph 2,6). We shall come to full realisation of this promise, when the time fixed by the Father, has come, when we shall put off our childish state and “attain mature manhood” (Eph 4,13. For the eternal Father has willed, that His gift should stand firm. As the Apostle Paul, who was well aware of this, declared – this will come upon all humankind through Christ, who “will change our lowly body to conform with his glorious body,” (Phil 3,21)… The glorious body of Christ is no different from the body “sown in weakness, dishonourable,” (cf. 1Cor 15,42); it is the same body but changed in glory. And what Christ has accomplished by taking His own humanity, the original pattern for our nature, to the Father, He will do for the whole of humanity, according to His promise – “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself,” (Jn 12,32). – St Anastasius I of Antioch (Died 599) Monk, then Bishop of Antioch from 549-570 and from 593-599 – Homily 5, On the Resurrection

PRAYER – Holy Father, You made us, we belong to You. Grant that by the prayers of all your holy saints, we may attain eternal life with You to praise and worship You for all eternity. May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Holy Mother, assist us our earthly pilgrimage. We make our prayer through our Lord, Jesus, with You and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. HEART of JESUS burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. – 100 Days, once a day. (See Instructions. – Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) [169 Raccolta or Collection of Indulgences, 1910] Pope Leo XIII, 16 July 1893

Posted in "Follow Me", ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, POETRY, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 June – “Whose is this image?” – Mark 12:16

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One Minute Reflection – 1 June – “Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Readings: First: Tobit 2: 9-14, Psalm: Psalms 112: 1-2, 7-8, 9, Gospel: Mark 12: 13-17

“Whose is this image?” – Mark 12:16

REFLECTION – “Soul, you must seek yourself in Me
And in yourself, must seek for Me.

Such is the power of love’s impress,
O soul, to engrave you on My Heart,
That any craftsman must confess
He never could have the same success,
However superlative his art.

It was by love that you were made
Lovely and beautiful to be;
So, if by chance, you should have strayed,
Upon My Heart you are portrayed.
Soul, you must seek yourself in Me.

For well I know that you will see
Yourself engraved upon My Breast—
An image vividly impressed—
And then you will rejoice to be
So safely lodged, so highly blest.

And if by chance you do not know
Where to go in quest of Me,
Do not go far My Face to see,
Searching everywhere high and low,
But in yourself must seek for Me.

For, soul, in you I am confined,
You are My dwelling and My home;
And if one day I chance to find
Fast-closed the portals of your mind
I ask for entrance when I come.

Oh, do not seek me far away,
For, if you would attain to Me,
You only need My Name to say
And I’ll be there, without delay.
Look in yourself to seek for Me!” – St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church – Poems, no 8 “Alma, buscarte has en mí”

PRAYER – Lord God, true light and creator of light, grant us the grace to see clearly by the light who is Light, Your only Son. Lead us in His path and send us Your Spirit. Grant us the strength to grow in holiness so that our struggle against the powers of darkness may we a victory over temptation. May the prayers of the Mother of Your Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother too, be a balm of enduring succour, as we fulfil Your commandments in this world and strive to reach our eternal home. We make our prayer through Christ Your divine Son, Whom You sent to make us like unto Himself, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen. All praise, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS. (This Ejaculation is Indulgenced – 50 Days, once a day. (See Instructions: – Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 23 May – Veni Sancte Spiritus

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Our Morning Offering – 23 May – Pentecost Sunday, Alleluia!

Veni Sancte Spiritus – The Golden Sequence

Come, Holy Spirit and bring from above
The splendour of Thy light.
Come, Father of the poor, come, Giver of graces,
Come, Light of our hearts.
Best of Consolers, sweet Guest of the soul,
And Comfort of the weary.
Thou rest in labour, relief in burning toil,
Consoling us in sorrow.
O blessed Light, fill the innermost hearts
Of those who trust in Thee.
Without Thy indwelling, there is nothing in man,
And nothing free of sin.
Cleanse what is sordid, give water in dryness,
And heal the bleeding wounds.
Bend what is proud, make warm what is cold,
Bring back the wayward soul.
Give to the faithful, who trustingly beg Thee
Thy seven holy gifts.
Grant virtue’s reward, salvation in death,
And everlasting joy.
Amen.
Alleluia!

“Veni Sancte Spiritus,” the “Golden Sequence”, is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost and its octave, exclusive of the following Trinity Sunday. It is usually attributed to either the thirteenth-century Pope Innocent III (c 1160 – 1216) or to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Stephen Langton (c 1150 – 1228).

Posted in "Follow Me", ACT of CONTRITION, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 May – “You are my friends if you do what I command you. “ – John 15:14

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 May – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Readings: First: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm: Psalms 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4 (2b); Second: First John 4: 7-10; Gospel: John 15: 9-17

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. “

John 15:14

“It is not that we keep His commandments first
and that then He loves
but, that He loves us
and then we keep His commandments.
This is that grace
which is revealed to the humble
but hidden from the proud.”

“If we live good lives, the times are also good.
As we are, such are the times.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

“We must note, therefore,
that he that does things pleasing to God,
serves Christ but he that follows his own wishes,
is a follower, rather of himself and not of God.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father and Doctor of the Incarnation

PRAYER – O Infinite Goodness – Act of Contrition
By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) – Doctor of the Church

O my God,
I am exceedingly grieved,
for having offended Thee
and with my whole heart,
I repent of the sins I have committed.
I hate and abhor them above every other evil,
not only because, by so sinning,
I have lost heaven and deserved hell
but still more because I have offended Thee,
O infinite Goodness,
who art worthy to be loved above all things.
I most firmly resolve,
by the assistance of Thy grace,
never more to offend Thee for the time to come
and to avoid those occasions
which might lead me into sin.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 23 April – God Be in My Head

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Our Morning Offering – 23 April – Friday of the Third Week of Easter

God Be in My Head
Sarum Book of Hours, 1514

God be in my head
and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes
and in my looking.
God be in my mouth
and in my speaking.
God be in my heart
and in my thinking.
God be at my end
and at my departing.
Amen

The Sarum Rite (or Use of Sarum, also known as the Use of Salisbury) is the Latin liturgical rite developed at Salisbury Cathedral and used from the late eleventh century until the English Reformation.
It is largely identical to the Roman rite but was known for additional responses not in the Roman Rite and for its high ceremony. It also has a wealth of richly worded prayers that have influenced Christian worship ever since.
Saint Osmund (Died 1099) Bishop of Salisbury, is the Bishop who introduced the Sarum Rite – read his life here: https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-saint-osmund-died-1099/
The Cathedral’s liturgy was widely respected during the late Middle Ages and churches throughout the British Isles and parts of northwestern Europe adapted its customs for celebrations of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours.

Posted in BAPTISM, CONFESSION, CONFIRMATION, EXTREME UNCTION, HOLY COMMUNION, HOLY ORDERS, HOLY SPIRIT, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 21 April – The Dignity and Responsibility of Being a Christian

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

The Dignity and Responsibility of Being a Christian

“It is a great dignity to be a Christian.
By Baptism, we become sons of God, heirs to Heaven, temples of the Holy Spirit and members of the Mystical Body of Jesus, which is the Church.
God’s grace raises us to the supernatural order and makes us, as St Paul expresses it, sharers in the divine nature.
By the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit fortifies our faith and gives us the strength to resist the temptations of the devil and to fight like loyal soldiers, for the triumph in ourselves and in others, of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The Sacrament of Penance, is our plank of salvation in the shipwreck of sin.

Although, we are all wretched sinners, by this give of the divine mercy, we can recover our lost innocence and return to the grace and friendship of God.
Moreover, in order to prevent us from falling back into sin, Jesus give us Himself in the Blessed Eucharist, which is called, by St Thomas Aquinas, the greatest miracle of His infinite love (Opusculum 56, Officium de festo Corporis Christi, lectures 1-4).

But this is not all.
If it is our vocation for form a family, God consecrates our union at the altar and gives us the graces necessary, to sanctify it, so that it may produce a good Christian family.
If God has called us, on the other hand, to become spiritual fathers of the souls redeemed by His Precious Blood, He raises us to this high dignity, by the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Finally, when we shall have come to the end of our mortal lives, the Priest will be still by our side, to wash away, by the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, the last traces of sin and to comfort us in our passage to eternity.
The whole life of a Christian, is a chain of favours which accompany him, from the cradle to the grave.
We should be grateful to God for the goodness with which He has treated us and continues to treat us.
We should co-operate generously with His gifts by recognising the lofty honour it is, to be a Christian and by living in accordance with this dignity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, HYMNS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 April – ‘What does Jesus Christ do in the Eucharist?’

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 April – Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 7:51–8:1, Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21, John 6:30-35

“My dear souls, let us recognise, I pray you,
Christ’s infinite charity towards us
in the institution of this Sacrament of the Eucharist.
In order that our love be a spiritual love,
He wills a new heart, a new love, a new spirit for us.
It is not with a carnal heart but with a spiritual one,
that Christ has loved us with a gratuitous love,
a supreme and most ardent love,
by way of pure grace and charity.
Ah! One needs to love Him back
with one’s whole, whole, whole,
living, living, living and true, true, true heart!!”

St Lawrence of Brindisi(1559-1619)
Apostolic Doctor of the Church

“What does Jesus Christ do in the Eucharist?

It is God, who, as our Saviour, offers Himself each day for us to His Father’s justice.

If you are in difficulties and sorrows, He will comfort and relieve you.
If you are sick, He will either cure you or give you strength to suffer, so as to merit Heaven.
If the devil, the world and the flesh are making war upon you, He will give you the weapons with which to fight, to resist and to win the victory.
If you are poor, he will enrich you with all sorts of riches for time and for eternity.
Let us open the door of His Sacred and Adorable Heart and be wrapped about for an instant, by the flames of His love and we shall see, what a God who loves us, can do.
O my God, who shall be able to comprehend?”

St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Sweet Sacrament, We Thee Adore

I see upon the Altar placed
The Victim of the greatest love.
Let all the earth below adore
and join the heavenly choirs above:
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore,
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Jesus! dear Shepherd of the flock,
that crowds in love, about Thy feet,
Our voices yearn to praise Thee, Lord
and joyfully Thy presence greet:
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore,
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

O Precious Blood of Jesus,
cleanse my soul from every stain!
Most pure Heart of Jesus, purify me!
Most humble Heart of Jesus,
teach me Thy humility!
Sweet Heart of Jesus,
communicate to me Thy gentleness and patience!
Most merciful Heart of Jesus,
have mercy on me!
Most loving Heart of Jesus,
inflame my heart with love of Thee!
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus

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Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Trans St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Trans 1836

Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Art with the Father and the Son.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.

In will and deed, by heart and tongue,
With all our powers, Thy praise be sung.
And love light up our mortal frame,
Till others catch the living flame.

Almighty Father, hear our cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.

Posted in BAPTISM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 April – ‘… The grace of Him Who has called us.’

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One Minute Reflection – 13 April – Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: First: Acts 4: 32-37, Psalm: Psalms 93: 1ab, 1cd-2, 5, Gospel: John 3: 7b-15 *Readings below

“Whosoever believeth in him, may not perish but may have life everlasting.” – John 3:15

REFLECTION – “Typology points out what is to be expected, indicating through imitation, what is to happen before it happens. Adam was a type of Him who was to come (Rom 5:14); “the Rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4) typologically and, the water from the rock, was a type of the living power of the Word, for He says, “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink.” (Jn 7:37) The manna was a type of the living bread which came down from heaven (Jn 6:41) and the serpent suspended on the pole, was a type of the saving Passion accomplished on the Cross (Nb 21:8f.), since the life of everyone who looked at the serpent was preserved.

Similarly, the history of Israel’s exodus, was recorded to typify those who would be saved through Baptism. The firstborn of the Israelites were saved …) through grace given, to those who were marked with blood. The blood of the lamb is a type of the blood of Christ …

At the time of the exodus, the sea and the cloud led the people from amazement to faith but ,they also typified the grace which was yet to come. “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things” – how the baptism in the sea, which brought about Pharaoh’s demise, typifies the washing, which makes the devil’s tyranny depart. The sea killed the enemy in its waves and Baptism kills the enmity between us and God. The people emerged from the sea unharmed and we come up from the water, as alive from the dead, saved by the grace of Him Who has called us. The cloud is a shadow of the Spirit’s gifts, for He cools the flames of our passions through the mortification of our bodies.” – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Father, Doctor of the Church – Treatise on the Holy Spirit, 14

PRAYER – True Light of the World, Lord Jesus Christ, as You enlighten all men for their salvation, fill us the grace of the Holy Spirit, that our eyes may be opened and our path visible. May our hearts be filled with the certainty of Your love and grant us the grace to share Your light with all. May Your love in us overcome all things, let there be no limit to our faith, our hope and our endurance. Lead us in Your ways of peace to eternal life by Your Mother’s protecting help. Who live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.

Acts 4: 32-37
32 And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul, neither did anyone say that aught of the things which he possessed, was his own but all things were common unto them.
33 And with great power did the apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and great grace was in them all.
34 For neither was there anyone needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things they sold 35 and laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to everyone, according as he had need.
36 And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, by interpretation, The son of consolation), a Levite, a Cyprian born, 37 having land, sold it and brought the price and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

John 3: 7b-15
7 Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again.
8 The Spirit breatheth where he will and thou hearest his voice but thou knowest not whence he cometh and whither he goeth, so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said to him: How can these things be done?
10 Jesus answered and said to him: Art thou a master in Israel and knowest not these things?
11 Amen, amen I say to thee, that we speak what we know and we testify what we have seen and you receive not our testimony.
12 If I have spoken to you earthly things,and you believe not; how will you ,believe, if I shall speak to you heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish but may have life everlasting.