Thought for the Day – 7 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
7th Day – The Models for Imitation
They are before the throne of God and they serve Him, day and night in His temple. (Apoc vii:15)
Example is better than precept and, we shall often learn more from watching those, who perfectly achieve, that which we are attempting to acquire, than by any set of rules. Let us watch the Saints in Heaven in order that we may learn from them.
+1. Their continual occupation is the praise of God, the tranquil delight of basking in the Light of God. This satisfies every longing of their hearts, this fills them with perfect and unfading joy. This is the highest praise they can render to God. How can I imitate them? By a continual remembrance of God, by visiting the Blessed Sacrament, by a frequent raising of my heart to Heaven.
+2. The Saints find a constant joy too, in showing reverence to God, in falling down in prostrate homage before the throne, in recognising their dependence upon Him and their indebtedness to Him, for all their joy. This , too, I can copy by great reverence, both of body and soul; reverence before the Altar, reverence in my prayers, reverence and resignation to the Will of God in my thoughts.
+3. The Saints and Angels serve God too, by doing His bidding, whether by their homage in Heaven, or by carrying His graces and messages to men. Their joy is to do the Will of God and finish His work. I, too, in my feeble way, can serve God I can really be of service to Him by every act of love and especially, by every act of kindness to others. Pray that your life may prepare you for the company of the Saints in Heaven .
Quote/s of the Day – 7 February – St Romuald (c951-1027) Abbot
“In the Psalms there is one way. Do not abandon it. If you, who have come, with the fervour of a novice, cannot understand everything, strive to recite, with understanding of spirit and mind, now here, now there and when you begin to wander while reading, do not stop but hasten to correct yourself by concentrating.”
“Destroy yourself completely and sit, like a chick, content with the grace of God, for unless its mother gives it something, it tastes nothing and has nothing to eat.”
One Minute Reflection – 7 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – St Romuald (c951-1027) Abbot – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “Jesus said to them, ‘Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men.’” Happy transformation of fishing! Simon and Andrew are what Jesus caught fishing … These men are made similar to fish, caught by Christ, before going themselves to catch other people. “They immediately abandoned their nets and became His followers.” True faith knows no delay. As soon as they heard Him, they believed, they followed Him and they became fishers. “They immediately abandoned their nets.” I think that with those nets, they abandoned all the vices of the life of this world …
“Proceeding a little farther along, He caught sight of James, Zebedee’s son and his brother, John … He summoned them on the spot. They abandoned their father Zebedee, who was in the boat with the hired men and went off in His company.” You will tell me — faith is daring. What indication did they have, what sublime characteristic had they noted which made them follow Him, as soon as He called them? We realise that evidently something Divine came forth from Jesus’ gaze, from the expression on His Face which incited those who looked at Jesus to turn towards Him … Why am I saying all this? It is to show you that the Lord’s Word was active and, that through the least of His Words, He was working on His task: “He commanded and they were made.” (Ps 148:5) With the same simplicity, He called and they followed … “Hear, O daughter and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father’s house. So shall the king desire your beauty.” (Ps 45:11-12)
Listen well, brother and follow the path of the Apostles; listen to the Saviour’s Voice, ignore your father according to the flesh and see the true Father of your soul and your mind … The Apostles left their father, left their boat, left all their riches of that time; they abandoned the world and its countless riches; they renounced all that they owned. However, God does not consider the mass of riches but rather, the soul of the person who renounces them. Those people who left only a few things would also have renounced a large fortune, if the need had arisen.” – St Jerome (347-420) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on the Gospel of Mark).
RAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Romuald, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
6th Day – How to Attain our End
One thing I do; forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forth myself to those which are before, I press towards the mark. (Philipp iii:1,3,14)
+1. Everyone desires to succeed in life. A man who desired ultimate failure would justly be regarded as a lunatic. If I am to carry out my desire, I must look around myself and see what sort of men succeed.
+2. When I look at successful men, I find in all, three characteristics: (1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence. They know how to look at everything from its best side. Hence, I must pray for these attributes. (2) A spirit of perseverance. They are not discouraged by failures. They recover themselves without delay. What a lesson for me, not to lose heart but to say, when I fall, I will rise again and that, promptly! (3) A spirit of single-mindedness. They keep the end in view steadily before them. If I am to attain, to the End of my life, to succeed in coming to God at last, I must keep Him always before me.
+3. What can make my life as happy as this, to know that I am drawing nearer to God? Yet, there will be dark times and days of despondency. Still, down at the bottom, beneath the surface, there will be hope and peace, even amid the darkness. Pray for cheerfulness and an earnest purpose to live for God alone!
Thought for the Day – 5 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
5th Day – God the End of our Life
Seek ye, therefore. first the kingdom of God. (St Matthew vi:33)
+1. Our life is a circle – whence it first came thither, it must return. As we proceeded from God, so, we must go back to Him, if our life is to be a success. We can never find repose or lasting satisfaction in anything except God. As long as we do not tend to Him, we shall be fluctuating, inconstant, uncertain. Until we make Him the End of our life, we shall feel that we are wandering about in the dark.
+2. What do we mean by making God the End of our life? We mean that to do His pleasure shall be the motive which shall be first and foremost and, when there is a choice between God’s pleasure and our own, when the two seem to be opposed, our general disposition shall be to do God’s Will and not our own. In spite of the pain involved in giving up his own will, the man who makes God the End of his life, will deny that own will, without hesitation and so, will draw nearer to God, his last End.
+3. Every time we do this, we break down a barrier between God and ourselves; we come nearer to the enjoyment of Him, we get a bit closer to Heaven. The self-willed man is never satisfied; the man whose will is perfectly subject to God, is always happy. The Angels are always happy because they have no will but God’s. If I want to find happiness in this world, or the next, the first thing is to learn to submit my will to God. Pray God to break your self-will at any cost.
Thought for the Day – 4 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
4th Day – God our Best Friend
All are Thine , O Lord , Who lovest souls. (Wisdom xi:27)
+1. Friendship is one of the consolations of man upon earth. One faithful friend is worth a hundred acquaintances. A friend who values our friendship, for its own sake, is a treasure without price. Such a friend we have in God. He has nothing to gain from my friendship, His Infinite Happiness is not increased by it. Yet, His Infinite Goodness includes an intense desire to make me happy!
+2. When we have a faithful friend who is possessed of unlimited influence and power, we consult him in all our difficulties. God is, of all friends, the most faithful and the most powerful; He desires to be consulted by us in things small, as well as great, never tiring of our requests, more ready to hear, than we to pray! Yet, how little have I had recourse to Him hitherto! How little I have trusted Him!
+3. The best proof of a friend’s love, is a desire for our company. In this, what friend is like God? He asks us, begs us, commands us, to be always in His Presence – “Walk with God and be thou perfect .” His one object, in all His advice, is to secure our company forever in Heaven. Why am I so indifferent about His Presence, so soon weary of God? Pray that you may appreciate and relish the Divine Friendship of God.
One Minute Reflection – 4 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – St Andrew Corsini O.Carm (1302-1373) Bishop of Fiesole from 1349 until his death,Confessor, known as the “Apostle of Florence” Carmelite Friar – Ecclesiasticus Sir 44:16-27; 45:3-20; Matthew 25:14-23– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21
REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness…, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.
O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring Light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee, Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…
Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me! … I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).
PRAYER – O God, Who establishes ever new examples of virtue in Thy Church, grant that Thy people may follow the footsteps of blessed Andrew, Thy Confessor and Bishop, so that they may also obtain his reward. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 3 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
3rd Day – God our Preserver
In Him we live and move and are. (Acts xvii:28)
+1. If God had merely created us and then left us to ourselves, there would have been some excuse for our forgetting how completely we belong to Him. But, we are not like a picture which the artist finishes and then leaves to itself. God continues throughout our whole life the act of creation, in the shape of preservation. Without this, we should, at once, lapse into our previous nothingness. We depend upon Him for our being, as the rivulet depends on the spring, or the smoke on the fire.
+2. But, we not only live in Him but, we also move in Him. He co-operates with our every action. We cannot lift a hand or move a finger, unless He not only sanctions the act but actually helps us to perform it. Every breath we breathe, every pulsation of our heart, depends on God’s co-operation. How completely dependent we are on Him! How careful should we be, that our every action is one suitable to the Divine co-operation!
+3. God does more than this. He not only preserves us but tends us, with watchful care, delivers us from dangers warns us when we are going awry, shows a never-failing interest in us and an unceasing desire for our happiness. For all this, we are dependent on Him! What folly then, to neglect One to Whom we owe everything! Pray for a sense of continual dependenc and trust of God.
One Minute Reflection – 3 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Malachias 3:1-4; – Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“My eyes have seen Thy salvation …” – Luke 2:30
REFLECTION – “The “Father of lights” (Jam 1:17) is inviting the children of Light (Lk 16:18) to celebrate the Feast of Light: “Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy” says the Psalm (33:6). In fact, He Who “dwells in unapproachable light” (1Tm 6:16) has condescended to become approachable. He has come down in the cloud of His Flesh that the weak and small might mount up to Him. What a descent of mercy! “He inclined the heavens,” that is to say, the heights of His Divinity, “and came down” by becoming present in the flesh, “with dark clouds under His Feet” (Ps 17:10) …
A necessary darkness to turn us to Light! The true Light was hidden beneath the cloud of His Flesh (cf. Ex 13:21) – a dark cloud by reason of its “likeness to sinful flesh” (Rm 8:3) … Since the true Light has made flesh His hiding place, let us, who are beings of flesh, draw near to the Word made Flesh … that we may learn to pass, by degrees to the spiritual flesh. Let us now draw near, for today a new Sun is shining even more than is its wont. Up until now, he was enclosed in the narrowness of a crib in Bethlehem and was known by hardly anyone but today, at Jerusalem, he is presented in front of a great number of people in the Temple of the Lord … Today, the Sun breaks out to shine over the whole world …
If only my soul could burn with the desire which inflamed Simeon’s heart that I, too, might be worthy of becoming the bearer of so great a Light! But, unless the soul has first of all been purified from its sins, it cannot go “to meet Christ on the clouds” of true freedom (1 Thes 4:17) … Only then, will it be able to rejoice in the true Light with Simeon and, like him, to depart in peace.” – Adam of Perseigne (c1145-1221) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon 4 for the Purification).
PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 2 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
2nd Day – God our Creator
Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power because Thou hast created all things. (Apoc iv:II)
+1. Why is it that God has such an absolute and all-embracing claim to ourselves and to all which is ours? It is because we are made by Him and not only made but created. We are His, not only as the statue is the sculptor’s and the picture the painter’s but, He made, out of nothing, the very materials of which we consist! There is, therefore, nothing in us which is not God’s. Every sort of excellence, strength, virtue, talent, beauty, skill, energy, affection —all are God’s, not our own.
+2. God created everyone with certain gifts of his own which, He did not give to another and He gave him those gifts, to do a special work which God had appointed to him alone. He created me with a certain object, from all eternity He had been planning my soul and body and providing me with all that I needed – that both one and the other, might serve Him. Have I, on the whole, carried out God’s plan? Shall I be able to say, when I come to die: “I have completed the work Thou hast tasked me with?”
+3. What a serious thought this is – God had a plan for my life! He meant me to occupy a certain position in society and to have certain employments; to influence certain persons for good, to overcome certain temptations, to practice certain virtues beyond the rest, to attain a certain place in Heaven. Has my life been ordered by God’s holy inspirations? has not my own self-will too, often had a part in it? Pray that you may not fail in fulfilling God’s intentions concerning yourself and the works He requires of you!🙏
One Minute Reflection – 2 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Candlemas – Malachias 3:1-4; Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Lord, Whom you are seeking, will suddenly enter His Temple” – Malachias 3:1
REFLECTION – “Your lamps must be burning in your hands” (Lk 12:35). By this outward sign let us remind ourselves of the joy of Simeon, carrying the Light in his hands … We must be burning with love and radiant with good deeds and so, take up Christ in our hands with Simeon … Let us discuss this charming custom of the Church of bearing lights aloft on this Feast day … Could anyone hold up a lighted candle in his hands on this day, without at once remembering that old man, who on this same day, took up in his arms, Jesus, God’s Word, clothed in flesh like a candle-flame clothed in wax and affirmed Him to be “the Light which would be a beacon for the Gentiles.”Surely he was that “burning and radiant lamp” (Jn 5:35; 1,7) which bore witness to the Light. For this purpose he came in the Spirit, who had filled him, into the temple, that he might “receive, O God, your loving-kindness in the midst of your temple” (Ps 48[47]:10) and declare him to be loving-kindness indeed and the light of your own people.
Truly, O holy Simeon, in the quiet contentment of old age, you carried this Light not simply in your hands but in the very dispositions of your heart. You were like a lamp-standard, seeing so clearly how much the Gentiles would one day be lit up, while reflecting … the bright rays of our faith. Old, yet still sincere, you can now be happy, in that, you really see what once you but foresaw. Gone is the world’s gloom, “the Gentiles bask in this light of yours,” “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is 60:3; 6:3).” … Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c 1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot
PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect). Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 1 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Ist Day – God our Lord
The Lord hath made all things for Himself. (Prov xvi:4)
+I. We are all of us jealous of that which belongs to ourselves. We resent it if anyone interferes with it, or deprives us of any portion of it Yet, no-one owns anything by a title, so absolute as that by which God is the Lord and Owner of all creatures in the universe. My body and my soul are His; everything I possess is His; every action, every thought belongs to Him. He has given all these in charge to me to use for Him alone. Do I do so?
+2. God is, moreover, a God Infinite in knowledge and in power. His All-seeing Eye overlooks nothing, forgets nothing, passes nothing by. No-one shall escape who takes anything from Him and does not give Him His due. Have I not, therefore, cause to tremble when I think how often I have behaved as if I were my own master, independent of God?
+3. Yet, in the end, I must recognise God’s ownership; if I do not do so, willingly and with joyful loyalty, I shall have to do so unwillingly and in misery and pain. Everything I have taken from God and appropriated to myself will have to be given back to Him. I shall have to pay the penalty for each misuse of what was entrusted to me. How much wiser and happier to recognise Him now, in all things, as my Lord and Master! Offer yourself to God with loyal submission as your God and Lord!
Quote/s of the Day – 1 February – – St Ignatius of Antioch (c35 – c107) Martyr, Bishop of Antioch, Apostolic Father of the Church
“It is impossible for a man to be freed from the habit of sin, before he hates it, just as it is impossible to receive forgiveness, before confessing his trespasses.”
“Take heed, often, to come together, to give thanks to God and show forth His praise. For when you assemble frequently, in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed and the destruction at which he aims, is prevented, by the unity of your faith.”
“A Christian is not his own master, since all his time belongs to God.”
“I would rather die and come to Jesus Christ than be king over the entire earth. Him I seek, Who Died for us; Him I love, Who Rose again because of us.”
“Pray without ceasing on behalf of other men… For cannot he who falls rise again?”
One Minute Reflection – 1 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinitys” – St Ignatius of Antioch (c35–107) Martyr, Bishop of Antioch, Apostolic Father of the Church. – Romans 8:35-39; John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He who loves his life, loses it and he who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I Am ,there also shall My servant be.” – John 12:25-26
REFLECTION – “… We are being towed along by a world which passes away, forgetting the world to come. We are greedy for present things but do not take into account the coming judgement. We will not run to meet the Lord as He Comes …
Let us turn back, brethren, let us turn back… By the very fact of His delay, of His still waiting, our Lord proves His desire to see us come back to Him, His desire that we should not perish. In His great goodness, He continues addressing these words to us: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked but would rather he would change his ways and live ”(Ez 33,11). So let us turn back to Him, brethren, not fearing that time is running short. The time that belongs to time’s Author cannot be shortened. The proof of it lies in the criminal in the Gospel, who, at the moment of dying on the cross, got away with his pardon, grabbed hold of life and, breaking into paradise like a burglar, managed to make his way into the Kingdom (cf. Lk 23,43)!” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Excerpt from Sermon 167).
PRAYER – Be mindful of our weakness, O aAmighty God and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy Martyr and Bishop, may protect us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 30 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Feast of St Martina (Died c228) Virgin and Martyr, Patron of Rome – Sirach 51:1-8.12 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.” – Matthew 25:7
REFLECTION – “There has come a shout at midnight. What can this shout be, if not what the Apostle speaks of – ‘in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.’ For the trumpet will sound and the dead will rise up, imperishable and as for us, we shall be changed (1 Cor 15:52). Once the shout has been raised at midnight, what happens next? They all arose. What is the meaning of “They all arose?” The hour is coming, says the Lord Himself, when all who are in the tombs will hear His Voice and come forth (Jn 5:28-29).
… What is the meaning of “They did not take oil in their flasks?” In their hearts … I mean, look at these foolish virgins who did not carry oil with them; by their self-denial which earns them the name of virgins and by their good works, represented by the lamps they bring, they are intent on pleasing other people. And, if they are intent on pleasing others and that is why they do these admirable things, they are not carrying oil with them. So you, then, mind you carry it with you, carry it inside, where God can see; carry the testimony of your conscience there. … So if you refrain from unlawful things and perform good works, in order to be admired by other people, there is no oil inside you! …
Before those virgins went to sleep, it does not say that their lamps were going out. The wise ones’ lamps were burning, from the oil inside them, from the assurance of their consciences, from their inner boast, from their deepest charity. But those of the foolish ones, were also burning. Why were they burning then? Because there was no dearth of admiration from other people. But after they had risen, that is to say, in the resurrection from the dead, they began to trim their lamps that is, to prepare to give God an account of their works. And because there is no-one then expressing admiration … they were asking for what they had always been used to, that is to say, to shine with someone else’s oil, to live in dependence on others’ admiration. Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 93).
PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Thou Who choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant that we, who are celebrating the feast of blessed Martina, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may reap the benefit ofher patronal intercession with Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 29 January – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
“What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love and an ocean of patience.”
“Our greatest fault is, that we wish to serve God in our way, not in His way — according to our will, not according to His Will…. To be truly a Saint, it is necessary to be one according to the Will of God.”
“Do everything calmly and peacefully. Do as much as you can, as well as you can. Strive to see God in all things without exception and consent to His Will joyously. Do everything for God, uniting yourself to Him in word and deed. Walk very simply with the Cross of the Lord and be at peace with yourself.”
“If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal and mere artificial show!”
“How faithful in humility was the great Saint we are celebrating! That cannot be said in all its perfection, for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived, all the days of his life – a poverty and lowliness beneath which. he kept hidden and concealed, his great virtues and dignity! … Truly, I am free of doubt that the Angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest Child in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment, so as to feed the little Boy and the Mother entrusted to him.”
“We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.”
O Glorious St Francis Prayer to St Francis de Sales
O Glorious St Francis, model of the interior life and full of zeal for the salvation of souls! Obtain for me the grace to employ all my faculties, not for my own sanctification alone but for that of my neighbour too that continually spreading abroad, the sweet odour of Jesus Christ, by my words and works, I may attain, with thee, the blessedness promised to the merciful: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” and that I may one day have a share in the glory which thou dost enjoy in Paradise with the Angels and Saints, where those who edify and instruct to justice, shall shine as stars for all eternity (Dan 12:3). Amen
One Minute Reflection – 28 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Peter Nolasco OdeM (c 1182–c1256) Confessor, Founder – 1 Corinthians 4:9-14; Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Sell what you possess and give alms. Make for yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure unfailing in Heaven, where neither thief draws near, nor moth destroys.” – Luke 12:33
REFLECTION – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 5:3) … Of this generous poverty, the Apostles first, after the Lord, have given us example. Unhesitatingly leaving all they had, at the Voice of the Heavenly Master, they were joyfully converted and abandoned the catching of fish, to become fishers of men (Mt 4:18). Among the latter, many became like themselves, by imitating their faith; for with those first children of the Church, “the community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). Stripped of all their possessions, they were enriched with eternal goods, thanks to holy poverty. Welcoming the Apostles’ preaching, they rejoiced to have nothing in this world and yet, possess all things in Christ. (2 Cor 6:10).
Hence, the blessed Apostle Peter, when he was going up to the temple and was asked for alms by a lame man, said, “I have neither silver nor gold but what I do have I give you; in the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk” (Acts 3:6)… Peter healed him with a word and he, who did not have a coin with Cæsar’s image upon it, restored upon the man, the Image of Christ. And by the riches of this treasure, not only was that one person aided, whose power of walking was restored but too, the five thousand men who then believed the Apostle’s preaching because of this miracle (Acts 4:4). And Peter, that poor man, who did not have anything to give him, who asked for alms, bestowed so great a gift of Divine Grace that, not content with setting one man upright on his feet, he healed, those many thousands of believers in their hearts, by giving them faith.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 95 2-3).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who, as an example of Thy love, divinely taught St Peter to enrich Thy Church with new offspring, a family of Religious devoted to the ransom of the faithful, grant by his intercession that we may be released from the slavery of sin and rejoice in lasting freedom in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 27 January – Meditations on the Hidden Life: From the 1906 Edition of The Heart of Jesus of Nazareth; it has the Imprimatur of Bishop John Baptist Butt, Diocese of Southwark, England, 5 February 1890. Author’s name known simply as Author of “The Voice of the Sacred Heart.” (We return to Fr Clarke for February with his Meditations on The Great Truths.)
Meditation 4, Part Two – Of the Presence of God Considered in the Hidden Life
Let us now consider the fruits of constant attention to the Divine Presence which are first produced in the heart and from thence, reflected throughout the whole life.
The Soul of Jesus looked ever upon the Father’s Face and, as He looked, the flames of love rose ever higher within His Sacred Heart. This is the testimony which He gives of Himself: “He Who sent Me, is with Me and He hath not left Me alone; for I do always, the things which please Him.” (John 8:29)
If a servant, from the motive of fear, performs with care and attention those things which please his master, when he is conscious of that master’s presence, how much more will the faithful soul, do this from a motive of love in the Presence of our Father in Heaven. Such will be the first result of this holy exercise. The more habitually it is practiced, the more constant too, will be the practice of virtue, since the soul’s first desire will be ,to “do always the things which please” the Divine object of its love, of Whose Presence, it is so conscious.
It must be remarked, however, the actions which flow from this holy recollection in God, have, in them, nothing forced, nothing constrained. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) The heart and mind are really where their treasure is, that is, in God and in those things which refer to His honour and glory and, this is true recollection, widely different from that studied and simply external modesty which is often exaggerated, maintained with effort and which is perhaps, sometimes assumed, through spiritual vanity.
When the interior eye has been really attracted by the Divine Beauty, exterior objects lose their charm and are held in regard, only as far as duty and charity demand. When the inward ear habitually listens to the Divine Whisper, silence is then a joy and no longer a constraint. Habitual reverence will manifest itself in the whole exterior – a gentle, spontaneous and unconscious reverence flowing from the union of the soul with God and from the tranquil happiness which it experiences in the Presence of its Treasure.
Let us, then, beg a lively faith in the Divine Presence and the grace to acquire the sanctifying habit of walking constantly within It, so that, with truth, we may say to God: “I am always with Thee.” Then will virtues flourish in our souls, beneath that genial influence, like flowers beneath the sun. Thus shall we grow in likeness to Jesus and make advance in our union with His Sacred Heart.
Quote/s of the Day – 27 January – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church “Golden Mouthed.”
“Do you possess a pearl? Then you know your wealth, it is clenched in the palm of your hand, no-one is aware of your fortune. So it is with the Gospel, if you embrace it with faith, if it remains enclosed in your heart, what a treasure you have You alone know it is there. Unbelievers, who know neither what it is, nor what value it has, have no idea of your incredible wealth!”
“As water is required to keep plants from withering, so also, prayer is necessary to save us from destruction.”
“Without prayer it is impossible to lead a good life; for no-one can practice virtue unless he humbly implores God for it, Who alone can give him the necessary strength. Who ceases to love and practice prayer, no longer processes the gifts of the Holy Ghost. But he who perseveres in the service of God and deems it an irreparable loss to be not in constant prayer, possesses every virtue and is a friend of God.”
“Indeed Andrew’s eagerness, his zeal in wanting to immediately spread such a good news, supposes a soul who was longing to see the accomplishment of the many prophecies concerning Christ. It is a mark of brotherly kindness, of loving kinship, of genuine goodwill, to hasten to stretch out a helping hand to one another in spiritual matters. … “We have found the Messiah” he says – not any messiah but “The Messiah,” the One Christ they were awaiting.”
“We too, then, when we suffer anything for Christ’s sake, should do so, not simply with courage but even with joy. If we have to go hungry, let us be glad, as if we were at a banquet. If we are insulted, let us be elated, as though we had been showered with praises. If we lose all we possess, let us consider ourselves the gainers of all. If we provide for the poor, let us regard ourselves as the recipients! … Above all, remember, that your struggles, are for the sake of the Lord Jesus. Then, you will easily rise above them and live out your lifetime in happiness; for nothing brings more happiness than a good conscience.”
“Are we going to neglect our own salvation? Let us show great compassion towards the poor so as to be made worthy of possessing good things to come for all eternity!”
O Lord and Lover of Men By St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Lord and Lover of men, make shine in our hearts the pure Light of Thy Divine Knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy Gospel teaching. Instill in us the fear of Thy Blessed Commandments that trampling upon all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual life, willing and doing all that is Thy Good Pleasure. For Thou art the Light of our souls and of our bodies, Christ O God and we give glory to Thee together with Thine Eternal Father and Thine All-holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever, world without end. Amen
Thought for the Day – 26 January – Meditations on the Hidden Life: From the 1906 Edition of The Heart of Jesus of Nazareth; it has the Imprimatur of Bishop John Baptist Butt, Diocese of Southwark, England, 5 February 1890. Author’s name known simply as Author of “The Voice of the Sacred Heart.” (We return to Fr Clarke for February with his Meditations on The Great Truths.)
Meditation 4, Part One – Of the Presence of God Considered in the Hidden Life
If there is one exercise which conduces more efficaciously than another, to our sanctification, it is assuredly that of the Presence of God. If one means be more conducive than another, to attain that holy exercise, it would seem to be, a true and solid devotion, to the Heart of Jesus. His most holy Soul, being united to the Word, never lost the view of the Beatific Vision, although, the beatitude and the joy of that Vision, were by a miracle, withheld from overflowing into the lower functions of His Soul, in order that He might be able to suffer, in His Humanity.
The nearest resemblance to our Lord which some of the Saints have attained, in this respect, may be found in such transient glimpses of the Divine Beauty, as we find revealed in their lives. With those extraordinary ways, by which God sometimes vouchsafes to visit a few favoured souls, we have nothing to do at present. When we speak, therefore, in this meditation, of the habitual Presence of God, we refer but to that union of the soul, with Him, which was ordinary in the Saints and which may be attained – in more or less degree – by faithful correspondence with grace.
Our facility in maintaining the Divine Presence, will be measured, by the extent of our knowledge of God, since, in proportion to our knowledge of Him, will be our love and, it is love which keeps us in the recollection of His Presence and that impels us, to think of Him and of all which relates to Him. This the Heart of Jesus teaches us. His Soul saw God. It knew Him with a knowledge which no other soul but His, could have supported. His love equalled His knowledge and it was in the mysterious light of such knowledge and such love, that He walked on earth – never alone, even in the midst of the most cruel abandonment on the part of creatures, (John 16:32) – and, He was never forsaken, even when given up to the pangs of supreme agony and dereliction.
That which proved, the consolation of the human Heart of Jesus and, after Him, of all His Saints, maybe the same in the case of each one of us! Let us but apply ourselves to know God’s Beauty and to hear His Voice and our hearts will quickly learn to turn towards Him, to seek His Face and delight in His Presence. The consciousness of that Presence will then become an abiding source of tranquil devotion and of peace of heart, if not of sensible joy. It will greet us, at our first awakening, with encouragement to commence another day of trial; it will follow us amidst our occupations, console us in our sorrows, support us in our temptations, until we shall sink to rest, when the day is over, in the bosom of that Father Whom we have felt so near to us and Whose Presence will be our last thought, lulling us to sleep in the calm consciousness of His protection.
As the appreciation of the excellence of this holy exercise increases, the soul finds more facility and more charm in occupying itself with God and becomes, by degrees, more familiar with the thought of Him. It will love to recall the Gospel narratives of the Life of our Blessed Lord. It will, in time, learn to feel at home, as it were, amongst them and thus ,it will be enabled, to make for itself a solitude, a hidden life apart from the material life which externally surrounds it. This habit the Sacred Scripture calls “walking with God” for by it we make Him our Companion here below.
It is of this habitual dwelling in the Divine Presence that Jesus affords us, so perfect a model in the Holy House of Nazareth.
One Minute Reflection – 26 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Polycarp (69-155) Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor), Apostolic Father – Romans 12:16-21; Matthew 8:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Lord, I am not worthy … ”- Matthew 8:8
REFLECTION – “When He came here from another country, Christ found nothing here but what there is in abundance – afflictions, sorrows and death. This is what you have here – this is what there is here in abundance. He has eaten with you that which is to be found in abundance, in the poor house of your misfortune. He has drunk vinegar, He has tasted gall (Jn 19:29) – this is what He has found in your poor house.
Yet, He has invited you to His splendid table, His table in Heaven, to the table of Angels, where He Himself is the bread (Jn 6:35). Coming down to be with you and finding misfortune in your poor house, He was not too proud to be seated at your table, such as it was and promised you His own … He has taken away your misfortune; He will give you His own happiness. Yes indeed, He will give it you, He has promised us His Life!
And what He has accomplished is yet more unbelievable – He has given us His own Death in pledge. As if He were to say to us – “I am inviting you into My Life, to the place where none dies, where true happiness is to be found, where the food never stales, where it revives, where it never lacks but satisfies all. See, this is where I Am inviting you – to the Land of Angels, to friendship with the Father and Holy Ghost, to the meal of eternity, to My brotherly friendship. In sum, I invite you to Myself, to My Qwn Life. Are you unwilling to believe that I will give you My Life? Take My Death as your witness!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 231).
PRAYER – O God, Who gave us joy by the annual solemnity of blessed Polycarp, Thy Martyr and Bishop, mercifully grant that we may rejoice in his protection, whose birthday we celebrate. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 25 January – – Meditations on the Hidden Life: From the 1906 Edition of The Heart of Jesus of Nazareth; it has the Imprimatur of Bishop John Baptist Butt, Diocese of Southwark, England, 5 February 1890. Author’s name known simply as Author of “The Voice of the Sacred Heart.” (We return to Fr Clarke for February with his Meditations on The Great Truths.)
Meditation 3 – The Utility and Consolation Which the Hidden Life of Jesus Christ Affords Us
Notwithstanding the magnitude of the external Work for which our Lord came down upon earth, He led the life of a recluse, up to three short years before He closed His mortal career, exercising the lowly trade of a carpenter in the obscurity of Nazareth. Let us linger longer on this reflection, pregnant with matter for years of meditation and with usefulness and consolation for ourselves.
It discloses to us, in the first place, that no state of life no occupation – no deprivation of those things which the world esteems great and which, the natural man highly values, need form an obstacle to our co-operation with the Divine Mission of Jesus Christ on earth. Had He spent the whole, or the greater part of His Life, in working miracles, in preaching, in bearing testimony to His Divinity, in various ways, during the short time of His Public Ministry, we might indeed have hesitated to associate ourselves with a Work, so far beyond and above us. Had He placed before us but the example of the terrible sufferings of His Passion, we might justly have persuaded ourselves that our frailty could not attain to the imitation of so exalted a model. But, it is Jesus of Nazareth who invites us to contemplate Him, during the long years of His Hidden Life and, to learn of Him the lessons He will so gently teach us. He asks us but to clothe ourselves with His Spirit, to form our hearts on His, in order to enable us to participate in His Mission, whatever may be our state of life.
It is not simply the exterior Life of our Blessed Lord that we are about to consider. It is, above all, the life of His Sacred Heart in the solitude of Nazareth which forms the chief matter for our meditation and, in this lies abundant consolation and instruction.
Our state of life maybe one with which the Actions we behold Jesus performing in Joseph’s workshop, are not compatible but are, for that reason, precluded from the imitation of His virtues, from appropriating to ourselves, the spirit which animated His Sacred Heart, from adopting as our own, the intentions for which He lived and laboured? Not so. The Heart of Jesus was the same in every phase of His Life and, the object of that Heart’s devotedness never changed. Whether He planed wood at Nazareth, or wrought miracles in Judea, the glory of His Father and the salvation of the world, were the One Aim ever kept in view. What an immense source of consolation for countless hearts, would this thought be, if only they could be made to grasp it: “I, too, can live and act for the same great end, regardless of the sphere of life in which Providence has placed me and of the exterior actions which my state of life requires of me.”
We know, it is the spirit which animates our works which renders them precious in the Sight of God, or otherwise. He asks not from us those which are beyond our reach. He does not desire any which would oblige us to do violence to the circumstances with which He has Himself surrounded us. He would fain possess our hearts, He yearns to be the Final End of all their aspirations, of all their intentions, so that His interests may be the main-spring of all our outward acts. This He seeks throughout the world, amongst rich and poor, learned and ignorant, secular and religious alike and the souls, in whom He finds the closest union of sentiment with the Heart of the Great Solitary of Nazareth, will be found best disposed for receiving His choicest benedictions! And they will not deem it the least of these benedictions that they are enabled to sanctify the duties of their state, whatever it may be?
Yes, dear lovers of the Heart of Jesus, many of whom are perhaps weighed down with the fear that you have it not within your power to do anything great for God, go to Nazareth and learn of the Heart of Jesus, how to render your lives holy, not only with a view to your own sanctification but also, to their fruitfulness, for God’s glory. Your actions, even the most indifferent in themselves, will thus become ennobled, made almost Divine because,, by reason of your union with the Heart of Jesus, the sap of true spiritual life, will be infused into the spirit which animates them.
All praise, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of Jesus! (Indulgence 50 Days. Once a day, Pope Leo XIII. 14 June 1901).
One Minute Reflection – 25 January – The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle – Acts 9:1-22, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He fell to the ground and heard a Voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” – Acts 9:4.
REFLECTION – “From Heaven’s height Christ’s Voice overturned Saul. He received a command to carry out his persecutions no more and fell face downwards to the ground. He had first to be knocked down and afterwards raised up – first struck, then healed. For Christ would never have come to live in him, if Saul had not died to his former life of sin. Cast down to the earth in this way, what was it he heard? “Saul, Saul, why are thou persecuting Me? It is hard for thou to kick against the goad” (Acts 9:4-5). And he replied: “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Voice from on high continued: “I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom thou art persecuting.” The members are still on the ground, while the Head cries out, from the heights of Heaven. He is not saying: “Why art thou persecuting My servants?” but “Why art thou persecuting Me!?”
And Paul, who had put all his energy into his persecutions, is already preparing to obey: “What do Thou want me to do?” The persecutor is already transformed into the preacher, the wolf has become a sheep, the enemy, a defender. Paul learns what he is to do – if he has become blind, if this world’s light is held back from him for a while, it is so as to make the light within shine in his heart. Light is taken away from the persecutor, so that it may be given to the preacher; at the very moment he no longer saw anything of this world, he saw Jesus! This symbolises the believer – those who believe in Christ, must fix the eyes of their soul on Him, without paying attention to outward things…
So Saul was led to Ananias – the ravaging wolf is led to the sheep. But the Shepherd, Who guides everything from Heaven above, reassures him… “Do not fear, I will show him what he will have to suffer, for My Name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). What wonder is this! The wolf is led, a captive, to the sheep… The Lamb who died for the sheep, teaches it not to be afraid any more!” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church (Sermon 279).
PRAYER – O God, Who taught the whole world by the preaching of Thy blessed Apostle Paul, grant, we beseech Thee that we, who today celebrate his conversion, may draw closer to Thee, by way of hia example.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 24 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Timothy (1st Century) Disciple of St Paul, Bishop and Martyr – 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 14:26-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“So likewise, everyone of you, who does not renounce all he possesses, cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14:33
REFLECTION – “When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be His follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think He is imposing a burden on us. But an order is no burden when it is given by One Who helps in carrying it out.
To what place are we to follow Christ, if not where He has already gone? We know that He has Risen and Ascended into Heaven, there, then, we must follow Him. There is no cause for despair — by ourselves we can do nothing but we have Christ’s promise. Heaven was beyond our reach before our Head ascended there (Col 1:18) but now, if we are His Members, why should we despair of arriving there ourselves? Is there any reason? True, many fears and afflictions confront us in this world but if we follow Christ, we shall reach a place of perfect happiness, perfect peace and everlasting freedom from fear.
Yet, let me warn anyone bent on following Christ, to listen to Saint John the Apostle: “One who claims to abide in Christ, ought to walk as He walked” (1 Jn 2:6). Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as He was humble; do not scorn His lowliness if you want to reach His exaltation!” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father of the Church (Sermon 159 1:4-6).
PRAYER – Be mindful of our weakness, Almighty God and because the burden of our sins weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of blessed Timothy, Your Martyr and Bishop, sustain us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 23 January – St Raymond of Peñafort OP (1175-1275) Confessor, “Father of Canon Law” Dominican Priest, Co-Founder of the Mercedarian Friars with St Peter Nolasco, Miracle-Worker. – Patronages – Lawyers, Canonists, Medical Record Librarians, Barcelona, Spain, Navarre, Spain.
“This is that enviable and blessed Cross of Christ . . . the Cross in which alone, we must make our boast, as Paul, God’s chosen instrument, has told us.”
“May the God of love and peace, set your hearts at rest and speed you on your journey, may He meanwhile, shelter you from disturbance by others, in the hidden recesses of His Love, until He brings you, at last, into that place of complete plenitude, where you will repose forever, in the vision of peace, in the security of trust and in the restful enjoyment of His riches.”
One Minute Reflection – 23 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275) – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to Him at once, when He Comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36
REFLECTION – “God is the Supreme Being, therefore, direct the thoughts of your mind to Him and do not think of anything else, except to watch for His Coming. Let the soul gather together its thoughts, dispersed by sin, as though it were gathering together children romping about! Let it take them back to the house of its body and there, wait for the Lord, at all times with fasting and love, until He Comes and gathers them up in truth…
If our hearts are not swollen with pride and, if we do not send our thoughts out to feed in the pastures on the mad weeds of sin and if, to the contrary, we lift up our minds and lead our thoughts into the Lord’s Presence with fervent wills, then, in His good Will, the Lord shall certainly Come to us and truly unite us to Himself …
So make haste to please the Lord, wait for Him in your heart without ceasing, seek Him in your thoughts, stir up your will and your love, to reach out towards Him at every moment!Then you will see how He Comes to you and makes His home within you.” – St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390) (Attrib) Monk, Father (Sermon 31).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who chose blessed Raymond to be a renowned minister of the Sacrament of Penance and miraculously brought him through the waves of the sea, grant that, by his intercession, we may produce good results from our penance and reach the Heaven of eternal salvation Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 23 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”
Lord, Kindle our Lamps By St Columban (543-615)
Lord, kindle our lamps, Saviour most dear to us, that we may always shine in Thy Presence and always receive Light from Thee, the Light Perpetual, so that our own personal darkness, may be overcome and the darkness of the word driven from us. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 22 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Vincent of Saragossa (Died 304) Protomartyr of Spain and St Anastasius the Persian (Died 628) Martyr – Wisdom 3:1-8; Luke 21:9-19
“And you shall be hated by all men, for My Name’s sake. But, not a hair of your head shall perish.”
Luke 21:17-18
“Pray in the spirit and sentiment of love, in which the royal Prophet said to Him, ‘Thou, O Lord, art my portion.’ Let others choose to themselves, portions among creatures, for my part, Thou art my portion, Thou alone I have chosen for my whole inheritance.”
St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c605) “The Apostle to the English”
“O strong love of God! I really think, nothing seems impossible, to one who loves. O happy soul which has obtained this peace, from its God! ”
St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite Reformer
“You must choose – is it better that there should be thorns in your garden, in order to have roses, or that there should be no roses in your garden, in order to have no thorns?”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”
Our Morning Offering – 22 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”
Prayer in Praise of God By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)
Thou art Holy, Lord, the only God and Thine Deeds art wonderful. Thou art Strong. Thou art Great. Thou art the Most High. Thou art Almighty. Thou, Holy Father art King of Heaven and earth. Thou art Three and One, Lord God, all Good. Thou art Good, all Good, Supreme Good, Lord God, Living and True. Thou art Love. Thou art Wisdom. Thou art Humility. Thou art Endurance. Thou art Rest. Thou art Peace. Thou art Joy and Gladness. Thou art Justice and Moderation. Thou art all our Riches and Thou art Suffice for us. Thou art Beauty. Thou art Gentleness. Thou art our Protector. Thou art our Guardian and Defender. Thou art our Courage. Thou art our Haven and our Hope. Thou art our Faith, our great Consolation. Thou art our Eternal Life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr –
“And He said to them: Why are you troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” Luke 24:38
“Christ is truly the Word, the Only-begotten Son equal to the Father, united to a truly human soul and a real body, clean of all sin. This is the Body which died, the Body which rose again, this Body was fastened to the Cross, this Body laid in the tomb, this Body is seated in the Heavens. Our Lord wished to persuade His disciples that what they were seeing was truly bone and flesh… Why did He want to convince me of this truth? Because He knew, just how much it was to my own good, to have faith in it and how much I had to lose, if I did not. You too, then, have faith – it is He, the Bridegroom!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him!” Matthew 25:6
“He worked and struggled as our Champion against our enemies, broke open the bars of our prison, won the struggle, vanquished our death through His Own, redeemed us through His Blood, freed us through His water in Baptism and made us rich, through His Sacraments and His gifts, so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6), we might “go out” with all virtues to, “meet Him” in the palace of His glory and enjoy Him forever in eternity.”
Bl Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)
(The Spiritual Espousals, Prologue)
“Come, O come, for without Thee, there will be no happy day, or hour because Thou art my happiness and without Thee, my table is empty. I am wretched, as it were, imprisoned and weighted down with fetters, until Thou fills me with the Light of Thy Presence, restore me to liberty and show me a friendly Countenance.”
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