Quote/s of the Day – 22 October – Feria –Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew 22:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I shall reflect the image of God in that I feed on love; grow certain on faith and hope; strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience; grow tranquil by humility; grow beautiful by chastity; am sober by abstention; am made happy by tranquillity and am ready for death, by practising hospitality.”
ACW – Ancient Christian Writer Incomplete Work on Matthew
(Homily 40)
“The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped upon creatures, in order that the world may recognise the Word, Who was its Maker and, through the Word, come to know the Father. ”
St Athanasius (297-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“The whole Trinity has marked mankind with Its likeness. With the memory, it resembles the Father; with the understanding, it resembles the Son; by love, it resembles the Holy Ghost … ”
St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 22 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feria –Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew 22:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” – Matthew 22:20
REFLECTION – “Oh man! why do you despise yourself so, seeing you are so precious to God? And why do you demean yourself in this way, when God honours you by Christ’s birth in our flesh!? Why search out how you were made and not enquire what you were made for? Was not this whole dwelling, this world you see, made for you? For your sake light spreads abroad and causes darkness to fade; for your sake night is ruled and day measured; for you Heaven shines with the varied splendours of sun and moon and stars; for you the earth is spangled with flowers, trees and fruits; for you this amazing mass of animal life, in the air, the fields, the loveliness of water, was created, so that no dismal solitude should spoil the new world’s joy. …
Besides this, the Creator seeks out what else He can add to your dignity – He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27) so that your visible image, might make present, upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you, He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that, as vast a domain as this, should not be lacking a representative from the Lord. … And what God accomplished in you by His power, He graciously assumed into Himself – He wanted to be truly manifested in the man in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image. He enabled us to become, in reality, what had only been a mere likeness before. … And so, Christ is born, to restore all its integrity, to fallen nature! ” – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Sermon 148, On the Mystery of the Incarnation).
PRAYER – Grant us, Thou servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and, by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness. 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 – 21 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” –Saint Ursula and Companions (Died c238) Virgin Martyrs –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 – “WE MUST POSSESS a continual and imperturbable equanimity, amid the great variety of human occurrences and although, all things change around us, remain immovable, with our eyes fixed on God alone. And, although, all things, I will not merely say around us but even within us, should turn topsy-turvy; whether our souls be joyful or sorrowful, in peace or in trouble, in light or in darkness, in temptation or in repose, in happiness or in disgust, although the sun scorch, or the dew refresh – we should always keep our will fixed on the good pleasure of God, as its sole and supreme object.
It is true that we require great confidence to abandon ourselves, without any reserve, to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all. But, if we reserve anything which we are unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us, as if He would say: “You think yourselves sufficiently wise to manage that affair without Me – you can do so and see what will come of it!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis( Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God that we may never cease devoutly, to venerate the triumphs of Thy holy Virgins and Martyrs, Ursula and her companions that, as we cannot worthily shew forth their praises, yet we may continually honour them, with lowly service. 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 – 20 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St John Cantius (1390-1473) Confessor – Philippians 1:6-11; Matthew 22:15-21 – – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Whose image and inscription is this? ” – Matthew 22:20
REFLECTION – “Moses wrote in the Law: “God created man in His image and likeness” (Gn 1:26). I would ask you to reflect on the importance of this saying. God, Who is almighty, invisible, incomprehensible and without compare, when he fashioned man of clay, ennobled him by the image of His Own greatness. What is there in common between man and God, between clay and spirit? For “God is spirit” (Jn 4:24). Therefore, it represents a great sign of His esteem for man that God should have rewarded him with the image of His eternity and the likeness of His Own life. The greatness of man lies in his likeness to God, as long as he preserves it …
As long as a soul makes good use of the virtues sown into it, it remains like God. All the virtues God placed in us at our creation He has taught us to repay to Himself. In the first place, He requires us to love Him with all our heart (Dt 6:5) since, from the beginning, even before we existed, “He loved us first” (1Jn 4:10). To love God, then, is to restore His image within us. Now, he loves God who keeps His commandments…
Therefore, it is for us to reflect to our God, to our Father, the unsullied image of His Own holiness, since He is holy and has said: “Be holy as I Am Holy” (Lv 11:45) with love, since He is Love and John has said: “God is Love” (1Jn 4:8); with kindness and in truth, since God is good and true. Let us not become depictors of a false image … And lest we insinuate the image of pride within ourselves, let us allow Christ to paint His image within us.” – St Columban (543-615) Monk, Founder of monasteries, Father of the Church (Instruction 11, 1-4).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that by following the example of blessed John, Thy Confessor, we may advance in a knowledge of holiness and, by showing pity for others, obtain Thou forgiveness through his merits. 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 – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Virgin
The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary or those Devoted to His Sacred Heart:
I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
I will establish peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
From Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque’s Vision of Jesus
“What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He caresses us and to be cold, immediately He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart.”
“Go courageously to God, along the way He has traced for you, steadfastly embracing the means He offers you.”
“Cling to God and leave all the rest to Him, He will not let you perish. Your soul is very dear to Him, He wishes to save it.”
Be My Strength, O Sacred Heart! By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary of the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I fly to Thee, I unite myself to Thee, I enclose myself in Thee! Receive my call for help, O my Saviour, as a sign of my horror, of all within me contrary to Thy holy love. Let me die rather a thousand times, than consent to sin against Thee! Be my strength, O God – defend me, protect me. I am Thine and desire forever to be Thine! Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 16 October – St Gerard Majella CSsR (1726-1755) Religious Lay Brother of the Redemptorists
“The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible.”
“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”
“Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect, how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it then, to lean upon that which cannot give support?”
One Minute Reflection – 16 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St Hedwig of Andechs (1174-1243) Widow – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44
REFLECTION – “In my opinion, it would be unworthy of us to withdraw, even for a moment, from the contemplation of Christ. When we have lost sight of Him, even briefly, let us turn our mind’s regard back to Him, directing the eyes of our heart, as by a very straight line. For everything lies in the soul’s inner sanctuary. There, after the devil has been expelled and the vices no longer reign at all, the Kingdom of God can be established in us, as the Evangelist says: “For amen I say to you that the Kingdom of God is within you.”
But within us there can be nothing else than knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the love, of either the vices, or the virtues, by which we make ready a Kingdom in our hearts, either for the devil or for Christ.
The Apostle Paul also describes the characteristics of this Kingdom when he says: “For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Thus, if the Kingdom of God is within us and the Kingdom of God is itself, righteousness and peace and joy, then, whoever abides in these things, is undoubtedly in the Kingdom of God … Let us lift up the eyes of our soul to that Kingdom which is endless joy!” – St John Cassian (c360-435) Monk, Theologian, Founder of Monasteries, Father of the Church, Disciple of St John Chrysostom (Conferences No 1).
PRAYER – O God, Who taught blessed Hedwig to forsake worldly vanities that she might, humbly follow Thy Cross, with her whole heart, grant through her merits and example, we may learn to renounce the perishable delights of the world and, by embracing Thy Cross, overcome all things opposed to our 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).
One Minute Reflection – 15 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“ … The Bridegroom came and they, who were ready, went in with Him … ” – Matthew 25:10
REFLECTION – “In this world, which is to say, in the Church, wholly following Christ, He says to all of us: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself.” This command is not being directed to virgins but not married women, to widows but not wives, to Monks but not husbands, to Priests but not laity. It is the whole Church, the whole Body of Christ with all its members, differentiated and divided according to their proper functions which is, to follow Christ. May she wholly follow Him, she who is one alone, the dove, the bride (Sg 6:9); may she follow Him, she who has been redeemed and endowed with the Blood of her Bridegroom. Virginal purity has its place here; the continence of widows has its place here; wedded chastity has its place here…
These members who have their place here should follow Christ, each according to their category, each according to their status, each after its fashion. Let them deny themselves, that is to say, let them not rely on themselves. Let them carry their cross that is to say, bear, for Christ’s sake in the world, all that the world inflicts on them. May they love Him, He, the Only One, Who never deceives or is deceived, the Only One ,Who is not mistaken. May they love Him because, what He promises is true. Yet because, He does not give it to us now, our faith falters. Keep going, persevere, bear and accept this delay and you have carried His Cross!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 96:9)
PRAYER – Graciously hear us, O God, our Saviour that as we rejoice on the feast-day of blessed Teresa, Thy Virgin, we may be so nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching, as to learn how to serve Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church, Priest, Monk, Translator of the Scriptures into Latin (the Vulgate), Theologian, Historian, Hermit, Mystic.
“The Scriptures are shallow enough, for a babe to come and drink, without fear of drowning and deep enough, for theologians to swim in, without ever reaching the bottom.”
“A friend is long sought, hardly found, and with difficulty kept.”
“Sweet it is to lay aside the weight of the body and to soar into the pure bright ether. Do you dread poverty? Christ calls the poor blessed. (Luke 6:20) Does toil frighten you? No athlete is crowned but in the sweat of his brow. Are you anxious as regards food? Faith fears no famine. Do you dread the bare ground for limbs wasted with fasting? The Lord lies there beside you. Do you recoil from an unwashed head and uncombed hair? Christ is your true head. Does the boundless solitude of the desert terrify you? In the spirit, you may walk always, in paradise. Do but turn your thoughts there and you will be no more in the desert.”
“Everyday we are changing, everyday we are dying, and yet, we fancy ourselves eternal!”
Merciful Jesus! Stretch Forth Thy Hand of Mercy (Excerpt – Prayer in a Time of Anguish) By St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor of the Church
Merciful Jesus! Thou art my strength, my refuge and my deliverer; in Thee I have believed and hoped; in Thee have I loved. Call me now, I beseech Thee and I will answer. Stretch forth Thy Hand of mercy, to the work of Thy Hands and let me not perish, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood. It is now time for dust to return to dust and my spirit to Thee Who gavest it. Open then, Lord, the Gate of Life and receive me. Receive me most merciful Lord, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, Who receivedst the thief on the cross and now prepare my soul for hearing the same promise of mercy which he did. I am ill, O Lord and Thee my Physician. Heal me then, my God and I shall be healed, let me not be confounded, for I put my trust in Thee. In Thee have I hoped – let me not be cast off forever! … Deal not with me, according to what I deserve, nor chastise me, according to my iniquities but help me, O God, my Saviour and for the glory of Thy Name deliver me. Now, at this hour, show mercy to me and whenever I depart, receive me into the number of Thy family that I, may be one of those, who are to praise Thee forever. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286 ) Martyrs – Wisdom 5:16-20; Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be glad in that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,”
Luke 6:23
“The great wealth of Christians is found in the needs of the poor, provided we grasp how to put our possessions to good use. The poor are always before us; if we entrust our wealth to them, we shall not lose it.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! ”
“One day, I started thinking about what the last office can be in the world. And, I discovered that the last place, is at the feet of the traitor, Judas. And I wanted to place myself there but I could not because there, I found Jesus Christ kneeling, washing Judas’ feet! Since then, my appreciation for and understanding of humility, has grown.”
One Minute Reflection – 27 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286 ) Martyrs – Wisdpm 5:16-20; Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be glad in that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,” – Luke 6:23
REFLECTION – “Only Christians have a true sense of values; their joys and sorrows are not the same as other people’s. The sight of a wounded comatant wearing a victory crown would make someone, ignorant of the games, think only of the fighter’s wounds and how painful they must be. Such a person would know nothing of the happiness the crown gives. And, it is the same when people see the things we suffer, without knowing why we do so. It naturally seems to them to be suffering pure and simple. They see us struggling and facing danger but, beyond their vision, are the rewards, the crowns of victory — all we hope to gain, through the contest! As Paul said: “We possess nothing and yet, we have everything!” (2 Cor 6:10)…
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.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermon on Second Corinthians, 12: 4).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thou, almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of Thy holy Martyrs, Cosmas and Damian, may by their intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through 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 – 26 September – St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr, Missionary and Companions
“How I grieve, my God, that Thou are not known, that this savage country is not yet wholly converted to faith in Thee, that sin is not yet blotted out!”
St Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649) Martyr
“Can we think, the life of man, better employed than in this good work? What do I say? Would not all the labours of a thousand men, be well rewarded, in the conversion of a single soul gained to Jesus Christ? I have always felt a great love for this kind of life and for a profession so excellent and so akin to that of the Apostles.”
One Minute Reflection – 26 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr, Missionary and Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38; Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do. … be afraid of him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell. ” – Luke 12:4-5
REFLECTION – “The Gospel is life. Impiety and infidelity are the death of the soul. So then, if the soul can die, how then is it yet immortal? Because, there is always a dimension of life in the soul which can never be extinguished. And how does it die? Not in ceasing to be life but by losing its proper life. For the soul is both life to something else and it has it own proper life. Consider the order of the creatures. The soul is the life of the body. God is the Life of the soul. As the life that is the soul, is present with the body that the body may not die, so the Life of the soul (God), ought to be with the soul that it may not die.
How does the body die? By the departure of the soul. I say, by the departure of the soul, the body dies and it lies there as a mere carcass, what was a little before, a lively, not a contemptible object. There are in it still, its several members, the eyes and ears. But these are merely the windows of the house – its inhabitant is gone. Those who bewail the dead, cry in vain at the windows of the house. There is no-one there within it to hear. Why is the body dead? Because the soul, its life, is gone. But at what point is the soul itself dead? When God, its Life, has forsaken it. This then we can know and hold for certain – the body is dead without the soul and the soul is dead without God. Everyone without God has a dead soul. You who bewail the dead rather, should bewail sin! Bewail ungodliness! Bewail disbelief! – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 65).
PRAYER – May the continual protection of the blessed Martyrs comfort us, O Lord, for Thou do not cease to behold with favour those whom You have granted the grace of such assistance. 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 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!”
Matthew 16:16
“Truly blessed is he who cleaves, with his thought, to the Prayer of Jesus, constantly calling to Him in his heart, just as air cleaves to our bodies, or the flame to the candle.”
St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450) Priest, Exegete, Father
“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel, Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer than the sun and saw a Fire, which water cannot quench. She received, in the covering of Flesh Whom she had borne, the Light, Who enlightens all things and she was worthy,, to carry in her arms, the Word, Who carries the universe!”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk
“Charity is an infused virtue, by which we love God for His Own Sake and above all things and our neighbour as ourselves, for the love of God. It is the best gift which God Himself can give, the gift compared to which, all other gifts are insignificant and worthless. It is the end and aim, the perfection and the crown of the Christian life. If we possess it, we have all things; if we possess it not, we have nothing; we are miserable and wretched and poor and blind and naked before God. Pray that God may teach you to know and to love His Divine gift.”
One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr – Ezekiel 1:10-14; Matthew 9:9-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? ” – Matthew 9:11
REFLECTION – “Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?” God is accused of bending down to man, of sitting next to the sinner, of being hungry for his conversion and thirsty for his return; of consenting to eat the food of compassion and drink from the cup of goodness. But Christ, my brethren, came to this meal – Life came amongst these guests that those who were going to die, might live with Him, the same Life as He. The Resurrection reclined at this table that those who lay in death, might rise from their tombs; Grace stooped down to raise sinners up, to forgiveness; God came to man that man might attain to God; the Judge came to the meal of the guilty, to release humankind from the sentence of condemnation; the Doctor came to the sick, to restore their depleted strength by eating with them; the Good Shepherd bent down to carry the lost sheep back to salvation’s fold (Lk 15:l3) …
“Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?” But who is the sinner, if not the one who refuses to see himself as sinful? Is it not, to sink in one’s sins and, if the truth be told, identify oneself with sin by not recognising oneself to be a sinner? And who is unrighteous if not the one who thinks himself righteous? … Come along, you Pharisee, confess your sin and you will be able to come to Christ’s Table! Christ will become Bread for your sake, the Bread to be broken for the forgiveness of your sins! Christ will become Drink for your sake, the Drink which will be shed for the remission of your offences!Come along, you Pharisee, share the meal of sinners that you may eat your meal with Christ. Acknowledge yourself a sinner and Christ will eat with you. Go in to the Lord’s Feast along with sinners and you will be able to be a sinner no more. With the forgiveness of Christ, enter into the House of Mercy.” – St Peter Chrysologus (400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father & “Doctor of Sermons”of the Church (Sermon 30).
PRAYER – May we be helped, O Lord, by the prayers of the blessed Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew that what we ourselves cannot obtain, maybe granted by his intercession. 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 – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Januarius of Naples (Died c304) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr and his Martyred Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38; Matthew 24:3-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But he, who shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.” – Matthew 24:13
REFLECTION – “He who is mocked by his neighbour, as I am, will call upon God and He will answer him …” (Job 12:4 Vg) … But sometimes, the soul perseveres in good works with a constant heart and yet, is pushed violently by the scoffing of men; it does admirable deeds and receives only abuse and he, who might have been encouraged, to come out of himself by commendation, is repulsed by insults and returns back again into himself. He establishes himself the more firmly in God, as he finds no place elsewhere he may rest in peace – for all his hope is fixed in his Creator. Amidst ridicule and abuse, he implores only the interior Witness. His soul in distress, becomes God’s neighbour, in proportion, as he is a stranger to the favour of man’s esteem. So, he pours himself out in prayer and, hard-pressed from without, is refined with a more perfect purity, to enter more deeply into all that is interior. Therefore, it is well said at this time, “He who is mocked by his neighbour, as I am, will call upon God and He will answer him …” And while the soul of the good strengthens itself, with compunction, in prayer, it is united within itself, in the hearing of the most High, in the very act which severs it, from the approval of men, outside itself. ..
“For the upright man’s simplicity is laughed to scorn” (Job 12:4) It is the wisdom of this world to conceal one’s feelings with pretence, to veil the sense with words; to show things which are false, as true and, to present as fallacious that which is true. But, on the other hand, it is the wisdom of the righteous, to pretend nothing, … to discover the meaning, by words; to love the truth as it is, to avoid falsehood; to set forth good deeds freely, to bear evil more gladly than to do it; to seek no revenge for a wrong, to count ill repute as a gain, for the truth’s sake. But this simplicity of the righteous, is laughed to scorn because the goodness of purity, is taken for folly, by the wise men of this world. For doubtless, everything which is done from innocence, is counted foolish by them and, whatever truth sanctions in practice, sounds weak to carnal wisdom!” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (A commentary on the Book of Job 10:47-48).
PRAYER – O God, Who gladdens us by the annual festival of Thy Martyrs Januarius and Companions, grant that we, may be inspired by the example of those, in whose merits we rejoice.Through tJesus 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 – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?”
Matthew 22:12
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and all knowledge and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains but have not charity, I am nothing!”
St Paul 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
“Love the Lord and so, learn to love yourselves that when, by loving the Lord, you shall have loved yourselves, you may securely love your neighbour as yourselves. … So then, have faith with love. This is the “wedding garment!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Love God, serve God. Everything is in that!”
St Clare of Assisi (1191-1253)
“It is an old custom with the servants of God, always to have some little prayers ready and to be darting them up to Heaven frequently during the day, lifting their minds to God out of the filth of this world. He who adopts this plan, will get great fruit, with little pains.”
St Philip Neri (1515-1595)
“He who most loves, will be most loved.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
“What is it to serve God and to go to Heaven? Nothing else but to love!”
One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Matthew 22:1-14 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” – Matthew 22:12
REFLECTION – “But you, my friends, since you have already come into the house of the marriage feast, our holy Church, as a result of God’s generosity, be careful lest, when the King enters, He finds fault with some aspect of your heart’s clothing!
What do we think is meant by the wedding garment, dearly beloved? For if we say it is Baptism or faith, is there anyone who has entered this marriage feast without them? A person is outside because he has not yet come to believe. What then must we understand by the wedding garment but love? That person enters the marriage feast but without wearing a wedding garment, who is present in the holy Church. He may have faith but he does not have love. We are correct when we say that love is the wedding garment because this, is what our Creator Himself possessed, when He came to the marriage feast, to join the Church to Himself. Only God’s Love brought it about, that His Only-Begotten Son, united the hearts of His chosen, to Himself. John says “God so Loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son for us.” – St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father and Doctor of the Church – (Sermons on the Gospel No 38).
PRAYER – O God, Who willed that all things be drawn unto Thy Son, when He was raised above the earth, mercifully grant, by the merits and example of Thy seraphic Confessor Joseph that, having been raised above all earthly desires, we may be found worthy to come unto Him. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – The Commutation of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi
“Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us!”
“Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously.”
St Frances of Assisi (c1181-1226)
“In beautiful things St Francis saw Beauty itself and through His vestiges imprinted on creation, he followed his Beloved everywhere, making, from all things, a ladder, by which he could climb up and embrace Him, Who is utterly desirable.”
St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
“All the brothers should strive to follow the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ … And they must rejoice when they live among people who are considered to be of little worth and who are looked down upon, among the poor and the powerless, the sick and the lepers and the beggars by the wayside. And when it may be necessary, let them go to seek alms. And they should not be ashamed but rather recall that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living and all-powerful God … was a poor man and a transient and lived on alms, He and the Blessed Virgin and His disciples.”
(Earlier Rule, #8-9).
“Be strengthened in Almighty God and in the power of His might, for with His help, nothing is difficult. Throw off the heavy load of your own will, cast aside the burden of sin and gird yourselves as valiant warriors! Forget what you are leaving behind; strain forward to the great things before you. I tell you that every place where you set foot, shall be yours. For the Spirit, Who goes before your face is Christ the Lord. He will carry you to the topmost peak in the arms of His Love.”
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
One Minute Reflection – 17 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Commutation of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi – Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“For he who will save his life, will lose it and he who will lose his life, for My Sake, will find it. ” – Matthew 16:25
REFLECTION – “I lost myself and was found”
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! Thus it is, as St Paul asserts: “For me death is gain” [Phil 1:21], that is, my death to all things and to myself, for Christ, is my spiritual gain. Consequently, the soul declares: “I was found.” The soul who does not know how to lose himself, does not find himself but rather, loses himself, as Our Lord teaches in the Gospel: “For he who will save his life, shall lose it and he who will lose his life for My Sake, will find it. ” (Mt 16:25).
Should we desire to interpret this verse more spiritually and in accord with what we are discussing here, it ought to be known that when a soul treading the spiritual road, has reached such a point that he has lost all roads and natural methods, in his communion with God and no longer seeks Him by reflections or forms or feelings or by any other way of creatures and the senses but, has advanced beyond them all and beyond all modes and manners and enjoys communion with God in faith and love, then it is said that God is his gain because he has certainly lost all that is not God and has truly lost himself.” – St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Spiritual Canticle 29:11).
PRAYER – O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who, to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy love, when the world was becoming cold in spirit, renewed in the flesh of most blessed Francis, the sacred marks of Thine own Passion, graciously grant that by his merits and prayers, we may steadfastly carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of Saint Corneliu, Pope & Martyr and Saint Cyprian, Bishop & Martyr
“It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal vi: 7) Indeed, God cannot be mocked, nor circumvented, nor deluded by any man’s astute deceit. … Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren, confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world, while Confession is still possible, while the satisfaction and remission granted by the Priests, is still acceptable to God!”
“God is One and Christ is One, His Church is One, His See is One, founded by the Voice of the Lord on Peter. No other Altar can be set up, no other Priesthood instituted apart from that One Altar and that One Priesthood. Who so gathers elsewhere, scatters!”
“She did not leave the temple, serving with fastings and prayers, night and day.” Luke 2:37
“If, in holy Scripture, Christ is the true Sun and the true Day, there is no hour when Christians should not adore God frequently and constantly, so that we, who are in Christ, that is, in the true Sun and true Day, should be persevering, throughout the whole day, in our petitions and prayer. And when, in the course of time, the revolving night returns, there can be no harm from the nocturnal shades, for those who pray because, to the sons of Light (1 Thes 5:5), even in the night, there is day! For when is he without light who has Light in his heart? Or when does he not have sun and day to whom Christ is Sun and Day?”
“Why then do we pray for the Kingdom of Heaven to come, if this earthly bondage pleases us? WHAT IS THE POINT of praying so often for its early arrival, if we would rather serve the devil here than reign with Christ!?”
One Minute Reflection – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:31-36 – 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 which 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 – O God, Who gladden us this day by the annual feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who know on earth, the mysteries of Christ, may be found worthy to obtain, in heaven, the rewards of His Redemption. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And you shall be hated by all men, for My Name’s sake.”
Luke 21:17
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me and where I Am, there will My servant be too.”
John 12:26
“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
“Love consists, not in feeling great things but, in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor Mysticus
“Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”
One Minute Reflection – 11 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Resolve, therefore, in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand, how you are to make your defence. For I Myself, will give you utterance and wisdom …” – Luke 21:14-15
REFLECTION – “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! For it has become mistress over all the trials and perils of the world. If only it can serve its good Spouse and Lord, it fears none of them – and, with good reason … Think of something which occurs to me now and which, is applicable to those who are naturally pusillanimous [timid] and have little courage … Although, in actual fact, their soul has been raised up to this state, the weakness of their nature makes them afraid. We must be on the watch, or this natural weakness, will deprive us of a great crown. When you find yourselves as pusillanimous as this, my daughters, have recourse to faith and humility and do not fail to go forward with faith, for nothing is impossible to God (Lk 1:37). He has thus been able to give many holy Saints, the courage to endure all the cruel tortures which they had resolved to suffer for His sake!
It is of this resolution and this free-will that the soul wishes to make Him Master, though He has no need of our efforts. Indeed, His Majesty is pleased that His Works should shine forth in those who are weak, since in these, there is more scope for His power and, for the fulfilment of His desire, to grant us favours…
Pay no heed to the arguments adduced by your mind and your own weakness – this weakness will only grow, if you begin to imagine, what will and what will not happen …This is no time to think about your sins, leave them alone, humility is out of place now, it comes at the wrong time… Be assured that the Lord never forsakes those who love Him and risk everything for His sake!” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Conceptions of the Love of God Ch 3:4-6).
PRAYER – May the precious witness of Thy blessed Martyrs, Protus and Hyacinth, comfort us, O Lord and may their kind intercession, continually 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 – 9 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Peter Claver SJ (1581-1654) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, Missionary –Wisdom 10:10-14; Matthew 10:34-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He who findeth his life, shall lose it and he, who shall lose his life for Me, shall find it. ” – Matthew 10:39
REFLECTION – “Let us consider these words of our Lord: that, He wishes “to draw all things to Himself” (Jn 12:32). Someone who wishes to draw all things, first of all, gathers them together and afterward, draws them. This is what our Lord does – first of all, He calls us back from straying and wandering outside, making us collect our senses, faculties, words, deeds and, within, our thoughts, intentions, imagination, desires, inclinations, mind, will and love. Then, when everything is rightfully returned to good order, God draws us to Himself. For we must first of all be separated from every exterior or interior possession, to which we are attached, putting all our satisfaction in them. This kind of detachment is a painful cross and, all the more painful as the attachment becomes firmer and stronger …
Why does God rarely allow one day and night, to resemble the previous day and night? Why is it that what assisted your devotion today, is of no help at all tomorrow? Why do you have a host of images and thoughts which come to nothing? My dear child, accept this cross from God and bear it – it will turn into a truly lovable cross, if you would hand these trials over to God, accept them from Him with true abandonment and thank God for them: “My soul magnifies the Lord” in everything (cf Lk 1:46). Whether God takes or gives, the Son of Man must be raised up on the Cross … Dear child, leave all that behind; rather, give your attention to true abandonment … and think about accepting to bear the cross of temptation, rather than going in search of spiritual sweetness … Our Lord has said: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me” (Lk 9:23).” – Fr JohannesTauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Priest and Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian , leaving us more than 80 sermons.(Sermon 59, 4th for the Exaltation of the Cross).
PRAYER – God of mercy and love, Thou offer all peoples the dignity of sharing in Thy Light and Life. By the example and prayers of St Peter Claver, strengthen us to love each other as brothers. 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
One Minute Reflection – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and Our Lady’s Saturday – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed is the womb which bore Thee … blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:27,28
REFLECTION – “It is true of the Virgin Mary that she conceived Christ in her womb but all, who are chosen, share in carrying Him in their heart with love. Blessed, yes, blessed indeed, is the woman who carried Jesus in her womb for nine months (Lk 11:27). We too are blessed, when we are mindful of carrying Him constantly in our heart. Certainly, Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb was a great marvel but it is no less of a marvel to see Him become the guest of our heart. That is the meaning of John’s testimony: “Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear My Voice and open the door to Me, I shall come into him and shall sup with him and he with Me ” (Apoc 3:20).
… Here again, my brothers, let us consider our dignity and ,our resemblance to Mary. The Virgin conceived Christ in her womb of flesh and we, carry Him in the womb of our heart. Mary nourished Christ by giving His lips milk from her breast and we, can offer Him a varied meal with the good works which delight Him!” – St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, Doctor of the Church (Sermon 45).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of thine eternal gladness.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:16-24, Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Young man, I say to thee, arise!”
Luke 7:14
“I shall arise and shall go to my Father”
Luke 15:18
“Awake, O Sleeper and Rise from the Dead”
Ephesians 5:14
“Listen to the Lord’s appeal: ‘Come, then, return to Me and learn to know Me as your Father, Who repays good for evil, love for injury and boundless charity for piercing wounds!”
St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Father & Doctor of the Church
“As the prodigal son, I will return to my Father’s house and I will be welcomed back home. I shall do the same, as he did – will the Father not grant my prayer too? O forgiving Father, here I am at Thy door and I knock, open to me, let me enter, so that I may not ruin myself, go away and die! Thou made me Thy heir and I neglected my inheritance and squandered my goods – from now on, may I be as a mercenary and as a servant to Thee.”
St Jacob of Sarug (c451-521) Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Father
Our Morning Offering – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
I Will Love Thee, Lord By St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)
I will love Thee, Lord, in every way and without setting limits to my love. Thou set no limits to what Thou hast done for me; Thou hast not measured Thy gifts. I will not measure my love. I will love Thee, Lord, with all my strength, with all my powers, as much as I am able. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 3 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor – Thessalonians 2:2-8; John 21:15-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… Thou knowest that I love Thee. He said to him: Feed My sheep.” – John 21:17
REFLECTION – “Let us follow the manner of life of the Apostles and we will be their inferiors in nothing. For it was not their miracles which made them Apostles, it was the holiness of their lives. It is by this means, a disciple of Christ is recognised. The Lord Himself clearly gave us this sign. When He wanted to draw a portrait of His disciples and make known the sign that marked out His Apostles, He said: “This is how all will know thou art My disciples,” How? By working miracles? Raising the dead? Not at all! How, then? “This is how all will know thou art My disciples, if thou hast love for one another” (Jn 13:35).
Love is not a miracle but a work! “Love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Rm 13:10) … Therefore, have love among thyselves and thou wilt be counted among the Apostles, even amongst the first of them. Do thou want another proof of this teaching? See how Christ addressed Peter: “Peter, dost thou love me more than these?” There is nothing which enables us to win the Kingdom of Heaven more, than loving Christ as He deserves … What are we to do to love more than the Apostles did? … Listen to Christ, the very One we are to love: “If thou loves Me more than these, be the shepherd of My sheep”… Zeal, compassion, attentiveness are deeds, not miracles!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (2nd Sermon on the inscription to the Book of the Acts of the Apostles).
PRAYER – O God Who, for the defence of the Catholic faith and the restoration of all things in Christ, filled St Pius, the Supreme Pontiff, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fearlessness, mercifully grant that, by following his teachings and examples, we may receive Thy eternal rewards. 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).
AnaStpaul 
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