Category: GOD ALONE!

Posted in GOD ALONE!, HUMILITY-Fr Richard Clarke, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on HUMILITY

Thought for the Day – 31 May – What Humility is Not!

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Thought for the Day – 31 May – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

HUMILITY
Meditations for a Month

Chapter Five
What Humility is Not!

We are inclined, sometimes, to aim at a false humility and so to be hindered in our attainment of true humility. We must be on our guard against errors in this regard.

Humility does NOT consist in shutting our eyes to the talents, ability, graces and accomplishments which we possess. To do so is to refuse to acknowledge the good gifts which God has given us. If we have skill in music, in conversation, in painting, in languages, it is no humility to deny the fact. We ought to thank God for His goodness in bestowing upon us this talent. What is contrary to humility is to take the credit to ourselves and to plume ourselves on what we have received from God.

Humility does NOT consist in self-depreciation and in running ourselves down before others. This is often a cloak for pride. Sometimes its object is to obtain, from others, the praise we deny to
ourselves; sometimes it is a marked expression of discontent. The continual song, “What a poor worm I am!” is very much opposed to the spirit of the Catholic Church and to the cheerfulness which every Christian ought to show in his words.

Nor does humility consist in, or even admit of discouragement. If we are discouraged, it generally means that we think more about our own success than about the glory of God. It means that we are not perfectly resigned; it means that our pride is wounded and our self-will thwarted, or that we have worldly motives in what we do and seek honour from men and not from God. True humility is willing to fail in its projects, if God so wills it.
Examine yourself on these particulars and see whether yours is true or false humility!?

Posted in GOD ALONE!, HUMILITY-Fr Richard Clarke, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE

Thought for the Day – 30 May – The Deeper Foundations of Humility

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Thought for the Day – 30 May – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

HUMILITY
Meditations for a Month

Chapter Four
The Deeper Foundations of Humility

The consciousness of past sin will not, of itself, give us the perfection of humility. It necessarily fixes the eye of the soul upon ourselves and our own doings, whereas perfect humility means the annihilation of self. We have a deeper and more solid foundation for this virtue in our own nothingness and the absence of any sort of good, save that which God has given us. Every gift of nature is simply a free gift from Him. All that is from ourselves is the marring and injuring of what we have received; the misuse of talents, money, position, influence. What folly, then, to pride ourselves on what belongs to God!

Regarding supernatural gifts, we are still mere nothing and less than nothing. Our natural gifts are put into our hands, they remain with us and are in some sense ours but, a supernatural gift requires a fresh giving immediately from the hand of God each time it is given us! We
cannot begin any supernatural work without His preventing grace; we cannot move a step in it without fresh grace to carry on; we cannot bring it to a successful issue, without the grace necessary to complete it. Do I realise, as I ought, this nothingness of myself and my absolute
and continual dependence upon God, for each thought or act, pleasing to Him?

If this is so, how can I be anything but humble? To pride myself on that which God does in me, would be ridiculous; to pride myself on what I can do of myself, would be to pride myself on all which mars and spoils the work of God.
“What hast thou that thou hast not received?” asks St Paul.
Yes, O Lord, I have only one thing that I have not received and that is my vileness, misery, sin.
Can I boast of these!?

Posted in CARMELITES, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, SELF-DISTRUST

Quote/s of the Day – 29 May – St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 May – St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607) Virgin

“Self-love is like the worm which gnaws at the root
and destroys, not only the fruit but even,
the very life of the plant.
The traitor whom we have to fear most, is self-love, f
or self-love betrays us as Judas
betrayed our Lord with a kiss.
He who conquers self-love, conquers all!”

“I do not desire to die soon
because, in Heaven, there is no suffering.
I desire to live a long time
because, I yearn to suffer much
for the love of my Spouse.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-may-st-maria-magdalena-de-pazzi/

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – ‘… Those who want to be favourably listened to by God, must begin by listening to God. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God” – St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607) Virgin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Amen I say to you, I know you not.” – Matthew 25:12

REFLECTION – “Pay attention, dear brothers – the holy Scriptures were passed onto us, so to speak, like letters come from our homeland. Our homeland, indeed, is paradise; our forebears are the Patriarchs, the Prophets, the Apostles and the Martyrs; our fellow countrymen, the Angels; our King, Christ. When Adam sinned, we were thrown into the exile, as it were, of this world. But because our King is faithful and merciful, more than we can imagine or express, He deigned to send us the holy Scriptures through the Patriarchs and the Prophets, as the letters of invitation, with which He invites us to our eternal and original homeland. … Because of His unspeakable Kindness, He has invited us to reign with Him.

In these conditions, what idea do they have of themselves, these servants who do not deign to read the letters which invite us to the happiness of the Kingdom? … “If anyone does not acknowledge this, he is not acknowledged” (1 Cor 14:38). Certainly, the one who neglects to look for God in this world, by reading the Sacred texts, God, in His turn, will refuse to admit him to eternal happiness. He should fear that he may find the doors locked, leaving him outside with the foolish virgins (Mt 25:10) and that he might hear: “ I do not know who you are, I do not know you, depart from me, all you evildoers. ” … Those who want to be favourably listened to by God, must begin by listening to God. How could we have the effrontery to want God to listen to us favourably, if we attach so little importance to Him that we neglect to read His precepts!?” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father of the Church (Sermons – 7).

PRAYER – O God, lover of chastity, Who endowed with heavenly gifts, blessed Mary Magdalena, a virgin on fire with love for You, grant that we, who keep this feast-day in her honour, may imitate her by purity and love. 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on The SOUL

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – St Augustine of Canterbury

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c605) He is consideredthe Founder of the English Church and “The Apostle to the English.” He is the first Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor, Missionary, Father of the Church.

“God, in His promises to hear our prayers,
is desirous to bestow Himself upon us;
if you find anything better than Him, ask it
but if you ask anything beneath Him,
you put an affront upon Him
and hurt yourself, by preferring to Him,
a creature which He created!”

“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.”

“Take care of your body,
as if you were going to live forever
and take care of your soul,
as if you were going to die tomorrow.”

St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c605)
“The Apostle to the English”

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

St Bede became known as “Venerable Bede or Bede the Venerable” (Latin: Beda Venerabilis) by the 9th Century because of his great devotion and holiness but this was not linked to consideration for sainthood. According to a legend, the epithet was miraculously supplied by Angels. It was first utilised in connection with St Bede, where he was grouped with others, who were called “venerable,” at two Ecclesiastical Councils, held at Aachen in 816 and 836. Paul the Deacon (c 720-c 796) Italian Monk, Writer, Historian, then referred to him as Venerable consistently. By the 11th and 12th Centuries, the title had become commonplace and it is rarely omitted today.

“The soul glorifies the Lord,
when it consecrates all its inner powers
on praising and serving God
and when, by its submission
to the Divine commands,
it proves that it never loses sight
of His Power and Majesty.
The spirit rejoices in God, its Saviour,
when it places all its joy
in the remembrance of its Creator,
from Whom it hopes for eternal salvation.”

“I was no longer the centre of my life
and, therefore, I could see God in everything!”

“Unfurl the sails
and let God steer us
where He will.”

“Purgatorial fire will be more intolerable
than all the torments which can be felt
or conceived in this life.”

“Be Thou our Joy and Strong Defence,
Who art our future Recompense.
Alleluia, alleluia.
So shall the Light that springs from Thee
Be ours through all eternity.
Alleluia, Alleluia.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/05/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-may-st-bede-the-venerable-2/

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 May – ‘ … Each day He sees our lack of faith …’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God” – Pentecost Saturday – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27; Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts?” – Luke 5:22

REFLECTION – “Thanks to the faith of others the cripple’s soul would be cured before his body. “Seeing their faith,” the Gospel says. Note here, my brethren, that God is not interested in what foolish people want and does noy expect to find faith among the ignorant … among those who conduct themselves badly. On the other hand he does not refuse to come to the help of others’ faith. Such faith is a gift of grace, at one with God’s will … In His divine goodness, Christ the Physician, strives to draw to salvation, even in spite of themselves, those affected by sickness of soul, those whom the burden of their sins and offences overwhelms, even to delirium. Yet they do not want to submit.

O my brethren, if only we wanted to, if only we all wanted to perceive our soul’s paralysis in all its depth! Then we would see that it is lying on a stretcher of sins, deprived of strength. Christ’s action within us, would be a source of light and we would understand that each day He sees our lack of faith, harmful as it is, that He draws us towards healing remedies and sharply presses our rebellious wills. “My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 50 ; PL 52, 339).

PRAYER – Grant to Thy Church, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, united by the Holy Ghost, she may in no way be harmed by any assault of the enemy. 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).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on VANITY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 13 May – Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy at the Hour of Death.The Third Assault of Temptation to Vainglory.

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Thought for the Day – 13 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXV:… Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The Third Assault of Temptation to Vainglory.

“The Third Assault is that of vainglory and presumption.
Dread nothing as much as yielding, in the least way, to an exalted
opinion of your person, or your good works.
Take no glory but in the Lord and acknowledge that all that you are or ever hope to be, is to be attributed to the merits of the Life and Death of Jesus Christ.
Until the very evensong of life, hear nothing within your heart but the refrain of your own nothingness.
Let your humility deepen as self-love fades and unceasingly thank God, the Author of all your greatness.
Stand ever in a holy and prudent fear and confirm simply that all your endeavours are vain, unless God, in Whom is all your hope, crowns them with success.

If you will follow this advice, never shall your enemy prevail against you, your road will be open before you and you may pass on joyfully to the heavenly Jerusalem!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection –13 May– The Lamp and the Lampstand

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One Minute Reflection –13 May – The Memorial of St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church – Wisdom 7:7-14, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But he who shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 5:19

REFLECTION – “The Lamp on the lampstand is our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Father’s true Light “Who enlightens everyone coming into the world” (Jn 1:9) in other words, the Father’s Wisdom and Word. Having accepted our flesh, He truly became and was called, the “Light of the world.” By our faith and devotion, He is honoured and exalted in the Church. In this way, He is made visible to all nations and shines out for “all the people in the house,” namely the whole world, as He said: “They do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand where it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:15).

As we have seen, Christ calls Himself a Lamp. God by nature, He became flesh according to the plan of salvation – a Light held within the flesh, as if in a vase… This is what David was thinking when he said: “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light for my path” (Ps 118:105). Since He causes the darkness of ignorance and the evil of men to vanish, my Saviour and my God, is called a Lamp in Scripture. And since He is the only one able to obliterate the darkness of ignorance and disperse the shadows of sin, He has become the way of salvation for all. He leads towards the Father, all those who, through understanding and virtue, walk with Him along the path of the commandments, as on a road of righteousness.

The Lampstand is Holy Church because the Word of God shines out through her preaching. This is how the beams of its Truth, can enlighten the whole world… On one condition, however, as long as it is not hidden under the letter of the Law. Anyone who clings to Scripture according to the letter only, is living according to the flesh; he is placing the Lamp under a bushel basket. But when, to the contrary, the Church is set on the lampstand, it enlightens everyone.” – St Maximus the Confessor (580-662) Abbot and Theologian, Father (Question 63 to Thalassius)

PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Robert, Your Bishop and Doctor, with wondrous learning and virtue to repel the deceits of error and to defend the rights of the Apostolic See, grant, by his merits and intercession, that we may ever grow in love of truth and that the hearts of the erring may return to the unity of Your Church. 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).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 12 May – Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy at the Hour of Death. The Second Assault of Despair and its Remedy.

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Thought for the Day – 12 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXIV: … Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The Second Assault of Despair and its Remedy.

“The Second Assault by which the perverse one attempts our destruction, is the terror which he would infuse into our minds at the recollection of our past sins, hoping thereby, to drive us to despair.

In this peril, hold fast to the infallible rule – that the remembrance of your sins is the effect of grace and, is most salutary, if it inspires within your heart, sentiments of humility, compunction and confidence in God’s Mercy.
But, if such recollection creates vexation and despondency, leaving you spiritless from the apparent cogency of the reasons adduced to convince you that you are irrevocably lost, be assured that it has been suggested by the devil.
In such circumstances, humble yourself the more and have greater confidence in God – thus shall you destroy the strategem of the devil, turn his own weapons against himself and give greater glory to God.

It is true, of course, that you should be truly contrite for having offended such Sovereign Goodness, as often as you call to mind your past offences but, as often as you ask pardon, you should have a firm
trust in the Infinite Mercy of Jesus Christ.

I will go further and say that even though God Himself should seem to say, within your heart, that you are not one of His flock, still ,place your confidence in Him; rather say to Him in all humility:
“Thou hast good reason indeed, O Lord,
to condemn me for my sins
but I have greater reason ,in Thy Mercy,
to hope for pardon.
Have pity then, O Lord, on a humble sinner
condemned by his own sinfulness
but redeemed by Thy Blood.
I commit myself entirely to Thy Hands,
O my Redeemer – all my hopes are in Thee,
trusting that in Thine Infinite compassion,
Thou will save me, to the glory of Thy Name.
Do with me as Thou wilt,
for Thou alone art my Lord.
Even though, My Lord,
Thou shouldst destroy me, ever will I hope in Thee!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, INDULGENCES, PENTECOST, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HOLY GHOST

Indulgenced Pentecost Novena, Day Two

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Pentecost Novena to the Holy Ghost for the Seven Gifts – 11 May

SECOND DAY

Foreword and Indulgences CLICK HERE : Foreword

Come. Father of the poor.
Come, treasures which endure,
Come, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear

The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God
and makes us dread nothing as much, as to offend Him by sin.
It is a fear which arises, not from the thought of hell
but, from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our Heavenly Father.
It is the fear, which is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures which could, in anyway, separate us from God.
“They who fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts
and in His sight, will sanctify their souls. ”

Prayer

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear,
penetrate my inmost heart,
that I may set Thee,
my Lord and God,
before my face forever.
Help me to shun all things
which may offend Thee
and make me worthy
to appear before
the pure Eyes of Thine Divine Majesty
in Heaven, where Thou lives and reigns,
in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity,
God world without end.
Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy Purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy Justice
and the might of Thy Love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee, I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light,
listen to Thine Voice
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee, always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.”
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VICE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 9 May – Concerning the Manner of Perseverance in the Spiritual Combat until Death

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Thought for the Day – 9 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXI: … Concerning the Manner of Perseverance
in the Spiritual Combat until Death

“One of the requisites in the Spiritual Combat is perseverance in the continual mortification of our unruly passions – for, in this life, they are never utterly subdued but take root in the human heart like weeds in fertile soil.
This is a battle from which we cannot escape – ours is a foe, we cannot evade.
The fight against passion will last a lifetime and he, who lays down his arms, will be slain.
Moreover, we must combat enemies, who hate us, with unquenchable fury and, are consecrated to our destruction.
The more we would make friends of them, the more they would make
derelicts of us!
But be not daunted by their strength or number, for in this war, he alone is conquered, who voluntarily surrenders and the entire power of our enemies is in the hands of that Captain under Whose banner we fight.
And not only will He preserve us from treachery but, He will be our Champion.
He, Who is infinitely superior to all the foe, will crown you with conquest provided you, as a warrior, rely not on your own finite powers but on His Almighty Power and Infinite Goodness.

If, however, He seems slow in coming to your aid and apparently leaves you in the withering fire of the enemy, be not discouraged, rather fight resolutely in the firm belief that He will convert all things which befall you, to your eventual benefit and, even the unexpected crown of victory will be yours.

For your part, never desert your Commanding Officer, Who, for your sake, did not shrink from death itself and, in dying on Calvary’s hill, conquered the entire world.
Fight courageously under His colours and do not lay down your arms, while there is one foe left.
For, if a single vice is neglected, it will be a beam in your eye and a thorn in your side, constantly hindering you from triumph in your glorious and victorious cause.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 6 May – Concerning Sensible Devotion and Dryness (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 6 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

Final Remarks on Prayer and the Combat
LIX: … Concerning Sensible Devotion and Dryness
(Part Two)

“And if, from confusion of mind, you can neither pray nor meditate as usual, yet, you must persist in those exercises with as little anxiety as possible, supplying for the defects of the mind, the affection of the will.

Employ vocal prayer, conversing both with yourself and your Saviour. Such a practice will have surprising effects and, it will afford you great consolation in your anxiety. …

Call to mind the pious sentiments with which God inspired Sara, the wife of Tobias, in her affliction and say with her in spirit and in word –

“My God, all who serve Thee know that if they are visited with trials of affliction in this life, they will be rewarded;,if oppressed with suffering they shall be delivered, if punished by Thy justice, they hope in mercy. For Thou delightest not in seeing us perish, Thou sendest a calm after storms and joy after mourning.
O God of Israel, be Thy Name forever blessed.” (Tob III)

Remember too, thy Christ in the Garden and on the Cross abandoned by Him, Whose Only beloved Son He was – carry your cross with Him and say from the bottom of your heart:
“Not my will but Thine be done.”

Thus, by uniting patience with prayer, in the voluntary immolation of self to God, you will become truly devout.
For, as I have said, true devotion consists in an eager and unswerving
will to follow Christ and to bear the cross at whatever time, in whatever way He shall decide and, it consists too, in loving God because He is worthy of our love and even in forfeiting the sweetness of God for the sake of God!

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/05/05/thought-for-the-day-5-may-concerning-sensible-devotion-and-dryness-part-one/

Posted in DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 May – Concerning Sensible Devotion and Dryness (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 5 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

Final Remarks on Prayer and the Combat
LIX: … Concerning Sensible Devotion and Dryness
(Part One)

“SENSIBLE DEVOTION is sometimes produced by dispositions of our nature, sometimes by artifices of the devil and sometimes, by an influx of grace.
You may discern its origin in a particular case by studying the effects – for, if no amendment follows, you may well suspect the devil or your own infirm nature to be at the bottom of such devotion, particularly if it be accompanied by much consolation, complacency, or by any measure of self-esteem.

When, therefore, your heart rejoices in exultation and spiritual delight, be not over solicitous to trace their origins but, at the same time, attribute no particular significance to them and, beware of inflating your opinion of self.
Rather, be ever mindful of your own nothingness and breaking asunder the fetters of earthly attachments – and even spiritual attractions – attach yourself to God alone, seeking always to obey the least dictate of His Divine Will.
This method of conduct will change the very nature of the consolation you experience and, although it should first arise from a defective source, it will later prove most beneficial.

Dryness, or spiritual aridity, proceeds from the following causes:

– From the Devil, who strives with satanic vigour to make us become negligent, to lead us from the path of perfection and, plunge us anew into the vanities of the world.
– From ourselves, through our own faults, negligences and earthly attachments.
– From the Divine grace infused into our souls by the Holy Spirit, not only to wean us away from all that is not of God, or tending to
Him but also, that we may learn, from experience, that all things
come from Him.
Other reasons for such spiritual aridity are:
– to teach us to esteem His gifts more highly in the future
– and show more humility and care, in preserving them,
– and to unite us more closely to His Divine Majesty, by an entire renunciation of self, complete to the exclusion of spiritual comforts.
– For, if our affections are centred on spiritual consolation that heart, which Our Lord would keep wholly for Himself, is divided!

The last reason to be assigned for such dryness maybe the joy God derives from seeing us fight with all our strength, utilising all His grace to best effect.

When, therefore, you find yourself oppressed with dryness and distaste for spiritual things, ascertain whether or no, it is to be attributed to any fault of your own and, if so, amend it instantly, not so much with a view to regaining that sensible enjoyment but, in order to banish everything which is the least displeasing to God.
If, however, after careful scrutiny, you can discover no such fault, be not concerned about recovering your sensible fervour, rather exert yourself to the acquisition of that perfect devotion which consists in perfect conformity to the Will of God.
However barren and insipid your usual exercises may seem, be resolute
and persevering in your execution of them, drinking cheerfully
the bitter cup the heavenly Father has presented to you.

And if, besides this dryness which makes you almost insensible to heavenly things, you labour under an oppressive cloud of spiritual darkness which makes you fearful and ignorant of which way to turn, be not discouraged!
Let nothing separate you from the Cross of Christ and disdain all human consolation, vain and wretched as it is.

Be careful, moreover, not to divulge this affliction to anyone but your spiritual director, to whom it should be revealed not with a view to any alleviation but in order, to learn how to bear it in perfect resignation to the Divine Will.
DO NOT offer your Communions, prayers, or other devout exercises that you may be set free of your cross but that, you may receive strength to exalt that cross forever to the honour and glory of Jesus Crucified!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 4 May – The Offering of Self to God (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 4 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LVIII: … The Offering of Self to God
(Part Two)

“We may indeed offer ourselves to God while still attached to creatures but, it must be with the hope that His goodness will set us free and that, we may consecrate ourselves entirely to His service.

Therefore, let all our offerings be pure and untainted, destined to the honour of God alone.
Let us be oblivious of the good things of both Heaven and earth, having nothing in mind but the accomplishment of the Will of God and adoring His Divine Providence.
Let us sacrifice every affection of our souls to Him and, forgetting earthly things, let us say:

“Behold, O my God and Creator,
the offering I make of my entire being.
I submit my will entirely to Thine;
dispose of me as Thou wouldst in life
and in death, in time or eternity.”

If we make this prayer from the depths of our hearts, our sincerity will be tested in time of adversity and we shall prove ourselves to be citizens of Heaven, not of earth.
We shall be children of God and He will be ours; for He dwells constantly with those who, renouncing themselves and all other creatures, offer themselves as holocausts to His Divine Majesty.

Here then, you find a powerful means of vanquishing your enemies; for if, in uniting yourself to God, you become all His and He all yours, what power or what enemy can ever harm you?!
And when you would offer fasting, prayers, acts of patience, or good deeds, think first of the oblation of works, prayers and fasts offered by Christ to His Father and place all confidence in their Infinite merit. But, if we desire to offer to this Father of Mercy, the sufferings of His Son in satisfaction for our sins, we may do so in the following manner:

First, we must call to mind, either in general or particular, the chief disorders of our past lives and, convinced of our inadequacy
to appease the Divine wrath of our Sovereign Judge, or satisfy His
offended justice, we must have recourse to the Life and Passion of
our Saviour.
We must remember that when He prayed, fasted, laboured and shed His Precious Blood, He offered all His acts and sufferings to reconcile us with His Almighty Father, saying, as it were:
“Behold, O Eternal Father, according to Thy Will,
how I comply with Thy decrees in atoning for the sins of …. .
May it please Thy Divine Majesty to grant pardon to him
and graciously to receive him into the number of Thy elect.”

Everyone ought to join his prayers with those of Jesus Christ and implore the Eternal Father, to have mercy on him through the merits of the Passion and Death of His Son.
This may be done every time we meditate on the Life or Passion of Our Lord, not only in considering the individual Mysteries but also, the
various circumstances of each of the Mysteries.
This mode of oblation, may apply, whether our prayers be offered for self or for others.”

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/05/03/thought-for-the-day-3-may-the-offering-of-self-to-god-part-one/

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 3 May – The Offering of Self to God (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 3 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LVIII: … The Offering of Self to God
(Part One)

“There are two things necessary to make our self-oblation completely acceptable to God.
One, is that it be made in union with the offering made by Christ to the Father and, the other, is that it be totally free from all attachment to creatures.

As regards the first, we must remember that the Son of God, during His sojourn on earth, offered to His heavenly Father, not only Himself and His works but also, ourselves and our works.
Thus, must our oblation be made in union with His and dependent upon His that both, may be sanctified in the sight of the Almighty.

With regard to the second, we must remember we can hardly offer ourselves to Heaven, if we are bound to earth by worldly attachments. Therefore, if we perceive ourselves to be bound by the slightest earthly affection, let us have recourse to God, imploring Him to break asunder the bonds which chain us to earth that we may belong to Him alone. This is of great importance!
For if, he who is a slave to creatures, pretends to give himself to God while bound to creatures, he gives what is not his, for he is the property of those creatures to whom he has given his will!
To offer to God what has been given to creatures, is to mock the Almighty.
Thus, it is that, although we have offered ourselves as a holocaust to the Lord, yet we have not only failed to advance in the way of virtue but, have even contracted fresh imperfections and increased the number of our sins!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 May – Concerning Thanksgiving

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Thought for the Day – 2 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LVII: … Concerning Thanksgiving

“Since all the good we have, or all the good we do, is of God and from God, we are bound, in justice, to render Him thanks for every good action done, or every victory won in the battle against self.
And, what is more, we are obliged to render thanksgiving for all blessings, general or particular, which we have received from His bounteous Hand.

To do this in a becoming manner, let us consider the end because of which, He has heaped upon us the abundance of His blessings; for from such considerations, we come to learn how God would be thanked.
And, as His principal design, in all His beneficence, is primarily His own honour and the dedication of souls to His Divine service, let everyone reflect within his hearts:
“What power, wisdom and goodness has God displayed in bestowing
this grace and blessing upon me!”

Then considering the incapacity of finite man, to merit unaided, an Infinite favour – or even man’s utter ingratitude which makes him unworthy of such a blessing – we should say, in deep humility:
“Is it possible, O Lord that Thou shouldst love sinful man, the most abject of creatures?
How boundless is a love which grants a multitude of blessings, to him, who deserves it so little!?
May Thy Holy Name be blessed now and forever!”

And finally, as such a multitude of blessings requires no more acknowledgment from man, than that he love his gracious Benefactor, let him thank and love God from the bottom of his heart, resolving to obey completely, the dictates of God’s Holy Will.

The concluding step consists in the entire offering of self to God, as
suggested in the following chapter.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD is LOVE, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 30 April – The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part Four)

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Thought for the Day – 30 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in
Increasing Our Love of God (Part Four)

“After Communion strive to be deeply recollected, shutting out from your heart the multiple petty encroachments of worldly distractions. Entertain the Divine Guest with such sentiments as are expressed in the following prayer:

“O Sovereign Lord of Heaven, what has brought Thee from celestial heights to the depths of earthly hearts?”
His answer will be simply, “Love.”
And you must reply: “O Eternal Love, what is it you ask of me?”

And He will answer again:
“Nothing but love.
I would have no other fire within thee but charity, the ardent flames of
which will conquer the impure flames of passion and make thee
pleasing in My sight.
Long have I wished that thou wert all Mine and I all thine.
And long have I desired that surrender of thy will ever solicitous
for frivolous liberty and worldly vanities, for only when thy will is attuned to Mine can the first wish be realised.
Know, then that I would have thee die to self, that you might live to Me.
I would have thee give Me thy heart that I might make it like unto Mine which broke on Calvary out of love for mankind.
Thou knowest Who I Am and yet thou knowest that, in some measure, I have made thee My equal in an excess of love.
When I give Myself entirely to thee, I ask nothing but thyself in return.
Be Mine and I shall be satisfied.
Will nothing, think nothing, understand nothing, see nothing but Me and My Will.
Let thy nothingness be lost in the depths of My Infinity and find there thy happiness, as I find repose in thee.”

Finally, offer to the Eternal Father, His Only-Begotten Son:
First in thanksgiving for the unspeakably great favours He has rendered, in bestowing them on you.
In petition for such things as are needed by you and those for whom you are obligated to pray; remember also, in your petitions, the Souls in Purgatory.
Let this entire offering be made in commemoration of and in union with, the offering made by Christ on Calvary’s hill, when bleeding on the Cross, He offered Himself to His Eternal Father.
Similarly, you may offer for the same intention, the Sacrifice of the Mass, wherever it may be celebrated that day, throughout the Catholic world.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/27/thought-for-the-day-27-april-the-role-of-the-eucharist-in-increasing-our-love-of-god-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/28/thought-for-the-day-28-april-two-role-of-the-eucharist-in-increasing-our-love-of-god-part-two/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/29/thought-for-the-day-29-april-the-role-of-the-eucharist-in-increasing-our-love-of-god-part-three/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, HOLY COMMUNION, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 29 April – The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part Three)

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Thought for the Day – 29 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in
Increasing Our Love of God (Part Three)

“When the time itself draws near, we must consider, attentively, Who it is we are about to receive – for our Guest is to be the Son of the living God, the august Majesty before Whom the heavens and the powers of Heaven tremble in awesome fear!

Our Guest is to be the Saint of Saints, Mirror without blemish, Purity
itself, before Whom all is unclean in comparison.
This is Divinity become Man – One looked upon as the very outcast of men, Who was pleased to be spat upon, struck, reviled and Crucified out of love for us.

You are indeed about to receive God Himself, in Whose Hand is the destiny of the universe.
On the other hand, think of your own utter insignificance and your vile sinfulness which has reduced you below the level of the brute and made you worthy of being the sport and slave of devils!
Consider your acknowledgment of the Infinite favours you have received from your Saviour – you have insulted the Redeemer and trampled upon His Precious Blood, displaying a most absolute ingratitude.

But even human ingratitude cannot overcome Divine charity – capricious fickleness is no match for unchanging Love.
Still the gracious Lord summons you to the Divine banquet and rather
than rebuffing you for your obvious inadequacies, bids you come
under pain of death.
The arms of the merciful Father are always open to receive you, be you leprous, lame, blind, squandering, or possessed by devils.

He demands of you these few requisites alone:

To be sincerely sorry for having so grievously offended Him.
To hate sin of all kinds with an unquenchable vigour.
To consecrate yourself to cheerful acceptance of His Divine
Will, whatever it may be.
To have a firm confidence that He will forgive your sins, cleanse your soul of all taint and defend you against all your enemies.

Encouraged by this ineffable Love of the Lord for you and all penitent sinners, approach the holy table with a prudent fear, tempered by hope and love, saying:

“After so many grievous offences, I am not worthy to receive
Thee, not having fully satisfied Thy justice.
No, my God, I am unworthy of Thee, sullied as I am by an inordinate attachment to creatures and a reluctance to serve Thee completely, with my whole heart and my whole strength.
O my omnipotent Lord, be mindful of Thy goodness and Thy promise; through the Divine alchemy of Love and Faith, make my heart a worthy dwellingplace for Thy Divine Son.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/27/thought-for-the-day-27-april-the-role-of-the-eucharist-in-increasing-our-love-of-god-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/28/thought-for-the-day-28-april-two-role-of-the-eucharist-in-increasing-our-love-of-god-part-two/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 28 April – The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 28 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in
Increasing Our Love of God (Part Two)

“Meditating on this truth, let each man say within himself:

“Who could have imagined, O Lord, that a God of such Infinite greatness would bestow His affections on such an abject and insignificant creature as myself!
What could be Thy design, O King of glory?
What canst Thou expect of me who am but dust?
I see clearly, O my God, by the Light of Thy burning charity which enlightens me with knowledge and enkindles me with love that Thy design, was one divorced from all self-interest.
For Thy wish in so graciously bestowing this Sacrament, is to transform me into Thee that I may live in Thee and Thou in me.
Such an intimate union will ultimately remake my heart, fashioning from a vessel of earth, a delicate instrument attuned to things Divine!”

Then, full of joy and wonder at the indications of Divine Love given us by Christ and aware that His only purpose is the transformation of our hearts from things of earth, to things of Heaven, let us offer a sacrifice, and consecrate the will, the memory and understanding, to the sole task of pleasing Him in the gracious acceptance of His Holy Will.

After this, recognising our incapacity to dispose ourselves properly, unaided by His grace for proper reception of the Eucharist, let us strive earnestly to obtain that grace by ejaculations such as the following:

“O heavenly food, when shall I be united to Thee, to be consumed joyfully in the fire of Divine Love?
O Divine charity, when shall I live in Thee, by Thee and for Thee alone?
O heavenly manna, Sovereign good, joy of my heart, when shall I, loathing all other food, seek Thee alone?
O life of eternal joy, when shall I dwell in Thee alone?
O my Loving And almighty Lord, free my heart from the tyranny of its passions and vicious attachments; adorn it with Thy heavenly virtues and with gentle compulsion, force it to rejoice in loving and pleasing Thee.
Then O Lord, will I open my heart and bid Thee enter; then shalt Thou come, my only Treasure, to transform my heart by Thy Divine Presence.”

Such are the tender and affectionate sentiments which we should form on the evening before and, on the morning of, reception of Holy Communion.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/27/thought-for-the-day-27-april-the-role-of-the-eucharist-in-increasing-our-love-of-god-part-one/

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PURITY, St JOSEPH, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 April – St Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 April – The Octave Day of the Patronage of St Joseph

“Saint Joseph was the just man:
by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct – a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

“I cannot call to mind
that I have ever asked him,
at any time for anything,
which he has not granted
and I am filled with amazement
when I consider the great favours
which God has given me,
through this blessed Saint;
the dangers from which he has delivered me,
both of body and of soul!”

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

“It is impossible, that he could be denied
the favours for which he asks
and which we should request him
to obtain for us.
Let us go to him trustingly
but, let us remember,
that the surest way of being heard by him,
is to imitate his wonderful virtues,
especially his humility,
his spirit of prayer,
his purity and his calm desire always,
to do God’s will.”

“This holy Patriarch was as resigned
to the poverty of the manger
and the discomforts of exile,
as he was grateful to God for the wonderful gifts
and joys which he had been granted.
He knew that God could have solved,
by a single act of His Divine Will,
all the problems which he encountered throughout life.
But he never asked for such a favour.
His only desire was to do God’s Will perfectly.
Let this be our desire too and let us never cease
to ask God for this grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SELF-DISTRUST

Quote/s of the Day – 23 April – Blessed Giles of Assisi

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 April – Blessed Giles of Assisi OFM (c1190-1262) Friar and Missionary of the Order of Friars Minor, Friend and the 3rd follower of St Francis.

A Brother said to Brother Giles:
“ Father, I have seen other men who received from God
the grace of devotion and of tears in their prayers
and I cannot feel in myself any such grace,
when I go to worship God.”
To whom Brother Giles answered:
“My Brother, I counsel thee to persevere humbly
and faithfully in thy prayers;
for the fruits of the earth cannot be had without toil
and labour applied beforehand
and even after we have laboured,
the desired fruit does not follow immediately
but only in its season, when the fullness of time has come.”

“Happiness is to do bodily labour
for the love of the Most High
and not to take any lesser wages than Paradise,
for the good work one does.”

“If thou wouldst see well, pluck out thine eyes and be blind;
if thou wouldst hear well, be deaf
and if thou wouldst speak well, become dumb;
if thou wouldst advance, stand still
and advance with thy mind;
if thou wouldst work well, cut off thy hands
and work with thy heart;
if thou wouldst love much, hate thyself;
if thou wouldst live well, mortify thyself;
if thou wouldst gain much and be rich,
first lose all and become poor
and if thou wouldst enjoy peace, afflict thyself
and be ever in fear and suspect thine own self;
if thou wouldst be exalted and have great honour,
humble and abase thyself;
if thou wouldst be held in great reverence, despise thyself
and do reverence to him who reviles thee;
if thou wouldst that it should be well with thee,
suffer all evil things and if thou wouldst be blessed,
desire that all should speak ill of thee
and if thou wouldst have true and eternal rest,
then toil and suffer and desire to have every temporal affliction.
O what great wisdom it is to know how to do
and to work out these things.”

Blessed Giles of Assisi (c1190-1262)

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – “Abide in Me and I in you.” – John 15:4

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One Minute Reflection – 23 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – St George (Died c 303) Martyr – 2 Timothy 2:8-10; 3:10-12; John 15:1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Abide in Me and I in you.” – John 15:4

REFLECTION – “ [Jesus] is our only Master, who must teach us; our only Lord, on Whom we must depend; our only Head, to Whom alone we should belong; our only Model, Whom we should imitate; our only Physician, Who must heal us; our only Shepherd, Who must feed us; our only Way, Who must lead us; our only Truth, Whom we must believe; our only Life, Who must be our life and our sole sufficiency in all things that in Him, we may have all in All. Except the Name of Jesus, there is no other name given under Heaven, whereby we must be saved and apart from Jesus Christ,

God has given us no other foundation of our salvation, our perfection and our glory: “for other foundation no man can lay but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 3:11). Every house which is not built upon this firm Rock, is founded on the shifting sands and will inevitably fall, sooner or later. Every soul who is not united with Christ, as a branch to the stem of the vine, will fall off, wither and become fit only for the fire. If we are in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ in us, we need not fear damnation; neither Angels in Heaven, nor men on earth, neither demons in hell, nor any other creature, can harm us because they cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (cf. Rm 8:38-39).” – St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716) Priest, Renowned Preacher, Founder of Religious Communities [Treatise on the true devotion to the Blessed Virgin (Article one; First Truth)]

PRAYER – O God, Who dost gladden us through the worthy deeds and prayers of thy blessed Martyr George, mercifully grant that all they, who seek Thy mercy through him, may effectually obtain the gift of Thy grace. 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St PETER!, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 April – But seek first the Kingdom of God

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 April – St Pope Soter (Died c174) Martyr and St Pope Caius I (Died 296) Martyr – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; … Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter
and upon this rock, I will build My Church
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Matthew 16:18

“But the God of all grace,
Who hath called us into His eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little,
will Himself perfect you and confirm you
and establish you.
To Him be glory and empire
forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:10-11

“Look at the fig tree and all the trees,
when they produce their fruit you know that summer is near.
So too, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.”
Luke 21:29-31

“He means that just as the coming of summer
is recognised by the fruit on the trees,
so is the nearness of the Kingdom of God recognised
by the destruction of the world.
These words show that the fruit of the world is destruction –
it increases only to fall, it produces, only to destroy
by its disasters whatever it produces.
The Kingdom of God is aptly compared to summer,
because it is then that the clouds of our sorrow pass away
and the days of life shine
with the brightness of the Eternal Sun. …
Therefore, my friends, do not love
what you see cannot long exist.
Keep in mind the Apostle John’s precept,
in which he counsels us not “to love the world
or the things in the world because,
if anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn 2:15).”

St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church

“But seek first the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness
and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33

“But, [you will tell me],
there is so much to do, so many household jobs,
so much business in town, in the fields –
work everywhere! Do we have to abandon it all, then,
so as to think of nothing but God?”
No – but these occupations have to be sanctified
by seeking God in them and doing them
to find Him in them, rather than, to see them done.
What our Lord wants, is for us to seek His glory,
His Kingdom, His righteousness, before all else
and, for this, to make our foundation the interior life,
faith, trust, love, religious exercises…, labours and sufferings,
with God our Sovereign Lord in view…
Once we are firmly set in the search for God’s glory,
we can be assured that the rest will follow.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 21 April – Meditation on the Sufferings of Christ (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 21 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LI: … Meditation on the Sufferings of Christ
(Part Two)

“If you would have a lively sorrow for your sins, let your meditation convince you that if Jesus Christ suffered so much, it was to inspire you with wholesome self-contempt and a hatred of your disorderly passions, particularly your greatest faults which are naturally most offensive to Almighty God.

And if you would excite sentiments of admiration, you need only consider that nothing is more shocking than the sight of the Creator of the universe, the Fountain of Life, butchered by His own creatures, the right of the Supreme Majesty, as it were, annihilated, Justice condemned, Beauty defiled and lost in filth, the Beloved of the Eternal Father become the hated of sinners.
Light inaccessible is overwhelmed by the powers of darkness; Uncreated glory and felicity are buried under ignominy and wretchedness!

To arouse compassion in your heart for the sufferings of your Saviour and God, exclusive of His exterior pains, consider the most acute of His sufferings, His interior anguish.
For if you are moved by the first, you will be pierced with grief at the sight of the second.
The soul of Christ beheld the Divinity in Heaven, then as clearly as it does now.
It knew how much God deserved to be honoured and, as it infinitely loved Him, desired that all creatures should love Him with all the power of their souls.
Seeing Him, therefore, so horribly dishonoured throughout the world by countless, abominable crimes, it was overwhelmed with grief that the Divine Majesty was not loved and served by all men.
As the greatness of this desire of the soul of Christ that His Father be loved, was beyond imagination, it is futile to try to comprehend the depths of His interior sufferings in the agonies of death.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/20/thought-for-the-day-20-april-meditation-on-the-sufferings-of-christ-part-one/

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 April – St Anselm

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 April – St Anselm (1033-1109) ArchBishop of Canterbury, Confessor, Magnificent and Marian Doctor of the Church

“No-one will have any other desire in Heaven
than what God wills and the desire of one,
will be the desire of all and the desire of all
and of each one, will also be the desire of God.”

O Lord Our God, Grant Us Grace
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Archbishop of Canterbury
Doctor of the Church

O Lord our God,
grant us grace to desire Thee
with our whole heart;
that, so desiring, we may seek
and, seeking, find Thee
and so finding Thee,
may love Thee
and loving Thee,
may hate those sins
from which Thou hast redeemed us.
Amen.

A Prayer for All in Need
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Archbishop of Canterbury
Doctor of the Church

O Lord,
we bring before Thee,
the distress and dangers
of peoples and nations,
the pleas of the imprisoned
and the captive,
the sorrows of the grief-stricken,
the needs of the refugee,
the impotence of the weak,
the weariness of the despondent
and the diminishments of the aging.
O Lord, stay close to them all.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/21/quote-s-of-the-day-21-april-st-anselm-2/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on JOY, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 April – ‘ … And what is the Kingdom of Heaven ? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 21 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – The Third Sunday after Easter – St Anselm (1033-1109) Bishop, Confessor, Magnificent and Marian Doctor of the Church – 1 Peter 2:11-19; John 16:16-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“So also you now indeed have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice. And your joy no man shall take from you.” – John 16:22

REFLECTION – “What is true joy, brethren, other than the Kingdom of Heaven? And what is the Kingdom of Heaven other than Christ our Lord? I know that everyone wants to have true joy. But the person who wants to be happy with his harvest, without cultivating his field, is deluding himself; the person who wants to harvest fruit without planting trees is mistaken. We cannot have true joy, without righteousness and peace … At present, respecting righteousness and having peace, we work hard for a short time like people bent over good work. But afterwards, we will rejoice without end because of the fruit of that work.

Listen to the Apostle Paul, who said of Christ: “It is He Who is our peace.” (Eph 2:14) … And speaking to His disciples, the Lord told them: “I shall see you again, then your hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take from you.” What is that joy which no-one can take from you, other than your Lord Himself, Whom no man can take from you?

So examine your conscience, brethren – if righteousness reigns there, if you want, desire and wish the same thing for everyone as for yourself, if there is peace in you, not only with your friends but equally with your enemies, then know that the Kingdom of Heaven, which is to say Christ the Lord, abides in you.” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father (Sermon 166).

PRAYER – O God, Who didst give blessed Anselm to be Thy people’s minister in eternal salvation, grant we pray, that we, who have him for teacher of life here on earth, may also deserve now that he is in Heaven, to have him for an advocate. 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 21 April – The Joy of My Lord By St Anselm ‬

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Our Morning Offering – 21 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – St Anselm (of Canterbury) OSB (1033-1109) Bishop, Confessor, Magnificent and Marian Doctor of the Church

The Joy of My Lord
By St Anselm ‬(1033-1109)
Doctor of the Church

I beseech Thee, O my God,
that I may know Thee, love Thee,
and rejoice in Thee.
If in this life, I cannot do these things fully,
grant that I may, at the least,
progress in them, from day to day.
Advance in me, the knowledge of Thee, now
that in the life to come, it may be complete.
Increase in me, the love of Thee, here
that there, it may be overflowing.
O God of Truth,
I pray, that I may obtain
that which Thou promise
that my joy may be complete.
And in the meantime,
let my mind meditate on it,
let my soul hunger after it
and my whole being long for it,
till at last, I enter into the joy of my Lord,
Who is God, blessed forever.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Lady POVERTY, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on WISDOM, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 April– ‘… God gave him his most glorious Son to care for …’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Within the Octave of the Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph – Genesis 49:22-26; Luke 3:21-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the son of Joseph … ” – Luke 3:23

REFLECTION – “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.

There is no doubt at all that St Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts with which God had favoured him? And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him his most glorious Son to care for … the universal Prince of Heaven and earth … Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined … he went to his own Country and Town of Bethlehem and none but he was turned away from all those inns … Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes; he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor … and he submits to it with love and, not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Conferences No 20)

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose Thy blessed servant Joseph to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant that now that he is in heaven with Thee, we ,who on earth, do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be assisted by the succour of his prayers to Thee on our behalf. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – My sheep hear My Voice;

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – – Ferial Day – 1 Peter 2:21-25; John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My sheep hear My Voice;
I know them and they follow Me.”

John 10:27

“I am like the sick sheep which strays
from the rest of the flock.
Unless the Good Shepherd
takes me on His shoulders
and carries me back to His fold,
my steps will falter
and, in the very effort of rising,
my feet will give way!”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Christ said that the shepherd
enters through the gate
and that He is Himself the Gate,
as well as the Shepherd.
Then, it is necessary,
that He enter through Himself.
By so doing, He reveals Himself
and through Himself, He knows the Father.
But we enter through Him
because through Him. we find happiness.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Communis

“It is never really God Who is silent.
He is forever appealing to us to lead good lives.
He is never really far from us
but is always ready to bestow His gifts on us.
Even when we have sinned,
we hear His Voice prompting us to thoughts of remorse.
Even when we stray away from Him,
He follows and asks us to return to Him.
It is we, who must ensure that the noise of the world,
will not prevent us from hearing His Fatherly appeal
and that sinful temptations
will not destroy His influence over us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)