Category: GOD ALONE!

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – “Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to the little ones.” – Matthew 11:25

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One Minute Reflection – 17 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Virgin – Ephesians 3:8-9, 14-19, Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to the little ones.” – Matthew 11:25

REFLECTION – “When more obscure Mysteries are presented to your timid nature by your faith Christian soul, take courage and say [like Mary], “How shall this be done …? ” (Lk 1:34), not in a controversial spirit but with the love of a disciple. Let your questioning be your prayer, your love, your piety, your humble desire – not seeking to plumb the depths of God’s majesty but looking for salvation, in the healing acts of the God, Who saves us. …

No-one “knows a man’s thoughts, except the spirit of the man which is in him; so also, no-one comprehends the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor 2:11). Hasten then to be a sharer in the Holy Spirit. He is present when He is called upon; nor could He be called upon, if He were not present. When, on being called upon, He comes, it is with the abundance of the blessings of God. He is the flowing of “the river which gives joy to God’s city” (Ps 45:5). And if, when He comes, He finds you humble and still and respecting the Words of God, He will rest upon you (Lk 1:35) and He will reveal to you, what God the Father withdraws from the wise and prudent of this world and those things, will begin to dawn upon you which Wisdom (1 Cor 1:24) could say to the disciples when on this earth but which they were unable to bear, until the Spirit of Truth came, Who was to teach them all Truth (Jn 16:12-13).” – William of Saint-Thierry O.Cist. (c1075-c1148) Cistercian Monk, Mystic, Theologian, Writer (The Mirror of Faith 6).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Who wondrously revealed the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart to blessed Margaret Mary, the Virgin, grant us, by her merits and through imitating her, to love Thee, in all things and above all things, so that we may be found worthy to possess a lasting dwelling place in Thou Heart itself. 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).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on STRENGTH, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 17 October – Be My Strength, O Sacred Heart! By St Margaret Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Virgin

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Quote/s of the Day – 16 October – St Gerard Majella

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 October – St Gerard Majella CSsR (1726-1755) Religious Lay Brother of the Redemptorists

“The chance to become a Saint
is offered me only once.
If I do not profit by it, it is gone forever.
Since I can have only once ,
the good fortune to become a Saint,
what shall hinder me
from laboring for that end?
I have every opportunity to sanctify myself.
Yes, I will be a Saint!”

“ In God, in God alone do I confide, do I hope!
I have placed my whole life in His Hands
that He may do with me as he pleases.
And although I live, yet I am without life,
since my life is God.
In Him alone I rest.
From Him alone I expect the aid necessary
to carry out my resolutions.”

“And thou, Immaculate Virgin Mary,
my only joy, be thou my protectress
and my consoler!
Be ever my advocate with God
that I may put into practice,
my good resolutions.”

MORE:
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St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

One Minute Reflection – 16 October – “He sells all he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

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One Minute Reflection – 16 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – St Hedwig (1174-1243) Widow – Proverbs 31:10-31 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He sells all he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “ Our Lord Jesus Christ frequently and insistently, repeated “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24) … and elsewhere – “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor,” after which he adds: “then come, follow me” (Mt 19:21).

For someone who understands it, the parable of the merchant is saying the same thing – “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field which a person finds and hides again and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Undoubtedly, the precious pearls here refer to the Kingdom of Heaven and our Lord shows us that it is impossible to gain it unless we give up all we possess: wealth, esteem, high birth, and those things which others greedily seek after.

Our Lord has also declared that it is impossible to be properly busied about one’s tasks when the mind is distracted by all sorts of things – “No-one can serve two masters,” He said (Mt 6:24). That is why the “treasure in Heaven” is the only one we should choose to fix our heart on – for “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:21) … To summarise, it is a matter of our raising our hearts to the life of Heaven in such a way that we would be able to say – “Our citizenship is in Heaven” (Phil 3:20). Above all, it is to begin to be like Christ, Who “although He was rich, made Himself poor for our sake” (2 Cor 8:9).” – St Basil the Great (330-379) Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church (Greater monastic Rules, 8).

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).

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – ‘Serving Him purely for the love of His Will’

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – St Callistus I (c218- c223) Confessor, Pope, Martyr (and remembering St Bernard our Pilgrim today) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Simon Peter answered and said:
Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. ”

Matthew 16:16

“Arise my soul
and review your deeds
which have preceded you.
Scrutinize them closely
and shed the rain of your tears,
declaring openly to Christ, our thoughts and deeds
so that you may be justified.”

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

“We become what we love
and who we love
shapes what we become.”

St Clare (1194-1253)

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.”

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

“Now it is that we are to show
an invincible courage towards our Saviour,
serving Him purely for the love of His Will,
not only without pleasure
but amid this deluge of sorrows,
horrors, distresses and assaults,
as did his glorious Mother and St John,
upon the day of His Passion.
Amongst so many blasphemies,
sorrows and deadly distresses,
they remained constant in love …”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 October – ‘ … Let us love Him above all and in all. … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 13 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Our Lady of Fatima: The Sixth & Final Apparition – St Edward King and Confessor (c1003-1066) – Sirach 31:8-11 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching.” – Luke 12:37

REFLECTION – “In order to clarify the role of the servants,He set at the head of His people, the Lord spoke this word related in the Gospel: “Who, then is the faithful and prudent steward whom the Master will put in charge of His servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his Master on arrival, finds doing so”… If we should be wondering in what that food allowance consists, Saint Paul gives us the answer; it is “the measure of faith which God has apportioned” (Rom 12:). That which Christ called, an allowance of food, Paul termed, a measure of faith, to teach us that there is no other spiritual food than the Mystery of Christian faith. We give you this allowance of food in the Lord’s Name every time we speak to you according to the rule of the true Faith, illumined by the spiritual gift of grace. As for that allowance, you receive it at the hands of the Lord’s stewards each time you hear the Word of Truth from the mouth of God’s servants.

May that food allowance which God shares among us, be our nourishment. Let us draw from it the solid food of worthy behaviour, so that we may come to the reward of eternal life. For fear lest we collapse along the way, let us believe in Him, Who gives Himself to us as Food (Mt 15:32) and reserves Himself to be our Reward, that we may find joy when we reach our homeland. Let us believe and hope in Him; let us love Him above all and in all. For Christ is our Food and will be our Reward. Christ is the nourishment and comfort of travellers on their way; He is the contentment and rejoicing of the blessed in their repose.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (467-532) Bishop Father (Sermon 1, 2-3).

PRAYER – O God, Who crowned blessed King Edward with the glory of eternity, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate him on earth that we may be worthy to reign with him in heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky, We Lift our Hearts to God on High

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Our Morning Offering – 12 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVIII

Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky,
We Lift our Hearts to God on High
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church
Trans J M Neale (1818-1866)

Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today,

Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife,
From angry words, would shield our life,
From evil sights, would turn our eyes
And close our ears to vanities.

So we, when this new day is gone
And night in turn is drawing on,
With conscience by the world unstained,
Shall praise His Name for vict’ry gained.

“All praise to You, Creator Lord!
All praise to You, eternal Word!
All praise to You, O Spirit wise!”
We sing as daylight fills the skies.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – The Feast of the Divine Maternity – ‘ … This most prudent woman … ‘ St Bede

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One Minute Reflection – 11 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of the Divine Maternity –Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23-31 – Luke 2:43-51 –

“He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them and His mother kept all these things in her heart.” – Luke 2:51

REFLECTION – “Consider the most prudent woman Mary, Mother of true Wisdom, as the pupil of her Son. For she learned from Him, not as from a child or man but, as from God. Yes, she dwelt in meditation on His words and actions. Nothing of what was said or done by Him, fell idly on her mind. As before, when she conceived the Word itself, in her womb, so now, does she hold within her, His ways and words, cherishing them, as it were, in her heart. That which she now beholds in the present, she waits to have revealed with greater clarity, in the future. This practice she followed as a rule and law through all her life.” – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke).

PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, maybe assisted by her intercession with 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).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN QUOTES, Quotes on SALVATION

Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor

“We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.”

“I have great doubts about the salvation of those
who do not have special devotion to Mary.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/10/quote-s-of-the-day-10-october-st-francis-borgia-2/

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, Quotes Self-Oblation, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 October – ‘ … He weighs the heart and not the substance …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, – 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 – “No-one should say to himself, even when he regards others who have left a great deal behind: “I want to imitate those who despise this world but I have nothing to leave behind.” You leave a great deal behind, my friends, if you renounce your desires. Our external possessions, no matter how small, are enough for the Lord, He weighs the heart and not the substance and does not measure the amount we sacrifice for Him but the effort with which we bring it…. The Kingdom of God has no assessment value put on it but it is worth everything you have… To Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and boat they gave up; to the widow it was worth two small coins (Lk 21:2); to another person it was worth a cup of cold water (Mt 10:42). The Kingdom of God, as I said, is worth everything you have. Think about it, my friends, what has less value when you purchase it, what is more precious when you possess it?

But perhaps a cup of cold water offered to someone who needs it, is not enough, even then the Word of God gives us assurance…: “Peace on earth to men of goodwill!” (Lk 2:4). In the sight of God, no hand is ever empty of a gift, if the deep places of the heart are filled with goodwill… Although I have no gifts to offer outwardly, yet I find within myself something to place on the Altar of Thou praise… Thou art better pleased with an offering of our heart! (cf. Ps 55:13).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospel no 5).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, model of true humility and its reward, we beseech Thee, that as Thou made blessed Francis one of Thy glorious imitators, by his contempt for earthly honours, grant us to follow his example and to share in his glory.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).

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

One Minute Reflection – 8 October – ‘ … Let us aim to make Jesus Christ reign in us! …’ for He is the Kingdom …

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One Minute Reflection – 8 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow – 1 Timothy 5:3-10 – 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 he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Never be obsessed about appearing to be superior or in control. I do npt share the opinion of someone who said to me a few days ago that, to keep a firm hold on one’s authority, one should let one’s superiority be seen. My God! Our Lord Jesus Christ, never spoke like that! In both Word and Example, He taught us quite the contrary, telling us that He hHmself, had come, not to be served but to serve and, whoever wishes to be first among you, must become the slave of all (Mk 10:44-45)…

For this reason, give yourself to God, so that you can speak in the lowly spirit of Jesus Christ, confessing that your teaching, is not your own, nor does it come from you but is the Gospel’s. Above all, imitate the simple Words and comparisons made by Our Lord in Holy Scripture when speaking to the people. Alas! What wonderful things might He not have taught the people! What secrets might He not have disclosed about the Divinity and Its marvellous perfections, He Who was His Father’s Eternal Wisdom! But yet, you see how He speaks intelligibly and makes use of familiar comparisons of labourer, vinedresser, field, vine, mustard seed. This is how you ought to speak, if you would make yourself understood by the people to whom you are proclaiming the Word of God.

Something else, to which you ought to give special attention, is to rely heavily on the Son of God’s method of acting. In other words, when you have to do something, you should ask yourself: “Does this conform to the Sayings of the Son of God?” If you find that it does so, then say: “Let us do it when the opportunity arises” but, if not, say: “I’ll have nothing to do with it.” In addition, when there is some question of carrying out a good work, say to the Son of God: “Lord, if Thou were in my place, what would Thou have done in this instance? How would Thou have taught this people? How would Thou have consoled this sick person in body or soul?”… Let us aim to make Jesus Christ reign in us!” – St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) Priest, Confessor, Founder of religious communities (Conversations; Counsels to Antoine Durand 1656)

PRAYER – O Lord, our God, Who through Thy Only-begotten Son revealed secrets to blessed Bridget, grant that through her kind intercession, we, Thy servants, may rejoice and be glad in the revelation of Thy eternal glory. 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", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 September – “Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.” – Luke 12:40

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One Minute Reflection – 6 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Bruno O.Cart (c1030-1101) Priest, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.” – Luke 12:40

REFLECTION – “Let our “loins be girded and our lamps lit”; let us be like “servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast” (Lk 12:35). Do not let us be like those unbelievers who say: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15:32). The more unsure the day of our death is, the more painful are the trials of life and the more too, we should fast and pray since, to all intents and purposes, tomorrow we die. Our Lord said to His disciples: “Yet a little while and you will no longer see Me and again, a little while and you will see Me” (Jn 16:16). Now is the time of which He said: “You will grieve but the world will rejoice” (v. 20); now is the time in this life of suffering when we journey apart from Him. “But,” He adds, “I shall see you again and your hearts will be full of joy and no-one will take your joy away from you” (v. 22).

Even now, the hope we thus put in the One Who is faithful to His promise, will not leave us without some joy, until we are filled with overwhelming joy on the day when “we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2), when “no-one shall take our joy away from us” … “A woman in labour,” says our Lord, “is in anguish because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to a child, she feels immense joy because a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16:21). This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be filled when we pass from our present understanding of faith into eternal Light. So let us fast and pray now because we are in the days of childbirth.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace [Sermon 210, 5 (7)]

PRAYER – May we be aided by the intercession of St Bruno, Thy Confessor, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who have grievously offended Thy Majesty by sin, may, by his merits and prayers, obtain forgiveness for our offenses. 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 CHRIST the KING Prayers, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 6 October – I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee, O Deus Ego Amo Te

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Our Morning Offering – 6 October

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
O Deus Ego Amo Te
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 October – ‘ … The Lord asks of us only two things …’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVII – St Placidus and Companions – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His Will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.

The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything.  I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places, Ch 3).

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, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. 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 AUGUSTINIANS OSA, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HOPE

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – Lord, My God, My Only Hope! Let Me Never Tire of Seeking Thee

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Our Morning Offering – 5 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVII

Lord, My God, My Only Hope!
Let Me Never Tire of Seeking Thee
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

O Lord, our God, we believe in Thee,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
As far as I have been able,
as much as Thou hast given me the power to do so,
I have sought for Thee.
I have desired to see that in which I believe;
much have I striven and laboured.

Lord, my God, my only Hope,
let me never tire of seeking Thee
but make me seek Thy Face with constant ardour.
Give me the strength to seek for Thee–
Thou Who hast made me find Thee,
Who hast given me, more and more,
the hope of finding Thee.

Thou seest my strength and my weakness;
do Thou sustain the one and heal the other;
Thou seest my strength and my ignorance,
where Thou hast opened to me, come, make me welcome;
where Thou hast closed to me, open to my plea.
Give me to remember, understand to know
and to love Thee alone.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “I praise Thee, Father, … Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to the little ones. ” – Matthew 11:25

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Francis of Assisi OFM (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder – Galatians 6:14-18 – Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I praise Thee, Father, … Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to the little ones. ” – Matthew 11:25

REFLECTION – “The fact that the all-powerful God has been able to humble Himself even to the humility of the human condition, constitutes a greater proof than the impact and supernatural character of miracles. Indeed, when Divine power effects something of great sublimity, this is, after a fashion, in conformity with and appropriate to God’s nature… On the other hand, that God descended even to our lowliness is, in a certain way, the expression of an overwhelming power which, is not in the least restrained by what is contrary to its nature…

Neither the expanse of the heavens, the brightness of the stars, the governing of the universe, nor the harmony of created things, reveal the splendid power of God so much, as His indulgence, which leads Him to lower Himself to the weakness of our nature… God’s goodness, wisdom, justice and power, are revealed in His plans on our behalf: goodness in His will to “save that which was lost” (Lk 19,10); wisdom and justice, in His manner of saving us; power in the fact, that Christ became “in the likeness of men” (Phil 2,7-8) and made Himself conformable to the humility of our nature.” – St Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church (Catechetical Discourse 23-26 ; SC 453).

PRAYER – O God, Who by the good works of blessed Francis enriched Thy Church by establishing a new religious family, grant us to imitate him by emulation of him, by looking upon the things of earth as nought and ever to rejoice in sharing Thy heavenly gifts. 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 ArchAngels and Angels, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, In the PRESENCE of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – ‘… He gives to each of us, one and, even several Angels …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels – Exodus 23:20-23 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father …” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “Although the good God is sufficient unto Himself, nevertheless, He makes use of the ministry of the Angels to govern the world … When we see God taking such care of our lives, we conclude that our souls are something truly great and precious, if He is to employ all that is greatest in His Court for the souls’ preservation and sanctification. He has given us His Son to save us; this same Son … gives to each of us,one and, even several Angels, who are solely occupied in asking, on our half, the graces and aids we might need, to ensure our salvation … Oh, how little people know what they are and what they were made for! In Holy Scripture we read that the Lord said to His people: “See, I am sending an Angel before you, to guard you on the way” (Ex 23:20) …

We should often pray to our Guardian Angels, carefully respect them and, above all, try to imitate them in all our actions. And the first thing we need to imitate in them, is the thought of the Presence of God … Surely, if we were completely penetrated with God’s Presence, how could we do evil? How much more pleasing to God would be all our good deeds! … God said to Abraham: “Would you be blameless? Walk in My Presence” (Gn 17:1). How could we possibly forget God so easily, when we have Him always with us? Why are we not full of respect and gratitude towards our Angels, who accompany us day and night? … Perhaps you will say: “I am to unworthy to merit it.” My brethren, not only does God not lose sight of you for an instant but, He gives you an Angel who never ceases to guide your steps. Ah, happiness too great, yet too little known!” – St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Priest, Curé of Ars, Patron of Parish Priests (Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels).

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy wondrous providence graciously send Thy Angels to watch over us, grant that we, who pray to Thee maybe ever under their protection and may rejoice in their unending companionship. 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", CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GATE of HEAVEN, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

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One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels” – St Remigius (c438-533) Confessor, “Apostle of the Franks” Bishop –Ecclesiasticus Sir ach 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness …, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.

O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring Light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory, to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…

Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the solemn feast of blessed Remigius, Thy Confessor and Bishop, may both increase our devotion and advance our salvation. 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).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 30 September – The Presence of God

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Thought for the Day – 30 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Presence of God

“In times of temptation, it is especially necessary for us to place ourselves in the presence of God.
We are courting disaster, if we do not raise our minds and hearts to God to implore His help, when temptation assails us.
Like the Apostles on the lake of Genesareth, when their frail boat was battered by the storm tossed waves and was in danger of being wrecked, let us cry out with the same faith and confidence, when we are assaulted by the devil: “Lord save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25).
God knows our weakness and will certainly have mercy on us.

Let us not lose courage if He seems to be slow in granting His enlightenment and His grace and leaves us prey to the onslaughts of our passions.
Like the Canaanite woman in the Gospel, let us continue to pray with constancy and with faith and the merciful God will take pity on us at last.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – “You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

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One Minute Reflection – 30 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor – 2 Timothy 4:1-8 – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

REFLECTION – “I shall always love and reverence the Apostles sent by Christ and their successors, in sowing the seed of the Gospel, those zealous and tireless co-operators in propagating the Word, who may justly say of themselves: Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the Mysteries of God. For Christ, like a most watchful and most faithful householder, wished that the Gospel lamp should be lit by such ministers and delegates, with fire sent down from Heaven and once lit, should not be put under a measure but set upon a candlestick, so that it may spread its brightness far and wide and put to flight, all darkness and error, rife among both Jews and Gentiles.

Now it is not enough for the Gospel teacher to be a brilliant speaker in the eyes of the people; he must also be as a voice crying in the desert and endeavour, by his eloquence, to help many to lead good lives, lest, if he omit his duty of speaking, he be called the dumb dog that is not able to bark, spoken of by the prophet. Yes, he should also burn, in such a way, that, equipped with good works and love, he may adorn his evangelical office and follow the leadership of Paul. He indeed was not satisfied with bidding the Bishop of the Ephesians: This command and teach: conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus but he unflaggingly preached the Gospel to friend and foe alike and, said with a good conscience to the Bishops gathered at Ephesus: You know how I have kept back nothing that was for your good but have declared it to you and taught you in public and from house to house, urging Jews and Gentiles to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such should be the shepherd in the Church who, like Paul, becomes all things to all men, so that the sick may find healing in him; the sad, joy; the desperate, hope; the ignorant, instruction; those in doubt, advice; the penitent, forgiveness and comfort and finally, everyone, whatever is necessary for salvation. And so Christ, when He wished to appoint the chief teachers of the world and of the Church, did not limit Himself to saying to His disciples: You are the light of the world but also added these words: A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Those churchmen err, who imagine that it is by brilliant preaching, rather than by holiness of life and all-embracing love, they fulfil their office.” – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church (Sermon excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously gave Thy Church blessed Jerome, Thy Confessor and peerless teacher, to explain the Holy Scriptures, grant, we beseech Thee that, with the help of his merits and by Thy assistance, we may be able to put into practice what he has taught us by his life and works. 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).

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, The IMITATION of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 28 September – The Divine Counsellor

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Thought for the Day – 28 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Divine Counsellor

“Speak Lord, for Thy servant hears.
Give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies.
Let not Moses, nor any of the Prophets, speak to me but speak Thou rather, O Lord God, the Inspirer and Enlightener of all the Prophets…
They may indeed sound forth words but they give not the Spirit.
Most beautifully do they speak but if Thou be silent, they inflame not the heart…
They declare the commandments but Thou enables us to fulfil them.
They show the way but Thou gives the strength to walk in it…
Speak to me that it may be some comfort to my soul and the amendment of my whole life and also, to Thy praise, glory and everlasting honour!” (Cf The Imitation of Christ Bk III, Ch 2).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The ANNUNCIATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – ‘ … Distrusting ourselves and our own strength, produces trust in God … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 28 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Wenceslaus (907-935) Duke of Bohemia, Martyr – Ephesians 3:13-21 – Luke 14:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For everyone who exalts himself, shall be humbled and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.” – Luke 14:11

REFLECTION – “Humility is not just about self-mistrust but about the entrusting of ourselves to God. Distrusting ourselves and our own strength, produces trust in God and, from that trust, generosity of soul is born. The most holy Virgin, Our Lady, gave us an outstanding example of this, when she spoke these words: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38). When she said she was the handmaid of the Lord, she was performing, the greatest act of humility, it is possible to do and, all the more so, in that, she was contradicting the praise given her by the Angel – that she would be mother of God, that the child to be born from her womb would be called Son of the Most High, a greater dignity than any we might imagine – I say, she opposed her lowliness and unworthines,to all these praises and greatness, by saying that she was the handmaid of the Lord. Yet, note how, no sooner had she rendered her duty to humility, than she practised outstanding generosity, by saying: “May it be to me according to thy word.”

What she wanted to say was – “It is true, I am in no way capable of this grace of myself if one is to consider what I am ut, insofar as what is good in me, comes from God and what thou say to me, is His own most holy will, I believe it can happen and will ha,ppen.” And so, without the least hesitation, she said: “Let it be done to me according to thou word.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Doctor Caritatis (Conversations 5).

PRAYER – O God, Who through the Palm of Martyrdom transported blessed Wenceslaus from an earthly dominion unto heavenly glory, keep us, by his prayers, from all harm and grant us to rejoice in his fellowship. 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 CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Behold, your reward is great in Heaven,

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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

“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward
will be great in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:12

“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! ”

St John of the Cross (1442-1591)
Doctor of the Church

“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

“The patience of the Saints
was more severely tried than is ours.
Not only were they stoned, racked, torn asunder,
not only did they suffer want, distress, afflictions
(Hebrews 11 : 37) but, they had to endure
what was still more difficult –
ingratitude, failure, unkindness, false accusations, desolation, darkness.
Yet they willingly endured all for Jesus’ sake,
never ceasing to love Him through it all.
I have my trials, yet none so dreadful as theirs,
yet I complain even under my lighter cross!”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The SEVEN LAST WORDS of CHRIST

One Minute Reflection – 27 September – “We possess nothing and yet, we have everything!”

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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 combatant 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – ‘… THE WORLD HATES Christians,so why give your love to it …?’

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649) Priest, Martyr, and 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 they can do. …
be afraid of him who, after he has killed,
has power to cast into hell. ”

Luke 12:4-5

“It is He Who is our peace.”

St Paul
Ephesians 2:14

“The world … hates Me
because I bear witness concerning it,
that its works are evil.”

John 7:7

“… THE WORLD HATES Christians,
so why give your love to it,
instead of following Christ,
Who loves you and has redeemed you?
A man cannot love the Father
and love the world at the same time.
All that the world offers is the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes and earthly ambition.
The world and its allurements will pass away
but the man who has done the Will of God
shall live forever.
Our part, my dear brothers,
is to be single-minded, firm in faith
and steadfast in courage,
ready for God’s will, whatever it may be.
Banish the fear of death
and think of the eternal life which follows it.
That will show people that we really live our Faith.”

St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop of Carthage, Martyr
Father of the Church

(An excerpt from On Man’s Mortality).

“You do not, in your enemies,
love what they are
but what you would have them become,
by your prayers!”

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

“Father, forgive them.”
With this prayer, He wanted to make us understand
the love He bore us, undiminished
by any suffering and to teach us how
our heart should be toward our neighbour.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

QUOTES of St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr
AND St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-september-st-isaac-jogues-and-st-jean-de-brebeuf/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – ‘ … God’s desire to be loved, rather than feared, to be a Father, rather than a Lord. …’

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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/

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7

REFLECTION – “I appeal to you by the Mercy of God. This appeal is made by Paul, or rather, it is made by God through Paul because of God’s desire to be loved, rather than feared, to be a Father, rather than a Lord. God appeals to us in His Mercy to avoid having to punish us in His severity.

Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
In Me, I want you to see your own body, your members, your heart, your bones, your blood. You may fear what is Divine but why not love what is human? You may run away from Me as the Lord but why not run to Me as your Father? Perhaps you are filled with shame for causing My bitter Passion. Do not be afraid. This Cross inflicts a mortal injury, not on Me but on death! These nails no longer pain Me but only deepen your love for Me. I do not cry out because of these Wounds but through them, I draw you into My Heart. My Body was stretched on the Cross as a symbol, not of how much I suffered but of My all-embracing Love. I count it no less, to shed My Blood, it is the price I have paid for your ransom. 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) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (An Excerpt from Sermon 108).

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).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JESUIT SJ, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, Quotes Self-Oblation, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 26 September – Jesus, What Can I Give Thee in Return? The Prayer of St Jean de Brébeuf

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Our Morning Offering – 26 September – St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646), St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr, Missionary and Companions

Jesus, What Can I Give Thee in Return?
The Prayer of St Jean de Brébeuf SJ (1593-1649)

Jesus, my Lord and Saviour,
what can I give Thee in return
for all the favours Thou hast
first conferred upon me?
I will take from Thy Hand,
the Cup of Thine Sufferings
and call on Thy Name.
I vow before Thee, eternal Father and the Holy Ghost,
before Thy most holy Mother
and her most chaste Spouse,
before the Angels, Apostles and Martyrs,
before my blessed fathers,
Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier,
in truth, I vow to Thee, Jesus my Saviour,
that, as far as I have the strength,
I will never fail to accept the grace of Martyrdom,
if someday Thou, in Thine Infinite Mercy,
should offer it to me,
Thy most unworthy servant …
My beloved Jesus,
here and now, I offer
my body and blood and life.
May I die only for Thee,
if Thou will grant me this grace,
since Thou willingly died for me.
Let me so live that Thou may grant me
the gift of such a happy death.
In this way, my God and Saviour,
I will take from Thy Hand,
the Cup of Thine Sufferings
and call upon Thy Name,
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 25 September – Interior Silence

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Thought for the Day – 25 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Interior Silence

“God speaks readily when our souls are silent.
He cannot be heard in the noise of the world.
But we do not have to abandon our normal way of life in order to find a little interior recollection.
It is enough to pause for a moment and remember God’s Presence.
Once we have formed the habit of doing this, it becomes quite easy, at anytime and in any place.
We may be walking along the street, or in the middle of our work.
We may be in a room full of people chatting together.
Wherever we are, we shall be able to pause and raise our minds to God.
If we acquire this habit, we can lead peaceful lives, on a completely supernatural level.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light! ” (Eph 5:14)

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One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Ferial Day – Pentecost XV – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross – Galatians 5:25-26.6:1-10 – Luke 7:11-16. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Young man, I say to thee, arise!” – Luke 7:14

REFLECTION – “Let no-one who is Christian doubt that even now, dead people rise. Certainly, every human being has eyes, by which he can see dead people rising, in the way this widow’s son, whom we just heard about in the Gospel, arose. But not everyone can see people who are spiritually dead rise. For that, it is necessary to have already risen interiorly. It is greater to raise someone, who is to live forever, than to raise someone, who will have to die again.

The young man’s mother, this widow, was transported with joy at seeing her son rise. Our Mother, the Church, also rejoices when she sees her children’s spiritual resurrection everyday. The widow’s son was dead with the death of the body but these latter, are dead with the death of the soul. People wept tears over the visible death of the former but people were not concerned by the invisible death of the latter – they did not even see it. The only One Who did not remain indifferent, is the One Who knew these deaths – only the One, Who could give life back to them, knew these deaths. For, if the Lord had not come to raise the dead, the Apostle Paul would not have said: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light.” (Eph 5:14).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 98).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of the blessed and gloriosus Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, the blessed Vincent Strambi, Thy Confessor and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors, being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. 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).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE

Thought for the Day – 24 September – The Death of the Sinner as Opposed to the Death of the Just

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Thought for the Day – 24 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Death of the Sinner as Opposed
to the Death of the Just

“Now that we have witnessed these contrasting scenes, let us examine ourselves in the presence of God.
Let each of us ask: What will be my fate?
If we can rank ourselves amongst the just, let us thank God.
We are not there on our own merits.
“By the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10).

Perhaps we need only reproach ourselves with some deficiency or weakness but, have at the same times, a strong desire to serve God and a great love for Him.
In this case, we can take heart.
We can cast ourselves into the merciful arms of God.
But, if on the other hand, we are hardened and habitual sinners, then woe betide us!
Perhaps this meditation is the last grace which God will bestow on us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci