Category: QUOTES – J R R Tolkien and MORE

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Thought for the Day – 12 April – The Meaning of Easter

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Thought for the Day – 12 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Meaning of Easter

“Today the Church adorns herself in festival array.
Gone are the lengthy lamentations of Holy Saturday and the sorrowful recitations of the Passion and in their place, is the glad cry of Alleluia, the hymn of vitory over death and sin.
The true joy of Easter, lies, not merely in external celebration, however but in the spiritual gladness of the soul.
As Jesus has conquered death and sin, so we must purify ourselves of every trace of guilt by a good confession and must be sure, that it will result in a practical renovation of our lives.
We should approach Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist with greater fervour and humility and with greater trust in His goodness and mercy.
When we have received Him into our hearts, we should ask Him to renew and transform us in Himself.
He is everything and we are nothing without Him.
He is strong, we are weak.
We are capable only of feeble desires to do good but He can make them effective by His grace.
We should not be satisfied with forming general resolutions when we go to confession and receive Holy Communion at Easter.
We should examine the depths of our soul and discover the sin which we are most accustomed to commit and the virtue which we are principally lacking.
As a result of our investigation, we should form a particular resolution to combat this sin and to practise this virtue.
It is only in this way, that our celebration of Easter can inaugurate the beginning of a genuine self-renewal which will gain momentum daily, until it becomes a true spiritual resurrection.
It will be a hard battle, which will necessitate a constant vigilance and a readiness to begin again, everytime we realise, that we have fallen.
It will require an unfailing spirit of prayer but, the final victory, will bring us such happiness, that worldly pleasures will seem empty and illusory, by comparison.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Most of us are barred from the Sacraments at present.   Some, have been able to make their Easter Confession before all this ‘lockdown’ occurred.   For those of us who were not able to do so, now is perhaps the most perfect time to prepare ourselves for the great day, when this time is over and we can, again, joyfully receive the Sacraments!   In the meantime, let us be strong in the Risen Christ and rejoice in His Glory – Alleluia!

the true joy of easter - bacci 12 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 April -– Easter – ‘The Door is Open’

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 April -– Easter Sunday – The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!!!
For with thee is the fountain of life
and in thy light, we shall see light.

Psalm 36:9

psalm 36 9 alleluia for with thee is the fountain of life 12 april 2020

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen and the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen and life reigns.
Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.”

o death where is your sting - st john chrysostom - easter thursday - 5 april 2018

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“There is just one Name in the whole world that lives –
it is the Name of One who passed His years in obscurity
and who died a malefactor’s death.
(Two thousand yeas) have gone by since that time but still It has It’s hold upon the human mind.
It has possessed the world and It maintains possession.
Amid the most various nations, under the most diversified circumstances,
in the most cultivated, in the rudest races and intellects,
in all classes of society, the Owner of that great Name reigns.
High and low, rich and poor, acknowledge Him.
Millions of souls are conversing with Him,
are venturing at His word, are looking for His presence.  Palaces, sumptuous, innumerable, are raised to His honour.
His image, in it’s deepest humiliations,
is triumphantly displayed in the proud city, in the open country,
at the corners of streets, on the tops of mountains.
It sanctifies the ancestral hall, the closet and the bedchamber,
it is the subject for the exercise of the highest genius in the imitative arts.
It is worn next to the heart in life, it is held before the failing eyes in death.

one name that lives st john henry newman 28 march 2020

O fulfil Your Resurrection in us
and as You have purchased us,
claim us, take possession of us,
make us Thine.”
Amen

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

o-fulfil-your-resurrection-in-us-st-john-henry-newman-20-oct-2019 12 april 2020

“It seems as if the human world
has no doors opening toward God.
It is locked in upon itself.
It is a prison, a house of the dead.

it seems as if the humand ...ia a house of the dead but today the door is open - pope benedict ratzinger 12 april 2020
[BUT TODAY] …
The Door is open
It is called
Jesus Christ”

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger – Pope Benedict XVI

Seek That Which is Above

the-door-is-open-pope-benedict-1-april-2018-12 april 2020

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11 April – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night – Sabbatum Sanctum – “He has ripped open a hole in history that can never be filled-in again.”

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Sabbatum Sanctum – Holy Saturday – 11 April – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:2, Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22, Genesis 22:1-18, Psalm 16:5, 8-11, Exodus 14:15–15:1, Responsorial psalm Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18, Isaiah 54:5-14, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, Isaiah 55:1-11, Responsorial psalm Isaiah 12:2-6, Baruch 3:9-15, 32–4:4, Psalm 19:8-11, Ezekiel 36:16-28, Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3-4, Romans 6:3-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 15-17, 22-23, Matthew 28:1-10

lumen christi easter-vigil-in-the-holy-night-31-march-2018 and 11 april 2020

In these most difficult times, when we are excluded from our Churches, from our Sacraments, I have found much consolation in doing all the readings at home, with these reflections from Cardinal-elect (nearly – sadly he died just before the ceremony) Hans Urs.  Perhaps, these times are “nothing but occurrences of grace.”

easter morning - the tomb empty resurrection gettyimages-1134712261-romolotavani1200

Light of the Word
Genesis 22:1-18, Exodus 14:15–15:1, Matthew 28:1-10
By Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)
Cardinal-elect, Theologian

“He has Ripped Open a Hole in History that Can Never be Filled-in Again.”

1. With Jesus’ death, the word of God ends.
In the weariness of Mary, pierced by every possible sword of suffering, the Church mutely holds vigil at the grave.
All living faith, all living hope, is deposited with God.
No premature Alleluia sounds.
The watching and waiting Church takes the time to recall the long path through all stages of salvation history that God has followed with His people, since the creation of the world – seven events unfold before the Church’s spiritual eyes.
She sees salvation, even in the most difficult of all events – in Abraham’s sacrifice, in the narrow escape across the divided sea, in the homecoming from exile.
And she understands, that they were nothing but occurrences of grace.
The sacrifice of Isaac, ultimately confirmed, both Abraham’s obedience and God’s promises;  apparent submersion in the sea, proved to be Israel’s salvation and the burial of it’s enemies;  exile itself, was Israel’s lengthy purification and return to God.1233px-The_dead_Christ_and_three_mourners,_by_Andrea_Mantegnabotticelli lamentation over the dead christ 1492 detail

2. Thus, in the second reading (Exodus 14:15-15:1) the Church recognises that her own death in Baptism, is a dying with Jesus, a dying into eternal salvation n Him, a dying into resurrection with Him toward God, into a new sinless and deathless life.
No mere ceremony can accomplish this miracle – only a genuine “co-crucifixion” with Christ, of the old, sinful man, a co-crucifixion that permits a co-dying and co-burial to take place, can accomplish this.
This is essentially, a gift given by God to the person baptised, a gift that is also a lifelong challenge to make the gift come true in the Christian’s existence.
The two belong inseparably together, if the gift given in Christ is to prevail in the Christian’s life – he must become what he is, he must unfold what he has!
Thus the shift from Good Friday to Easter, must be two things at once – joy at the most sublime gift and determination to keep one’s baptismal promises.
It is fitting to renew these promises while celebrating the Easter Vigil.

vasili nesterenko the crucifixion 1997

 

3. Only now, can the holy women hear the angel’s message.
He invites the women to come closer and view the empty place where Jesus lay.
“He is not here.”
No longer visible, tangible, confirmable in time and place – all this must be renounced.
In all of world history, no-one has left so “emply a place” behind, as did this person who was buried here, only yesterday.
He who entered history, with such emphasis, is no longer comprehensible within history.
“He is risen, as he said,” He has ripped open a hole in history that can never be filled-in again.
Thorough guarding of the grave could not prevent this opening and the more men try to fill it, to plug it up, the wider it gapes.
Instead of this emptiness, the women are given the joy of their message to the disciples, a joy that is further intensified, when the Lord Himself appears to them and renews the mission:  “They should go to Galilee, where they will see me.”
There, where everything had begun, in the ordinariness of a secular calling, new life would begin.
In the unpretentious, begins the incomprehensibly unique!

Be blessed, be joyful for the Lord is HERE!   ‘Become what you are, unfold what you have!’tissot - 3 women at the empty tomb

Appearance-of-Christ-to-his-Disciples EASTER RESURRECTION

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Thought for the Day – 11 April – Jesus is Condemned to Death

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Thought for the Day – 11 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Jesus is Condemned to Death

“Pilate was neither wicked nor cruel.
He was a weak opportunist who placed his position as Governor of Judea and his own personal interests above everything else in life.
He was prepared, moreover, to adopt the meanest of compromises.
He had acquitted Jesus, because, he believed Him to be innocent.
But he panicked as soon as he heard the crowd shouting and the Jewish priests accusing him of being no friend of the Emperor.
Then, he had recourse to an expedient.
When he saw Jesus covered with blood, crowned with thorns and clothed in purple rags, he showed Him to the crowd, in the hope, that their frenzied hearts would be touched with compassion.
He said only a few simple words.
“Behold the man!”
He wished them to see the condition to which this man had been reduced, who had been accused and mocked by them.
Looking like a trampled worm, He would stir up pity in every heart.   In the crowd, there were people who had been enchanted by the glory of His heavenly teaching.
Some of them had listened to Him in Jerusalem only a few days previously, when He was greeted by tumults of applause.
Others had received favours and miracles from Him.
But the good folk remained silent, for they could not summon up the courage to express any sentiments of gratitude or of humanity, in that gathering.
A roar drowned the words of Pilate.
“Let Him be crucified!”

Sometimes, when we see what is good and just, a rebellious impulse suddenly rises up inside us.
Unfortunately, we may yield to it on occasion and stifle the higher inspirations, which we receive.
Let us resolve never to be guilty of weak or unworthy conduct towards Jesus and to obey at all costs, the dictates of a sound conscience.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

behold the man - bacci 11 april 2020 holy sat

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Thought for the Day – 10 April – Jesus in Gethsemane

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Thought for the Day – 10 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Jesus in Gethsemane

“After the last supper, when Judas had disappeared in order to carry out his treacherous plan, Jesus walked, with His other eleven Apostles among the olive trees of Gethsemane.
He took aside three of the most faithful and then went away a few paces from them and prostrated Himself on the ground in fervent prayer.
Being God, Jesus had no need of prayer but He wished to give us an example of how we ought to behave in moments of trial and danger.
Three times He rose and went over to the Apostles, who were tired and had fallen asleep.
He reproached them gently and exhorted them to pray.
“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed, is willing but the flesh is weak” (Mk 14:38).
We often have a similar experience.
Temptation assails us from within and, from without and we remain unmoved and inactive.
But how can we escape from danger without the help of God?
The divine help comes to us from grace, which must be sought by prayer.
The electric current ceases, if the switch cuts off it’s contact with the source, from which it is derived.
In the same way, the divine grace of which we are in constant need, is cut off, if we do not remain united by prayer to God, the source of the spiritual life.
Let us learn from our divine model, Jesus, how to watch and pray always, especially in times of temptation and of peril.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, POETRY, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SIGN of the CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – The Sign of the Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – Friday of the Passion of the Lord

“Great thing is the knowledge of the crucified Christ.
How many things are enclosed inside this treasure!
Christ crucified!
Such is the hidden treasure of wisdom and science.
Do not be deceived, then, under the pretext of wisdom.
Gather before the covering and pray, that it may be uncovered.
Foolish philosopher of this world, what you are looking for is worthless…
What is the advantage of being thirsty, if you despise the source? …
And what is His precept but that we believe in Him and love each other?
In whom? In Christ crucified.
This is His commandment – that we believe in Christ crucified …
But where humility is, there is also majesty,
where weakness is, there shall one find power,
where death is, there shall be life as well.
If you wish to arrive at the second part, do not despise the first!“

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

Sermon 160, 3-4

this is his commandment that we believe - st augustine good friday 10 april 2020

“Come, kneel before the Lord:
He shed for us His Blood.
He died the victim of pure love,
To make us one with God.”

Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

(15 July 1814 – 2 January 1878) was an Anglican clergyman and hymn writer
who converted to Roman Catholicism and became a Oratorian under St John Henry Newman.

come kneel before the lord - edward caswall - orat st john henry - good friday 10 april 2020

The Sign of the Cross

WHENE’ER across this sinful flesh of mine
I draw the Holy Sign,
All good thoughts stir within me and renew
Their slumbering strength divine,
Till there springs up a courage high and true
To suffer and to do.

And who shall say but hateful spirits around,
For their brief hour unbound,
Shudder to see and wail their overthrow?
While on far heathen ground
Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though
Its source he cannot know.

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Oxford – 25 November 1832

the sign of the cross st john henry newman poem 10 april 2020 good friday

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Thought for the Day – 9 April – The Betrayal of Judas

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Thought for the Day – 9 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Betrayal of Judas

“Ingratitude is a very cruel thing.
It imprints a deep wound on the human heart and the heart of Jesus, was infinitely more sensitive than ours.
He had raised Judas to the high rank of the Apostolate;  He had made him one of His closest friends and had entrusted him with the secrets of His infinite love.
Now Judas betrays Him for the wretched sum of thirty pieces of silver.
Worse is to follow, however.
While Jesus is praying and perspiring blood at the thought of the ingratitude of men and of the nearness of His passion and death, the garden of Gethsemane becomes suddenly aglow with torches and reverberates with the shouting of the hired ruffians, whom Judas has brought with him to arrest Jesus.
The treacherous Apostle comes forward.
He embraces our divine Redeemer, hails Him as his Master and greets Him with a sacrilegious kiss upon the cheek.
Jesus neither repulses nor rebukes him but, with a gesture of infinite mercy, He addresses him as a friend.
“Friend,” He says, “for what purpose hast thou come?” (Mt 26:50).
“Dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk 22:28).
If only Judas could have heeded this last appeal and begged for forgiveness at Jesus’ feet with tears of repentance!
Jesus would certainly have taken him to His heart and returned his kiss with a kiss of pardon and divine friendship.
Perhaps, we have also stood at times on the brink of sin and have been aware of a higher appeal to go back!
But, have we heeded it?
If ever we are in danger again, let us listen to this quiet voice which speaks to our conscience.
Let us fall on our knees before Jesus and earnestly implore Him: “Be not silent, Lord, be not far from me!” (Ps 34:22).
Let us ask Him to have pity on our weakness and to come to our assistance.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, MAUNDY THURSDAY, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Love, or the Name of God

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Maundy Thursday, Evening Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Love, or the Name of God

“Once for all, then,
a short precept is given you –
Love and do what you will,
whether you hold your peace,
through love, hold your peace;
whether you cry out,
through love cry out;
whether you correct,
through love correct;
whether you spare,
through love do you spare.
Let the root of love be within,
of this root, can nothing spring
but what is good.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Great Western Father ad Doctor of the Church

Homily 7 on John

love and do what you will - st augustine -9 april 2020 maundy holy thursday

“He came from His royal throne,
the stern Conqueror of error
and the gentle Apostle of love.”

Saint Thierry (c 1075-1148)

he-came-from-his-royal-throne-william-of-saint-thierry-16-dec-2019 and 9 april 2020 maundy holy thursday

“The masterpiece of Jesus Christ’s love for humanity is the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is within our reach.
We can all get close to Christ the guest and talk with Him
and perceive the warmth of His word.
The word! How it inflames the spirits!
How will the word of Christ inflame them!
We can all get to the altar when He immolates Himself and shouts at us:
Look how much I have loved and loved you!
And we can all sit at His table
and eat the bread
and drink the intoxicating wine of charity. “

Blessed Marcelo Spínola y Maestre, Cardinal-Priest (1835-1906)

he-immolates-himself-and-shouts-at-us-bl-marcelo-spinola-19jan2019.and-19-jan-2020jpg and maundy holy thursday 9 april 2020

“I love Him, even if it costs much,
I love Him, because, it is worth much,
I love Him, at all cost.”

Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce (1881-1947)

i-love-him-bl-maria-teresa-fasce-18-jan-2019-and-2020 and 9 april 2020 maundy holy thursday

“If men sincerely loved one another, not merely as brothers
but as much as they love themselves, what problems would be solved!
Who can say how many evils would be abated
and how many sorrows would be assuaged?
To transform the world, it would be enough
to put into practice the first great commandment of the Gospel,
which is the commandment of charity.
Admittedly, the world would not become an earthly paradise,
for any such Utopia is an impossibility.
But, it would become a dignified dwelling place of brothers,
loving and helping one another.
“Love is the fulfilment of the law,” St Paul very truly says (Rom 13:10).
“Have charity, which is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

if-men-sincerely-loved-one-another-bacci-11-feb-2020 and maundy thursday holy - quotes 9 april 2020

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 3 April – Our Martyrdom

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Thought for the Day – 3 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Martyrdom

“St Ambrose describes virtue, as a slow martyrdom.
In this sense, we must all be martyrs.
There is only one difference.
The Martyrs of the Church shed their blood and gave up their lives for Jesus, within one hour or one day and gained their reward immediately.
Our martyrdom, on the other hand, will be prolonged.
It will last all our lives and will end only when we accept death with resignation from the hands of God.
Ours is the martyrdom of virtue.
Let us clearly understand, that solid Christian virtue is a slow and continual martyrdom, which will end with death.
It is not a flower, which springs up spontaneously in the garden of the soul.
It is like a seed which is thrown on the damp earth and must die there slowly, so that it can generate young shoots, which will produce the ears of corn.
“Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But, if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (Jn 12:24-25).
It is necessary, then, to descend into the mire of humility and to remain there until we die.
Only after we have died to ourselves, shall we rise again in God (Cf ibid).
After the death of our lower instincts and vices, we shall find a new life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Thought for the Day – 2 April – The Imitation of the Saints

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Thought for the Day – 2 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Imitation of the Saints

we are taught by words and we are attracted by examples - bacci 2 april 2020

“We are taught by words and we are attracted by examples.
Speech is a wonderful gift from God.
By means of it, we photography our thoughts, as it were and communicate them to others.
We express our wishes and our commands; we give life and colour to the innermost feelings of the heart.
We can employ the spoken word to do great good or to do great evil.
We can teach and educate, or we can deceive and corrupt.

Speech is an extraordinary gift and one day, we shall have to render God a strict account of it.
Learn from the Saints.
They understood perfectly, that they have to account, not only for evil or deceitful words but, “that of every idle word men speak, they shall give account on the day of judgement” (Mt 12:36).
For this reason, their conversation was always impregnated with divine wisdom.
By their instruction and advice, they raised men’s minds to an appreciation of heavenly truths and encouraged them to practice virtue.
They did this, not only by word but, also by example.
Their own lives were a complete theoretical and practical model, which led others towards sanctity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY

Thought for the Day – 31 March – Entertainment and Sport

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Thought for the Day – 31 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Entertainment and Sport

“It is wrong to imagine that Christianity is a sad and gloomy religion.
Quite otherwise, it is the religion of joy, that is, which comes from God, from the serenity of a sound conscience and from the hope and sure expectation of the immeasurable happiness of heaven, after the trials of this world are over.
Other pleasures are passing and often leave behind disillusionment, boredom and remorse.
The happiness of living a sincere Christian life does not vanish, even in the midst of suffering, for it bestows an inner peace, which nothing else can give.
“The kingdom of God,” says St Paul, “does not consist in food and drink but in justice and peace and joy, in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).
“The fruit of the Spirit,” he says in his letter to the Galatians, “is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…” (Gal 5:22).
St John the Apostle, writing to the faithful of his time, encourages them to be joyful with the joy which comes from Jesus Christ.   “These things we write to you that you may rejoice and our joy may be full” (1 Jn 1:4).
It is not contrary to Christian teaching, to indulge in lawful recreation and amusement.
If a bow is drawn too tight, it snaps.
Our physical constitution demands that after our work, we should rest.
Resting does not mean idleness and inactivity but suitable recreation and entertainment.
God, Himself, set aside six days for working and one for repose.
This day of solemn repose, however, should be dedicated in a particular way to God, by the fulfilment of the obligations which the Church prescribes.
But, there is no question of our being forbidden to refresh ourselves, mentally and physically, on this day, by suitable entertainment.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

The image is, of course, our mountain-climbing Blessed,

Pier Giorgio Frassati OP (1901-1925)

entertainment and sport - bacci - 31 march 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 March – O Blessed Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 March – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

“This is that enviable
and blessed Cross of Christ . . .
the Cross in which alone,
we must make our boast,
as Paul,
God’s chosen instrument,
has told us.”

St Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275)

this-is-that-enviable-and-blessed-cross-of-christ-st-raymond-of-penafort-7-jan-2019 and 31 march 2020

“The soul that longs for divine wisdom
chooses first and in truth,
to enter the thicket of the Cross.
…The gate that gives entry, into these riches
of His wisdom, is the Cross,
because it is a narrow gate,
while many seek the joys that can be gained through it,
it is given to few to desire to pass through it.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

the soul that longs for divine wisdom - thicket of the cross - st john of the cross 31 march 2020

“Deceitful are the ephemeral pleasures
and joys of this world.
Our supreme comfort in this life, is to die to the world
that we may live with Jesus crucified.
Let others seek gold and other earthly treasures.
I already possess the immortal treasure
of holy poverty on the Cross of Jesus crucified.
The angelic virtue, growing like a pure, fragrant lily
in the hidden beauteous garden of the cloister,
adorns the forehead with heavenly tints,
for it has roots in the Cross of Jesus crucified.
A third crown completes my oblation,
it is the seal of glory,
whereby the obedient, spotless Lamb gained victory.
Obedience is the secure science
of living with Jesus crucified.
With this triple treasure,
I can hope to pass beyond
the fleeting confines of mortal man,
by living poor on this earth and rich in heaven,
united with Jesus crucified.”

Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro (1891-1927)
Priest and Martyr

deceitful-are-the-ephemeral-pleasures-and-joys-of-this-world-bl-miguel-pro-23-nov-2019-and-21-jan-2020 and 31 march 2020

“He died for us.
Why not live for Him?”

C S Lewis (1898-1963)

he died for us why not live for him - c s lewis 31 march 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2020, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, LENTEN THOUGHTS, POETRY, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 31 March – The Word of the Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Reflection – 31 March – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21, John 8:21-30

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

“When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I Am He…”…John 8:28

john-8-28-when-yu-have-lifted-up-the-son-of-man-tuesdayfifthweeklent-9-april-2019 and 31 March 2020

Daily Meditation:
May we be lifted up with you.

“Jesus lifted up draws all to Himself.
Jesus lifted up on the Cross, reveals fully Whoe He really is.
Jesus is most Jesus, when He is on the Cross.
Even though at Calvary, Jesus was taunted and mocked
by the rabid rabble, to come down from the Cross,
He remained transfixed on it, till the very end.
We need to mount the Cross with Jesus!
We need to see the world from that vantage viewpoint.
Then, everything falls into proper perspective,
then we begin to see the world, as it is.
It is only when we are with Jesus on the Cross,
that we are stretched to our fullest dimensions!” … Msgr Alex Rebello

For my days pass away like smoke
and my bones burn like a furnace.
Psalm 102:3

Intercessions:
Praise to Christ, who has given us Himself as the bread from heaven.
Let us pray to Him, saying:
Jesus, You feed and heal our souls, come to strengthen us.

Lord, feed us at the banquet of the Eucharist,
– with all the gifts of Your Paschal Sacrifice.
Give us a perfect heart to receive Your word,
– that we may bring forth fruit in patience.
Make us eager to work with You in building a better world,
– so that it may listen to Your Church and its gospel of peace.
We confess, Lord, that we have sinned,
– wash us clean by Your gift of salvation.

Closing Prayer:

The Word of the Cross
by Saint Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431) 

Look on thy God, Christ hidden in our flesh.
A bitter word, the cross and bitter sight:
Hard rind without, to hold the heart of heaven.
Yet sweet it is, for God upon that tree
Did offer up His life upon that rood
My Life hung, that my life might stand in God.
Christ, what am I to give Thee for my life?
Unless take from Thy hands the cup they hold,
To cleanse me with the precious draught of death.
What shall I do? My body to be burned?
Make myself vile? The debt’s not paid out yet.
Whate’er I do, it is but I and Thou,
And still do I come short, still must Thou pay
My debts, O Christ, for debts Thyself hadst none.
What love may balance Thine? My Lord was found
In fashion like a slave, that so His slave
Might find himself in fashion like his Lord.
Think you the bargain’s hard, to have exchanged
The transient for the eternal, to have sold
Earth to buy Heaven? More dearly God bought me.

the word of the cross by st paulinus of nola - 31 march 2020

“Christ’s shoulders are the arms of the cross,
there it is, that I have laid down my sins,
on that gallows I have found my rest. “

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

christs-shoulders-are-the-arms-of-the-cross-st-ambrose-good-shepherd-luke-15-1-32-15-sept-2019 and 31 march 2020

Posted in GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE

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

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

The Presence of God

“God sees us always, for He is everywhere.
“In Him, we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)
We did not exist and He produced us from nothing, by His omnipotence.
If He did not support us continually, we should return to nothingness, for conservation is a continuous act of creation.
But He has given us immortal souls and has created us for Himself, so that we may serve, enjoy and love Him for all eternity.
We are always in His Presence.
He sees clearly, everything which we think, desire or do, even our most secret hidden actions.
Do we perfectly grasp this tremendous truth?
Are we aware of it, at every moment of our lives and do we make it the guide for our conduct?
If we were to live continually in the Presence of God, our lives would be angelic, rather than human, for we would not allow ourselves to commit even the slightest sin, nor to be guilty of the least thought, word or action, which might offend Him.
The more we fail in our awareness of the Presence of God, the more disordered our actions become.
Let us resolve, therefore, to live continually in the Presence of God and to direct all our thoughts, desires and actions towards Him.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in LENT 2020, LENTEN THOUGHTS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 30 March – ‘The Holy and sublime ladder …’

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Lenten Reflection – 30 March – Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Readings: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, Psalm 23, John 8:1-11

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

“Neither do I condemn you; go and do not sin again.” … John 8:11

Daily Meditation:
Help us to pass from our old life of sin
to our new life of grace.

“The Lord Jesus, the Saviour of all, “made himself all things to all men” (1 Cor 9:22) in such a way that He revealed Himself as being smaller than the small, He who was greater than the great.   To save a soul who was surprised in adultery and accused by the demons, He lowered Himself to the point of writing on the ground with His finger…. He, Himself, is the holy and sublime ladder that the traveller Jacob saw in his sleep (Gen 28:12),… the ladder that was set up from the earth to God and that God held out to the earth.   When He wants, He goes up to God. Sometimes He is accompanied by a few people … and sometimes no-one can follow Him.   And when He wants, He joins the crowd… He heals lepers, eats with publicans and sinners… touches the sick to heal them.he himself is the holy and sublime ladder - isaac of stella 30 march 2020

Blessed is the soul that can follow the Lord Jesus wherever He goes, going up to the rest of contemplation… and on the other hand, coming down by the practice of charity, following Him to the point of lowering itself in service, of loving poverty, of bearing with (…) fatigue, work, tears, prayer and finally compassion and the passion.   For He came in order to obey even to death, to serve and not to be served, not to give gold or silver but His teaching and His help to the many, His life for the many (Mk 10:45)…

So, brethren, may this be the model for your life: (…) to follow Christ by going up to the Father… to follow Christ by going down to your neighbour, refusing no practice of charity, making yourselves all things to all persons.” … Isaac of Stella (c 1100-c 1171) Cistercian Monk, theologian, philosopher – Sermon 12

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3monday of the fifth week 30 march 2020

Intercessions:
Praise to Jesus, our Saviour.
By His death He has opened for us the way of salvation.
Let us ask Him:
Lord, guide Your people to walk in Your ways.

God of mercy, You gave us new life through Baptism,
– make us grow day by day in Your likeness.
May our generosity today bring joy to those in need,
– in helping them may we find You.
Help us to do what is good, right and true in Your sight,
– and to seek You always with undivided hearts.
Forgive our sins against the unity of Your family,
– make us one in heart and spirit.

Closing Prayer:

I Unite My Sacrifice
Prayer for Submission to Divine Providence
By St Joseph Maria Pignatelli SJ (1737 – 1811)

My God, I do not know
what must come to me today.
But I am certain
that nothing can happen to me
that You have not foreseen, decreed
and ordained from all eternity.
That is sufficient for me.
I adore Your impenetrable
and eternal designs,
to which I submit with all my heart.
I desire, I accept them all
and I unite my sacrifice to that of
Jesus Christ, my Divine Saviour.
I ask in His name
and through His infinite merits,
patience in my trials
and perfect and entire submission,
to all that comes to me
by Your good pleasure.
Ameni unite my sacrifice by st joseph pignatelli sj 30 march 2020

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Thought for the Day – 29 March – Jesus Lost in the Temple

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Thought for the Day – 29 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Jesus Lost in the Temple

The Gospel of St Luke relates that when Jesus was twelve years of age, He went with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to celebrate the Pasch.
When the feast was over, Our Lady and St Joseph set out on the return journey and, as was the custom, they went in separate caravans, one being for men and the other for women.
Each believed that the Child Jesus was in the other group but, at the end of the first day’s journey, they failed to find Him in either.
They were stricken with worry and sorrow and returned immediately to Jerusalem, where they searched anxiously for Him.
At last they found Him in the Temple.
There He was, carrying on a discussion in the midst of a gathering of doctors of the Law, who were amazed at the wisdom of His answers.
When the Blessed Virgin gently reproved Him, Jesus replied: “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Cf Lk 2:41-51)
After this, He went back readily with them to Nazareth “and was subject to them.”
We have a great deal to learn from this chapter of the Gospel.
Above all, let us learn the humility and mildness of Jesus, Who quietly replied, in answer to Mary’s gentle reproach, that it was His special mission to look after the work of His Heavenly Father, for He owed obedience, in the first place, to God and then to men (Cf Acts 5:29).
What is our attitude when we are rebuked or criticised?
Are we humble in the manner of Jesus Christ?
Or, are we angry and resentful?
Let us earnestly examine ourselves in this matter.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH

Thought for the Day – 28 March – Conscience

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

Conscience

“Conscience is the inner judgement of the soul, which keeps us in full conformity with the law of God and the precepts of the Church, by indicating the principles in accordance with which we should act, from moment to moment.
Unfortunately, this judgement is not always enlightened and sincere.
Some people become so broad-minded, that they appear to have no conscience at all.
In their vocabulary, sins become mere acts of folly, scruples become melancholic tendencies which ought to be ignored and our natural weaknesses become necessary handicaps of nature, which we can do nothing to overcome.
As a result, they join their disorderly pleasures and sins of every kind, with the practice of their religion.
They imagine that they will be able to compensate for their offences against God, by their false and superficial sanctimoniousness.
But Jesus tells us: “You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48).
Moreover, He has given us a law to be observed and has instituted the Church to interpret God’s law and to lay down for us, specific standards of behaviour.
Our Lord said to His Apostles and their successors: “He who hears you, hears me” (Lk 10:16).
He warns us that it is not enough to cry: “Lord, Lord! but it is necessary to do the will of His Father Who is in Heaven” (Mt 7:21).
He warns us, moreover, that “everyone who hears these, my words and does not act upon them, shall be likened to a foolish man who built his house on sand” (Mt 7:26).
We must form a reliable conscience in ourselves with the help of the Church’s teaching and the advice of a good Spiritual Director.
Then we must earnestly put it’s dictates into practice.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on The SOUL

Thought for the Day – 27 March – The Human Soul

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Thought for the Day – 27 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Human Soul 

The human body is one of the most wonderful creations of God.
Unlike the bodies of most animals, it does not bend, towards the earth but stands up, towards the sky, in the direction of our true heavenly fatherland.
It communicates with creation outside it, by means of the five senses.
It has contact with other bodies too, as a way of making use of them, when the opportunity arises, by means of the sense of touch.
It has the sense of taste, to distinguish between different flavours and to act as a guide to it’s sustenance.
The sense of smell, enables it to experience perfumes and to avoid unhealthy odours.
By means of hearing and speech, it can communicate with other people, understand their ideas and express it’s own, as well as, listen to the wonderful music of creation.
Lastly, there is sight, the most astounding of the senses, which helps us o see in earthly objects, an enchanting reflection of the eternal Beauty of God.
The scientist is lost in admiration at the perfection of the human body and if his science is also wisdom, he should exclaim:  ‘This is the hand of God!’

Nevertheless, in comparison with the greatness of the human soul, the perfections of the body are quite insignificant.
The soul is like a breath of the Divine Spirit and a ray of the Divine Wisdom.
It is a simple, spiritual and immortal being, which bears in itself, the Image of God.
Unlike the body, it is not tied to this earth but can soar high above it, by means of it’s faculty of thought.
It can investigate the secrets of God’s own nature and is also capable of immense love.
We should indeed be grateful to God for His Infinite Goodness.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD the FATHER, LENTEN THOUGHTS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – Death

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men,
I also will acknowledge before my Father,
who is in heaven…”

Matthew 10:32

matthew-10-32-so-everyone-who-acknowledges-me-13-july-2019-and-27-nov-2019 and 5 feb 2020

“O my God and my Father,
may I know You
and make You known,
love You
and make You loved,
serve You
and make You served,
praise You
and make all creatures praise You.”

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)
Founder of the Claretians

may i know you - st anthony mary claret 27 march 2020

It is certain, however, that of the two thieves
dying beside the Cross of our Redeemer, only one heard Him say:
“This day, you will be with me in Paradise!”
The other, remained obdurate in his sin.
It is the height of stupidity, to wait to be converted,
at the hour of death!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

it is the height of stupidity - bacci - 11 jan 2020

“The greatest freedom,
is the freedom from the fear of death,
when we know Who sent us
and to Whom we must return.”

Msgr Alex Rebello CMF
Claretian Priest
Diocese of Wrexham, Wales

the greatest freedom is the freedom from the fear of death - msgr alex rebello bible diary 27 march 2020

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 25 March – Mortification and Penance

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

Mortification and Penance

“In Christian teaching, death is the beginning of life.
“Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,” Jesus said, “it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life, loses it and he, who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting” (Jn 12:24-25).
This paradox of dying to this life in order to live in Heaven, was enacted in a wonderful way in the lives of Jesus and of the Saints.
It must be put into effect in our lives also, if we are to be genuine Christians.
Jesus shed His precious blood for us and His death was the beginning of His triumph.
The Apostles, Martyrs and Saints, gave their lives for Christ and received, as their reward, the happy and eternal life of Heaven.
By dying to our own ego and to our passions, we shall find the true life of Christ.
We must die to ourselves, so that Christ may live in us, as He lived in St Paul.
We must die to pride, so that Christian humility may live in us;
we must die to anger, so that patience may live in us;
we must die to lust, so that purity and innocence may live in us
and, we must die to selfishness, so that charity may live in us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 24 March – The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

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

The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

“Everyday, in the lives of the Saints, was a continual act of love of God.
This was how they became holy.
They loved God intensely all the time.
They loved Him above all things.
Everything which they thought, desired or did, was directed to Him.
Their entire lives were consecrated to Him.
We should all desire to be holy, if we do, we must love God with our whole heart, strength and will.
Not until then, will every action of ours become meritorious.
Holiness is born of the love of God.
Without the love of God, everything is futile and useless; our conversation is so much idle chatter;  our desires are empty dreams which excite us for a while and then dissolve like bubbles of soap;  our actions are unprofitable and our enterprises are not aimed at a true objective;  our achievements can inflate us for a time but they will leave us disillusioned at the hour of death.
The love of God is necessary for us.
He alone is entirely worthy of our affection.
Other loves are passing but, this love is eternal.
Other loves confuse and trouble us but, the love of God gives us peace of soul.
Other loves weaken and vanish with time but, the love of God is the source of all holiness in this life and of eternal happiness in the next.
Why, then, do we not forget our worldly preoccupations?
Let us give our hearts to God forever and we shall be in possession of the one true happiness which never fades.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 23 March – The Christian Formation of Character

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Thought for the Day – 23 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Christian Formation of Character

god's grace does not change nature - 23 march 2020 bacci

“Our temperament is often a burden to ourselves and can, at times, be the source of annoyance to others.
If we do nothing about it, it can be the cause of failings or of extremes of behaviour on our part, which we bitterly regret afterwards.
It is necessary, therefore, to form character in accordance with Christian principles.
We are in no danger of losing our individuality, by training our character in this way.
God’s grace does not change nature but elevates and improves it.
It is like a shoot, which we plant in the uncultivated soil of our own being.
The first fruits may be sour but after a while, they grow sweeter, while still preserving the essential taste and aroma of the mother-plant.
St Jerome was a headstrong and austere character and he continued to be so, even after the grace of God had transformed him and made him holy.
But his rugged nature was, at the same time, softened and strengthened by divine grace.
St Augustine had a great intellect and a great heart.
When he abandoned philosophical sophistry and worldly vanity, in order to dedicate these gifts to the service of God, he achieved a profundity of thought, never before attained by Christian wisdom.
We should behave in the same manner.
If we are hot-tempered, we should convert this tendency to anger, into hatred for sin.
If we are enthusiastic by nature, we should turn our enthusiasm into love for God and for our neighbour.
If we are high-spirited and energetic, we should devote ourselves to good works, for our own salvation and to the apostolate of souls.
How far have we advanced in the Christian transformation of our character?
Let us examine our progress and resolve to do better.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE

Thought for the Day – 21 March – Charitable Works

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

Charitable Works

“Christianity is the religion of love.
This is not to say that charity is sufficient, without justice, for there can be no real charity without justice.
But justice cannot always bring us very far.
There are many complex and tragic problems, which justice alone is powerless to solve.
Only Christian love can comfort the human heart and heal some of the deeper wounds of poor suffering humanity.
There is a sense, in which it is true to say, that Christianity is charity.
This is what Jesus meant when He said: “This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12). “God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
Anyone who is without charity is not really a Christian.
Egoism is the absolute negation of Christianity.
The egoist is deaf to human sorrows and loves only himself.
A Christian should love God above all things and his neighbour as himself.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 18 March – Privation

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Thought for the Day – 18 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Privation

“We must all experience privation, because everybody, has to do without something, in this life.
Some people are never in good health.   Besides their actual sufferings, they have to put up with their inability to work or to enjoy themselves.
Others, have no means of earning their livelihood.   Their lives are a daily battle, not merely against poverty but against squalor and wretchedness.   They have not enough bread to eat, nor have they homes where they and their families, can live.
In families where there is no such want, on the other hand, there may be no peace in the home.
Individuals, too, can lack peace of soul, because they are ridden by false ambition or jealousy.
Other people have a plentiful supply of this world’s comforts but, are destitute of the most necessary thing in life, which is goodness.
They are depressed because they have become slaves to sin.

Is there any remedy for all these privations and sorrows?
Yes! we must embrace our cross.
We must turn confidently to God and ask Him that may be resigned to doing without, those temporal things, of which we are deprived.
We must ask Him for the grace to rise from our sins and climb towards Christian perfection.
There is no use in revolting, nor, in despairing.
There is no real happiness in this world.
If we are vexed and rebellious, our cross grows heavier.
If we accept privation from God’s Hands, we are soon consoled.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

 

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 17 March – The Consolation of Prayer

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

The Consolation of Prayer

if we look for consolation let us look for it before the altar bacci 17 march 2020

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!   My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord.   My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.   Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young – your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! Happy they who dwell in your house!   Continually, they praise you” (Psalm 83:1-5).

It is in these colourful words that the Psalmist expresses his longing for the house of God, where he can retire to pray and find comfort for his soul.
The Saints also found happiness in long hours of prayer before their Creator.
Any consolation which the world can give us is shadowy and elusive compared with the peace which God gives those, who, in the greatness of their faith and love, shut out all thought of earthly things in order to kneel before His Tabernacle and converse with Him.
If we need consolation, let us look for it before the Altar.
Only there, will our unlimited desire for true and lasting peace find satisfaction.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in LENT 2020, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MERCY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 March – 70 x 7

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One Minute Reflection – 18 March – Tuesday of the Third week of Lent, Readings: Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Psalm 25:4-9, Matthew 18:21-35 and the Memorial of Saint Jan Sarkander (1576-1620) Priest and Martyr of the Seal of Confession

“I forgave you all that debt because you besought me and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”… Matthew 18:32-33

REFLECTION – “We must wash one another’s feet in the mutual daily service of love.   But we must also wash one another’s feet, in the sense, that we must forgive one another ever anew.   The debt for which the Lord has pardoned us is always infinitely greater than all the debts that others can owe us….not to allow resentment toward others to become a poison in the depths of the soul.   It urges us to purify our memory constantly, forgiving one another whole-heartedly, washing one another’s feet, to be able to go to God’s banquet together.”…Pope Benedict XVI (Holy Thursday homily 20 March 2008)

matthew-18-32-33-i-forgave-you-all-the-debt-the-debt-for-which-the-lord-has-pardoned-us-pope-benedict-26-march-2019 and 17 march 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God, we thank You for Your endless mercy.   We are sinners but trust in Your merciful forgiveness when we turn to You in sorrow.   Open our hearts, make them forgiving to our brother, teach us Your mercy.  May Mary, Mother of Sorrow, pray for us. Grant that the prayers of St Jan Sarkander may continue to defend us, as he did in the world.   We make our prayer through our forgiving Saviour, who even to those who killed Him, turned to them in love and mercy and asked You for their forgiveness.   In union with the Holy Spirit, one God, for all eternity, amen.our-lady-mother-of-sorrows-pray-for-us-26-march-2019 and 17 March 2020

st jan sarkander pray for us 17 march 2020

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Thought for the Day – 16 March – How We Should Pray

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Thought for the Day – 16 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How We Should Pray

“When Jesus asked us to pray, He promised to answer our prayers.
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).
“If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,” (Jn 16:23).
God cannot break His promises.
Why, then, do our prayers often seem to remain unanswered?
There are several reasons but the main one is that which is pointed out by St James.
“You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss” (Js 4:3).
Some people say a few prayers with their lips only but without any real faith or confidence that they will be answered.
Jesus told the heartbroken father who begged Him to free his son from an evil spirit: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:22).
Then He healed the unfortunate boy.
It is necessary to have complete confidence if we wish our prayers to be answered.

Other people ask for worldly favours without ever giving a thought to their spiritual welfare.
But Jesus taught us to act otherwise.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be given unto you besides” (Mt 6:33).
There are those who look for favours, such as bodily health or riches which, if they obtained them, could lead to their spiritual destruction.

Sometimes God delays His answer in order to test our faith and perseverance.
It is important that we should pray with a right intention, with faith and perseverance and, with resignation to God’s Will.
We must realise clearly, God will grant us whatever is best for us, at the most suitable moment! Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Lenten Reflection – 16 March – ‘When His place becomes our place …’

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Lenten Reflection – 16 March – Monday of the Third week of Lent, Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15, Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4, Luke 4:24-30

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.” … Luke 4:24

luke 4 24 no prophet is accepted - when his place becomes our place - pope francis 16 march 2020

Daily Meditation:
We cannot be saved without you.

“When His place becomes our place,
when His time becomes our time,
when His person becomes our life,
then the prophecies come to fulfilment in us.
Then Jesus is born within us.
He becomes the living God for me.” 

Pope Francis
6 January 2019

Today we are reminded of the terrible irony – a prophet is not well received at home.
Jesus was not accepted by those who saw Him as all too human.
And, He was unable to act with power in their lives.
Is this Lenten season getting us out of our comfortable complacency,
and helping us see the prophetic one in our midst?
Is it helping us listen better, reach out with deeper longing,
find a greater intimacy with the only one who can save us?.

lent monday of the third week 14 march 2020

My soul is thirsting for the living God:
when shall I see God face to face?
Psalm 42

Intercessions:
Blessed be Jesus our Saviour.
Through His death He has opened up for us
the way of salvation.
Direct Your people Lord, in the path of true life.

Merciful God, in baptism, You gave us a life that is new
– may we ever grow in Your likeness.
Let us bring joy this day to those who are in need
– and draw us nearer to You, through the help we give them.
Help us to do what is right and good
– let us seek You always with all our heart.
Forgive us for the times we have hurt other people
– Lord have mercy on us.

Closing Prayer:
Merciful God,
Free Your Church from the sins of this world
and protect us from evil we see
and the evil we prefer to ignore.
We need Your guidance, Lord
for we cannot do this alone.
Only with Your help can we be saved.
Thank You for Your desire to save us and love us.
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

“He is the Gospel of God,
He is the Mercy of God,
He is the liberation of God,
He is the One who became poor
so as to enrich us with His poverty.”

Pope Francis – Angelus, 24 January 2016

he-is-the-gospel-of-god-pope-francis-27-jan-2019 and 16 march 2020

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Thought for the Day – 15 March – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

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Thought for the Day – 15 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

“St Augustine calls prayer “the key to Heaven.”
We should acknowledge the infinite goodness of God in giving us such an easy means of salvation, for when He gave us prayer, He gave us the key to His Kingdom of Heaven.
He invites us earnestly to pray.
“Ask and it shall be given you;  seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (C. Mt 7:7, Lk 11:9).
“If you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you” (Cf Jn 16:23)
“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” (Cf Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38).
When Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Apostles became tired and sleepy.
He rebuked them gently and asked them for the second time to pray, that they might not yield to temptation.
He makes this request of us also.
We grow weary and apathetic as the Apostles did, while the devil is busy with his evil suggestions and the dangers of the world surround us.
We have constant need of the grace of God to prevent us from falling.
Let us pray fervently and bear in mind the advice of St Alphonsus:  “If you give up praying, you will certainly be damned.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

 

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Thought for the Day – 14 March – The Spirit of Prayer

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Thought for the Day – 14 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Spirit of Prayer

Our Lord warned His disciples that “They must always pray and not lose heart ” (Luke 18:1).
But how is it possible to pray always?
One might decide that His command was intended for monks and hermits, dedicated to the contemplative life and not for men living in the midst of the daily preoccupations of the world.
But this is not so.
Properly interpreted, Christ’s precept holds good for everybody.
We must pray always in the sense that we must remain always united to God in mind and heart.
“Whether you eat or drink, or do anything else,” says St Paul, “do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).
“Whatever you do, in word or in work,” he repeats elsewhere, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17).
In other words, whatever we are doing, even if it is something very simple, like eating or drinking, we should do it in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God.
Once we understand it in this way, the Gospel precept transforms all our actions into prayer.
The spirit of prayer should accompany us everywhere.
In all our actions and conversations, no matter how far we may travel, we should remain close to Jesus.
One brief act of attentiveness to God, repeated from time to time, is enough to change all our actions and our entire life into a continual prayer.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci