Category: QUOTES on CHARITY

Posted in JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on MISSION

Quote/s of the Day – 9 September – St Peter Claver SJ (1581-1654)

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 September – St Peter Claver SJ (1581-1654) Confessor, “Slave of the slaves”

“This was how we spoke to them,
not with words but, with our hands
and our actions.
And in fact, convinced as they were
that they had been brought here to be eaten,
any other language would have
proved utterly useless.
Then, we sat, or rather knelt,
beside them and bathed their
faces and bodies.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-september-st-peter-claver/

St Peter Claver (1581-1654)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Awake and arise!

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:16-24, Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Young man,
I say to thee,
arise!”

Luke 7:14

“I shall arise and shall go to my Father”

Luke 15:18

“Awake, O Sleeper and Rise from the Dead”

Ephesians 5:14

“Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
‘Come, then, return to Me
and learn to know Me as your Father,
Who repays good for evil,
love for injury
and boundless charity
for piercing wounds!”

St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

“As the prodigal son,
I will return to my Father’s house
and I will be welcomed back home.
I shall do the same, as he did –
will the Father not grant my prayer too?
O forgiving Father, here I am at Thy door
and I knock, open to me, let me enter,
so that I may not ruin myself, go away and die!
Thou made me Thy heir
and I neglected my inheritance
and squandered my goods –
from now on, may I be as a mercenary
and as a servant to Thee.”

St Jacob of Sarug (c451-521)
Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Father

Posted in INDULGENCES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SIGN of the CROSS

SEPTEMBER – Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross

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SEPTEMBER

Month of The Seven Sorrows
of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
The Holy Cross

The Seven Sorrows of
the Blessed Virgin Mary

1, The prophecy of Simeon
2. The Flight to Egypt
3. Loss of Child Jesus for 3 days
4. Meeting Jesus carrying His Cross
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus
6. The Pieta – receiving Jesus’ Body
The Burial of Jesus

Bid me bear, O Mother Blest,
On my heart, the wounds imprest,
Suffered by the Crucified!

An Indulgence of 50 days each time.
Plenary Indulgence once a month under the usual conditions.

“Yet, after all, it is reasonable that the charitable should suffer when we remember that the Lord and model of all charity, suffered all things simply because of His charity. What else caused His Agony in the Garden, His cruel Scourging at the Pillar, and His dereliction on the Cross? It was all the result of His Divine Charity.
We, therefore,, if we are to follow in His steps, must expect to encounter the same results as a reward for any charity if it resembles His, however remotely. If we are wise, we shall rejoice in any sign that we are to be honoured by sharing our Master’s lot!” Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Relic of the Holy Cross
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on ZEAL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 August – St Bartholomew

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Bartholomew the Apostle and Martyr

“Here is a true child
of Israel.
There is no guile
in him.”

John 1:47

“The Saints must be honoured as friends of Christ
and children and heirs of God.
Let us carefully observe the manner of life
of all the Apostles, Martyrs, ascetics
and just men
who announced the coming of the Lord.
And let us emulate their faith,
charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering
and perseverance unto death,
so that we may also share their crowns of glory.”

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Behold the Messengers of Christ
By Fr Jean-Baptiste Santeul (1630-1697)
Priest, Monk, Hymnist, Poet, Writer

Behold the Messengers of Christ,
Who sow in every place,
The unveiled Mysteries of God,
The Gospel of His Grace.

The things through mists and shadows dim
By holy prophets seen,
In the full Light of Day, they saw
With not a cloud between.

What Christ, true Man, Divinely wrought,
What God in Manhood bore,
They wrote, as God inspired, in words
Which live forevermore.

Although in space and time apart,
One Spirit ruled them all
And in their Sacred pages still
We hear that Spirit’s Call.

To God, the blessèd Three in One,
Be glory, praise and might,
Who called us from the shades of death
To His Own glorious Light.
Amen.

Trans. Compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861.
This Hymn was used for Vespers I & II and Nocturns on the Feasts of St Mark and St Luke in the Paris Breviary (1736). Cardinal Newman’s Hymni Ecclesiae has it listed for the same hours, as the Common of Evangelists in the Paris Breviary (presumably a later edition). Tune: “Tiverton“ J Grigg, c1791.

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, CHRIST the LIGHT, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, The LAMB of GOD

Thought for the Day – 22 August – Charity in Heaven – the Final Meditation

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Thought for the Day – 22 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

Charity in Heaven – The Final Meditation

Some virtues will not enter into the door of the Celestial Paradise, inasmuch as, they imply some sort of imperfection, in the nature of him, who possesses them or, the circumstances among which he lives.
Such are faith, hope, prudence and so forth.
However, one virtue is not only welcome in Heaven,but, reigns there supreme.
The very atmosphere of Heaven is nothing else, than an atmosphere of charity. To the Saints and Angels, it is the very breath of their life. It is the light which enlightens the celestial City.

When we read that the glory of God enlightens the Heavenly Jerusalem and that the Lamb is the Light thereof, Saint John is speaking of that Charity with which God has identified Himself and which shone amongst men in Christ our Lord.
Each Saint in Heaven, will shine with a radiance proportioned to his charity and will enjoy happiness, the extent of which, will be commensurate with his charity.
When I shall be judged by the standard of charity, shall I be found fit for Heaven at all?

Charity is, moreover, the Queen of Heaven and, therefore, may be identified with Our Lady, who, next to her Divine Son, was its earthly ideal. This is why she is the Mother of Mercy and why, we fly to her protection in all our troubles. She reigns supreme in Heaven and her Sovereignty is due to her charity. This is why she is the most powerful of all our intercessors, the most loving, the most compassionate, the most tender and, the most full of pity for sinners.
To thee then, O Mother of Charity, I will fly and will beg of thee, to obtain for me, from thy Divine Son, more and more of His unspeakable Charity!

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY

Thought for the Day – 20 August – The Charity of God

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Thought for the Day – 20 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Charity of God

Among all the Divine perfections, charity is the only one with which God our Lord absolutely identifies Himself. We do not read in the Word of God that God is power, or God is wisdom but, we do read and this not once only, that God is Charity (John 4:8, 26).
God, therefore, desires that this aspect of His Divine Nature should be continually before our minds and that we should dwell on His Love for us, more than on any other of His attributes.

When God appeared on earth, it was but natural that the perfection, most characteristic of His Divine Nature, should manifest itself most clearly, through the veil of His Humanity, that, among the qualities acquired, by His Sacred Humanity, from the Hypostatic Union, the foremost should be that with which He most completely identifies Himself.
Who can study our Lord’s Life on earth, without recognising, above all, His unbounded Charity and the intensity of His Love for us?

We notice another phase of this Love in Jesus Christ which helps us to acquire great confidence in the Love of God.
His Charity was, above all, a Charity to sinners. He had a sort of preference for them; they were His friends and companions. He sought them out and His Charity to them knew no bounds.
From this, we clearly learn, the true nature of God’s Charity to man. God Loves sinners now, He has always Loved them and He will always Love them as He Loved them when he was on earth.
What confidence I should derive for myself from this thought and what charity and commiseration, should I derive for others!

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, CHRIST the JUDGE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 19 August –Charity, Our Protection – “Charity shall Cover a multitude of Sins”

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Thought for the Day – 19 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

Charity, Our Protection
“Charity shall Cover a multitude of Sins”

One of the characteristics of charity is that it always looks to the bright side of things. It seeks to bring out all that is good in others while concealing their sins. It does not notice their sins. It does not allude to their sins unnecessarily, whether they are committed directly against man or against God. It has a happy knack of forgetting their sins or seeming to forget them. It covers their sins from the eyes of men and even seeks to obliterate them before God by the prayers it offers for the offender.
Is this my spirit? Do I not rather cover the virtues of others and disclose their faults?!

In this respect, it is especially true that we shall be treated as we treat others.
“With what judgement you judge, you shall be judged,” says our Lord.
If we pass the severe sentence of harsh criticism onto others, our sentence will be severe. If we make little of their faults and much of their virtues, God will do the same to us. What utter folly to prepare for ourselves a harsh verdict at the tribunal of Christ, by our condemnation of others here below!

On the other hand, Charity shall cover a multitude of sins. If we have been always men of charity, it is wonderful how God will seem to have forgotten our many sins.
The poor whom we have helped will pray for us, those whom we have comforted in sorrow, will say kind things on our behalf and our charitable judgeement of others, will find its counterpart in God’s judgement of us.
Our sins will be concealed and disappear under the mantle of our charity.
Is my charity such as this to cover my sins?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING

Thought for the Day – 18 August – The Gratitude of Charity – “We love Him because He first Loved us”

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Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Gratitude of Charity
“We love Him because He first Loved us”

Perfect charity loves God for His Own sake, independently of any thought of ourselves. However, perfect charity, is preceded and accompanied by, a charity which has, at least, an indirect reference to ourselves. The love of God, first springs up within our hearts because, of the Love which He has shown to us. We think of all He has done for us and we recognise therein, a clear proof of His Love.
Love begets love and we cannot help being drawn towards One, Who has, thus gratuitously, manifested towards us, a charity to which we owe all which is really precious in our lives and all the good gifts we possess.
How then can we fail to be attracted towards Him, Who has shown such Love for us?

This love of gratitude, is not the same, as the love of concupiscence and, not the same, as the pure love of friendship. It most resembles the latter and always enters into it.
Without some sort of gratitude, friendship would be mere admiration; the personal element necessary to love, would be wanting. When a Saint dwells with rapture on the Divine perfections, there is always present to his mind, a remembrance of all God has done for him. Do I, with gratitude, ever recount to myself all God has done for me?

This element of charity is present in the charity of the Saints in Heaven. Their song will not only be, “We give Thee thanks because, Thou hast taken to Thyself, great glory and hast reigned” but also “because Thou hast redeemed us to God in Thine own Blood.”
The song, I must seek to sing in my heart, here on earth says, “Thanks to God, first for His great glory and then for His goodness and love to me.”

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 17 August – The Perseverance of Charity- “Charity never falleth away”

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Thought for the Day – 17 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Perseverance of Charity
“Charity never falleth away”

We are all anxious to persevere to the end.
We know, without perseverance, all else is of no avail.
Of what use was it to the Israelites who perished in the desert for their sins, to have escaped from Egypt, safely crossed the Red Sea and toiled for years over the sandy plains? What use to Solomon to have been dear to God and endowed with supernatural wisdom, if, as some think, he did not persevere to the end?
Therefore, all our graces are of no avail but rather, tend to our condemnation, if we, in the end, fall away and are lost.

Yet, who can be certain of perseverance?
Who does not tremble at the thought of his own insecurity? We may have great gifts but they will not save us – talent, activity, zeal, courage, prudence, will be useless to us. Even faith will not save us – the devils believe and tremble! – and hope, may degenerate into presumption, or may disappear and leave us at the last, to an eternal despair.

How then are we to be safe?
One thing alone never falleth away.
One virtue alone will carry us unharmed through every danger.
If we have in our hearts that supernatural gift of God which fears nothing as much as offending Him, then we are safe! Faith may grow dim and all sorts of doubts may present themselves to our minds. Hope may seem to have disappeared altogether. All may look black and dark but, if we can say from our hearts that with God’s aid, we would do, or suffer anything, rather than offend Him, then we have in our hearts that supernatural charity which unites us to God and ensures our entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, “for Charity never falleth away.”
Do I believe from my heart that, with God’s loving assistance, I would do, or suffer, anything, rather than offend Him? Do I tell Him?!

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 16 August – The Resignation of Charity – “Charity endureth all things”

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Thought for the Day – 16 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Resignation of Charity
“Charity endureth all things”

The test of our love for anyone, is what we are willing to endure for that person. If we love only a little, we are willing to endure only a little. If we love much, we are willing to endure much. If we love that person, better than we love ourselves, we are pleased to endure, for his sake, that which we would otherwise dread. If we love that person better than we love ourselves, we are pleased to endure, for his sake, that from which we would otherwise shrink.
Hence, the test of our supernatural charity, is what we are willing to endure for God and whether ,it is a pleasure for us to endure, positive suffering, for Him.

We would consider it a great privilege, if we were called upon to lay down our lives for the Faith.
However, this is a grace we poor ordinary mortals cannot expect and, we must be careful against deluding ourselves, by fancy pictures of the courage we should then display.
The real question before us, is whether we willingly suffer the little, disagreeable effects of life, bodily ailments, failures in our projects, neglect or unkindness from others, or undeserved reproaches.
It is no use thinking of Martyrdom until we have learnt to bear these!

If I have true charity, I shall take all with joy. Everything I have endured, I would willingly endure again for God’s sake. I would, with His grace, accept even more painful things, for charity endures all things, rather than offend God.
Fervent charity would endure all things rather than be unfaithful to one single inspiration which comes from Him, or neglect one single grace which He desires to give us.
Here is the test for me. How far can I stand it?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST

Thought for the Day – 15 August – The Hopefulness of Charity – “Charity hopeth all things”

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Thought for the Day – 15 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Hopefulness of Charity
“Charity hopeth all things”

How common and how fatal an evil is discouragement! Half of our enterprises fail,, simply because we become discouraged. More than half of our faults are owing to discouragement. We lose heart and, therefore, fail in the necessary perseverance. We become despondent and seek to console ourselves, by some earthly pleasure or perhaps, sinful indulgence. No general who was discouraged ever won a victory and, no sinner who lost heart, ever became a Saint or even turned to God, as long as the despondency remained.

Yet, it is no easy thing to keep up our courage and our hope. We so often fail and failures are discouraging. We commit so many faults; yet, nothing saps our courage, as much as the consciousness of having done wrong.
Then too, there are continual impediments and obstacles in our way, the neglect and indifference shown by others to our work, the opposition we meet and a thousand things more. Too often, these are causes of discouragement to all who are working for God.
We ought not to be discouraged by them, for often, difficulties and opposition are the best signs of coming success!

How are we to keep courage and to be always hopeful? The only chance for us lies in our keeping God always before us and forgetting ourselves, as far as possible which depends on the degree of our charity.
When self prevails, eventually hope disappears; when God is predominant, hope springs up in our heart, for “Charity hopeth all things.”
I shall have strong confidence and a certainty of final success, if I have a fervent charity.

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, THEOLOGICAL

Thought for the Day – 14 August – The Faith of Charity – “Charity believeth all things”

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Thought for the Day – 14 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Faith of Charity
“Charity believeth all things”

Faith is a preliminary gift of God, without which, charity is impossible.
No-one can do any work which is pleasing in His sight, unless that person believes in God and is ready to accept whatever God has revealed. Works of benevolence are not works of charity, if he who performs them, does not possess this belief. The charity which rests on a feeble faith, will always be itself feeble. He who minimises, in matters of faith, will generally have a minimum of charity.
Hence, pray for a loyal readiness to believe, that so you may obtain, an intense charity.

Charity, while it believes all things which God has revealed, is the reverse of credulous.
Charity is the bitter enemy of superstition and carefully examines the claims of any doctrine, or the proofs of any fact which are not already vouched for, by authority.
It is no act of faith or of charity, to swallow some unauthenticated statement.
We should prove all things and hold fast only to that which is good. The Saints never were credulous or given to believe in portents, omens, or apparitions, unless, bearing the mark of the Finger of God.

Charity supplements faith and it strengthens it.
The stronger our love of God, the stronger will be our belief in all which He has revealed.
When love waxes cold, faith becomes faint. No man ever loses his faith without first wilfully estranging himself from God, by deliberate mortal sin.
If I want a strong faith, I must cultivate a fervent charity. My ready acceptance of all God has revealed, will be in proportion, to my love of Him.
If I have difficulties in belief, is it because there are gaps and defects in my charity?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 13 August – The Sufferings of Charity – “Charity beareth all things”

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Thought for the Day – 13 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Sufferings of Charity
“Charity beareth all things”

If anyone deserves to be exempt from suffering, it is someone who is full of the spirit of charity.
Suffering is indeed necessary to expiate sin, to humble our pride and to show us our own misery. Why should the charitable have to bear all kinds of trials simply because of their charity? Yet so it seems. Generally, the law seems to be – the more charity, the more suffering. Perhaps this is why I have comparatively little to suffer?

Yet, after all, it is reasonable that the charitable should suffer when we remember that the Lord and model of all charity, suffered all things simply because of His charity. What else caused His Agony in the Garden, His cruel Scourging at the Pillar, and His dereliction on the Cross? It was all the result of His Divine Charity.
We, therefore,, if we are to follow in His steps, must expect to encounter the same results as a reward for any charity if it resembles His, however remotely. If we are wise, we shall rejoice in any sign that we are to be honoured by sharing our Master’s lot!

These sufferings are a source of joy to all who suffer for Jesus’ sake.
He rejoiced to run the course of His Passion because of His longing to see those He loved delivered from bondage. For the joy which was set before Him, He endured the Cross. Thus, charity rejoices to suffer because charity knows those sufferings will obtain for it, in Heaven, the eternal joy of seeing others brought to God by its offering to Him, of all that it holds dear.
Even if I have heavy trials, can I flatter myself that my trials are a sign of a high degree of supernatural charity?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 August – ‘ … Do not worry … but entrust to Divine Providence … 

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One Minute Reflection – 13 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Saints Hippolytus and Cassian (Died c235) Martyrs – Our Lady Refuge of Sinners – 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 – “It seems to me you ought to resolve to carry out peacefully what you can. Do not worry about all the rest but entrust to Divine Providence that which you are unable to accomplish on your own. What is pleasing to God, is the reasonable care and attention we give, to accomplishing well, whatever business we must undertake through duty. What is not pleasing to God, is anxiety and disquiet of mind. The Lord wants our limitations and weaknesses, to find their support in His Strength; He wants us to hope that His Goodness will complete and perfect the imperfectness of our means.

Those who take on numerous responsibilities, even with an upright and pure intention, must resolve to do simply what lies within their power … If it is necessary to set certain things aside, arm yourselves with patience and do not think that God expects of us what we are unable to do. He does not want a man to distress himself on account of his limitations … there is no need to tire ourselves out excessively. More, if we have laboured to do our best, we can abandon all the rest to Him ,Who has the power to accomplish whatever He will.

May the Divine Goodness always be pleased to communicate His Light of Wisdom to us, so that we may clearly see and firmly accomplish, His good pleasure, for ourselves and for others … so that we may accept from His Hand, whatever He sends us, taking due note of what is the most important – patience, humility, obedience and charity!” – St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) Priest, Founder of the Society of Jesus (Letter of 17 November 1555)

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and, by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through 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 CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, SELF-DISTRUST

Thought for the Day – 12 August – The Joy of Charity – “Charity rejoiceth in the Truth”

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Thought for the Day – 12 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Joy of Charity
“Charity rejoiceth in the Truth”

Everything which is done to promote the cause of truth, is a source of sincere joy to those who have, in their hearts, the spirit of true charity. It matters not whether the success is due to their own efforts, or those of others; they are always happy at the advance of truth and the defeat of error.
How do I testify my joy when truth prevails, when heresy is crushed, when souls are converted to God?
Do I say a Te Deum or Magnificat, or thank God with all my heart on these joyful occasions?

Charity also finds pleasure in the truth being known. It has no wish to conceal anything. Those who have it in their hearts, make no attempt to hide the truth concerning themselves. They are willing to be known as they really are, with all their defects and imperfections. They are even happy their faults should be manifested, as far as the manifestation tends to the glory of God and the edification of their neighbour.
I will examine myself to see what progress I have made in charity.
Do I rejoice in the truth being known about myself, even in matters which may humble my pride?

Do I rejoice in the truth when I find, I have misjudged or misunderstood my neighbours and they are very different from that which I thought them to be and, far better than myself? Do I rejoice in the truth when I am shown to be incorrect in some opinion and when, others rectify me?
Do I rejoice in the truth when I am brought, face-to-face with my own weakness and nothingness and find that I cannot trust in myself but have to trust in God alone?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 11 August –The Attitude of Charity to Sin“ – Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity”

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Thought for the Day – 11 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Attitude of Charity to Sin
“Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity”

Anything which offends God, is necessarily a source of sorrow, to the charitable, for as charity consists in loving God above all things for His Own sake and, is accompanied by a yearning desire to see Him honoured, more and more, that, which detracts from His honour, cannot cause charity any satisfaction.
On the contrary, it pains charity which pain corresponds to the offence committed against God.
Do I share this personal sorrow and pain, when any wrong is done to His Divine Majesty, or is it a matter of comparative indifference to me?

The Saints would gladly have given their lives to prevent sin.
It was intensely painful to them to think how continually God is offended. Many Saints laid down their lives to prevent sin from being committed.
The Saints all devoted themselves, with generous self-sacrifice, to the furtherance of God’s glory and, the hindrance of sin against Him. By prayer, by active zeal, by word, by work and by personal penance, the Saints fought against iniquity.
What do I do to prevent all the sin and vice in this wicked world?

Above all, the Saints feared and dreaded any sin in themselves. They avoided with the utmost care anything which could lead to sin. No spectacle, however magnificent, no honour, however brilliant, no pleasure however intense, caused them anything but disgust and horror, if it was in any way mingled with iniquity.
Is this true in my case? Do I relish things questionable or dangerous, or perhaps not altogether unmixed with positive sin!

Posted in QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on JUDGING

Thought for the Day – 10 August – The Judgements of Charity – “Charity thinketh no evil”

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Thought for the Day – 10 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Judgements of Charity
“Charity thinketh no evil”

We are all surrounded by those, of whose actions, we are continual witnesses and, of whose character, from these actions, we cannot help forming an opinion. We see what they do and listen to what they say and we, not only receive, a certain impression from them but also, are tempted to judge them and to pronounce on their moral value. Moreover, we are too prone, to judge them unfavourably, rather than favourably, to ascribe to them inferior motives and, see faults in them, where there are none or, to exaggerate whatever defects maybe found in them.
This unhappily, is my tendency. I cannot deny it!

Why is this?
It is because I am so full of faults myself that I see many faults in others.
It is the reflection of myself which I find so repulsive in them! I really attribute to them the very defects which, in some form or other, are to be found in me. It is because of my own want of charity that I judge them so harshly.
How this ought to humble me and how careful it ought to make me, in my judgement of others.

How do men judge who are imbued with the spirit of charity?
They think no evil. That is, they never attribute a bad motive to any action, if it is susceptible to having been actuated, by a good one. If the action is, in itself bad, they somehow do not seem to notice it. They are so occupied with their own shortcomings, they do not observe those of others and where the faults of others are forced into their cognisance, they search for some excuse or explanation.
Is this my temper? Do I thus think no evil?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SELF-DISTRUST

Thought for the Day – 9 August – The Meekness of Charity“ – Charity is not provoked to anger”

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Thought for the Day – 9 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Meekness of Charity
“Charity is not provoked to anger”

One of the strongest instincts of human nature is the instinct of self-defence. In some, it is almost irresistible. The desire to return blow for blow, within due bounds, is a reasonable and lawful impulse and is prompted by the duty we owe to ourselves.
Yet, there is no tendency more likely to lead to sin if it is indulged! There is no tendency more prone to set aside prudence, justice and, above all, charity.
Am I one of those natures, ready to take up arms in my own defence, at the slightest provocation?

The instinct of self-defence is always prone to mislead us, due to our excessive self-love. We imagine we have been attacked, when in fact, nothing of the sort is the case. We see a slight or insult, when none was intended. We do not keep in mind how simple the true explanation may really be. We become angry, long for revenge and are carried beyond all bounds, by our wounded self-love. We say and do what we bitterly regret afterwards, alienating others from us and offending God by our angry words.
How often, alas, I have done this!

How is this evil to be remedied?
By charity and nothing else.
If God were more prominent in our hearts, if we loved God more and ourselves less, if our ambition were to promote His honour and not our own, we should not indulge in these outbursts of intemperate or bitter words. Instead, we should not be easily provoked or become angry. We should take a gentle view of what has been done or we should accept the injury or unkindness done to us and offer it up for our sins in union with the supreme charity of Christ our Lord!

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 8 August – The Self-Sacrifice of Charity“ – Charity seeketh not her own”

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Thought for the Day – 8 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Self-Sacrifice of Charity
“Charity seeketh not her own”

In all the affairs of life, men may be divided into two classes.
First, those whose eye is always fixed upon some advantage to themselves.
Second, those who devote themselves, without thought of self, to the work in which they are engaged and whose object is to carry the work through, even at the cost of suffering and humiliation to themselves.
When I look at my life and the motives which guide it, do I recognise, in myself, the sacrifice of self which is the essence of charity?

What reveals this spirit in my life?
Not zeal, for there is a zeal which is nothing but a disguised form of self-seeking.
Not activity, for an active nature rejoices in being employed.
Not a strong interest in the work – perhaps the pious work in which I am engaged.
All these maybe mere counterfeits. The real test is the willingness that the work should prosper independently of myself; a preference for its success, rather than my success, even though, I myself am thrust out of it; a readiness to disappear if by this, I am able do anything to help the good cause.
Am I willing and true enough, to stand this first test?

Yet this is not enough. I must not be satisfied with a general willingness to obliterate myself, especially where this is, perhaps impossible. If my motives are pure, I must also be ready to be taken down, humbled, misjudged, or disparaged. I must be prepared to accept all the blame of failures and, to see others reap the praise of success and further, I must know this is done to me through God’s grace!
Rather, I must rejoice in this as a good sign.
Can I stand this second test?

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – Keep burning ….

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – The Fourteen Holy Helpers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Go into the whole world
and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

Mark 16:15

“I have lit the light of your torch
but it is up to you to see it is kept burning,
not just to your personal advantage
but also, in the interest of all who will see it
and who, through it, will be led to the Truth.
The worst wickedness would not put
a shadow over your light,
if you live with the vigilance of those
who are called to bring the whole world to good.
So, let your life correspond
to the holiness of your mission,
so that God’s grace may be proclaimed everywhere.”

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

“What sort of candlestick is this
which bears such a light?
I will teach you.
Be lamps yourselves and you will have
a place on this lampstand.
Christ’s Cross is one great lampstand.
Whoever wants to shine out
should not be ashamed of this wooden candlestick.
Listen to me and you will get the point –
the candlestick is the Cross of Christ …
Listen to the Apostle Paul:
“May I never glory except in the Cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which
the world has been crucified to me
and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).”

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

“If you truly wish to help
the soul of your neighbour,
you should firstly approach God
with all your heart.
Ask Him simply,
to fill you with charity,
the greatest of all virtues.”

St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VANITY, SELF-DISTRUST

Thought for the Day – 7 August – The Lowliness of Charity“ – Charity is not puffed up”

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Thought for the Day – 7 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Lowliness of Charity
“Charity is not puffed up”

One of the great dangers of prosperity is that it so often produces a fatal exaltation of self. We are flattered by others and we begin to think that we are persons of importance.
Those around give way to us, listen to us when we speak, respect our opinion. From this, in our folly, we fancy ourselves distinguished and eminent and expect to be treated accordingly.
This temper, if it exists in us, shows that we are very deficient in true charity, for charity is never puffed up with a high estimate of self.

How does charity prevent this self-conceited pride and arrogance? Humility seems to be the proper virtue by which it is to be met. Humility is, indeed more obviously its opposite but charity, is equally a remedy for pride and arrogance. For charity is an emptying-out of self to give place to God alone.
True charity ignores self, despises self and is, therefore, quite incompatible with the temper which is nothing else than a magnifying of self and an ignoring of God. Which of the two tendencies is the stronger in my heart?

We are not likely to arrive at a true estimate of ourselves, unless others treat us as we deserve. How are we to know what our deserts may be? Our idea of our own deserts will be regulated by the degree of our charity. Those who esteem God the most and esteem themselves the least, consider themselves worthy only to be trampled underfoot and spat upon.
How should I appreciate such treatment? Would my charity enable me to rejoice in it, as suitable indeed for one like myself?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior)

Thought for the Day – 6 August – The Reasonableness of Charity“ – Charity does not deal perversely”

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Thought for the Day – 6 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Reasonableness of Charity
“Charity does not deal perversely”

Perversity generally results from an overwhelming self-love. We all dislike children who seem to take pleasure, in doing a thing, just because it is opposed to the wishes or orders of those set over them. Those who are perverse, may have clear motives set before them and may know that, a certain course of action is their duty and in their interest, yet, they set that course of action aside ,for some folly of their own. In their hearts, they perceive the folly more clearly and would see it to be folly, if they were not blinded by the deceptive mist of their own self-will.
Is perversity an element which enters into my actions, from time to time?

Opposed to perversity, is docility in those who obey and reasonable conduct, in those who have to act for themselves. How we love the docile! Even if we are not docile ourselves, others are dear to us, if they can be easily guided.
We also love reasonable men who take a common sense view of things and we renounce crotchety and misguided theories, invented by unreasonable people. Even in the natural order, such reasonable men win our regard and esteem. We esteem them even more, when they are influenced to it by the love of God.

Charity includes all possible reasonableness and docility. No-one can ever accuse charity of eccentric action, or of running counter to others, unnecessarily. On the contrary, its great aim is to yield to others and to carry out their will, as far as right reason will allow. Charity will relinquish what it thinks best, to please another, unless, serious harm seems likely to result therefrom. Such pliability and consideration for the opinion of others, is one of the marks of love of God, as opposed to the pertinacity and perversity resulting from self-will.
Am I perverse or run counter to others unnecessarily?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on VICE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 5 August – The Contentedness of Charity“ – Charity envieth not”

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Thought for the Day – 5 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Contentedness of Charity
“Charity envieth not”

Envy is the vice which begrudges happiness, liberty, riches, success, or some other good. to another. Envy is pained at seeing another in possession of that which the envious man desires himself to have but cannot obtain. Envy is a mean and contemptible vice. What difference can it make to us that others should succeed and be happy? If they shared our misfortunes, we would be no better off.
Examine whether envy lurks in your heart?

Envy is a vice which utterly destroys the peace of he who harbours it. He is always uneasy and unites the longing for that which he cannot have, with a hatred of those who are enjoying it. This double worm gnaws unceasingly at his heart.
In our own interest, there is scarcely any vice which is such folly to harbour. Envy is also especially displeasing to God and hateful in His sight because, it challenges His goodness and rebels against, a state of things, which He has ordained or permitted.

How different is the spirit of charity!
It takes pleasure in the pleasure of others, it rejoices in their success and is happy in seeing them happy. It wishes for nothing which others have and which is out of its own reach, for it recognises the wise Providence of God in all happenings and, therefore, is perfectly satisfied with everything and has no wish to see itself exalted and others depressed, as envy does.
In view of the greater successes of others, is my spirit one of envy or one of charity?
Do I rejoice in them or do I feel vexed and annoyed?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 August – The Kindness of Charity, “Charity is kind”

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Thought for the Day – 4 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Kindness of Charity
“Charity is kind”

All appreciate kindness and are drawn towards those who are kind. Even natural kindness is very precious and beautiful. Kindness is one of the marks of a noble and generous character.
We feel the lack of kindness most keenly, when we believe others have not been kind to us. Yet, we overlook our own many acts of unkindness to others.
Should I not reproach myself for omitting many little acts of kindness which I might have done?
Should I not reproach myself for sometimes being positively unkind?

Natural kindness is a sort of foundation for supernatural kindness but the two are very distinct from each other.
Natural kindness has some natural motive – our own inclinations, love for the individual to whom we are kind, or a natural benevolence.
Supernatural kindness always has a supernatural motive and is directed to the glory of God. It is kindness to others for Christ’s sake and for the others’ sake, chiefly as they are His brethren and friends and, therefore, ours.
Do I seek to supernaturalise the kindnesses I do for others, to earn an eternal reward, by means of them?

If we are kind to others for God’s sake, He will be kind to us in our turn. Yet, our kindness must not have any advantage to ourselves, for, its chief motive, is to be the kindness of charity. We must not only have love of God in our hearts but, we also must have the thought of God present to us.
The kind action must be done because it is a happiness to please Him, Who is, in Himself, so kind and good. Does my kindness stand this test?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 3 August – The Patience of Charity – “Charity is patient”

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Thought for the Day – 3 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Patience of Charity
“Charity is patient”

Patience consists in supporting (without murmuring or complaint), injuries hardships, ill-treatment, whether they are deserved or undeserved.
It is thus, a most difficult virtue and cannot be practiced in its perfection, except by those who have attained a high degree of charity.
We are naturally eager to defend ourselves, resentful when accused, angry when some wrong is done us and anxious to take revenge on our impugner. Yet, all this is forbidden by patience and is inconsistent with charity!
Can I stand this test?

Every form of patience is especially difficult for some people. Active, energetic, eager natures, cannot endure to be thwarted or contradicted. Even being kept waiting irritates them. For them, a careful practice of patience is necessary,, if they are to rise high in virtue. They must begin by suppressing the outward expressions. This will help them overcome the internal movement of impatience. They must school themselves carefully in little things with a persevering determination to conquer their natural inclination towards impatience, or they will offend continually against charity.

Patience, like all the virtues, brings its own reward. How much the impatient suffer when corrected!
The inward struggle and desire to be rid of the obstacle in their path, or the person who hinders and annoys them, is painful to them. How they chafe under the restraint which hampers their activity! On the contrary, how full of tranquil peace is one, who allows nothing to make him impatient and who, takes everything as coming from God.
Do I act that way?

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The SIGN of the CROSS

Thought for the Day – 2 August – Charity in Our Actions

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Thought for the Day – 2 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

Charity in Our Actions

We have seen that charity must influence all our actions if they are to be meritorious in the sight of God. However, this does not mean that the conscious motive of promoting God’s glory must be present in our every thought but, we should aim for this end. The Saints always had God before their eyes. Their every movement and every act, however trifling, was done with the intention to please Him. Ordinary Christians can attain this only after long years practicing a close union with God. They must begin by offering up their actions to Him from time to time and by renewing the offering as often as they can. Am I striving to do this? Am I advancing in this practice of charity?

One thing we must always remember. We must always offer our actions to God when we rise in the morning. We should make the Sign of the Cross, repeat some little ejaculation consecrating the day to God. Here is an example.
“O my God, I offer Thee all my actions, thoughts, words, deeds and sufferings of this day in union with those of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I say this little prayer intending that it will last throughout the day, even though I may forget it.
I will also pray that all I do may be influenced by it.

This single offering can scarcely continue to have any controlling power over our actions, unless it is renewed. Its influence fades away. We not only forget it but we also become so absorbed in our various occupations that we are in danger of ceasing to do them, in any sense, for God. It is necessary to renew the intention to do all for God and, to renew it frequently.
Do I renew my intentions at Holy Mass, when I say grace at meals, when the Angelus rings or the clock strikes, at mid-day and in the evening, and at other times?

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Thought for the Day – 1 August – The Spirit of Charity

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Thought for the Day – 1 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Spirit of Charity

The spirit of charity is none other than the Holy Spirit of God, the Third Person of the Ever-Blessed Trinity. He not only is the Spirit of Charity but Charity itself. The personal Love of the Eternal Father for His Co-Equal Son is identical with the Holy Ghost, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son. All these Persons are consubstantial and co-equal, united together by Infinite Love. This Infinite Love is itself One of the Divine Persons. Adore this Mystery and pray for the humble faith which believes what it cannot comprehend.

It is from and through the Holy Ghost that the Charity of God is imparted to us. The Charity of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Ghost. When we receive the gift of supernatural charity, we also receive, into our hearts, the Holy Spirit Himself, Who is actually present with us. His presence produces all the graces which flow from His seven-fold gifts.
Reflect on the exceeding honour we thus enjoy and pray that you may never grieve the Holy Ghost by your want of charity.

Charity is also mentioned as the first and foremost of the fruits which the Holy Spirit causes to ripen in our hearts.
“The fruits of the Spirit are charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continence, and chastity.” (Galatians 5:22,23) All these fruits are but the effects of charity. Charity brings joy because it unites us to God. It brings peace because it prevents our will from rebelling against His.
Pray that the Holy Ghost may impart these fruits of His presence to you; above all, the charity whence the rest proceed.

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Thought for the Day – 25 July – The All-Importance of Charity

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Thought for the Day – 25 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The All-Importance of Charity

“If I have not charity, I am nothing.”
These are the words of Holy Scripture inspired by God Himself.
Unless we are united to God by the habit of supernatural charity, unless we love Him before all else, for His Own sake, with a supreme and unselfish love, we are not children of God but aliens.
Unless we do these things, we have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, we can earn no merit before God and, all that we do, has no beauty in His Sight. All our actions, however noble and generous, do not really please Him, or deserve grace in this life ,or glory in the next.

Moreover, unless there is at least an initial element of charity in our actions, they will not help us in any way on the road to Heaven.
Acts of faith and hope, although they maybe performed by one who has not perfect charity, contain an unformed and rudimentary element of charity.
They are the germ or bud from which charity may afterwards spring and, in this way, they lead to charity. In themselves, faith and hope gain no merit, unless they are the actions of one who already has charity in his heart.

Even if we have the habit of charity and are in a state of grace, our actions are not meritorious before God, unless they are done from a motive of charity.
Charity must in some way influence faith and hope, if not with a present thought of God, yet, with the golden light of our love for Him lighting them up. Without this, they may count for nothing, or at most, merit only a natural reward. If I give money purely out of natural compassion and pity, I gain a temporal but not, an eternal reward.
How careful I must be to offer to God each act of charity to men!

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Charity and Self-love

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Thought for the Day – 24 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

Charity and Self-love

If charity really promotes our highest interests and, even in its most disinterested form, ministers to our good, how is it that it is so often compared with self-love?
When we speak of self-love, we do not mean the true love of self which is identical with charity. We mean the love of our lower self. We mean the choice of some immediate good instead of the far higher and nobler good which we shall secure by sacrifice of the lower good. Self-love is the love of the child for the unwholesome sweets which it knows will produce sickness on the morrow.
How often my self-love has led me to grasp at the passing enjoyment instead of the solid happiness, I should have gained, by renouncing it.

Self-love does a still more mischievous work.
It leads us to thrust ourselves into a position we know is a false one, in order to gratify our desire for independence and for liberty. Self-love hates subjection and is thus diametrically opposed to charity which loves to be subject.
Self-love hates the lowest place or humble work and yearns after notoriety or prominence.
Charity appreciates the nothingness of self and desires that God should be all in all!

Self-love, again, cannot endure any sort of reproof or correction. It rebels against those things and longs to revenge itself. It is thus, no true love of self, for he who really loves himself, or rather, who finds his highest happiness in preferring God to self, welcomes anything which tends to lower self and to make God the exclusive object of his love.
Thus, in hating self, he loves self with a true self-love and will reach charity.
Is this my relationship to self?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – ‘ … Let us love the one who is near us, so that we may be able to attain, the love of the One, Who is above us! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 24 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Christina of Bolsena (3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus Sir 44:25-27; 45:2-4; 45:6-9; John 15:12-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13

REFLECTION – “We cannot truly love God without loving our neighbour, nor can we truly love our neighbour without loving God. This is why … the Holy Ghost was given a second time to the disciples. First He was given by the Lord while He was still dwelling on earth and later, while He was watching over us in Heaven (Jn 20:22; Acts 2). He was given to us on earth, that we may love our neighbours; from Heaven, that we may love God. Why first on earth and later from Heaven – except for the reason given us openly by John: “How can anyone, who does not love his brother, whom he sees love God Whom he does not see?”

So let us love our neighbours, my friends, let us love the one who is near us, so that we may be able to attain, the love of the One, Who is above us! Let our hearts reflect on what our neighbours hold up to God, so that we may be found completely worthy, to rejoice in God with them. Then shall we reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which, we have received an assurance from the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal, where we shall be happy without end, with all our love. There is the holy community of heavenly citizens, there is the sure and solemn observance, there untroubled rest, there the true peace which is no longer dependent on us but given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 14:27).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Excerpt Sermons on the Gospel No 30).

PRAYER – O God, Who among the other miracles of Thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we, who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Christina, Your Virgin and Martyr, may come to Thee by the path of her example.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).