Category: QUOTES on DEATH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 May – Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy at the Hour of Death. The First Assault Against Faith and the Manner of Resistance.

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Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

LXIII: … Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The First Assault Against Faith and the Manner of Resistance.

“There are four principal assaults to which the enemy is likely to resort when we are at the threshold of death.
They are:
– temptations against faith and to despair,
– thoughts of vainglory
– and finally, various illusions employed by the children of darkness,
who are disguised as angels of light.

As to the first assault, depend rather on the will than on the understanding, saying:
“Get thee behind me, Satan, father of lies, for I will not even hear you;
it is enough for me to believe as the Holy Catholic Church believes.”

Similarly, be sedulously watchful against any thoughts which may appear to be conducive to the strengthening of your faith – reject them instantly as suggestions of the devil, who seeks desperately to lure you into dispute.
If, however, you find it impossible to turn your thoughts resolutely from such matters, at least be adamant in your refusal to listen to Scriptural quotations the adversary may glibly present – for, although they are apparently clear and precise, they will be invariably garbled, misinterpreted, or incorrectly applied.

If, at this time, the evil one asks what the Church believes, ignore him but, seeing his aim is to surprise or entrap you in words, be content with making a general Act of Faith.
If you wish to mortify him further, answer that the Church believes the
truth and if he wishes to know what truth is, tell him it is what the Church believes and teaches.

Above all, keep your heart intently fixed on Jesus Crucified, saying:
“My God, My Creator and Redeemer,
hurry to my assistance,
and stay with me lest I wander from the truth
which Thou hast taught me.
Grant that as I was born in the Faith,
so may I die in the Faith
to Thy glory and my salvation!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 10 May – Concerning Our Preparation Against the Enemies Who Assail Us at the Hour of Death

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Thought for the Day – 10 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

LXII: … Concerning Our Preparation Against the
Enemies Who Assail Us at the Hour of Death

“Although our entire life on earth is a continual warfare, it is certain the last day of battle will be the most dangerous – for he who falls on this day, falls never to rise again!

In order, therefore, to be prepared, we must prepare ourselves now; for he who fights well through life, will, with greater facility, emerge victorious in the final assault.
Meditate too on death, considering its significance, for such consideration will remove the terror which strikes when death is nigh and give your mind greater freedom for the combat.

Worldly men cannot stand the thought of death – they refuse to think of it, lest they be distracted from the earthly pleasures in which they have placed their affection.
The thought of losing transient things is naturally repugnant and painful to one who is oblivious to eternal things.
Thus the affections of worldlings are more firmly riveted to this world, day by day.
And day by day, the contemplation of the loss of worldly things strikes increased terror most frequently into the hearts of those who have enjoyed worldliness the longest.

In order to be prepared for the awesome step, from time into
eternity, imagine yourself sometime, all alone in the face of the agonies of death and consider the things which would most likely trouble you at that hour.
Then, imprint deeply in your heart the remedies I shall propose to be employed when the situation is at hand.
For the blow which can be struck but once, should be well rehearsed, as, a final error, means an eternity of regret and misery!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – The Patronage of St Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph Confessoris

“We also should have recourse to St Joseph
in our spiritual and bodily necessities.
St Joseph had to endure a great deal
in order to provide for the wants of the Holy Family
and to protect them from the many dangers
which threatened them.
For this reason, he is especially attentive
to requests of any kind, as long as they are made
with a lively faith and submission to the Will of God.”

“St Joseph is the Universal Patron of the Church.
We, who are loved children of the Church
should invoke his special intercession,
therefore, for the triumph and expansion
of the Kingdom of God upon earth.
… If we are loyal sons of the Church,
we should pray that She may triumph.
We should ask for the special intercession
of St Joseph, Her Heavenly Patron.”

“We shall come to the end of our lives too,
perhaps sooner than we imagine.
Let us ask the Holy Patriarch
for the favour of a happy death.
Let us ask him to ensure that Jesus and Mary
will help us too, when we are leaving this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-saint-joseph/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE

Our Morning Offering – 9 April – Grant us Thy Light, O Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 9 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday in the Second Week of Easter

Grant us Thy Light, O Lord
By The Venerable St Bede (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Grant us Thy Light, O Lord,
so that the darkness of our hearts,
may wholly pass away
and we may come at last,
to the Light of Christ.
For Christ is that Morning Star,
Who, when the night
of this world has passed,
brings to His Saints,
the promised Light of Life
and opens to them,
everlasting day.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY

Quote/s of the Day –7 April – ‘ He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. …’

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Quote/s of the Day –7 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Low Sunday, The Octave Day of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20. 19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ Blessed are they who have not seen
and have believed.”

John 20:29

“He asks for our faith and offers us salvation.
What He offers us, is so precious
that what He asks of us, is as nothing!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

“I shall reflect the image of God
in that I feed on love;
grow certain on faith and hope;
strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience;
grow tranquil by humility;
grow beautiful by chastity;
am sober by abstention;
am made happy by tranquillity
and am ready for death,
by practising hospitality.”

ACW – Ancient Christian Writer
Incomplete Work on Matthew
(Homily 40)

“True piety admits no other rule than that,
whatsoever things have been faithfully received
from our fathers, the same are to be
faithfully consigned to our children
and that, it is our duty,
not to lead religion whither we would
but rather, to follow religion whither it leads
and that, it is the part of Christian modesty
and gravity, not to hand down our own beliefs
or observances to those who come after us
but, to preserve and keep what we have received,
from those who went before us.”

St Vincent of Lérins (Died c445)
Author of the ‘Commonitorium.’

“We should also have great confidence
in the continual assistance which God offers us
in the temptations, troubles and trials of life.
When pain torments us,
when humiliations are difficult to bear,
when all is dark. we fear each moment
and we feel abandoned, let us trust in Him,
Who is the Way, the Truth and Life.
He says to us, as He said to Peter floundering in the waves:
“O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?” (Mt 14:31).
He is always ready to console and comfort.
He is always there waiting for our call.
We are not alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The KINGDOM of GOD, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 4 April – ‘… For us, a Light from His Light has arisen…’

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Easter Thursday

“Our Lord Jesus Christ
Has appeared to us from the bosom of the Father.
He has come and drawn us out of the shadows
And enlightened us with His joyful Light.

Day has dawned for humankind,
Cast out the power of darkness.
For us, a Light from His Light has arisen
That has enlightened our darkened eyes.

Over the world He has made His glory arise
And has lit up the deepest depths.
Death is no more, darkness has ended,
The gates of hell are shattered.

He has illumined every creature,
All the shades from times long past.
He has brought about salvation and given us Life;
Next He will come in glory.

Our King is coming in His great glory:
Let us light our lamps
and go out to meet Him (Mt 25,6);
Let us be glad in Him, as He has been glad in us
And gives us gladness, with His glorious Light.

My friends, arise! make yourselves ready
To give thanks to our Saviour King,
Who will come in His glory and make us joyful
With His joyous Light in the Kingdom.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father of the Church

(Hymn I on the Resurrection)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HOLY CROSS, The LAMB of GOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 31 March – The Redemption

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

The Redemption

“In conclusion, let us say this prayer of St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787):
“My soul, look at this Crucified Man …
see how the arms extend to embrace you,
how the head bows forward
to give you the kiss of peace.
See how His side is open to receive you.
What have you to say?
Such a good and loving God deserves to be loved.
O my Jesus!
Adorable Jesus!
O Love of my soul!
How can I ever forget Thee?
How can I ever love anything
apart from Thee!
O suffering Jesus,
may the memory of Thee ever remain
in my heart!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-the-redemption/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-the-redemption/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SATURDAY, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 30 March – The Night which Sets Us Free From the Sleep of Death

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 30 March – Holy Saturday – The Lord’s Vigil Mass of Easter, Blessing of the Fire, Prophecies, Blessing of the Font, First Mass of Easter – Matthew 28,1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“It was very necessary that Christ
should rise during the night because ,
His Resurrection has enlightened our darkness! … ”
St Augustine

“He is not here.
For He is risen, as He said.”
Matthew 28:6

LUMEN CHRISTI
Deo Gratias!

The Night which Sets Us Free
From the Sleep of Death

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

“Brethren, let us keep watch, for Christ remained in the tomb until this night.
It was on this night that the Resurrection of His flesh took place.
On the Cross it was the butt of mockery; today, Heaven and earth give it worship.
This night already forms part of our Sunday.
It was very necessary that Christ should rise during the night because, His Resurrection has enlightened our darkness! …
Just as our faith, strengthened by Christ’s Resurrection, dispels all sleep, so this night, lightened by our vigils, is filled with brightness.
With the Church throughout the earth, it causes us to hope we shall never be surprised during the night (Mk 13:33).

Amongst so many peoples whom this Feast – kept so solemnly everywhere – gathers together in the Name of Christ, the sun has gone down.
Yet, day has not disappeared; the lights of Heaven have taken over from the lights of earth…
He, Who has given us the glory of His Name (Ps 28:2) has also illumined this night.
He to Whom we say “Thou lighten my darkness” (Ps 18:28) sheds His brightness in our hearts.
Just as our dazzled eyes behold these shining torches, so our enlightened spirits enable us to see how luminous is this night, this holy night in which our Lord initiated, in His own flesh, the Life which knows neither sleep nor death!” – (2nd Sermon for the Easter Vigil; PLS 2, 549-552 – Sermon Morin Guelferbytanus 5).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOOD FRIDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Membra Jesu Nostri, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

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Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Good Friday

Membra Jesu Nostri
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
By Blessed Arnulf of Leuven O.Cist. (c1200-1276)

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered,
was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine, was the transgression
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour!
’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favour,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble Countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy Visage languish
that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished,
their colour once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
the splendour that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigour,
hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigour,
Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me;
my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts Divine.
Thy Lips have often fed me
with words of Truth and Love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
to Heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee,
from Thee I will not part;
O Saviour, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving Heart,
When soul and body languish
in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken,
above all joys beside,
When in Thy Body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring
Thy Glory now to see,
Beside Thy Cross expiring,
I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Saviour, be Thou near me
when death is at my door;
Then let Thy Presence cheer me,
forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
oh, leave me not alone
But take away mine anguish
by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation,
my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
upon Thy Cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

This Poem/Hymn was incorrectly ascribed to St Bernard of Clairvaux, for they are consistent with his style and his devotion. However, “the external proof for this ascription is so slight as to be negligible” (Hurlbut, VII, 18).
The “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” did appear in St Bernard’s collected works but only two hundred years after his death. When the Monasteries were suppressed in the French Revolution, all of the relevant manuscripts disappeared. The only surviving manuscript, dated 1320, bears Arnulf’s name (Arnulfus de louan). Here is Blessed Arnulf’s story:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-blessed-arnulf-of-leuven-o-cist-c1200-1276-abbot/

Arnulf’s Poem consists of a cycle of seven Poems, each a meditation on one of the Wounds of the Crucified Christ.
The words of the Hymn remind us, not only of the depth of Christ’s love but also how much He suffers because of our sins.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 27 March – Let Us Too Glory in the Cross of Our Lord

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 27 March – Wednesday in Holy Week – Isaias 53:1-12, Luke 22:1-71 and 23:1-53 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When Christ has already given us
the gift of His Death,
who is to doubt that He will give the Saints,
the gift of His own Life?”
St Augustine

“And he released unto them,
him who for murder and sedition
had been cast into prison,
whom they had desired.
But Jesus he delivered up to their will.”
Luke 23:25

Let Us, Too, Glory
in the Cross of the Lord

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

“The Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. What may not the hearts of believers promise themselves as the gift of God’s grace, when for their sake, God’s only Son, co-eternal with the Father, was not content only to be born as man from human stock but even, died at the hands of the men He had created?

It is a great thing that we are promised by the Lord but far greater, is what has already been done for us and which we now commemorate. Where were the sinners, what were they doing when Christ died for them? When Christ has already given us the gift of His Death, who is to doubt that He will give the Saints the gift of His own Life? Why does our human frailty hesitate to believe that mankind will one day, live with God?

Who is Christ if not the Word of God – in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God?
This power of Himself to die for us – He had to take from us, our mortal flesh. This was the way in which, although immortal, He was able to die; the way in which He chose to give Life to mortal men – He would first share with us and then enable us to share with Him. Of ourselves, we had no power to live, nor did He of Himself have the power to die.

Accordingly, He effected a wonderful exchange with us, through mutual sharing – we gave Him the power to die, He will give us the power to Live!

The death of the Lord our God, should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon Himself the death which He found in us, He has most faithfully promised, to give us Life in Himself, such as we cannot have of ourselves.

He loved us so much that, sinless Himself, He suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved for our sins. How then can He fail to give us the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for He is the Source of righteousness? How can He, Whose promises are true, fail to reward the Saints, when He bore the punishment of sinners, although without sin Himself?

Brethren, let us then fearlessly acknowledge and even openly proclaim that Christ was Crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.

The Apostle Paul saw Christ and extolled His claim to glory. He had many great and inspired things to say about Christ but he did not say that he boasted in Christ’s wonderful works: in creating the world, since He was God with the Father, or in ruling the world, although He was also a man like us. Rather, he said: Let me not boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!” – (Reflections on the Cross from the Early Church Fathers).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, LENT 2024, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 27 March – In Thine Hour of Holy Sadness

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Our Morning Offering – 27 March – “Spy” Wednesday in Holy Week

In Thine Hour of Holy Sadness
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Doctor of the Church

In Thine hour of holy sadness
could I share with Thee, what gladness
should Thine Cross to me be showing.
Gladness past all thought of knowing,
bowed beneath Thine Cross to die!
Blessed Jesus, thanks I render
that in bitter death, so tender,
Thou now hear Thy supplicant calling,
Save me Lord!
and keep from falling, from Thee,
when my hour is nigh.
Amen.

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 23 March – What Happened on the Cross?

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 23 March – Saturday in Passion Week – Jeremias18:18-23, John 12:10-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Shall evil be rendered for good
because they have dug a pit for my soul?”
Jeremias 18:20

“The hour is come
when the Son of man
should be glorified.”
John 12:23

What Happened on the Cross?

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

“By nothing else except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
has death been brought low:

The sin of our first parent destroyed,
hell plundered,
resurrection bestowed,
the power given us to despise the things of this world,
even death itself,
the road back to the former blessedness made smooth,
the gates of paradise opened,
our nature seated at the right hand of God
and we made children and heirs of God.

By the Cross all these things have been set aright…

It is a seal that the destroyer may not strike us,
a raising up of those who lie fallen,
a support for those who stand,
a staff for the infirm,
a crook for the shepherded,
a guide for the wandering,
a perfecting of the advanced,
salvation for soul and body,
a deflector of all evils,
a cause of all goods,
a destruction of sin,
a plant of resurrection
and a tree of eternal life.”

(Reflections on the Cross of Christ
from the Early Church Fathers –
Orthodox Faith 4).

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – The Patronage of St Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 19 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Patronage of Saint Joseph

“We shall have particular need of the protection of St Joseph at the hour of death.
He had the most beautiful of deaths, for Jesus and Mary were by his side.
All his life he had lived only for them.
He had worked for them, worried about them and loved them.
In the end, he was able to see them near him, his own sweet Jesus and his beloved Spouse.
His must have been, a very peaceful death.
He had fulfilled his mission and Jesus and Mary were there to console him in his last agony.

We shall come to the end of our lives too, perhaps sooner than we imagine.
Let us ask the Holy Patriarch for the favour of a happy death.
Let us ask him to ensure that Jesus and Mary will help us too, when we are leaving this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-saint-joseph/

Posted in GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 19 March – A Happy or Miserable Eternity

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 19 March – The Month and Feast of St Joseph

MEDITATION on the Feast of St Joseph,
The Patron of a Holy and Happy Death

A Happy or Miserable Eternity

“When a person thinks seriously that on the moment of death, depends a happy or miserable eternity, his heart must be obdurate, indeed, if he be not struck with fear, for if the just be scarcely saved, where will the sinner appear?
O, Lord! enter not into judgement with Thy servant, for no-one living is justified in Thy sight!

The holy Abbot Agatho, being seized with trembling at his last hour and his religious having asked him the cause — he replied that although, by the great mercy of God, his conscience did not reproach him with anything, yet that the Divine Judgement being very different from those of men, he was in great alarm.
No wonder he should have felt so — all our good works are imperfect in the sight of the Divine Majesty.

If the Angels succour us in this dread moment, do they not prove themselves our true friends?
It is in the time of affliction a person knows a sincere friend and behold, in the hour of death, when all abandon us to our fate, when our bodies are consigned to the solitary tomb and our soul “goes to the house of its eternity,” the Angels, faithful to their charge, never depart from us. ” – (Devotion to the Holy Angels)

O My Good Angel
Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel
Appointing him Intercessory at the Hour of Death
By St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

My good Angel – I know not when or how I shall die.
It is possible I may be carried off suddenly
and before my last sigh, I may be deprived of all intelligence.
Yet, how many things I would wish to say to God,
on the threshold of eternity.
In the full freedom of my will today,
I come to charge thee to speak for me
at that fearful moment.
Thou will say to Him, then, O my good Angel –
That I wish to die
in the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church
in which all the Saints, since Jesus Christ, have died
and, out of which, there is no salvation.
That I ask the grace, of sharing
in the Infinite Merits of my Redeemer
and that I desire to die, in pressing to my lips,
the Cross which was bathed in His Blood!
That I detest my sins because they displease Him
and that I pardon, through love of Him,
all my enemies, as I wish myself to be pardoned.
That I die willingly because He orders it
and that I throw myself, with confidence,
into His adorable Heart, awaiting all His mercy.
That in my inexpressible desire to go to Heaven,
I am disposed to suffer everything
it may please His Sovereign Justice to inflict on me.
That I love Him before all things,
above all things and for His own sake;
that I wish and hope, to love Him with the elect,
His Angels and the Blessed Mother,
during all eternity.
Do not refuse, O my Angel,
to be my interpreter with God
and to protest to Him, that these,
are my sentiments and my will.
Amen.

Posted in BAPTISM, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 15 March – Do Not Fall Back Again Into Death!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 15 March – Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 3 Kings 17:17-24; John 11:1-45 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Now, by this I know t
hat thou art a man of God
and the Word of the Lord
in thy mouth is true.”
3 Kings 17:24

“ Lazarus, come forth!”
John 11:43

Do Not Fall Back Again Into Death!

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Laid to rest in the tomb, you heard the resounding call.
Is there any Voice greater than that of the Word?
Then you came out, you who were dead not merely for four days but for a very long time indeed.
You were raised with Christ … your burial bands fell to the ground.
Do not fall back again now into death; do not rejoin those who dwell in the tombs; do not allow yourself to be stifled by the burial bands of your sins.
For would you be able to come back to life once again?
Would you be able to bring out, from the death of here below, the resurrection of all men at the end of time? …

So let the Lord’s call resound in your ears!
Do not close them today to the teaching and admonitions of the Lord.
If you used to be blind, without light in your tomb, open your eyes lest you sink into the sleep of death.
In the Light of the Lord, behold light! in the Spirit of God, fix your eyes on the Son.
If you take to yourself the Word, in its entirety, then you focus onto your soul, all the power of Christ Who heals and restores to life ….
Do not be afraid to put some work into preserving your Baptismal purity and set the ways that lead to the Lord, within your heart.
Take care to preserve the act of acquittal which you received through pure grace ….

Let us be Light, as the disciples learned, from He Who is the Great Light: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14).
Let us be lamps in this world by holding up on high the Word of Life, by being a life force for others.
Let us set out in search of God, in search of the One Who is the First and Purest of Lights.” – (Sermon on Holy Baptism).

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, HYMNS, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SIN, The KINGDOM of GOD, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 6 March – Sweet Angel of Mercy!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 6 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!”

“The Kingdom of Heaven
is like a treasure hidden in a field.”
Matthew 13:44

Sweet Angel of Mercy!
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Sweet Angel of mercy!
By Heaven’s decree
Benignly appointed
To watch over me!
Without thy protection,
So constant and nigh,
I could not well live;
I should tremble to die.

All thanks for thy love,
Dear companion and friend!
Oh may it continue
With me to the end!
Oh cease not to keep me,
Blest guide of my youth,
In the ways of religion
And virtue and truth.

Support me in weakness,
My spirit inflame;
Defend me in danger,
Secure me from shame,
That safe from temptation,
Or sudden surprise,
I may mount the straight path
That ascends to the skies.

When Satan his snares
For my ruin shall lay,
Be thou, gentle comrade,
My comfort and stay
And in every event
Which may happen to me,
Make all my desires
With thine to agree.

When I wander in error,
My footsteps recall,
Remove from my path
What might cause me to fall.
Preserve me from sin
And in all that I do,
May God and His glory
Be ever in view.

O thou who didst witness
My earliest breath,
Be with me, I pray,
In the hour of death.
Console me in sadness,
Refresh me in pain
And teach me how best
I may mercy obtain.

That, cleansed by confession
Complete and sincere,
From every defilement
Afflicting me here,
All glowing with love,
I may gladly depart.
With faith on my lips
And with hope in my heart.

Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LENT, LENTEN THOUGHTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 March – “They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”- Matthew 21:39

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One Minute Reflection – 1 March – Friday of the Second Week in Lent and the Feast of the Holy Shroud – Genesis 37:6-22; Matthew 21:33-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”– Matthew 21:39

REFLECTION – “I am the true vine,” Jesus says (Jn 15:1)… People dig trenches around this Vine, that is to say, cunningly dig traps. When they plot to make someone fall into a snare, it is as if they dug a pit in front of him. That is why He mourns about it, saying: “They have dug a pit before Me” (Ps 56:7)… Here is one example of these snares: “They brought a woman who had been caught in adultery” to our Lord Jesus, “saying: ‘Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’ ” (Jn 8:3f)… And here is another: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to the Emperor or not?” (cf. Mt 22:17)…

However, they discovered that these traps caused no harm to the Vine. To the contrary, in digging these pits, they themselves fell into them (Ps 56:7) … Then they kept on digging, not just His Hands and His Feet (Ps 21:17) but they pierced His Side with a lance (Jn 19:34) and uncovered the interior of that Sacred Heart, which had already been wounded by the spear of love. The Bridegroom says in the song of His love that: “You have wounded My heart, My sister, My spouse” (Sg 4:9). O Lord Jesus, Your Heart has been wounded with love by Your spouse, Your friend, Your sister. Why, then, was it necessary for Your enemies to wound You again? O you enemies, what are you doing?… Do you not know that this Heart of Our Lord Jesus, already pierced, is already dead, already open and cannot be touched by any other suffering? The Heart of the Bridegroom, Our Lord Jesus, has already received the wound of love, the death of love. What other death could touch Him?… The Martyrs also laugh when they are threatened, rejoice when they are struck, triumph when they are killed. Why? Because they have already died through love in their hearts, “dead to sin” (Rm 6:2) and to the world…

Thus Jesus’ Heart has been wounded and put to death for our sake… Physical death triumphed for a moment but only to be conquered forever. It was blotted out when Christ rose from the dead because “death has no power over Him anymore” (Rm 6:9). – St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (The Mystical Vine, ch. 3, § 5-10)

PRAYER – O God, Who hast left us a Relic of Thy passion in the Holy Dhroud in which Thy body, taken down from the Cross, was wrapped by Joseph [of Arimathea], grant, we beseech Thee that through Thy Death and Burial, we may be brought to the glory of resurrection. Thou who livest and reignests with The Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 28 February – O Mother of Sorrows, Stand by Me in My Last Agony

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Our Morning Offering – 28 February – St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows/Gabriel Possenti CP (1838-1862) Confessor

O Mother of Sorrows,
Stand by Me in My Last Agony
By St Gabriel Francis Possenti
of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)

O Mother of Sorrows,
by the anguish and love
with which thou did stand at the Cross of Jesus,
stand by me in my last agony.
To thy maternal heart
I commend the last three hours of my life.
Offer these hours to the Eternal Father
in union with the agony of our dearest Lord,
in atonement for my sins.
Offer to the Eternal Father
the most precious blood of Jesus,
mingled with your tears on Calvary,
that I may obtain the grace of receiving Holy Communion
with the most perfect love and contrition
before my death
and that I may breathe forth my soul
in the adorable presence of Jesus.
Dearest Mother,
when the moment of my death has at last come,
present me as your child to Jesus.
Ask Him to forgive me for having offended Him,
for I knew not what I did.
Beg Him to receive me into His kingdom of glory
to be united with Him forever.
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 24 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 24 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part Two)

“+++ When walking, remember that every step brings you nearer to death.

+++ Let the flight of birds and the flowing of water remind you that your life is hastening far more swiftly to its close.

+++ Let storms of wind, lightning and thunder, remind you of the tremendous Day of Judgement and kneeling down, worship God and beseech Him to give you time and grace, duly to prepare yourself to appear before His most high Majesty.

In the variety of accidents which may befall you, exercise yourself thus:
+++ When, for instance, you are oppressed by sadness or melancholy, or suffer heat, cold, or the like, lift up your heart to that Eternal Will, Which, for your own good, wills that at such a time and in such a measure, you should endure this discomfort.
Then, rejoicing in the love thus shown you by God and, at the opportunity of serving Him in the way He is pleased to appoint, say in your heart:
“Behold in me is the Divine Will fulfilled, Which from all eternity, has lovingly appointed that I should now endure this trial. All praise be to Thee for the same, my most gracious Lord!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, THEOLOGICAL

Quote/s of the Day – 24 February – I Am meek and humble of heart …

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 February – Ember Saturday – Feast of St Matthias, Apostle – Acts 1:15-26, Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I Am meek and humble of heart
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For My yoke is easy and My burden light.”

Matthew 11:29-30

“I shall reflect the image of God
in that I feed on love;
grow certain on faith and hope;
strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience;
grow tranquil by humility;
grow beautiful by chastity;
am sober by abstention;
am made happy by tranquillity
and am ready for death,
by practising hospitality.”

ACW – Ancient Christian Writer
Incomplete Work on Matthew
(Homily 40)

“If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level.
If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height,
you will begin with the lowest foundation.
This is humility.
However great the mass of the building
you may wish to design or erect,
the taller the building is to be,
the deeper you will dig the foundation.
The building in the course of its erection,
rises up high but he who digs its foundation,
must first go down very low.
So then, you see even a building is low
before it is high and the tower is raised,
only after humiliation.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“True humility consists in persuading
and convincing oneself
that without God, we are insignificant
and despicable
and, in accepting to be treated as such!”

St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FRANCISCAN OFM, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 February – But I say to you, Love your enemies …

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One Minute Reflection – 16 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday – The Feast of the Sacred Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Isa 58:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48; 6:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But I say to you, Love your enemies …” Matthew 5:44

REFLECTION – “Let us pay attention, all my brothers, to what the Lord says: “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you,” for our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose footprints we must follow (cf 1 Pt 2:21), called His betrayer “friend” (Mt 26:50) and gave Himself willingly to those who crucified Him. Our friends, then, are all those who, unjustly afflict upon us, trials and ordeals, shame and inju­ries, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death! We must love them greatly for we will possess eternal life because of what they bring upon us.” – St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226) Founder of the Friars Minor (Earlier Rule, #22).

PRAYER – May Thy kindly favour, we beseech Thee, O Lord, accompany the fast we have begun that we, maybe able to practice, with a pure mind and heart, that which we perform bodily. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – Watch, O Lord!

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Watch, therefore because you know
not the day, nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:13

Watch, O Lord!
With Those Who Wake,
or Watch, or Weep Tonight
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Watch, O Lord,
with those who wake,
or watch,
or weep tonight
and give Thy Angels and Saints,
charge over those who sleep.
Tend Thy sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest Thy weary ones.
Bless Thy dying ones.
Soothe Thy suffering ones.
Pity Thy afflicted ones.
Shield Thy joyous ones.
And all, for Thine Love’s sake.
Amen

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – ‘ … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him!” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “My brothers, there is a time for sowing and a time for harvesting, a time for peace and another for war, a time for labour and another for rest (Cf Eccl 3). But, for the salvation of the soul, all times are right and every journey is worthwhile, at least, if we wish it to be. Therefore, let us always be moving towards the good, ready to move, full of eagerness, putting words into deeds. For, says the Apostle Paul, “it is not those who hear the law, who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law, will be justified” (Rom 2:13) … Is this the time for spiritual warfare? Then we should fight vigorously and pursue, with God’s aid, the devilish thoughts that rise up inside us. If, on the other hand, it is time for spiritual harvest, we should enthusiastically gather in the crops and collect together, into spiritual barns, provisions for eternal life…

It is always the time for prayer, for tears, for repentance after a failing, always time to take the Kingdom of Heaven by storm! Why delay? Why set aside till later? Why put off our improvement, from day to day? “For the world, in its present form, is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31) … Are we going to live forever? … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? “The Bridegroom is coming,” says the Gospel, “go out to meet Him.” And the wise virgins went out to meet him with lamps alight and went into the wedding feast — whereas, the foolish virgins, delayed by their lack of good works, cried out: “Lord, Lord, open the door for us. But He said in reply: Amen, I say to you, I do not know you” and He added: “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” So we should stay awake and rouse the soul to soberness, compunction, holiness, purification and illumination, so as to prevent death from shutting the door and no-one being there to open it to us or help us!” – St Theodore the Studite (750–826) Father, Abbot, Theologian, Writer at Constantinople (Small Catechism No 130).

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘… Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Candlemas – Malachias 3:1-4; Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My eyes have seen Thy salvation …” – Luke 2:30

REFLECTION – “Come then, my brethren, give an eye to that candle burning in Simeon’s hands. Light your candles too by borrowing from that Light; for these candles I speak of are the lamps which the Lord orders us to have in our hands (Mt 25:1; Lk 12:35). Come to Him and be enlightened (Ps 33:6), so as to be not merely carrying lamps but to be very lamps yourselves, shining inside and out, for yourselves and for your neighbours.

Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. The lamp in your heart will shine for you; the lamp in your hand or on your lips, will shine out for your neighbours. The lamp in the heart is loving faith; the lamp in the hand is the example of good works; the lamp on the lips is edifying speech. But not just before men, must we shine by works and word but before Angels too, by prayer and before God Himself by pure Intention. Our lamp before the Angels is the purity of our devotion, when, in the sight of Angels, we chant the Psalms with care, or pray with burning ardour; our lamp before God is the honesty of our intention to please Him only, Whose approval we have won…

There are so many lamps then, my brethren, to lighten your way, if only you will come to the Source of all Light and be enlightened. Come, I say, to Jesus, Who shines out to us from Simeon’s arms. He will give Light to your faith, lustre to your works, meaning to your words for men, ardour to your prayer, purity to your intentions … And when this life’s lamp is extinguished, there will arise a life’s Light which can never be extinguished, a shimmering noonday Light, arising, as it were, at the evening of your life!” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (1st Sermon for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. 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). 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 QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SCANDAL, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 17 January – St Anthony Abbot

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 January – St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

“The illusions of this world soon vanish,
especially if a man arms himself
with the Sign of the Cross.
The devils tremble
at the Sign of the Cross of our Lord,
by which He triumphed over and disarmed them.”

“If we make every effort to avoid
death of the body,
still more should it be our endeavour,
to avoid death of the soul!
There is no obstacle for a man
who wishes to be saved,
other than negligence and laziness of soul.”

“ What is slander?
It is every sort of wicked word
we would dare not speak
in front of the person whom
we are complaining about.”

MORE and MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/17/quote-s-of-the-day-17-january-st-anthony-abbot-2/

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 January –  ‘ … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 17 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Anthony Abbot (251-356) – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Luke 12:40

REFLECTION – “These words mean – you are to be awake and vigilant because you do not know the hour when the Lord will come from the wedding … Because, as soon as some feeling of pride, self-satisfaction or self-will enters a man, the Enemy is there, cutting the precious bag, of all his good works from him. Oh, children! How many people like these, will you see, who have done great works … and thus gained great renown … but, presumption has stripped them of all … They will be placed after the poor and simple fellows, whom no-one values because of their outward appearance and work. Because they humbly take a lowly place, these latter, will be set above the others … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes …

“Let your loins be girt about and your lamps alight.” Here there are three points to notice. First – the loins are to be girded like someone firmly bound with a rope, so as to be led, against his will … Second – you are to carry lighted lamps in your hands which is to say, works of love. Your hands should never stop doing the true, ardent work of charity … Third – you should wait for the Lord when He returns from the wedding … “The Lord will set them over all His goods; He will gird Himself and will serve them.” This wedding from which the Lord comes, takes place in the most interior part of the soul, in its depths, where the noble image is found. O what intimate contact the soul has with God and God with it, in this depth and what a marvellous work God does there! What rejoicing and joy He finds there! It surpasses all feeling and thought and yet, man knows nothing and feels nothing of it.” – Fr Johannes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Priest and Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian (Sermon 77 for the Feast of a Confessor).

PRAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Anthony, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. Through tJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 14 January – St Hilary

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 January – St Hilary (315-368) Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

“The Son of God,
is nailed to the Cross
but on the Cross,
God conquers human death.
Christ, the Son of God, dies
but all flesh is made alive in Christ.
The Son of God is in hell
but man is carried back to Heaven!”

(On the Trinity Book II)I

“When I look at Thine heavens,
according to my own lights,
with these weak eyes of mine,
I am certain, with reservation,
that they are Thine heavens.
The stars circle in the heavens,
reappear year after year,
each with a function and service to fulfil.
And, although I do not understand them,
I know that Thou, O God, are in them.”

“Little children follow and obey their father.
They love their mother.
They know nothing of covetousness,
ill-will, bad temper, arrogance and lying.
This state of mind opens the road to Heaven.
To imitate our Lord’s own humility,
we must return to the simplicity
of God’s little ones.”

MORE:
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St Hilary (315-368)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – The source of Joy

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

“And seeing the Star they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy.”

Matthew 2:10

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name
is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.
It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth;
of strength in our manhood,
when only His Holy Name and His grace,
can enable us to overcome temptation;
of hope, consolation
and confidence at the hour of our death,
when more than ever before,
we realise, that the meaning of Jesus is
‘Lord, the Saviour.’
We should bow in reverence to His Name
and submission to His Holy Will.”

Bl Henry Suso OP (1290-1365)

“Should everything turn upside down,
I do not say around us but within us,
that is to say, should our soul be sad,
happy, in sweetness, in bitterness,
peaceful, troubled, in light, in darkness,
in temptation, in rest, in enjoyment,
in disgust, in dryness, in gentleness,
should the sun burn it or the dew refresh it,
ah! this point of our heart,
our spirit, our higher will, which is our compass,
should, nevertheless, always and at all times,
turn unceasingly, tend perpetually
towards the love of God!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

(From the Letters)