Category: QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PETER!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 18 January – St Peter

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 18 January – Feast of the Chair of the Apostle, St Peter at Rome – 1 Peter 1:1-7, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

“Upon this rock
I will build My Church”

Matthew 16:18

“… May grace and peace
be yours in abundance,
through knowledge of God
and of Jesus Our Lord…”

2 Peter 1:2

“So Peter wept and wept bitterly;
he wept so hard
that he washed away his offence with his tears.
And you, too, if you would win pardon,
wipe out your guilt with tears.
At that very moment, in that same hour,
Christ will look at you.
If some kind of fall happens to you,
then He, the ever-present witness
of your intimate life,
looks at you to call you back
and cause you to confess your lapse.
Then do as Peter did, who thrice said:
“Lord, you know that I love you” (Jn 21:15).
He denied three times and three times
he also confessed.
But he denied by night;
he confessed in broad daylight.”

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

“Yes, the Apostle chosen
to be His co-worker,
merited to share,
the same Name as Christ.
They built the same Building together –
Peter does the planting,
the Lord gives the increase
and it is the Lord, too,
Who sends those,
who will do the watering (cf 1 Cor 3:6f).”

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

“It is good to admire the fidelity of St Peter
and the designs of Divine Providence
in making him the visible Head of the Church
but, it is far better, to follow his example.
His love for Jesus, led him to leave his family
and his fisherman’s trade, in order to follow Our Lord.
It led him to undertake long voyages,
to endure imprisonment and to face Martyrdom.
What can we do for the love of Jesus?
Remember that, if love is to be sincere,
it must be generous and effective.
… He was not satisfied,
until he was hanging upon the cross
like his Divine Master
and could prove his love for Jesus
by a Martyr’s death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Mary, the Mother of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity –Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, the Mother of God

“St Matthew (Cf Mt 12:46-50) and St Mark (Cf Mk 3:31-35), relate how Jesus was preaching one day in Galilee, surrounded by His Apostles and by a large crowd, when a man approached and said: “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are standing outside, seeking thee.”
“Who is my mother,” He answered, “and who are my brethren?”
Then He extended His hand towards His disciples and said: “Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

These words were directed at us, not at Our Lady.
Not only was she the Immaculate Mother of Jesus Christ but, she performed lovingly, on all occasions, the Will of the heavenly Father.
She did His Will, in poverty and obedience, in exile and on Mount Calvary.
Therefore, she was God’s Mother in the spiritual, as well as, in the physical sense of the word, insofar, as she was constantly united to Him by a bond of love and of conformity with His desires.

Christ’s words indicate, that Mary’s perfect and continuous acceptance of God’s Will, was even more pleasing to God, than the dignity of the divine Motherhood.

We cannot equal her in dignity but, we can imitate her in this other respect.
Jesus will look on us as His brothers and as worthy sons of Mary, if we carry out His Will in all things.
It is not always easy to do this.
It is not easy, when we are strongly tempted to commit sins of pride, anger or impurity.
It is not easy, when we are overcome by sorrow or by sickness, when we are let down or misunderstood by others, when we are in want and, when we feel that we are collapsing beneath the weight of our cross.
At times like these, we should pray for Mary’s spirit of complete acceptance of the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/11/thought-for-the-day-11-october-mary-mother-of-god/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on The HUMAN SOUL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, St PAUL!, The HOLY NAME, The SECOND COMING, The WORD, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – ‘ … Give me courage to resist, patience to endure …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Hebrews 10:32-38, Luke 12:1-8
Scripture search – https://www.drbo.org/

“Do not, therefore, lose your confidence,
which has a great reward.
For you have need of patience that,
doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a very little while
and He Who is to come,
will come
and will not delay.”

Hebrews 10:35-37

“Everyone without God,
has a dead soul.
You, who bewail the dead,
rather, should bewail sin.
Bewail ungodliness.
Bewail disbelief.”

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

“We have the Providential love of God as our guide.
When there is a ship at sea and heads towards the port,
nobody doubts that it is led by a pilot
and one could doubt that there is a God
who guides the universe
only because He cannot be seen?
By His Providential Love,
God arranges and regulates events,
regulates everything, with gentleness and wisdom.
I advise you to abandon yourself completely
into the hands of Divine Providence. “

Blessed Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz (1877-1903)

The Love of Your Name

“My God, Sweetness beyond words,
make bitter all the carnal comfort
that draws me from love of the eternal
and lures me to its evil self,
by the sight of some delightful good
in the present.
Let it not overcome me, my God.
Let not flesh and blood conquer me.
Let not the world and its brief glory
deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness.
Give me courage to resist,
patience to endure
and constancy to persevere.
Give me the soothing unction of Your spirit,
rather than all the consolations of the world
and in place of carnal love,
infuse into me the love of Your Name.”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ
(Book 3 Ch 26:1-4)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD

Our Morning Offering – 5 October– Prayer of Abandonment

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore, I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross” – St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr, Missionary and Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38, Luke 12:1-8 Sacred Scripture seach 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 – “Do not look forward to the changes and chances
of this life in fear – rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them.
He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Do you but hold fast to His dear hand and He will lead you safely through all things and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms.
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or He will give you strength to bear it.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER – May the continual protection of the blessed Martyrs comfort us, O Lord, for Thou do not cease to behold with favour those whom You have granted the grace of such assistance. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MODESTY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of St Thomas of Villanova

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor

“Humility is the mother
of many virtues
because from it,
obedience, fear, reverence,
patience, modesty,
meekness and peace are born.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind with all.”

“What great profit you gain from God
when you are generous!
You give a coin
and receive a kingdom;
you give bread from wheat
and receive the Bread of Life;
you give a transitory good
and receive an everlasting one.
You will receive it back,
a hundred times more
than you offered.”

“If you want God to hear your prayers,
hear the voice of the poor.
If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide for those of the need,
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially, anticipate the needs
of those, who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms,
is to make them buy it!”

“I am, notwithstanding,
inexcusable, if I do not love Thee
for Thou grant Thy love to all
who desire or ask it.
I cannot see without light –
yet, if I shut my eyes
in the midst of the noon-day light,
the fault is in me,
not in the sun.”

“Dismiss all anger
and look into yourself a little.
Remember that he, of whom,
you are speaking, is your brother
and as he is, in the way of salvation,
God can make him a Saint,
in spite of his present weakness.”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – “I shall repay you on my way back.” – Luke 10:35

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and Father – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9, Luke 10:23-37

“The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’” – Luke 10:35

REFLECTION – “Who is my neighbour?” In answer the Word explained, in the form of a story, God’s entire economy of salvation. He told of man’s descent from heaven, the robbers’ ambush, the stripping of the garment of immortality, the wounds of sin, the progress of death over half of man’s nature while his soul remained immortal. Then came the passage of the Law that brought no help—neither the priest nor the Levite tended the wounds of the man who fell among robbers—for “it was impossible for the blood of goats and oxen to remove man’s sin” (Heb 10:4). And then He came, clothed in our human nature as the first-fruits of the mass in which there was a portion of every race, Jewish, Samaritan, Greek — all mankind. With His body (that is, the beast of the story) He proceeded to the place of man’s disaster, healed his wounds and set him upon His own beast. He created for him the inn of His loving providence, in which all those who labour and are burdened can find rest (Mt 11,28) (…)

“Whoever abides in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56) … Whoever finds shelter in Christ’s mercy accepts two denarii from Him, one of which signifies the love of God with one’s whole heart and the other the love of one’s neighbour as oneself, according to the lawyer’s reply (Mk 12:30f). But “not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rm 2:13). Hence we must not merely accept these two coins … but we must, by our own good deeds, co-operate in the fulfilment of these two commandments. And so, the Lord says to the innkeeper, that whatever he does in caring for the wounded man will be made up to him at the Lord’s second coming according to the measure of his devotion.” … St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–C 395) Father of the Church, Monk, Bishop – Sermons on the Song of Songs, no14 – [Brother of St Basil the Great (Father & Doctor)]

PRAYER – Give heed to our humble prayers, Almighty God and through the intercession of blessed Augustine, Thy Confessor and Bishop, kindly grant Thy oft-given mercy to those upon whom Thou bestows great hope in Thy forgiveness. 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 CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – St Jane Frances de ChantaL

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – The Memorial of St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641)

“All God wants is our heart.”

“We think not enough of this Truth –
that God is present with us
that He sees our thoughts,
even long before we have them.
That He knows what we think
and shall think, better than we ourselves
that He sees the folds and recesses,
of our heart
and of this other Truth –
that NOTHING HAPPENS to us
but by the order of Providence.
We should all be Saints,
if we well apprehended these Truths.
And truly, it is a great consolation,
to know that God sees
the bottom of our heart.”

“Suffering borne … quietly and patiently,
is a continual, very powerful prayer,
before God.”

More St Jane Frances:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-august-st-jane-frances-de-chantal

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – Prayer of Abandonment By St Jane Frances de Chantal

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – The Memorial of St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641)

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DIVINE MERCY, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH

Thought for the Day – 11 August – Duvine Providence

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Divine Providence

“How can we reconcile with this concept of Divine Providence, the confusion and injustice which also exists in the world?
Why does God sometimes permit the evil to prosper and the good to be oppressed?
Why does He not crush iniquity, as soon as it raises its head, instead of allowing the wicked to enjoy the pleasures of this earth, while the good are suffering?

The designs of God are hidden and mysterious but, it is certain, that He arranges everything justly and for the best.
God never hurries, for He contemplates all creatures and events, in the light of eternity.
The devil may hurry, “knowing that he has but a short time” (Apoc 12:12) but God is the Master of time!

God waits for men at the last threshold of life, in order to do justice to them all.
His patience and mercy endure until the final moment of death because, He has said: “I desire not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Cf Ez 33:11).
This is the Mystery of God’s Mercy.

St Augustine offers another explanation as to why evil men often seem to be happy and victorious in this world.
His suggestion is quite frightening.
Even the worst of men, he says, do a certain amount of good during life.
Nevertheless, if they die unrepentant, they will be punished for all eternity.
Therefore, the justice of God concedes to them as a small reward in this life, for any good which they may have accomplished.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/thought-for-the-day-19-august-divine-providence/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, St JOSEPH, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 31 July – Entrusting Ourselves to God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Entrusting Ourselves to God

“St Joseph is only one example.
He had the joy of seeing the Son of God born of his Immaculate spouse but he also saw Him being born on a cold dark night in the most squalid conditions.
He heard the choirs of Angels praising God above the lowly manger and saw the shepherd and the Magi adoring the Divine Child.
But soon afterwards, he heard from a heavenly messenger that Herod was seeking to put Jesus to death and that, it would be necessary, to flee into exiles in Egypt.

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

Let this be our desire too and let us never cease to ask God for this grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/16/thought-for-the-day-16-july-entrusting-ourselves-to-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/17/thought-for-the-day-17-july-entrusting-ourselves-to-god/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day –19 July – St Vincent de Pau

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day –19 July – The Memorial of St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) Confessor

“Every time, that some unexpected
event befalls us,
be it affliction, or be it spiritual
or corporal consolation,
we should endeavour to receive it.
with equanimity of spirit,
since all comes from the Hand of God.”

“He who submits himself to God,
in all thing, is certain
that whatever men say or do,
against him,
will always turn
to his advantage.”

“After knowing the Will of God,
in regard to a work which we undertake,
we should continue courageously,
however difficult it may be.
We should follow it to the end
with as much constancy
as the obstacles,
which we encounter,
are great.”

“We ought to have a special devotion
to those saints who excelled in humility,
particularly to the Blessed Virgin, Mary,
who declares that the Lord regarded her
on account of her humility.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-september-st-vincent-de-paul-3/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-september-st-vincent-de-paul-2/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, FRANCISCAN OFM, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Thought for the Day – 13 June – St Anthony

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 13 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Anthony

“St Anthony joined the Franciscan Order and joyfully set off for the coast of Morocco in search of Missionary labour and of Martyrdom.
But, when he landed on African soil, he was struck down by a serious attack of malaria, which compelled him to return to his native land.

There is no foreseeing the designs of Divine Providence.
The boat in which Anthony was travelling was battered by a tempest and had to go ashore in Italy.
Henceforward, Italy was Anthony’s second fatherland.
It was here, that he conducted his remarkable and fruitful apostolate and slowly accomplished his Martyrdom, by the daily struggle for perfection.

… We have all been called to a state of holiness.
Perfection, moreover, is a gradual Martyrdom. … (Cf Pt 1)

Aspiration: Sacred Heart of my Jesus, my God, I love You above all things.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/13/thought-for-the-day-13-june-st-anthony/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/13/thought-for-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The WILL of GOD, The WORD, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – ‘Take nothing for your journey …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart” – Pentecost Thursday – Acts 8:5-8, Luke 9:1-6

“Take nothing for your journey,
neither staff, nor bag,
nor bread, nor money;
neither have two tunics.”

Luke 9:3

“You are the salt of the earth.”

Matthew 5:13

“It is as a matter of absolute necessity
that He commands all this.
Why must you be salt?
Jesus says in effect:
“You are accountable,
not only for your own life
but also, for that of the entire world.
I am sending you not to one or two cities,
nor to ten or twenty,
nor even to one nation,
as I sent the Prophets.
Rather, I am sending you to the entire earth,
across the seas, to the whole world,
to a world fallen into an evil state.”

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

“What is reprehensible,
is that while leading good lives themselves
and abhorring those of wicked men,
some, fearing to offend,
shut their eyes to evil deeds
instead of condemning them
and pointing out their malice.”

St Augustine (354-407)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“The love of Jesus is noble and generous,
it spurs us on to do great things
and excites us to desire always,
that which is most perfect.
Love will tend upwards
and is not to be detained by things beneath.
Love will be at liberty
and free from all worldly affections…
for love proceeds from God
and cannot rest but in God,
above all things created.
The lover flies, runs and rejoices,
he is free and not held.
He gives all for all and has all in all,
because he rests in One Sovereign Good above all,
from Whom all good flows and proceeds.”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

(Book III, Chapter V, 3-4)

“Entrust yourself entirely to God.
He is a Father
and a most loving Father at that,
Who would rather let Heaven
and earth collapse,
than abandon anyone
who trusted in Him.”

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

“God alone!”

“Chosen soul, how will you bring this about?
What steps will you take to reach the high level
to which God is calling you?
The means of holiness and salvation,
are known to everybody,
since they are found in the Gospel,
the masters of the spiritual life have explained them,
the Saints have practised them…
These means are –
sincere Humility,
unceasing Prayer,
complete Self-denial,
abandonment to Divine Providence
and obedience to the Will of God.”

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – Obedience

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – Wednesday of Passion Week, the Fifth Week of Lent Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25, John 10:22-38

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

John 10:27

“The mark of Christ’s sheep
is their willingness to hear and obey,
just as disobedience
is the mark of those who are not His.
We take the word ‘hear’
to imply obedience
to what has been said.”

“My sheep follow me,” says Christ.
By a certain God-given grace,
believers follow in the footsteps of Christ.
No longer subject to the shadows of the Law ,
they obey the commands of Christ,
and guided by His words,
rise through grace,
to His own dignity,
for they are called children of God.
When Christ ascends into heaven,
they also follow Him.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)

“Chosen soul, how will you bring this about?
What steps will you take to reach the high level
to which God is calling you?
The means of holiness and salvation,
are known to everybody,
since they are found in the Gospel,
the masters of the spiritual life have explained them,
the Saints have practised them…
These means are –
sincere Humility,
unceasing Prayer,
complete Self-denial,
abandonment to Divine Providence
and obedience to the Will of God.”

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

“Peace in us is the result
of two kinds of necessary obedience,
the obedience to right reason
of the lower faculties
and the obedience of right reason
to God, our Creator.
“This is the peace which God
gives on earth to men of goodwill;
this is the most perfect wisdom,”
St Augustine.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD

Thought for the Day – 30 March – The Hour of Trial

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Hour of Trial

“We should meditate on the following passage from The Imitation of Christ.

“Just Father, ever to be praised, the hour is come for Your servant to be tried. Beloved Father, it is right that in this hour Your servant should suffer something for You. O Father, forever to be honoured, the hour which You knew from all eternity is at hand, when, for a short time, Your servant should be outwardly oppressed but inwardly, should ever live with You.

Let him be a little slighted, let him be humbled, let him fail in the sight of men, let him be afflicted with sufferings and pains, so that he may rise again with You in the dawn of the New Light and be glorified in Heaven.”

“Holy Father, You have so appointed and wished it. What has happened is what You commanded. For this is a favour to Your friend, to suffer and be troubled in the world for Your love, no matter how often and by whom, You permit it to happen to him.”

“Grant me, O Lord, the grace to know what should be known, to praise what is most pleasing to You, to esteem that, which appears most precious to You and to abhor what is unclean in Your sight.” (Bk III c 50).

In the light of these reflections, every trial will be bearable and, by the grace of God, even welcome!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/18/thought-for-the-day-18-february-the-hour-of-trial/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/30/thought-for-the-day-30-march-the-hour-of-trial/

Posted in "Follow Me", MARTYRS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 January – No small matter

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 26 January – The Memorial of St Polycarp (c 69 – c 155) Martyr and Apostolic Father of the Church,

“We are treated as deceivers and yet, are truthful,
as unrecognised and yet, acknowledged,
as dying and behold we live,
as chastised and yet, not put to death,
as sorrowful yet, always rejoicing,
as poor yet, enriching many,
as having nothing and yet, possessing all things.”

2 Corinthians 8-10

“Chosen soul, how will you bring this about?
What steps will you take to reach the high level
to which God is calling you?
The means of holiness and salvation,
are known to everybody,
since they are found in the Gospel,
the masters of the spiritual life have explained them,
the Saints have practised them…
These means are –
sincere Humility,
unceasing Prayer,
complete Self-denial,
abandonment to Divine Providence
and obedience to the Will of God.”

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

“If the Church stays silent
in the face of what is happening,
what difference would it make,
if no church were ever opened again?”

“We are not dealing with a small matter
but the great (apocalyptic)
life and death struggle has already begun.
Yet in the midst of it, there are many,
who still go on living their lives
as though nothing had changed … “

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)
Martyr

St Polycarp:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/02/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-february-the-memorial-of-st-polycarp-c-69-c-155-martyr-and-father-of-the-church/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 14 December – Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

“Although we ought to be busy, we should never be too preoccupied.
We should do what we can and leave the rest to Providence.
Preoccupation is unprofitable and even harmful, for it produces worry and anxiety.
Very often, it impedes our work because it destroys our peace of mind.
We should do everything of which we are capable, therefore and leave the rest for God to do, if He believes that it is for our spiritual benefit.
If He does not consider that it would be to our advantage, He will leave it undone and we shall be the gainers thereby.

Preoccupation springs from lack of faith and lack of resignation to the Will of God.
One is reminded, in this context ,of a story which is told about St John Bosco.
He was waiting one day for an audience with a Minister of State, with whom he would have to discuss various difficult problems.
There were a good many other people in the waiting room, most of whom walked up and down agitatedly as they pondered over what they intended to say to the Minister and what they hoped to receive from him.
Dom Bosco, however, remained calm, so calm in fact, that because he was also very tired, he fell asleep.
At last the Minister appeared in the doorway and to his amusement discovered the Priest slumbering contentedly.
Dom Bosco awoke when the Minister called him and calmly proceeded to explain, at once, what it was that he desired.
He spoke in the manner of one accustomed to conversing with God and he obtained, without any trouble, everything which he wanted.

We should try and behave with similar serenity.
We should stay close to God and live in complete conformity with His Will.
We should perform our duties attentively and whole-heartedly but, we should never worry about them.
As a result, we shall do more and do it more effectively.
Most important of all, we shall be sure that God will bless our work.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 December – ‘He gives you His kingdom …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 December – Friday of the Second week of Advent, Readings: Isaiah 48: 17-19; Psalm 1: 1-4,6, Matthew 11:16-19

“We played the flute for you
but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge
but you did not mourn.”

Matthew 11:17

“The soil that should have presented its Master
with fruits of sweetness,
pierced Him with its sharp thorns.
In the same way His enemies,
who ought to have welcomed our Saviour
with all the devotion of their faith,
crowned Him with the thorns of His Passion.”

St Maximus of Turin (c 380-c 420)

“Thy will be done
on earth as it is
in heaven.”

Matthew 6:10
“I want to advise you and remind you, what His will is.
Do not fear that it means He will give you riches,
or delights, or honours, or all these earthly things.
His love for you is not that small!
and He esteems highly what you give Him.
He wants to repay you well,
for He gives you His kingdom
while you are still on earth …
See … what He gave to the One He loved most.
By that we understand what His will is.
For these are His gifts in this world.”

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

Lord, May Your Kingdom Come
Into My Heart
By Fr Jean-Pierre de Caussade
(1675-1751)
Lord, may Your Kingdom come into my heart
to sanctify me, nourish me and purify me.
How insignificant is the passing moment,
to the eye without faith!
But how important each moment is,
to the eye enlightened by faith!
How can we deem insignificant anything
which has been caused by You?
Every moment and every event is guided by You
and so contains Your infinite greatness.
So, Lord, I glorify You in everything
that happens to me.
In whatever manner You make me live and die,
I am content.
Events please me for their own sake,
regardless of their consequences
because Your action lies behind them.
Everything is Heaven to me
because all my moments,
manifest Your love.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Quote/s of the Day – 15 November – St Albert the Great

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 November – The Memorial of St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor

“Eternal life flows
from this Sacrament
because God,
with all sweetness,
pours Himself out
upon the blessed.”

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

“Above all, one should
accept everything,
in general and individually,
in oneself or in others,
agreeable or disagreeable,
with a prompt and confident spirit,
as coming from the
Hand of His infallible Providence
or the order He has arranged.”

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-november-the-memorial-of-st-albert-the-great-1200-1280-doctor-universalis-universal-doctor/

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor

Posted in "Follow Me", QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – ‘This divine Voice … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – Readings: Romans 8: 26-30; Psalm 13: 4-6; Luke 13: 22-30

“And people will come
from the east
and the west
and from the north
and the south …”

Luke 13:29

“It becomes no man
to nurse despair
but, in the teeth
of clenched antagonisms,
to follow up
the Worthiest [One]
till he die.”

St Alfred the Great (859-899) King

“A good man is not a perfect man;
a good man is an honest man,
faithful and unhesitatingly responsive
to the Voice of God in his life.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535) Bishop, Martyr

“Just as speech has been given to men
to be the interpreter of their feelings and desires,
so it is through the conscience,
that God teaches us,
what He judges of everything
and what He expects of each one of us.
This divine Voice forms various interior words,
to express various lessons
and the different orders,
that it pleases God to give to His creature.
It is the bond of communication
that the Lord desires to have with us
and the most usual organ he makes use of,
to touch our hearts and open to us His own.”

St Claude la Colombière SJ (1641-1682)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – ‘Children of promise,’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 8: 26-30; Psalm 13: 4-6; Luke 13: 22-30 and the Memorial of Saint Elesbaan of Ethiopia (Died c 555) King of Ethiopia, Confessor

“And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south …” – Luke 13:29

REFLECTION – Those who approach God, leaning on Him with a desire to be saved, are saved indeed. For it is divine inspiration that enables them to conceive this desire for salvation and they come to knowledge of Truth enlightened by Him who calls them. They are indeed children of promise, the reward of faith, the spiritual descendants of Abraham, “a chosen race, a holy priesthood” (1 Pt 2:9), foreknown from long ago and predestined for eternal life. … Through the mediation of Isaiah, our Lord makes known His grace to us, to make new creatures of us all – “See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers …)for my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed for myself that they might announce my praise” And elsewhere …) “To me every knee shall bend, by me every tongue shall swear” (Is 43:19 f; 45:23).

There is no question but that all this will come to pass because God’s foreknowledge never fails nor do His plans alter, His will is ever active and His promises cannot be mistaken. Therefore, all those to whom these words refer shall be saved. For He sets His laws in their consciences and with His finger He writes them in their hearts (Rom 2:15). They gain access to knowledge of God, not under the influence of human teaching but the guidance of the best of masters – “Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything but only God, who causes the growth” (1 Cor 3:7). … It is given to them all to have a changed heart and just judgement together with an upright will. God brings fear to birth in these people so that they may be instructed in His commandments. … They rejoice in the power of His mercy and all the miracles He has done, for God has chosen them and made them His children, heirs of the new covenant (Jr 31:31).” – St Prosper of Aquitaine (Died c 460) Lay Theologian, Writer and disciple of St Augustine (he was the first continuer of St Jerome’s Universal Chronicle) – (The Summons to All People)

PRAYER – Shed Your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled. Grant that the prayers of our Blessed Mother, who always holds Your Light up for others to see by, give us strength. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 22 October – Our Daily Bread

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
Our Daily Bread

“We can find this teaching which is contained in these words of the “Our Father” in another section of the Gospel, where Jesus tells us that not to ask for riches and not to hoard goods for the future but, to pray and work from day to day, for our daily needs.

“ Do not be anxious for your life, what you shall eat, nor yet for your body, what you shall put on …
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them …
Consider how the lilies of the fields grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I say to you, that not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which flourishes today but tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more you, O you … you of little faith! …
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will have anxieties of its own.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Cf Mt 6:25-34).“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/21/thought-for-the-day-19-october-our-daily-bread/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, POETRY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

“When we accept
what happens to us
and make the best of it,
we are praising God.”

“However softly we speak,
God is near enough to hear us.”

“Souls who do not practice prayer,
are like people whose limbs are paralysed.”

“Let us live in such a way,
as not to be afraid to die.”

“I am Thine and born for Thee,
What wilt Thou do with me?”
By St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church
(Excerpted on the image)

Sovereign Lord, upon Thy throne,
Endless Wisdom, One and whole,
Goodness that dost feed my soul,
Good and great, One God alone,
As I sing my love for Thee.
What wilt Thou do with me?

Thine I am, for Thou didst make me;
Thine, for Thou alone didst save me;
Thine – Thou couldst endure to have me;
For Thine own, didst deign to take me.
Never once, didst Thou forsake me.
Ruined were I, if not for Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

What, O good and loving Lord,
What wilt Thou have this creature do?
This Thy slave, a sinner too,
Waiting till she hears Thy word?
With Thy will in close accord,
Sweetest Love, I come to Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

Take, O Lord, my loving heart:
See, I yield it to Thee whole,
With my body, life and soul
And my nature’s every part.
Sweetest Spouse, my life Thou art;
I have given myself to Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

Let me live or let me die;
Give me sickness, give me health;
Give me poverty or wealth;
Let me strive or peaceful lie.
Weakness give or strength supply –
I accept it all of Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?…

I am Thine and born for Thee,
What wilt Thou do with me?”

Poem – I am Yours, for You I was born –
“Vuestra Soy, para Vos nací ”
(trans. E.Allison Peers)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/15/quotes-of-the-day-15-october-st-teresa-of-jesus-of-avila/

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

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October– The Memorial of St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

“O Lord, make haste
and illumine the night.
Say to my soul
that nothing happens
without You permitting it
and that nothing of what You permit,
is without comfort.”

“O Mary,
you give assistance
to everyone endeavouring
to rise to God!”

“There is no sinner in the world,
however much at enmity with God,
who cannot recover God’s grace,
by recourse to Mary
and by asking her assistance.”

“Let everyone who has
the grace of intelligence,
fear that because of it,
he will be judged more heavily,
if he is negligent.”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Childlike Trust

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Psalm 128: 1-6; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16

Childlike Trust

“Whoever does not accept
the kingdom of God
like a little child,
shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15

“Father, I am seeking,
I am hesitant and uncertain
but will You, O God,
watch over each step of mine
and guide me.”

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

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

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

“Do not have any anxiety
about the future.
Leave everything in God’s hands
for He will take care of you.”

St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719)

“Those whose hearts are enlarged
by confidence in God
run swiftly on the path of perfection.
They not only run, they fly
because, having placed all their hope in the Lord,
they are no longer weak as they once were.
They become strong
with the strength of God,
which is given to all
who put their trust in Him.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“The Holy Spirit
leads us like a mother.
He leads His child by the hand…
as a sighted person
leads a blind person.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – Lord, May Your Kingdom Come into My Heart

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Lord, May Your Kingdom Come into My Heart
By Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

Lord, may Your Kingdom come into my heart
to sanctify me, nourish me and purify me.
How insignificant is the passing moment,
to the eye without faith!
But how important each moment is,
to the eye enlightened by faith!
How can we deem insignificant anything,
which has been caused by You?
Every moment and every event is guided by You
and so, contains Your infinite greatness.
So, Lord, I glorify You
in everything that happens to me.
In whatever manner You make me live and die,
I am content.
Events please me for their own sake,
regardless of their consequences,
because Your action lies behind them.
Everything is heaven to me
because, all my moments,
manifest Your love.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 10 July – “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

“Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

“In the second part of the Lord’s Prayer, we ask the universal Father, on behalf of ourselves and of our brethren, for all things necessary for soul and body.
Since we have already paid homage to God, our Creator and our Redeemer and, have prayed for the triumph of His kingdom and for the accomplishment of His will in Heaven and on earth, Our Lord does not forbid us to think now of ourselves and to pray for our own needs.
“Give us this day our daily bread,” we ask, intending to pray, both for our spiritual and material requirements.

We should not delude ourselves into imagining that it is we who produce the fruits of the earth.
A grain of wheat dies beneath the soil but God has infused into it, a mysterious force as a result of which, in dying, it generates new life.

The moisture of the soil, the warmth of the air and the light of the sun combine to develop this mysterious life-force, which produces the green stalk and then the flaxen ear of corn which provides us with bread.
It is God Who has given this vital power to this tiny seed, as well as to all the other seeds of the soil.
It is He Who has endowed the soil with the nutritive elements from which the seeds draw life and it is He, Who sends the dew, the rain and the sunshine, which cause the flowers to blossom and the plants to bear fruit.

We should ask God humbly, therefore, to “give us this day our daily bread.”
Our own labours would be futile without the intervention of the all-powerful Creator.
We are capable, neither of producing, nor of destroying a single atom nor a single seedling.
Without God, we are incapable of achieving anything, either inthe natural or in the supernatural order.
Therefore, we must ask Him to provide us with what we need.
He is supremely good and loves us very much.
His Providence will not leave us in want, even if we are often obliged to work hard in co-operation with Him to procure the necessaries of life.
The birds have no granary, yet they manage to find enough seed to keep them alive because God is watching over them.
How could we suppose, that He will not look after us, if we turn to Him with trust and perseverance?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SIN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – “The very hairs of your head are numbered.” Matthew 10:30

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Readings: enesis 49: 29-32; 50: 15-26a; Psalm 105: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7; Matthew 10: 24-33

“The very hairs of your head are numbered.”

Matthew 10:30

“I see clearly with the interior eye,
that the sweet God loves, with a pure love,
the creature that He has created
and has a HATRED for nothing but SIN,
which is more opposed to Him,
than can be thought or imagined.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

“Every moment comes to us,
pregnant with a command from God,
only to pass on and plunge into eternity,
there to remain forever,
what we have made of it!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“Oh! My God,
how much Your Hand was upon me
and yet how little I was aware of it!
How good You are! How good You are!
How You protected me!
How you covered me with Your wings,
when I did not even believe in Your existence!”

Bl Charles of Jesus de Foucauld (1858-1916)

“Let us go forward in peace,
our eyes upon heaven,
the only one goal of our labours.”

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 July – ‘Not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge’.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Readings: enesis 49: 29-32; 50: 15-26a; Psalm 105: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7; Matthew 10: 24-33

“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.” – Matthew 10:29

REFLECTION – “In this passage, Jesus demonstrates His foresight in all things. The word “without” refers, not to will but to foreknowledge. Some things happen because of His direct will but some happen, merely with His approval and consent. And so, on the literal level, He is showing the subtlety of His foresight and His previous knowledge of events.

On the spiritual level, however, a sparrow falls to the ground when it looks at what is below it and falls to earth, ensnared by the vices of the flesh, given up “to dishonourable passions.” It loses its freedom together with its honour. For a sparrow is either borne always upward, or else it comes to rest by alighting on mountains or hills (the hills are metaphors for Scripture). And such a person is one who has been raised aloft by the Word but has his mind on earthly concerns.” – Origen Adamantius (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father (Fragment, 212.)

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me to have a true fervour in Your service. Let me never tire of following Your Son’s example and avoiding evil. Teach me to reside in total peace in Your wisdom and power and thus to trust You above all. Grant that by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin our Mother and Saints Rufina and Secunda, we may grow in holiness and attain our eternal home with You. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.