Category: QUOTES on DOUBT

Posted in GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 20 October – “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

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Thought for the Day – 20 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“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 CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ATHEISM, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH

One Minute Reflection – 12 October – ‘ … Every new doubt is for me, new reason to believe.’ Luke 11:29 The Sign of Jonah

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One Minute Reflection – 12 October – Monday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31, 5:1, Psalms 113:1-2, 3-4, 5 and 6-7, Luke 11:29-32 and the Feast of Our Lady Aparecida, Our Lady Who Appeared

“This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” … Luke 11:29

REFLECTION – “Bad christians lack faith and do not deny it but they claim to be excused, in that they have no reasons for believing. Because of this there is nothing as common as this speech in the mouths of many people: “If I had witnessed a miracle I should be a saint!” “Evil and unfaithful generation! It seeks a sign!” (Mt 12:39). The wicked look for signs.

What is even more remarkable about this, is that, even though they have seen many taking place daily before their eyes, even though they are, so to speak, entirely surrounded, they never stop looking for more like the scribes and Pharisees; they would like to see them in heaven when they have seen them on earth. But neither the dead raised up during the life of the Saviour, nor the eclipse of the sun at death, make them believers; their envy becomes stronger, their hatred more malicious; each goes as far as raging, yet their unbelief is not healed by it. It used to be like this regarding those who, living badly, wait for miracles in order to believe: “They will not be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” (Lk 16:31). (…)

All the difficulties that halt unbelievers, all the contradictions they encounter in the dogmas of faith, everything they find apparent contradiction, everything that seems new to them, surprising, contrary to common sense, contrary to reason, inconceivable, impossible, all their arguments, all their so-called demonstrations, all of this, far from shaking me, strengthens me even more, makes me immovable in my religion. (…) Every new doubt is for me, new reason to believe.” … St Claude de la Colombière (1641-1682) “Apostle of Sacred Heart” – Christian Reflections

PRAYER – “Dear Lord! It is just when I am in the world
that I have most need of You
because You know it is full of snares
that the devil has set for me.
You must hold my hand, dear Lord,
if You will not abandon me.
A little of the world is not bad for me;
it is even good, for it teaches me how small it is
and I feel the greater happiness
when I come back to You.
But that I may surely do so,
You must only loose Your hold a little,
that it may not try me too far,
You must not entirely leave hold.
Do You see dear Lord?
I wish to clasp Your hand – do not refuse me!” (I Wish to Clasp Your Hand – Do Not Refuse Me! – Prayer of Eugene de Ferronays) Our Lady Aparecida, Pray for Us!

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 September – “Your sins are forgiven.” ~ Luke 7:48

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One Minute Reflection – 17 September – Thursday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 28, Luke 7:36-50 and the Memorial of St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church

“Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” ~ Luke 7:48,50

REFLECTION – “A sinful woman has proclaimed to us that God’s love has gone forth in search of sinners. For when He called her, Christ was inviting our whole race to His love and, in her person, He was drawing all sinners to His forgiveness. He spoke to her alone but He was drawing all creation to His grace. (…)

Who would not be struck by the mercy of Christ, who accepted an invitation to a Pharisee’s house in order to save a sinner! For the sake of the woman who hungered for forgiveness, He, Himself felt hunger for the table of Simon the Pharisee and all the while, under the guise of a meal of bread, He had prepared for the sinner a meal of repentance! (…)

In order that you may have the same experience, reflect within yourself that your sin is great but that it is blasphemy against God and an injury to yourself, to despair of His forgiveness, because your sin seems to you to be too great. He has promised to forgive your sins, however many they are; will you tell Him you cannot believe this and dispute with Him, saying that your sin is too great and He cannot heal your sickness? Stop at that point and cry out with the prophet: “Lord, I have sinned against you” (Ps 51[50]:6). At once He will reply, “As for me, I have overlooked your fault, you shall not die.” Glory to Him from us all, through all ages! Amen, Amen.” ~ An anonymous Syrian writer of the 6th century – From a collection of homilies on the sinful woman, 1, 4.5.19.26.28 (Eastern Syrian)

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, teach me to do everything for Your honour and glory. Grant me the grace to work out my salvation with anxious concern each day of my life. St Robert Bellarmine, as you worked tirelessly for the salvation of souls, so now pray for us all, as tirelessly, that we may achieve eternal joy, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 12 September – The holy name of Mary!

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 September – The Most Holy Name of Mary

“The name of Mary
is the key
to the gates of Heaven.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Your name, O Mary, is a precious ointment,
which breathes forth the odour of Divine grace.
Let this ointment of salvation
enter the inmost recesses of our souls.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor

“Your name, O Mother of God,
is filled with Divine graces and blessings.”

St Methodius of Sicily (c 788-c 847)

“O great, O gentle, O most lovable Mary,
thy Holy Name cannot be spoken
without inflaming the heart.
To those who love thee,
it is unspeakable consolation
and joy even to think of thee;
thou art a sweet memory
to those who honour thee.”

“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties,
think of Mary, call upon Mary.
Let not her name depart from your lips,
never suffer it to leave your heart.
And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer,
neglect not to walk in her footsteps.
With her for guide, you shall never go astray;
while invoking her, you shall never lose heart;
so long as she is in your mind,
you are safe from deception;
while she holds your hand, you cannot fall;
under her protection you have nothing to fear;
if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary;
if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal.”

“If the hurricanes of temptation rise against you,
or you are running upon the rocks of trouble,
look to the star – call on Mary!”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“She was called Mary, that is, star of the sea,
in the foreseeing purpose of God,
that she might declare by her name,
that which she manifests more clearly in reality. (…)
… For those who sail upon the sea of the present age
and call on her with complete faith,
she rescues from the breath of the storm
and the raging of the winds
and brings them, rejoicing with her,
to the shore of their happy country.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1110-1159)

“Glorious indeed and admirable is thy name, O Mary;
for those who pronounce it at death
need not fear all the powers of hell.
Men do not fear a powerful hostile army
as much as the powers of hell,
feal the name and protection of Mary.”

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

“When I pronounce the name of Mary,
I feel myself inflamed with such love and joy,
that between the tears and happiness
with which I pronounce this beautiful name,
I feel as though my heart might leave my breast.
For this sweet name is like a honeycomb
dissolving in the innermost recesses of my soul.”

Bl Henry Suso (1290-1365)

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-september-marys-name/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 5 September – I Am Not Able

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Thought for the Day – 5 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

I Am Not Able

“Often, when the violence of our passions threatens to overcome all our powers of resistance, we are tempted to say: “Lord, I am not able; I cannot go any further. Why are You not helping me? Why have you abandoned me?”
This is a trick of the devil, to make us give up the fight, to make us believe, that God has deserted us and that we must, inevitably, give into temptation!

This is the last stratagem of the devil, when he sees that he cannot persuade us in any other manner.
But, the Lord addresses to us, the reproof which he addressed to St Peter, who, when walking on the water, doubted for an instant and then, felt himself going under.
“O thou of little faith, why did thou doubt?” (Mt 14:31).
In such a situation, we must strengthen our faith, our love and our dedication to Jesus Christ.
Then, the Lord will extend His helping hand to us, as He did to Peter.
He will give us the spiritual tranquillity, which only grace and Christian fortitude can offer.

Let us recall how this happened in the temptations in our past life.
When we were strong and generous with Jesus, we implored His help with faith and perseverance and emerged victorious from the fray.
Then, we experienced the heavenly joy which only God can give.
Why can we not always do the same?
We must never say: “I am not able!”
We are poor and weak but, with the grace of God, we can overcome all obstacles.
As St Paul says, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 August – “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

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One Minute Reflection – 9 August – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13, Psalms 85:9-14, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33 and the Memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942) Martyr

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” … Matthew 14:31

REFLECTION – “Once again the disciples are a plaything of the waves and a storm, similar to the first one (Mt 8:4), hurls itself against them. The first time, however, they had Jesus with them, whereas this time they are alone and left to themselves. …  I think this was because our Saviour wanted to stir their sleeping hearts and, by throwing them into a panic, he inspired in them a strong desire for His presence and kept the remembrance of Him constantly in their mind.   Hence, He did not come to their help at once but “during the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea”. …

Peter, ever volatile, always getting in before the other disciples, said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” …   He didn’t say, “Command me to walk on the water” but “come to you,” for there was none who loved Jesus so much as he.   He did the same thing after the Resurrection – unable to bear moving as slowly as the others in the boat, he jumped into the water to get there before them and satisfy his love for Christ. …  Getting out of the boat, then, Peter went towards Jesus, more delighted to be going towards Him than to be walking on the water.   But after confronting the greatest danger, that of the sea, he was to give in to a lesser, that of the wind.   Such is human nature!   Often, having overcome serious dangers we are conquered by lesser ones …  Peter had not yet been set free from all his fear … in spite of Christ’s presence beside him.   For it is of no use to be beside Christ if one is not close to him by faith.   This is what emphasises the distance separating master from the disciple …

o man of little faith why did you doubt matthew 14 31 - getting out of the boat, then - st john chrysostom 9 aug 2020

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”   So if Peter’s faith had not faltered he would have resisted the wind without difficulty.   And the proof of this is that Jesus grasped Peter while leaving the wind to continue blowing …   Just as the mother bird supports with her wings, as it is about to fall, the fledgling that has prematurely left the nest and draws it back into the nest, so does Christ with regard to Peter.” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no. 50, 1-2

st teresa benedicta pray for us.2

PRAYER – Lord our God, the Light and Creator of Light, grant that faithfully pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of Your presence.   May we live in Your Presence, withstand the winds of the world and grow daily in faith.   By the help and intercession of St Teresa Benedicta, You may never permit us to separate ourselves from You and thus we may come, to completion in You, Through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – “If you have faith” – Matthew 17:20

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – Saturday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Habakkuk 112-2, 4, Psalm 9:8-13, Matthew 17:14-20

“If you have faith” – Matthew 17:20

“If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said,
“Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.”
And instantly the woman was made well.”

Matthew 9:21-22

matthew 9 21-22 if I only touch his garment i will be made well - 6 july 2020

Jesus said to him,
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

John 20:28-29

john-20-29-blessed-are-those-who-have-not-seen-and-have-believed-3-july-2020 and 8 aug 2020

“Elizabeth says:
‘Blessed are you because you have believed.’
You also are blessed,
because you have heard and believed.
A soul that believes,
both conceives and brings forth
the Word of God
and acknowledges His works.”

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

elizabeth says blessed are you because you have believed - you also are blessed - st ambrose 6 july 2020

“Do you desire security?
Here you have it.
The Lord says to you, “I will never abandon you,
I will always be with you.”
If a good man made you such a promise,
you would trust him.
God makes it and do you doubt?
Do you seek a support, more sure
than the word of God, which is infallible?
Surely, He has made the promise,
He has written it,
He has pledged His word for it, it is most certain!”

do you desire security - st augustine faith or doubt 3 july 2020

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communisto one who has faith no explanation is necessary - st thomas aquinas 3 july 2020

“Paul says: I appeal to you by the mercy of God,
to present your bodies as a sacrifice, living and holy.
The prophet said the same thing:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire
but you have prepared a body for me.
Each of us is called to be both a sacrifice to God and His priest.
Do not forfeit what divine authority confers on you.
Put on the garment of holiness, gird yourself with the belt of chastity.
Let Christ be your helmet, let the cross on your forehead be your unfailing protection.
Your breastplate, should be the knowledge of God, that He Himself has given you.
Keep burning continually, the sweet smelling incense of prayer.
Take up the sword of the Spirit.
Let your heart be an altar.
Then, with full confidence in God, present your body for sacrifice.
God desires, not death but faith.
God thirsts, not for blood but for self-surrender.
God is appeased, not by slaughter
but by the offering of your free will.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church
“Doctor of Homilies”

the armour of christ - sat peter chrysologus do not forfeit - 8 aug 2020

“All things are possible for him who believes,
more to him who hopes,
even more to him who loves.”

St Lawrence of Brindisi(1559-1619)
Apostolic Doctor of the Church

all things are possible - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.
It enables us to see God in all things,
as well as, all things in God.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

faith is like a bright ray of sunlight - st francis de sales 6 july 2020

“Bad Christians lack faith
and do not deny it
but they claim to be excused,
in that they have no reasons for believing.
Because of this, there is nothing as common
as this speech in the mouths of many people:
“If I had witnessed a miracle I should be a saint!”
“Evil and unfaithful generation!  It seeks a sign!” (Mt 12:39).
The wicked look for signs.”

St Claude la Colombière SJ (1641-1682)
Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

bad christians lack faith - st claude de la colombiere 8 aug 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, POETRY, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – Firmly I Believe

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year “A”, Readings: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 12:38-42

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Mark 8:12

“But for what sign from heaven were they asking?
Maybe that He should hold back the sun,
or curb the moon,
or bring down thunderbolts,
or change the direction of the wind,
or something like that?
In Pharaoh’s time there was an enemy
from whom deliverance was needed.
But for one who comes among friends,
there should be no need of such signs.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)

Father & Doctor of the Church

mark 8 12 why does this generation seek a sign -but for what sign from heaven were they asking - st john chrysostom 20 july 2020

Firmly I Believe and Truly
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is One
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.
And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.
Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings, as His own.
And I take with joy whatever
Now besets me, pain or fear
And with a strong will I sever
All the ties which bind me here.
Adoration aye be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

firmly i believe and truly st john henry newman 29 oct 2019 and this one 20 july 2020

“… Only by faith is He known to be present…
He removed His visible presence
and left but a memorial of Himself.
He vanished from sight that He might be present
in a Sacrament and, in order to connect His visible presence
with His presence invisible,
He for one instant, manifest Himself to their open eyes;
manifested Himself, if I may so speak,
while He passed from His hiding-place
of sight without knowledge,
to that of knowledge without sight.”

luke-24-30-broke-the-bread-only-by-faith-knowledge-without-sight-st-john-henry-newman-15-apil-2020 and 20 july 2020

The Sign of the Cross

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

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

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

the-sign-of-the-cross-st-john-henry-newman-poem-10-april-2020-good-friday and 20 juy 2020

Posted in I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – ‘Every new doubt is for me, new reason to believe.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year “A”, Readings:  Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 12:38-42and the Memorial of Blessed Luigi Novarese (1914-1984)

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”… Matthew 12:39matthew 12 39 -an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign but no sign will be given to it except ...jonah 20 july 2020

REFLECTION – “Bad Christians lack faith and do not deny it but they claim to be excused, in that they have no reasons for believing. Because of this, there is nothing as common as this speech in the mouths of many people:  “If I had witnessed a miracle I should be a saint!”   “Evil and unfaithful generation!   It seeks a sign!” (Mt 12:39).  The wicked look for signs.
What is even more remarkable about this, is that, although they have seen many that take place daily before their eyes, that they are, so to speak, entirely surrounded, they never stop looking for more, like the scribes and Pharisees;  they would like to see them in heaven when they have seen them on earth.   But neither the dead raised up during the life of the Saviour, nor the eclipse of the sun at death, make them believers;  their envy becomes stronger, their hatred more malicious; each goes as far as raging, yet their unbelief is not healed by it.   It used to be like this regarding those who, living badly, wait for miracles in order to believe:  “They will not be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” (Lk 16:31). …
All the difficulties that halt unbelievers, all the contradictions they encounter in the dogmas of faith, everything they find apparent contradiction, everything that seems new to them, surprising, contrary to common sense, contrary to reason, inconceivable, impossible, all their arguments, all their so-called demonstrations, all of this, far from shaking me, strengthens me even more, makes me immovable in my religion. …  Every new doubt is for me, new reason to believe.” … St Claude la Colombière SJ (1641-1682) – Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Christian reflectionsjonah - all the difficulties that halt unbelievers - st claude 20 july 2020

PRAYER – “O Jesus, Son of God, You Who were silent in the presence of Your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what should say and how to say it.   Show me the way and make me ready to follow it.   It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward.   Answer my petition and show me the way.   As the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid, so do I come to You. O Lord, give Your peace to my heart. “(St Bridget of Sweden).   Stay with us Lord and by the prayers of Your saints, grant us Your grace and Your love.   Blessed Luigi Novarese, intercede for us, as we strive to attain virtue, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl luigi novarese pray for us 20 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, SPEAKING of ....., The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Doubt or Faith?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ

Speaking of:  Doubt or Faith?

Jesus said to him,
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

John 20:28-29

john 20 29 blessed are those who have not seen and have believed - 3 july 2020

“Men imitate the gods whom they adore
and to such miserable being,
their crimes become their religion.”

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

men imitate the gods whom they adore st cyprian of carthage 3 july 2020 doubt

“For by your doubting, I am taught to believe,
by your forked-tongue, that revealed the wound
on the divine body that was pierced,
I harvest the fruit for myself without pain.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

for by your doubting i am taught to believe - st joh chrysostom 3 july 2020 thomas

“Do you desire security?
Here you have it.
The Lord says to you, “I will never abandon you,
I will always be with you.”
If a good man made you such a promise,
you would trust him.
God makes it and do you doubt?
Do you seek a support, more sure
than the word of God, which is infallible?
Surely, He has made the promise,
He has written it,
He has pledged His word for it, it is most certain!”

do you desire security - st augustine faith or doubt 3 july 2020

“If you believe what you like in the Gospels
and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the Gospel you believe
but yourself.”

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

if you believe what you like - st augustine 26 nov 2019

“I believe
though I do not comprehend
and I hold by faith,
what I cannot grasp
with the mind.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

i believe though i do not comprehend - st bernard - 3 july 2020

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.”

to one who has faith no explanation is necessary - st thomas aquinas 3 july 2020

“Believing is
an act of the intellect
assenting to the divine truth,
by command of the will,
moved by God through grace.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Communis

believing-is-an-act-of-the-intellect-st-thomas-aquinas-28-jan-2018 and 3 july 2020 - Copy

“You cannot be half a saint,
you must be a whole saint
or no saint at all.”

St Theresa of the Child Jesus/Lisieux (1873-1897)
Doctor of the Church

you-cannot-be-half-a-saint-st-therese-lisieux-11-june-2018-seeking-sainthood

“Divine truth [is not] ours
to summon at will.
If we determine that
we will find it out,
we shall find nothing ….
Let us believe,
evidence will come,
after faith, as it’s reward,
better than before it,
as it’s groundwork.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

divine truth is not ours to summon at will - st john henry newman 3 july 2020 doubt or faith

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 July – ‘Saintly doubt of the disciple!’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ, Readings:  Ephesians 2: 19-22, Psalms 117: 1bc, 2, John 20: 24-29

Thomas answered, and said to him: ‘My Lord, and my God.’ … John 20:28

john-20-28-my-lord-and-my-god-feat-of-st-thomas-3-july-2019 and 3 july 2020

REFLECTION – “Thomas said to the Twelve: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe!” (Jn 20:25).   The name ‘Thomas’ means ‘abyss’, for by his doubt he gained an even deeper understanding and became firmer in his faith.  …  It was not by chance but by divine decree, that Thomas was absent and unable to believe what he heard. A splendid decree!   Saintly doubt of the disciple!
“Unless I see in his hands,” he said (Jn 20:25).   He wished to see raised up, the fallen tent of David, of which Amos had said:  “On that day I will raise up the fallen tent of David;  I will repair the breaches of its walls” (cf. Am 9:11).   ‘David’ stands for the divinity;   the ‘tent’, Christ’s own body in which the divinity was contained as in a tent, fallen, crushed in death and the Passion.   The breaches in the walls stand for the wounds of his hands, feet and side.   These are the wounds that the Lord would rebuild in his Resurrection.   It was of them that Thomas said:  “Unless I put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe!”
The Lord, understanding, did not want to leave His honest disciple, who was to become a vessel of election, in doubt.   And so, He removed the smoke of doubt from his mind, in an act of kindness, just as He removed the blindness of infidelity from Paul.   “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side and do not be unbelieving but believe”   Then Thomas said to Him:  “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:27-28)” … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Churchthe name thomas means abyss for by his doubt he gained an even deeper understanding - st anthony of padua 3 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty Father,as we honour Thomas the Apostle, let us always experience the help of his prayers. May we have eternal life by believing in Jesus, whom Thomas acknowledged as Lord, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amenst-thomas-pray-for-us-2 3 july 2019 and 2020