Category: QUOTES on GRACE

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Thought for the Day – 23 April – Faith and Charity

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

Faith and Charity

“Faith is a gift from God (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 45).
We should, therefore, ask for it in our prayers.
Faith cannot enter into a proud soul, because, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Js 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
If a man does not pray, his faith grows weaker and he may lose it altogether.
Faith must be nourished continually by grace, which is obtained through prayer.
A man who is in a state of mortal sin, loses his faith, ‘especially if he is a slave to impurity, because, only the clean of heart can see God’ (Cf Mt 5:8).
St Thomas Aquinas knew what he was talking about when he said, that “faith is the foundation of the entire spiritual edifice of the Christian life” (Summa Theologiae III, q 73, a 3).
It is faith, nourished by grace, which raises us to the supernatural level, where everything which we do, say or think, becomes meritorious in the sight of God.   “My just one lives by faith” (Heb 10:38).
The keener and stronger our faith is, the firmer is the foundation of our spiritual life and the more numerous are our good works.
This is not to say, that faith excludes all study and investigation.
In fact, the more lively is our faith, the more earnest will be our desire to understand better the terms in which our faith is expressed and to explore the intimate connection, between divine revelation and human knowledge.
Study of this kind, will prove, a refreshing experience because, it will bring us to the threshold of the contemplation of eternal truth.
Reason is not humiliated but ennobled by the light of revelation, which raises it to a higher plane.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 21 April – St Anselm

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 April –  The Memorial of St Anselm ‬OSB (1033-1109)

Doctor of the Church

“God has promised pardon
to him that REPENTS
but He has NOT
promised repentance
to him that sins.”

god has promised pardon to him that repents but - st anselm 21 april 2020

“A single Mass offered
for oneself during life,
may be worth more,
than a thousand celebrated
for the same intention, after death.”

a single mass offered for oneself during life - st anselm - 21 april 2020

“Remove grace
and you have nothing,
whereby to be saved.
Remove free will
and you have nothing,
that could be saved.”

remove grace and you have nothing - st anselm 21 april 2020

“It is impossible to save one’s soul
without devotion to Mary
and without her protection.”

St Anselm (1033-1109)
Doctor of the Church

it is impossible to save one's soul with devotion to mary - st anselm 21 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, HOLY SATURDAY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 April – ‘And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.’

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One Minute Reflection – 11 April – Sabbatum Sanctum – Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, Readings: Romans 6:3-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 15-17, 22-23, Matthew 28:1-10

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet and did him homage. … Matthew 28:9matthew 28 9 and behold jesus met them on their way and greeted them - holy sat 11 april 2020

REFLECTION – “When the third day dawned of the Lord’s sacred repose in the tomb (…) Christ, the “power and Wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), with the author of death lying prostrate, conquered even death itself and opened to us access to eternity, when He raised Himself from the dead by His divine power in order to make known to us the paths of life.

Then there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, with raiment like snow and his countenance like lightening.   He appeared attractive to the devout and severe to the wicked – for he terrified the soldiers and comforted the timid women, to whom the Lord Himself first appeared after rising, because their intense devotion so merited.   Then He was seen by Peter, then by the disciples going to Emmaus, then by all the apostles except Thomas.   Later He presented Himself to be touched by Thomas, who proclaimed his faith:  “My Lord and my God.”   And thus, during forty days, He appeared in many ways to His disciples, both eating and drinking with them.

He enlightened our faith with proofs and lifted up our hope with promises, so as finally to enkindle our love with gifts from heaven.” … St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Churchhe enlightened our faith with proofs - st bonaventure holy sat 11 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, whose only-begotten Son, descended to the realm of the dead and rose from there in glory, grant that Your faithful people, who were buried with Him in Baptism, may, by His Resurrection, obtain eternal life.   With Mary His Mother, who in her sorrow remained with Him at the Cross and by whose prayers we receive succour, grant that we too will be with Him in glory.   Through Christ our Lord and Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mother of sorrows pray for us 20 april 2019 holy sat

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 26 March – Thy Grace

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Our Morning Offering – 26 March – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Thy Grace
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O my God,
suffer me still!
Bear with me
in spite of my waywardness,
perverseness and ingratitude!
I improve very slowly
but really, I am moving onto heaven,
or at least, I wish to move.
Only give me, Thy grace,
meet me with Thy grace,
I will, through Thy grace,
do what I can
and Thou shall perfect it for me.
Then I shall have happy days
in Thy presence
and in the sight and adoration of
Thy Five Sacred Wounds.
Amen

THY GRACE BL JOHN HENRY NEWMAN 24 MARCH 2020

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2020, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The PASSION, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 24 March – By your blood, forgive my sins.

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Lenten Reflection – 24 March – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Readings: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9, John 5:1-16 and the Memorial of Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cadiz OFM Cap (1743–1801)

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

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha, which has five porticoes.   In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. … John 5:2-5
“It was because Jesus did things such as this on the Sabbath
that they began to persecute him.” …John 5:16
For me!

lent-tues-of-the-fourth-week-john-5-16-it-was-because-2-april-2019 and 24 march 2020

Daily Meditation:
We begin to feel the power of the Fourth Gospel.
The “forces” that are opposed in the gospel
have everything to do with the forces at work in my heart.

“Go down, my brothers and put on the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism;
be united with those spiritual beings who serve our God.
Blessed be He who instituted baptism for the forgiveness of Adam’s sons!
This water is the secret fire that marks His flock with a sign,
with the three spiritual names that confound the Evil one (cf. Rev 3:12). (…)
John bore witness concerning our Saviour:
“He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mt 3:11).
Here, my brethren, in the true baptism, is that fire and that Spirit.
For baptism is more powerful than Jordan, that little stream,
its waves of water and oil wash away all human sin.
Elisha, by initiating it seven times, purified Naaman of his leprosy (2 Kgs 5:10);
whereas baptism purifies us of sins hidden in our souls.
Moses baptised the people in the sea (1 Cor 10:2)
yet could not cleanse their hearts from within,
Stained, as they were, by sin.
And now here is a Priest, like Moses, who cleanses the soul from its stains
and with oil He marks with a sign, lambs newborn for the Kingdom. (…)
With the water that flowed from the rock, the people’s thirst was quelled (Ex 17:1f.),
See how, through Christ and His spring, is quenched the thirst of nations. (…)
See how, from Christ’s side, there flows a life-giving stream (Jn 19:34),
peoples who thirst have drunk from it and there forgot their affliction.
Pour your dew on my weakness, Lord.
By your blood, forgive my sins.” … St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church

pur your dew on my weakness lord by your blood forgive my sins - st ephrem 24 march 2020

Intercessions:
God the Father has given us His only Son, the Word made human,
to be our food and our life. Let us thank Him and pray:
May the word of Christ dwell among us in all its richness.

Help us this Lenten season to listen more frequently to Your word,
– that we may celebrate the solemnity of Easter
with greater love for Christ, our Paschal Sacrifice.
May Your Holy Spirit be our teacher,
– that we may encourage those in doubt and error to follow what is true and good.
Enable us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Your Anointed One,
– that our lives may reveal Him more effectively.
Purify and renew Your Church in this time of salvation,
– that it may give an ever greater witness to You.

Closing Prayer:

ACT OF CONTRITION

Forgive my sins, O my God, forgive my sins:
the sins of youth,
the sins of age,
the sins of my soul
and the sins of my body,
the sins which, through frailty, I have committed,
my deliberate and grievous sins,
the sins I know and the sins I do not know,
the sins I have laboured so long to hide from others,
that now they are hidden from my own memory,
let me be absolved from all these iniquities
and delivered from the bond of all these evils,
by the Life, Passion and Death
of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amenact-of-contrition-7-march-thurs-after-ash-wed-2019 and 24 march 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE

Quote of the Day – 22 March – ‘Follow, follow, follow Him’

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Quote of the Day – 22 March – Fourth “Laetare” Sunday of Lent

“To receive the grace of God,
you must go to the desert
and stay awhile.”

to receive the grace of god - bl charles of jesus de foucauld 22 march 2020

“You have only one model, Jesus.
Follow, follow, follow Him,
step by step, imitating Him,
sharing His life in every way.”

Bl Charles of Jesus de Foucauld (1858-1916)

you have only one model jesus bl charles of jesus de foucauld 22 march 2020

“Christ calls us right now!
It were well, if we understood this
but we are slow to master the great truth,
that Christ is, as it were,
walking among us and by His hand, or eye, or voice,
bidding us to follow Him.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

christ-calls-us-right-now-thurs-1st-week-lent-14-march-2019-bl-john-henry-newman AND 22 MARCH 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2020, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Lenten Reflection – 18 March – Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

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Lenten Reflection – 18 March – Wednesday of the Third week of Lent, Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20, Matthew 5:17-19

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

“Think not that I have come to abolish the law
and the prophets, I have come,
not to abolish them but to fulfil them.”…Matthew 5:17

wed-of-the-third-week-lent-matthew-5-17-27-march-2019 and 18 march 2020

Daily Meditation:
The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

“In Him the promise made through the shadows of prophecy stands revealed, along with the full meaning of the precepts of the law.   He is the one who teaches the truth of prophecy through His presence and makes obedience to the commandments possible through grace.
In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith.   No-one should be ashamed of the Cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed.
No-one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice, no-one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised.   The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death.   Christ has taken on Himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature.   If then we are steadfast in our faith in Him and in our love for Him, we win the victory that He has won, we receive what He has promised.
When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears – “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” … St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) – An excerpt from Sermo 51the way to rest is through toil the way to life is through death - st pope leo the great 18 march 2020

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his ordinances.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 147:20

Intercessions:
Blessed be God, the giver of salvation, who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in Himself, when all would be made new. With great confidence let us ask Him:
Lord, renew us in Your Spirit.

Lord, You promised a new heaven and a new earth; renew us daily through Your Spirit,
– that we may enjoy Your presence forever in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Help us to work with You to make this world alive with Your Spirit,
– and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace.
Free us from all negligence and sloth,
– and give us joy in Your gifts of grace.
Deliver us from evil,
– and from slavery to the senses, which blinds us to goodness.
Closing Prayer:

O Sweet Name of Jesus
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names
in heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men and of angels in heaven,
on earth and in hell bends.
You are the Way of the just,
the Glory of the saints,
the Hope of those in need,
the Balm of the sick,
the Love of the devout
and the Consolation
of those that suffer.
O, Jesus be to me a help and a protector
so that Your Name may be blessed for all times.
Ameno sweet name of jesus - thomas a kempis - 6 jan 2018

“Where can we fix our gaze, then, throughout this Lenten journey?
Upon the Crucified One.
Jesus on the cross is life’s compass, which directs us to heaven.
The poverty of the wood, the silence of the Lord, His loving self-emptying,
show us the necessity of a simpler life, free from anxiety about things.
From the cross, Jesus teaches us the great courage involved in renunciation.”

Pope Francis

Basilica of Santa Sabina
Ash Wednesday, 6 March 2019where can we fix our gaze - upon the crucified one - pope francis 18 march 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 March – ‘The strength of Christ created you, the weakness of Christ created you anew.’

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One Minute Reflection – 15 March – The Third Sunday of Lent, Readings: Exodus 17:3-7, Psalm 95:1- 2, 6-9, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-42 and the Memorial of Blessed Artemide Zatti SDB (1880-1951)

“Jesus, therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well. It was about the sixth hour.” … John 4:6

REFLECTION – “Now begin the mysteries.   For it is not without a purpose that Jesus is weary, not indeed without a purpose that the strength of God is weary, not without a purpose that He is weary, by whom the wearied are refreshed, not without a purpose is He weary, by whose absence we are wearied, by whose presence we are strengthened.
Nevertheless, Jesus is weary and weary with His journey and He sits down and that, too, near a well and it is at the sixth hour that, being wearied, He sits down.
All these things hint something, are intended to intimate something, they make us eager, and encourage us to knock.   May Himself open to us and to you, He who has deigned to exhort us, so as to say, Knock and it shall be opened to you.   It was for you that Jesus was wearied with His journey.
We find Jesus to be strength and we find Jesus to be weak – we find a strong and a weak Jesus – strong, because in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, the same was in the beginning with God.   Would you see how this Son of God is strong?   All things were made by Him and without Him was nothing made and without labour, too, were they made.  Then what can be stronger than He, by whom all things were made without labour?   Would you know Him weak?   The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
The strength of Christ created you, the weakness of Christ created you anew.   The strength of Christ caused that to be which was not, the weakness of Christ caused that what was, should not perish.   He fashioned us by His strength, He sought us by His weakness.
But why at the sixth hour?   Because at the sixth age of the world.   In the Gospel, count up as an hour each, the first age from Adam to Noah;  the second, from Noah to Abraham;  the third, from Abraham to David; the fourth, from David to the removing to Babylon;  the fifth, from the removing to Babylon to the baptism of John – thence is the sixth being enacted.   Why do you marvel?   Jesus came and, by humbling Himself, came to a well.   He came wearied, because He carried weak flesh.   At the sixth hour, because in the sixth age of the world.   To a well, because to the depth of this our habitation.   For which reason it is said in the psalm – From the depth have I cried unto You, O Lord.   He sat, as I said, because He was humbled.” … St Augustine (354-430) – Father & Doctor of the Church – Tractate 15 (John 4:1-42)john 4 6 jesus therefore being - the strength of christ - st augustine - 15 march 2020

PRAYER – Lord our God, Your Son so loved the world that He gave Himself up to death for our sake.   Strengthen us by His weakness and Your grace and give us a heart willing to live by that same love.   We know His excuses for us and His broken heart at our neglect and sin, make us like unto Him O Father, that we might be holy and come to see His Face.   May the prayers of the angels, Blessed Artemide Zatti and the Blessed Virgin be of assistance to us.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, amen.ave-maria-pray-for-us-28-sept-2018-and-24-march-2019-no-2 AND 15 MARCH 2020

bl artemide zatti pray for us 15 march 2020 (2)

 

 

 

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 22 February – Why Should It Happen to Me?

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

Why Should It Happen to Me?

“When we are overtaken by some unexpected misfortune or sorrow, or are forced to undertake an unusually difficult job, we often forget to surrender ourselves into the hands of God and pray for help and peace of mind.
Instead, we feel annoyed and discouraged and give vent to our feelings in a most unchristian manner.
“Why should it happen to me?“
This is the reaction of many people in such cases.
“It had to happen to me!” they say.
They forget that sanctity involves sacrifice, self-denial and resignation to the Will of God.
“The kingdom of heaven has been enduring violent assault and the violent have been seizing it by force,” the Gospel says (Mt 11:12).
In other words, if a man wants to win Heaven, he must be stern with himself and establish control over any perverse tendencies in his own nature.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE

Thought for the Day – 18 February – Interior Silence

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

Interior Silence

“Many people allow themselves to be swept away in the confusion of the world around them.
Modern life has become a whirling machine which snatches men up into it’s enormous rotators and carries them with it.
Not only has it become difficult to remain a Christian but it is even difficult to continue to be a man!

You cannot cast aside the natural gifts of intellect, free will and personal dignity which God has given us.
Still less, can we renounce the dignity of being Christians.
This dignity can be retained by interior recollection, which will be nourished by divine grace, if we ask for it and, will find it’s external expression in good works.
A man must be able to detach himself from the din of modern life and spend an occasional moment in recollection.
No matter what is going on around him, he must be able to find time to raise his mind to God.
Otherwise, he will realise one day, that life has passed him by like a cloud, or, worse still, like a lost battle.
We shall not be tormented with useless regrets on our deathbed, if we think about this now.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 17 February – The Will

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

The Will

“The coat of arms of the great city of Chicago bears the motto “I will.”
With this forceful approach to it’s programme of expansion, it was not long before it became one of the largest cities in America.
It grew to be a wealthy industrial centre, in which skyscrapers, factories and churches, sprang up side-by-side.

When it is said with sincerity and determination, this little phrase, “I will,”
is capable of producing amazing results, both in the physical and spiritual order.
St Thomas Aquinas was once asked by a nun, what were the requirements for sanctity.
He replied, that the chief thing necessary, was a strong and decisive act of the will, which would be certain to be reinforced by divine grace.
The Saints began every project by making a sincere and definite resolution to succeed.
They were weak creatures like the rest of us but, they knew, that if they wanted something intensely enough, God would grant whatever miracles they needed.
The father who asked Jesus to heal his son pleaded: “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us and help us,” to which Jesus replied: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:16-22).
The same answer could be given to any of us who say, that we are anxious to become holy.
Anything is possible if we really want it, because God will do the rest!“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Thought for the Day – 16 February – The Duties of Our State

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

The Duties of Our State

“Everyone finds himself in a certain position in life.
He may be there, either through force of circumstances, or, through somebody else’s desire, or through some secret inspiration from God,
In any case, each of us is in a certain place and God, either wills it or permits it.
We should not complain about our state in life.
No matter what that state is, we can either be saved or damned for all eternity.
In any position, we can do a great deal of good or a great deal of evil, according to the way in which we co-operate with the grace of God.
We should not envy the positions of others.
This would be unjust because, it would be tantamount to questioning the arrangements of Providence, which gives everyone the graces necessary, in his particular state.
It would also be injurious, insofar, as we should be worried and disturbed, instead of working peacefully and earnestly, in the place assigned to us by God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 14 February – The Early Hours of the Day

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

The Early Hours of the Day

“Waking up in the morning, is like being raised to life again.
Sleep, which is necessary for the restoration of energy, is an image of death.
During those hours of sleep, it was as if you did not exist any longer.
Your mind was unconscious, your limbs inactive.
Now God gives you life once more and the strength to live it.
Your first thoughts, therefore, should be directed towards Him.
When the sun rises, all creation sings hymns of praise to God.
The flowers shake the night-dew from their petals and send up their perfume to their Creator.
The birds drawing their heads from beneath their warm wings, sing their morning canticles.
Now, man is master of the universe.
Therefore, he should gather together, these perfumes and these voices and offer them to God, along with the homage and adoration of his whole being.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE

Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Use of Creatures

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

The Use of Creatures 

“God has created all things for Himself, as He is the most perfect being and the final end of all things.
He has made man supreme in the world, however and has made all other creatures subject to him (Cf Gen 1:28)
This God-given supremacy over the universe continues, even after the fall of Adam.
It can no longer be exercised without trouble and suffering, as it was in the state of innocence, however.
Now, it must be acquired, by hard manual labour and by keen intellectual research and study.
After man’s disobedience to God, even the relationship which existed between him and created things was disturbed.
But these things are still a ladder which leads to God, if they are properly used.
They are a distant reflection of His beauty and omnipotence.
“The heavens,” says the Psalmist, “declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork” (Ps 18:2).

Let us listen to the voice of creation, for it speaks to us of God.
St Therese of the Child Jesus wept when she beheld the fragile beauty of a flower and said, “How great is God’s love for us!”
St Francis of Assisi saw the image of the common Creator everywhere around him and called all these things, including fire and water, his brothers and sisters. He even conversed with them in a simple way. He looked upon death itself, as the good sister who was to free him from the slavery of the body and unite him to God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, SAINT of the DAY, SPEAKING of .....

Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – Prayer

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – The Memorial of Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus (1893-1983)

Speaking of:  Prayer

“The means to obtain grace and glory is prayer.”

Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus (1893-1983)

the means to obtain grace and glory is prayer bl esperanza de jesus 8 feb 2020

“Half an hour’s meditation
each day is essential,
except, when you are busy.
Then a full hour is needed.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

half-an-hours-meditation-each-day-st-francis-de-sales-24-jan-2020

“Do not neglect prayer,
however busy you may be.”

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (1761-1850)

do-not-neglect-prayer-however-busy-you-may-be-bl-william-joseph-chaminade-22-jan-2020 and 8 feb 2020

“How many things Jesus tells us in our heart,
when we stand at His feet,
if we are careful to listen to His Voice!”

Blessed Giovanni Maria Boccardo (1848-1913)

how-many-things-jesus-tells-us-in-our-heart-bl-giovanni-boccardo-30-dec-2019 and 8 feb 2020

“Prayer is our strength, our sword,
our consolation and the key to paradise.”

St Joseph Freinademetz (1852-1908)
“Fu Shenfu” – Lucky Priest

prayer is our strength our sword our consolation and the key to paradise st josep freinademetz 28 jan 2020

“And delicately, gently,
by means of this sweet and peaceful dawn,
God taught me, too, to obey …
God who offers me a little corner
on this earth for prayer,
who gives me a little corner
in which to wait for what I hope.”

St Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938)

and-delicately-gently-by-means-of-this-dawn-god-teaches-me-to-obey-he-gives-me-a-little-cornr-st-raphael-arnaiz-baron-19-dec-2019 8 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MORALS, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Religion and Action

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Thought for the Day – 7 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Action

John 14 6 i am the way -the Christian religion is moe than - bacci 7 feb2020

“Jesus says in the Gospel:  “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6).
The world was lost in the darkness of error and in the entanglement of vice.
Jesus came to point out the only path which leads to truth and to virtue.
But He was not satisfied merely to show the way and to preach the truth.
There were philosophers who had spoken eloquently and taught wisely on the subject of truth and the virtues.
Nobody, however, was able to give men the strength to follow their precepts.
Many could have repeated the words of the poet:  “Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor;  “I see what it is better to do but I do what is worse” (Ovid, Metamorphoses, VII, 20-21).
Jesus, on the other hand, not only taught the way and the truth but by His grace, gave men a spark of the divine life which was in Him.
The Christian religion is more than a system of doctrines to be firmly held.
It is more than a system of private and public worship of God and veneration of His Saints, more than a mere collection of rites to be observed.
It should also be a way of life in full conformity with the moral precepts given by Jesus Christ.
He is declared to be not only the way and the truth but our very life, in the sense, that He transfuses into us, His own divine life, by means of His grace, with which we must co-operate generously, if we wish to be true Christians.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 January – ‘…That it may give light.’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 January – Thursday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29, Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14, Mark 4:21-25 and the Memorial of Blessed Sebastian Valfrè CO (1629-1710)

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” … Mark 4:21

REFLECTION – “A well, when pumped regularly, produces purer water.   If neglected, and no-one uses it, it changes into a source of pollution.   Use, keeps metal brighter but disuse produces rust.   For, in a word, exercise produces a healthy condition both in souls and bodies.   So “No-one lights a candle and puts it under a bowl but upon a candlestick, that it may give light.”   For of what use is wisdom, if it fails to make those who hear it wise.” … St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Father of the Doctormark 4 21 is a lamp brought in - for of what use is wisdom - st clement of alexandria 30 jan 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your providence You rule us, You have planted us, penetrate our inmost being Your holy Light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service to You.  Grant us the grace and love to walk in Your ways and to radiate Your Light by our lives.   May the prayers of all the angels and saints and of Blessed Sebastian Valfrè be unfailing assistance to us.   Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl sebastian valfre pray for us 30 jan 2020 no 2

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 January – “Grace is thicker than blood…”

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One Minute Reflection – 28 January – Tuesday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19, Psalm 24:7-10, Mark 3:31-35 and the Memorial of Joseph Freinademetz SVD (1852-1908) “Fu Shenfu” – Lucky Priest-

“Here are my mother and my brethren! Whoever does the will of God, is my brother, and sister and mother.”…Mark 34-35mark-3-34-35-whoever-does-the-will-of-god-29-jan-2019 and 28 jan 2020

REFLECTION – “Grace is thicker than blood – As mother, Mary made significant appearances in the life of Jesus.   She followed Him in His ministry.
In today’s short Gospel text, she is outside with the relatives of Jesus asking for Him.
Notice the delicacy of Mary.   She neither interrupts the ministry of Jesus nor enters the room where Jesus is ministering.   She waits outside.
The response of Jesus to the one who brought the message seems like a rebuff.
In fact, it is a tribute to Mary.
She was His mother, not merely because she gave Him birth but even more, because she did the will of God.
Blood is thicker than water no doubt – but Grace is thicker than blood.
She conceived Jesus in faith, even before she conceived him in her womb.” … Msgr Alex Rebello – Diocese of Wrexham, Wales – Daily Reflections, Year Ablood is thicker than water no doubt - she was his mother even before - msgr alex rebellow bible diary 28 jan 2020

PRAYER – Loving Father, You gave us Your only-begotten Son to teach us, to make us Your adopted children by His adoption of ourselves as His siblings.   What grace, what mercy, what love, is this!   We give You our gratitude and our love. Mary, holy and blessed Virgin, Mother of God, pray for us.   St Joseph Freinademetz, you survived solely on faith in a strange land and brought Christ to those who spoke another language by the language of Grace, please pray for us.   Through Jesus, our brother and our Saviour, who gave us His mother to guide and protect us, we pray, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mary-mater-creatoris-mother-of-the-creator-pray-for-us-14-may-2018, 29 jan 209 and 28 jan 2020

st joseph freinademetz pray for us 28 jan 2020

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 25 January – Mediocrity

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Thought for the Day – 25 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

Mediocrity

we cannot be content with half-hearted efforsts - bacci 25 jan 2020

“A Christian cannot be satisfied with mediocrity.
He must strive for perfection.
This is the command of Jesus.
“You, therefore, are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
The same counsel is given in the Old Testament:  “You shall make and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy” (Lev 11:44).
The Apostles had the habit of referring to all the Christians of their time, as holy.
For instance, St Paul addresses the faithful of the church of Ephesus, in this way, (Eph 1:1), while, St Peter describes the Christian community as “a holy nation, a purchased people” (1 Peter 2:9).

We cannot be content with half-hearted efforts but, must work hard to become holy.
“I come,” says Jesus, “that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
Some day we shall either be saints in Heaven, or among the damned in Hell.
Whoever is satisfied with MEDIOCRITY, BETRAYS the mission of Christ.
He returns ingratitude for His infinite goodness and SQUANDERS His divine grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the day – 6 December – Each is the Administrator of Their Own Grace

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Thought for the day – 6 December – Friday of the First week of Advent, Year A – Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, Matthew 9:27-31 and the Memorial of St Nicholas (270-343)

Each is the Administrator of Their Own Grace

Saint Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

Fifth Century on Theology, nos. 34-35, 42, 45

“Each one of us possesses the manifest energy of the Spirit in proportion to the faith within them (cf Rm 12:6).  And so, each is the administrator of their own grace.  Someone, who is well disposed, could never be envious of anything, in the one who is honoured with graces, provided that the disposition towards receiving God’s graces, rests upon him.   What determines that the gifts of God dwell in us, is the measure of each one’s faith.   Because it is to the extent that we believe, that the enthusiasm to act is given us.   And so those who act, reveal the measure of their faith proportionate to their action, they receive their measure of grace according to what they have believed. (…)

By means of the incomplete elevations of the virtues, we make the charisms that have been shared out to us, converge towards their cause, with the help of God, so that, by letting ourselves drift little by little into negligence, we might make our faith blind and sightless, deprived of the lights that the works of the Spirit gives us and may be justly punished for endless ages, for having blinded the divine eyes of faith in ourselves, insofar as it was in our power. (…)

The person who does not fulfil the divine commands of faith, has a faith that is blind.  For if God’s Commands are lights (cf Is 26:9), this means, that whoever does not fulfil the Commands of God, is without divine light.   He leaves the divine call without an answer. He does not really respond to him.”

Nicholas was loved for one reason. He loved.   He loved God and God’s people so much that he would do anything for them.   He was so grateful for the life God had given him that he just couldn’t stop giving joy and hope to others—no matter how far he had to travel or how many roofs he had to climb!

St Nicholas, Pray for Us!st nicholas - pray for us - 5 dec 2017.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD is LOVE, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The LAMB of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – St Edmund Campion and Bl Charles of Jesus

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – The Memorial of St Edmund Campion (1540-1581) and Bl Charles of Jesus de Foucauld (1858-1916) Both Martyrs

“To be a Catholic is my greatest glory.”

St Edmund Campion SJ (1540-1581)to be a catholic is my only glory st edmunc campion 1 dec 2019.jpg

“In order to save us,
God came to us
and lived among us,
from the Annunciation
to the Ascension,
in a close and familiar way.
God continues to come to us
and to live with us
in a close and familiar way,
each day and at every hour,
in the holy Eucharist.
So we too must go
and live among
our brothers and sisters
in a close and familiar way.”in order to save us god came to us and lived among us - bl charles de foucauld - 1 dec 2019

“Whether our life
be that of Nazareth,
the Public Life
or the Desert…
it should cry the Gospel..”whether our life be that of nazareth - 1 dec 2019 - bl charles de foucauld

“To pray,
is to think about Jesus
and love Him.
The more we love,
the better we pray.”to pray is to think about jesus and to love him - bl charles de foucauld 1 dec 2019

“God who is infinite, all powerful,
has become man,
the least of men.
My way is always to seek the lowest place,
to be as little as my Master,
to walk with Him,
step-by-step as a faithful disciple.
My way, is to live with my God
who lived this way all His life
and, who has given me,
such an example,
from His very birth.

Blessed Charles of Jesus de Foucauld (1858-1916)god who is infinite all powerful has become man - bl charles de foucauld - 1 dec 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 November – ‘May your peace be in your love.’

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One Minute Reflection – 21 November – Thursday of the Thirty Third week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 19:41-44 and Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, saying, “Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace!”…Luke 19:41-42and-when-he-drew-near-he-wept-luke-19-41-42-22-nov-2018 and 21 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “I rejoiced because they said to me, ‘We will go up to the house of the Lord.’ And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Ps 122[121]:1-2).   What Jerusalem is this?   On earth there is a city of this name but it is a mere shadow of that other Jerusalem.   What kind of happiness is there in standing in a Jerusalem here below that is unable to stand of itself but which fell to the ground in ruins?…   It is not of the Jerusalem here below that someone speaks who has such great love, such great longing, such great desire to come to the Jerusalem, “our mother”, of which Saint Paul says that it is “eternal in the heavens” (Gal 4:26; 2 Cor 5:1)…

“O Jerusalem, may your peace be in your strength” (Ps 122[121]:7).   That is to say, may your peace be in your love, for your love is your strength.   Hear the Song of Songs: “Love is strong as death” (8:6)…   And indeed, love destroys what we have been, so that we might become, through a sort of death, what we were not…   This was the sort of death that was working in him who said: “The world is crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).   It was of this death that the same apostle was speaking when he said:  “You have die, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). Yes, “love is strong as death”.   If love is strong, then it is powerful, it has great strength, it is strength itself…   So may your peace be in your strength, O Jerusalem.   May your peace be in your love.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor – Discourses on the Psalms, Ps 121[122]:1, §3,12if love is strong then it is powerful - st augustine 21 nov 2019 luke 19 41-44.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, as we honour the memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary and seek her help, grant that we, like her, may shine in the fullness of Your grace.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.presentation of mary - our hope pray for us 21 nov 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 October – ‘let us seize upon the grace that is by Christ’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 October – Friday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 12:54-59 and the Memorial of Bl Thaddeus McCarthy (c 1455–1492)

“As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge and the judge hand you over to the officer and the officer put you in prison.” … Luke 12:58

REFLECTION – “Now all of us, without exception, upon earth are guilty of offences, he who has a suit against us and accuses us, is the wicked Satan – for he is “the enemy and the exactor.”   While, therefore, we are in the way, that is, ere yet we have arrived at the termination of our life here, let us deliver ourselves from him, let us do away with the offences of which we have been guilty, let us close his mouth, let us seize upon the grace that is by Christ, which frees us from all debt and penalty and delivers us from fear and torment, lest, if our impurity be not cleansed away, we be carried before the judge and given over to the exactors, that is, the tormentors, from whose cruelty no man can escape, yea, rather, who will exact vengeance for every fault, whether it be great or small.

Far removed from this danger are those who search for the time of Christ’s corning and are not ignorant of His mystery but well know that the Word, though He be God, has shone forth upon the inhabitants of earth in likeness as one of us, that freeing them from all blame, He may bless with exceeding happiness those who believe in Him and acknowledge Him as God and the Son of God, by Whom and with Whom to God the Father be praise and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444), Father & Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Luke (1859) Sermons 89-98.luke 12 58 now as you go with your accuser - now all of us are guilty - st cyril of alex 25 ocvt 2919

PRAYER – Lord God, You fill us with Your grace and teach us true faith. Strengthen in our hearts that faith that no trials may quench the fire, that we may seek Your face in every moment and accept AND LIVE all of Your will. Send us Your Spirit to keep the fire blazing. May the humble love and intercession of Mary Mother of our faith, be our succour and may Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy intercede for us on our pilgrim way. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl thaddeus mccarthy pray for us 25 oct 2919

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – ‘What have You ever done to me but good?’

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One Minute Reflection – 11 October – Friday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel Luke 11:15–26 and the Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you…Luke 11:20

REFLECTION – ” “The finger:   “It is by the finger of God that [Jesus] casts out demons.” If God’s law was written on tablets of stone “by the finger of God” (Ex 31,18), then the “letter from Christ” entrusted to the care of the apostles, is written “with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2Cor 3,3).   The hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” invokes the Holy Spirit as the “finger of the Father’s right hand.”…CCC 700but-if-it-is-by-the-finger-luke-11-20-the-finger-ccc700-12-oct-2018 and 11 oct 2019

“What things ought I render to Almighty God that He has made me what I am?   It is a matter of grace … I am what I am, not from any excellence or merit of my own but by the grace of God who has chosen me to believe.   Has He not visited me with over-abundant grace?   And was it not necessary for my hardened heart to receive more than other people? …
Lord You have poured on me Your grace.   You have been with me in my perplexities.  You have forgiven me my sins.   You have satisfied my reason.   You have made faith easy. You have given me Your saints, You show before me, day after day, Your own Passion – why should I leave You?   What have You ever done to me but good?” … Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)wht things ought I render to almighty god - john henry newman 11 oct 2019

PRAYER – Almighty Father, let Your light so penetrate our minds, that we may walk always in that light and follow Your Son, the Way, the Truth and the Life.   Fill us with understanding and may the Holy Spirit guide us in love.   Allow the intercession of St Pope John XXIII who followed Your light so faithfully be of help to us all.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-john-23-pray-for-us-11-oct-2017

Posted in MYSTICS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 October – ‘Serving the Lord’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 October – Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:5–10 and the Memorial of St Mary Frances of the Five Wounds (1715-1791)

‘Prepare supper for me’ ...Luke 17:8

REFLECTION – “To believe is not simply to sit back and wait until the Lord comes and serves us with His grace.   Faith receives it’s incomprehensible efficacy (tossing a tree into the ocean), in the course of serving the Lord, who, after all, has become the servant of us all and cannot stand to see anyone lazily let himself be served by Him (sola fides). Instead, He takes it as self-evident, that His followers serve alongside Him, which really means they serve Him, for “where I am, there will my servant also be” (Jn 12:26).
Moreover, this serving does not take place in haughty pride over how useful to the Lord my co-service may be (as if He could not do anything without me).   Just the opposite, in modesty, the servant knows the words of Jesus – “Without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).
Since He has already done everything for us, the correct estimation of ourselves, is the one commanded by the Lord Himself and expressed in the Confession – “We are useless servants, we have only done our duty.” … Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)luke 17 8 - to believe is not simply to sit back and wait - hans urs von balthasar 6 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, whose love surpasses all that we ask or deserve, guide us to perfect obedience to conform ourselves to Your holy will, that in the manner of St Mary Frances, our only wish may be to serve and find You.   May we always serve in modesty and humility and know that only in Your Son, are we complete.   May the prayers of St Mary Frances of the Five Wounds be a source of strength on our journey home.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st mary frances of the five wounds pray for us 6 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 October – ‘..They were made perfect..’

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One Minute Reflection – 1 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:51–56 and The Memorial of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus OCD (1873 – 1897) Doctor of the Church

“Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. … Luke 9:54-55

REFLECTION – “When someone has been made worthy to taste God’s love, he usually forgets everything else by reason of its sweetness.   For once that person has tasted that love, anything visible seems of no interest.   The soul joyfully draws near to the beautiful love of all people without distinction.   It is never troubled by their weaknesses, which do not frighten it.   Just like the blessed apostles who, in the midst of all the evils which they had to bear from their torturers were completely incapable of hating them and did not tire of loving them, this was shown by the fact that, in the end, they even bore death so as to meet them again one day in heaven.

And yet these were the very same people who, a little earlier, had begged Christ to make fire come down from heaven on the Samaritans, who had only refused to welcome them in their village.   But once they had received the gift of tasting God’s love, they were made perfect even to the point of loving the wicked.” … St Isaac the Syrian (c 613-c 700) – Spiritual Discourses, 2nd Series, no. 10,36luke 9 54-55 lord do you want us to bid fire - once they had received st isaac the syrian 1 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God, our Father, Your promised Your Kingdom to the little ones and the humble of heart.   May we love You and our neighbour, even those who hate us.   Give us grace to walk confidently in the way of St Thérèse, so that helped by her prayers, we may see Your eternal glory.   Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amenst therese of the child jesus pray for us 1 oct 2019

Posted in GOD is LOVE, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The WORD

Thought for the Day – 24 September – An Affair of the Will – C S Lewis

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Thought for the Day – 24 September – Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

An Affair of the Will
C S Lewis (1898-1963)

“In this is love, not that we loved God
but that he loved us
and sent his Son ….”

1 John 4:10

On the whole, God’s love for us, is a much safer subject to think about, than our love for Him.
Nobody can always have devout feelings and even if we could, feelings are not what God principally cares about.
Christian love, either toward God, or toward man, is an affair of the will.
If we are trying to do His Will, we are obeying the commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.”   He will give us the feelings of love if He pleases.   We cannot create them for ourselves and we must not demand them as a right.
But the great thing to remember, is that, though our feelings come and go, His Love for us does not.   It is not wearied by our sins or our indifference and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on me a sinner!

the jesus prayer 24 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Good News

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:11b

“Our Lord chose Matthew, the tax collector,
to encourage his fellows to join Him.
He looked on sinners, called them
and brought them to sit beside Him.
What a wonderful sight!
Angels stand trembling while publicans, seated, rejoice.
The angels are struck with awe before the Lord’s greatness
while sinners eat and drink with Him.
The scribes choke with hatred and indignation,
the publicans rejoice because of His mercy.
The heavens saw the sight and were filled with wonder,
hell saw it and was maddened.
Satan saw it and was enraged,
death saw it and withered,
the scribes saw it and were much troubled.”

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

Commentary on the Gospel, or Diatessaron, 5, 17 (SC 121, p.115 rev.)why-does-your-teacher-matthew-9-11b-he-looked-on-sinners-st-ephrem-21-sept-2018.jpg

“The good news of the Gospel
consists precisely in this –
offering God’s grace to the sinner!”the good news of the gospel - pope benedict 21 sept 2019.jpg

“The Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew or Aramaic
is no longer extant but in the Greek Gospel that we possess,
we still continue to hear, in a certain way,
the persuasive voice of the publican Matthew,
who, having become an Apostle,
continues to proclaim God’s saving mercy to us.
And let us listen to St Matthew’s message,
meditating upon it ever anew,
also to learn to stand up and follow Jesus with determination.”

Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience
Wednesday, 30 August 2006the persausvie voice of the publican matthew 21 sept 2019 pope benedict.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Follow me”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Follow me”.. Matthew 9:9matthew 9 9 the calling of matthew follow me 21 sept 2019

REFLECTIONS – “Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office and he said to him: “Follow me.”   He looked at him not with the eyes of the body but rather with the eye of interior pity.   He saw a tax collector, and since He looked at him in pity and choosing him as a disciple, He said: “Follow me.” ‘Follow’ meant ‘imitate’ – not by the movement of his feet but rather by a change of life.   For whoever says he is following Christ “ought himself to walk as Christ walked” (cf 1Jn ).

“Matthew rose and followed him.”   It is not to be wondered at that the tax collector should leave the earthly gains he was looking after at the first command of the Lord and that, abandoning riches, he should join the company of Him who, he saw, had no wealth. For the Lord, who outwardly called him with words, through a hidden instinct secretly taught him to follow Him.   By the gift of divine grace the Lord enlightened his mind to understand that He who on earth called him away from temporal interests, could in heaven give incorruptible treasures (cf Mt 6,20).

“And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.”   The conversion of one tax collector provided an example of penance and forgiveness to many tax collectors and sinners.   In a wonderful and true sign of the future, he who was to become the apostle and teacher of the gentiles, brought with him to salvation, a multitude of sinners in the first moments of his conversion!” ... Saint Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the gospels I, 21 ; CCL 122, 149st bede - in a wonderful and true sign of the future - the calling os st matthew 21 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, You showed Your great mercy to Matthew the tax-gatherer by calling him to become Your Apostle.   Supported by his prayer and example, may we always answer Your call and live in close union with You.   We make our prayer, in union with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  St Matthew, Apostle of Christ, pray for us, amen.st matthew pray for us - 21 sept 2018.jpg

Posted in franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 18 September – Our “unique possession”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 September – The Memorial of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)

Joseph of Cupertino is most famous for levitating at prayer. Already as a child, Joseph showed a fondness for prayer. After a short career with the Capuchins, he joined the Conventual Franciscans. Following a brief assignment caring for the friary mule, Joseph began his studies for the priesthood. Though studies were very difficult for him, Joseph gained a great deal of knowledge from prayer. He was ordained in 1628.

Joseph’s tendency to levitate during prayer was sometimes a cross, some people came to see this much as they might have gone to a circus sideshow. Joseph’s gift led him to be humble, patient and obedient, even though at times he was greatly tempted and felt forsaken by God. He fasted and wore iron chains for much of his life.

The friars transferred Joseph several times for his own good and for the good of the rest of the community. He was reported to and investigated by, the Inquisition; the examiners exonerated him.

Joseph was Canonszed in 1767. In the investigation preceding the Canonisation, 70 incidents of levitation are recorded.

While levitation is an extraordinary sign of holiness, Joseph is also remembered for the ordinary signs he showed.   He prayed even in times of inner darkness and he lived out the Sermon on the Mount.   He used his “unique possession”–his free will–to praise God and to serve God’s creation. He said:

“Clearly, what God wants above all, is our will,which we received as a free gift from God, in creation and possess, as though our own.   When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God, from whom all good things come, that he does this.   The will is what man has as his unique possession.”

St Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us!st joseph of cupertino pray for us 18 sept 2019.jpg