Our Morning Offering – 22 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus instituted by Pope Benedict XV
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! By Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922)
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! O Fount of every good! I adore Thee, I love Thee and sincerely repenting of my sins, I present to Thee my poor heart. Give it back to me humble, patient, pure and in everything, conformed to Thy wishes. Make me, O good Jesus, live in Thee and for Thee. Protect me in dangers, comfort me in afflictions, grant me health of body, succour in my temporal needs, Thy blessing in all my works and the grace of a holy death. Amen
Indulgence – 100 days Once a day Pope Benedict XV 4 December 1916
Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Feast of St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church.
“I tell you, this man went back to his home justified, rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself, will be exalted” Luke 18:14
“Be on your guard, therefore and bear in mind, this example of severe loss, sustained through arrogance. … Never place yourself above anyone, not even great sinners. Humility often saves a sinner, who has committed many terrible transgressions!”
“A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship and he who plants kindness, gathers love.”
“When someone steals another’s clothes, we call them a THIEF. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your cupboard, belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your drawer, belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard, belongs to the poor.”
“I know many who fast, pray, sigh and demonstrate every manner of piety, as long as it costs them nothing, yet, would not part with a penny to help those in distress!”
“No Christian should think of himself as his own master but each should rather so think and act, as though given by God, to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters.”
Thought for the Day – 10 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Learn From Me, For I Am Meek and Humble of Heart”
“Jesus is perfection itself. In Him, therefore, every virtue is to be found. He could truly claim that He fulfilled in Himself the precept: “You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). Throughout His life, He performed in a perfect manner, the will of His heavenly Father: “I do always the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn 8:29).
Jesus Christ provided us with an example of every virtue. As the foundation of all the virtues, He insisted on the great precept of loving God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves. In proposing Himself as a model, however, this is what He said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and ou will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29). The outstanding example which Jesus gave us for our imitation, was this meekness and humility of heart. We shall have peace of soul only, if we are meek and humble.
In what did the humility of Jesus consist? He was God and He became man. He, Who possessed everything was born poor in a wretched stable and lived as a lowly workman for thirty years. He allowed Himself to be betrayed by one of His Apostles, to be sentenced to death as an evildoer and, finally, to be executed on the Cross.
He combined humility with gentleness. He was happy when He could receive back penitent sinners and grant them forgiveness and peace. Let us recall the examples of Mary Magdalen, the adulteress, the lost sheep, the prodigal son and, finally, the repentant thief, to whom He promised the reward of Heaven. What greater gentleness and mercy could we ever find?
To the present day, moreover, Jesus Christ is hidden in the Blessed Eucharist under the consecrated species and appeals to us to imitate and love Him.
When we are disturbed by pride, ambition, or worldly desires, let us go to Jesus and kneel in silence before the Tabernacle. “Learn from me,” He will say to us once more, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 June – The Memorial of St Anthony Mary Gianelli (1789-1846) Bishop, Founder of the Missionaries of St Alphonsus, the Oblates of St Alphonsus and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden.
“In every activity we do, let us imitate Mary. Let us build with our example and exercise charity.”
“In the dangers, in the anguish, in the needs, in the uncertainties, think, seek, invoke Mary!”
“Everything is possible and even easier with God’s help which is never lacking to those who ask Him, with humility and faith.”
“Time is short. While we have it, let us do good.”
Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Pentecost Friday – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27, Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Thy sins are forgiven thee … Arise and walk.”
Luke 5:23
Prayer for Mercy and Forgiveness By St Macarius of Egypt (c 300-390)
Lord, be merciful now that my life is approaching its end and the evening awaits me. There is not enough time for me to cleanse myself of my sins, for they are so many. Heal me while I am still on earth and I shall be truly healthy. In Thy mercy, move me to repent, so that I shall not be ashamed, when I meet Thee in Heaven. Amen
“What evil can your enemy do to you which would be comparable to that, which you do to yourself? … If you let yourself go, in indignation and anger, you will be wounded, not because of the injury your enemy inflicted upon you but, from the resentment you feel because of it. So do not say: “He insulted me, he slandered me, he did a great number of wretched things to me.” The more you say he did evil things to you, the more you show that he did you good, since he gave you an opportunity to purify yourself of your sins. Thus, the more he offends you, the more he places you in a state of obtaining the forgiveness of your faults from God. For if we want, no-one can damage us; even our enemies are thus doing us a great service… So consider how many advantages you draw from an injury that is suffered humbly and gently!”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Then the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43
“So from now on, run well (cf. Gal 5:7) and may the devil not bewitch you (cf Gal 3:1) nor hinder you! … May mercy, peace, charity, freedom from envy, from jealousy and ostentation come upon you, docility, friendly speech, solidarity, compassion towards each other, humility.”
St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
“By sin, O Jesus, I gave Thee Thy Death but I do not despair of Thy Forgiveness. Those Scourges call me, those Arms extended invite me that injured Heart offers me a secure shelter.”
St Gabriel Francis Possenti of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)
Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – The Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church
“Christ is the Morning Star, Who, when the night of this world is past, gives to His saints, the promise of the Light of Life and opens everlasting day.”
“We abide in God insofar as we do not sin.”
“All the ways of this world are as fickle and unstable as a sudden storm at sea.”
“If one of us has a conscience polluted by the stain of avarice, conceit, vain-glory, indignation, irascibility, or envy and the other vices, he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon” like the Canaanite woman.”
“Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved. They cannot say with the prophet: See, God comes to my aid; the Lord is the helper of my soul. But anyone who makes himself humble, like a little child, is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“And I pray Thee, loving Jesus that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight, the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the Fountain of all Wisdom and to appear forever before Thy Face.”
Our Morning Offering – 28 April – The Memorial of St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775) Confessor, Priest, Founder
Oh Jesus, My Love By St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)
Oh Jesus, my Love, may my heart be consumed in loving Thee. Make me humble and holy, giving me childlike simplicity, transform me into Thy holy Love. O Jesus, Life of my life, Joy of my soul, God of my heart, accept my heart as an altar, on which I will sacrifice to Thee, the gold of ardent charity, the incense of continual, humble and fervent prayer and the myrrh of constant sacrifices! Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 25 April – Feast of St Mark Evangelist
The Gospel of Saint Mark was written in Greek around the 60s. He was Martyred in 68 and his Relics are preserved in the St Mark Cathedral of Venice. He is represented by a Winged Lion, one of the four living creatures of the Apocalypse, for he begins his Gospel by narrating St John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness, like a roaring lion.
By Alexander Sytov 1995
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed …”
Mark 4:30-31
“And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Mark 4:39-40
“Take courage: It is I, do not be afraid. And He got into the boat with them and the wind fell”
Mark 6:50-51
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ …, will surely not lose his reward.”
Mark 9:41
“Whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God, like a little child, shall not enter it.”
Mark 10:15
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His Life as a ransom for many …”
Thought for the Day – 23 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Daily Progress
“The second way in which we should make daily spiritual progress is by adorning our soul with virtues. When we have cleansed our soul of the scars of sin,. there still remains the positive task of adorning it with Christian virtues.
We should begin by acquiring the virtue of humility which is the foundation of the entire spiritual life. One can never be too humble. It is difficult to become humble and it involves lifelong renunciation and sacrifice.
Once we have acquired this virtue, however, the sunshine and dew of Divine Grace cause others to spring up beside it. It will be easier then to advance, day-by-day nearer to perfection.”
One Minute Reflection – 6 April – Maundy Thursday – 1 Corinthians 11:20-32, John 13:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You call Me Master and Lord. And you say well, for so I Am. If then I, being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that as I have done to you, so you do also.” – John 13:14-15
REFLECTION – “Jesus rose from supper and took off His outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet. We read a story of the same kind in Genesis. Abraham says to the messengers – the three Angels who visit him: “Let some water be brought that you may bathe your feet and then rest yourselves under the tree; let me bring you a little food that you may refresh yourselves” (Gen 18:4-5). What Abraham did for the three Angels, Christ did for His Apostles, those messengers of the Truth, who were to preach faith in the Blessed Trinity, to all the world.
He stoops down to them, like a child – He stoops down and washes their feet. What an incomprehensible humility! what inexpressible goodness! He Whom the Angels adore in Heaven, is at these fishermen’s feet! The Face that causes Angels to tremble bends over the feet of these poor men!Therefore, Peter is seized with fear… When He has washed their feet He makes them “lie down under the tree” as it says in the Song of Songs: “I delight to rest in His shadow and His fruit is sweet to my mouth” (Song 2:3). This fruit is His Body and Blood, given them today by Him. It is the “morsel of bread” He set before them and that gave them strength for the work they must undertake…
Behold, “on this mountain the Lord of Hosts will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich meat with the marrow” (Is 25:6)… In the Upper Room where the Apostles are to receive the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the Lord of all the world, throws a feast today for all the peoples who believe in Him… This is what the Church does today throughout the world. It was for her sake that Christ prepared this feast on Mount Zion, this food that restores us, His True Body, rich in every spiritual virtue and charity. This He has given to His Apostles and has commanded them to give to those who believe in Him.” – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (Sermons for Sundays and Feasts, Maundy Thursday).
PRAYER – O God, from Whom Judas received the punishment of his guilt and the thief the reward of his confession: grant unto us the full fruit of Thy clemency, that even as in His Passion, our Lord Jesus Christ gave to each a retribution according to his merits, so having taken away our old sins, He may bestow upon us the grace of His Resurrection. Who with Thee lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) Confessor called the “Angel of the Apocalypse” and of “The Last Judgement” and the “Mouthpiece of God.”– “Spy” Wednesday in Holy Week – Isaias 53:1-12, Luke 22:1-71 and 23:1-53 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But Jesus he delivered up to their will.” – Luke 23:25
REFLECTION – “Come, come, let us go up together to the Mount of Olives. Together let us meet Christ, Who is returning today from Bethany and going of His own accord to that Holy and Blessed Passion, to complete the Mystery of our Salvation. And so He comes, willingly taking the road to Jerusalem, He Who came down from the heights for us, to raise us who lie in the depths, to exaltation with Him, as the revealing Word says: “above all authority and rule and power and above every Name that is named” (Eph 1:21). He comes without display, without boast. For, as the prophet says, “He will not contend or shout out and no-one will hear His Voice” (Is 42:2). He is gentle and lowly and His entrance is humble…
Then, let us run with Him as He presses on, to His Passion. Let us imitate those who have gone out to meet Him, not scattering olive branches or garments or palms in His path but spreading ourselves before Him as best we can, with humility of soul and upright purpose. So may we welcome the Word as He comes (Jn 1:9); so may God, Who cannot be contained within any bounds, be contained within us.
For He is pleased to have shown us this gentleness, He Who is gentle and who “rides upon the setting sun” (Ps 56:12) which refers to our extreme lowliness. He is pleased to come and live with us and to raise us up or bring us back to Himself through the Word which unites to God.” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop and Father (Homily for Palm Sunday).
PRAYER – O God, Who graciously enlightened Thy Church by the virtues and preaching of blessed Vincent, Thy Confessor, grant that we, Thy servants, may be taught by his example and delivered from all harm by his intercession. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day –2 April – Palm Sunday – Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:36-75; 27:1-60 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Behold the hour is at hand and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Matthew 26:45
“Yesterday, Christ raised Lazarus from the dead; today, He is going to His own death. Yesterday, He tore off the strips of cloth which bound Lazarus; today, He is stretching out His Hand, to those who want to bind Him. Yesterday, He tore that man away from darkness; today, for humankind, He is going down into darkness and the shadow of death. And the Church is celebrating. She is beginning the feast of Feasts, for she is receiving her King as a Spouse, for her King is in her midst.”
St Ephrem (306-373) (Attri) Father ad Doctor of the Church
“Hosanna!”—which means : “Save!” “Hosanna to You Who are in the highest. O Almighty, save those who are humbled. Have mercy on us, in consideration of our palms, may the palms we wave move Your Heart, You Who come to call Adam”…
St Romanus the Melodist (c 490-c 556)
“The Apostles led the ass and colt to Our Lord. We must note, that He deliberately told them to loose them and lead them to Him. If we wish to go to our Saviour, we too must allow ourselves to be loosed from our passions, our habits, affections and the bonds of sin, which keep us from serving Him.”
Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 2 April – Palm Sunday – Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:36-75; 2 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Thou hast held me by my right hand and by Thy will, Thou hast conducted me and in Thy glory, Thou hast received me.” Psalm 72:24
“Behold the hour is at hand and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.” Matthew 26:45
PALM SUNDAY – HUMILITY St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritas
“THE APOSTLES LED the ass and colt to Our Lord. … This ass and colt had only the Apostles’ cloaks laid on them, then Our Lord mounted … and in this abjection and humility, He made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In this He confounded the world which overthrows all the maxims of the Gospel, relishing neither humility nor abjection. It never ceases to say: “Unfortunate are the poor and suffering. But how happy that wealthy one is!” “Why do you find him happy?” “Because his barn is full of grain and his cellar is full of wine. This girl is also happy because she too is rich, well dressed and covered with jewels.” Others are considered happy because their hair is well curled or daintily braided, or they have a fancy gown. How childish all this is! Nevertheless, these are the kinds of people the world considers happy and fortunate!
Our Lord turns all such ideas upside down today by His entrance into Jerusalem. He in no way acts like princes of the world, who, when entering a City, do it with much pomp, show and expense. He chooses no other mount but an ass covered with the worthless and poor cloaks of His Apostles.
Oh! how blessed are they whom our Divine Master chooses to carry Him, who are covered with the Apostles’ cloaks, that is, clothed with apostolic virtues, which render them worthy of bearing our dear Saviour and of being led by Him. Blessed are they who conduct themselves here in lowliness and humility. They will be exalted in Heaven [Matt. 18:4; 23:12; Lk. 14:11; 18:14]. Their patience will win for them perpetual peace and tranquility; for their obedience they shall receive a crown of glory [Tab. 3:21; James 1:12]; finally, they shall be covered with the hundredfold of blessings in this life and shall bless the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, eternally in the next. May God give us this grace. Amen.” – (Spiritual Conferences, XVII – St Francis de Sales).
Thought for the Day – 28 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
TEMPTATION
“Why does God allow us to endure tempations? According to spiritual writers, there are two main reasons.
(1) because God wishes us to be humble and not to depend too much on ourselves. Before he was tempted, St Peter boasted that he would never deny his Master. When he was tempted, he fell and recognised his weakness.
(2) Because by resisting temptations, we can show our love for Jesus and our readiness to sacrifice everything for Him
Temptations, therefore, can teach us humility, teach us to rely on God alone and can help us to store up merit for our souls.”
Thought for the Day – 25 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Annunciation
“Consider Mary’s reaction to the reverence and praise with which the Angel greets her. Is she carried away by delight and exaltation at this solemn moment? Nothing of the sort! In her humility and modesty, she is disturbed by the Angel’s salutation and wonders what the reason is for it. “She was troubled at his word and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29).
How do we behave when we receive praise from our superiors or from our friends and acquaintances? We are pleased and overcome perhaps by feelings of vanity. We smile to ourselves and are convinced that we are of more consequence than we really are. We even feel the need to reveal our thoughts to others and, thereby, seek further aggrandisement! There is a world of difference between the simplicity and humility of the Blessed Virgin and our vain hunger for praise and honour.”
Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 25 March – The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Isaias 7:10-15, Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women!” Luke 1:28
“And Mary said to the Angel: How shall this be done as I know not man?” Luke 1:34
CHASTITY and HUMILITY St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritas
“VIRGINITY AND ABSOLUTE CHASTITY, is an angelic virtue but, although it belongs, more especially to Angels than to men, yet the purity of Our Lady infinitely surpassed that of the Angels, having three great perfections above theirs, even that of the Cherubim and Seraphim…that of the Angels is sterile and can produce no fruit. On the contrary, that of our glorious Mistress was not only fruitful because she produced, for us, this sweet Fruit of Life, Our Lord and Master but, in the second place, she has begotten many virgins. It is it in imitation of her, as we have said, that virgins have vowed their virginity …
But she was not only virgin par excellence above all others, Angels as well as men – she was also more humble than all others. This was manifest excellently on the day of the Annunciation. She then made the greatest act of humility that was ever made, or ever will be made, by a pure creature; for seeing herself exalted by the Angel, who saluted her, saying she was full of grace and that she would conceive a Son Who would be both God and Man…Our Lady, being reassured by the Angel and having learned what God willed to do with her and in her, made this supreme act of humility, saying: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” She saw herself raised to the highest dignity that ever was or will be, for although it should please God to create anew many worlds, He could never make a pure creature be greater than the Mother of God.
Our Lady humbled herself and acknowledged herself unworthy of being raised to the high dignity of Mother of God, therefore, she was made to be His Mother, for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness, than, having abandoned herself to Him, by an act of incomparable charity, she became the Mother of the Most High, Who is the Saviour of our souls!” (Sermon on 25 March 1621at a religious Profession).
Thought for the Day – 17 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Privation
“Suffering and want can raise us to great moral heights. A man who knows how to do without worldly things, shows his superiority over them. A man who knows how to deny himself for the love of God and offers his suffering to Him, is raised to a higher plane of unity and friendship with God. A man who strips himself of vanity, becomes humble. A man who denies himself sleep and food, becomes temperate. A man who refuses to give leeway to pride and anger, becomes patient and gentle. A man who restrains his bodily appetites when they threaten to dominate him, purifies his soul and grows nearer to God.
When we cheerfully accept the sufferings and privations of this life from supernatural motives, we are preparing ourselves for the everlasting happiness of Heaven.”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 March – Feast of the Five Holy Wounds
“If you cannot soar up as high as Christ sitting on His Throne, behold Him hanging on His Cross. Rest in Christ’s Passion and live willingly in His Holy Wounds. You will gain marvellous strength and comfort in adversities. You will not care that men despise you!”
Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
“Ah ! what is all that I do and suffer, compared with what my Jesus did and suffered for my sake? O, that I might, for His honour, be torn with scourges and pierced with nails and expire on the Cross for Him!”
St Andrew Avellino (1521–1608)
Prayer Before The Crucifix – The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass By St Vincent Strambi (1745-1824)
Jesus, by this Saving Sign, bless this listless soul of mine. Jesus, by Your feet nailed fast, mend the missteps of my past. Jesus, with Your riven hands, bend my will to love’s demands. Jesus, in Your Heart laid bare, warm my inner coldness there. Jesus, by Your thorn-crowned head, still my pride till it is dead. Jesus, by Your muted tongue, stay my words that hurt someone. Jesus, by Your tired eyes, open mine to faith’s surprise. Jesus, by Your fading breath, keep me faithful until death. Yes, Lord, by this Saving Sign, save this wayward soul of mine. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 16 March – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent
“Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him and he laid his hands on everyone of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.”
Luke 4:40-41
“If thou art bound down by sickness, if sorrows weary thee, if thou art trembling with fear, invoke the name of Jesus!”
St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1456)
“The poor and the sick are the Heart of God. In serving them, we serve Jesus Christ.”
St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)
“Our misery is the throne of God’s Mercy.”
“If it be God’s will that the remedies overcome the sickness, return to God thanks, with humility; if it be God’s will that the sickness overcome the remedies, bless God with patience.”
“The prayer of the sick person is his patience and his acceptance of his sickness for the love of Jesus Christ. Make sickness itself a prayer, for there is none more powerful, save Martyrdom!”
Our Morning Offering – 15 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus Doctor Communis
O merciful God, grant that I may ever perfectly do Thy Will in all things. Let it be my ambition to work only for Thy honour and glory. Let me rejoice in nothing but that which leads to Thee, nor grieve for anything, which leads away from Thee. May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes and may all which is Thine be dear to me and Thou, my God, dear above them all. May all joy be meaningless without Thee and may I desire nothing apart from Thee. May all labour and toil delight me, when it is for Thee. Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint, poor without regret, patient without murmur, humble without pretence, joyous without frivolity, and truthful without disguise. Amen
Thought for the Day – 14 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
How We Should Pray
“Finally, our prayer should be persevering. Perseverance in prayer is always rewarded by God, especially during times of temptation. The Gospel is full of examples of the way in which perseverance is rewarded. Remember the blind man of Jericho, who was rebuked for his persistent entreaties. Nevertheless, he went on shouting: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Cf Lk 18:34-43). His prayer was eventually answered. Remember the Centurion. Although he was a pagan, he requested the cure of his paralysed servant with such outstanding faith and perseverance that Jesus granted what he asked. “Not even in Israel,” said Jesus, “have I found such great faith” (Lk 7:9). Remember the parable of the three loaves, which were so persistently demanded in the middle of the night until they were at last obtained (Cf Lk 11:5). Remember Mary, the sister of Lazarus and the Samaritan woman. Remember Jairus and the man suffering from dropsy. Above all, remember the Canaanite woman who almost snatched a miracles from the Hands of Jesus by her humility and perseverance.
A confident spirit of perseverance always wins the Heart of God, Who sometimes waits before answering our prayers, in order to enkindle our desire, to make us pray more and, to reward our perseverance by a liberal bestowal of His favours. Let us persevere in total trust, with intense love and in the deepest humility, knowing, without any doubt, that our prayers will be answered.”
Thought for the Day – 8 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Knowledge and Goodness
“St Paul wrote: “Let no-one rate himself more than he ought but, let him rate himself according to moderation and according as God has apportioned to each one, the measure of faith” (Rom 12:31). “Knowledge puffs up,” he said “but charity edifies” (1 Cor 8:11).
“The humble knowledge of oneself,” The Imitation of Christ tells us, “is a surer way to God, than deep researches after science. Knowledge is not to be blamed… but a good conscience and a virtuous life, are always to be preferred. But because many take more pains to be learned than to lead good lives, therefore, they often go astray” (Bk 2 ch 3).
So let us learn everything which our position in life requires of us and, as much besides as we are able. But above all, let us learn to be good and holy. If we fail in this, the rest is useless and dangerous!”
Thought for the Day – 6 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
CONSCIENCE
“There are some people who have a right conscience, a conscient, in other words, which is based on the principles of the Gospel, on the precepts of the Church and on the sound advice of a good confessor.
Nevertheless, these must remember St Paul’s warning: “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). They must not grow proud, like the Pharisee who prayed in front of the altar but, must be humble, like the poor publican, who knew that without God’s direction and grace, he would fall into serious sin.
They should remember too that it is not enough to have a right conscience but, its dictates must be put into practice with the help of fervent prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments.”
Thought for the Day – 5 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mortification and Penance
“In Christian teaching, death is the beginning of life. “Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,” Jesus said, “it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life, loses it and he, who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting” (Jn 12:24-25). This paradox of dying to this life in order to live in Heaven, was enacted in a wonderful way in the lives of Jesus and of the Saints. It must be put into effect in our lives also, if we are to be genuine Christians. Jesus shed His precious blood for us and His death was the beginning of His triumph. The Apostles, Martyrs and Saints, gave their lives for Christ and received, as their reward, the happy and eternal life of Heaven. By dying to our own ego and to our passions, we shall find the true life of Christ. We must die to ourselves, so that Christ may live in us, as He lived in St Paul. We must die to pride, so that Christian humility may live in us; we must die to anger, so that patience may live in us; we must die to lust, so that purity and innocence may live in us and, we must die to selfishness, so that charity may live in us.”
One Minute Reflection – 2 March – “The Month of the St Josephs” –Thursday of the First Week in Lent – Ezechiel 18:1-9, Matthew 15:21-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But she said, Yes, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” – Matthew 15:27
REFLECTION – “See her humility as well as her faith! For He had called the Jews “children” but she was not satisfied with this. She even called them “masters,” so far was she from grieving at the praises of others. She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Behold the woman’s wisdom! She did not venture so much as to say a word against anyone else. She was not stung to see others praised, nor was she indignant to be reproached. Behold her constancy! When He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” she said, “Yes, Lord.” He called them “children” but she called them “masters.” He used the name of a dog but she described the action of the dog. Do you see this woman’s humility?
Then compare her humility with the proud language of the Jews: “We are Abraham’s seed and were never in bondage to any man.” “We are born of God.” But not so this woman. Rather, she calls herself a dog and them masters. So for this reason, she became a child. For what does Christ then say? “O woman, great is your faith.”
So we might surmise that this is the reason He put her off, in order that He might proclaim aloud this saying and that He might crown the woman: “Be it done for you as you desire.” This means “Your faith, indeed, is able to effect even greater things than these. Nevertheless, be it unto you even as you wish.” This Voice was at one with the Voice that said, “Let the heaven be,” and it was. “And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
Do you see how this woman, too, contributed not a little to the healing of her daughter? For note that Christ did not say, “Let your little daughter be made whole” but “Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.” These words were not uttered at random, nor were they flattering words,but great was the power of her faith and for our learning. He left the certain test and demonstration, however, to the issue of events. Her daughter accordingly was immediately healed.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor (The Gospel of Matthew – Homily 52).
PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors, being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1
REFLECTION – “If we look at the progress of our Lord’s temptation, we see how great the struggle was that set us free. from temptation. Our ancient enemy rose up against the first human being, our ancestor, in three temptations. He tempted him by gluttony, by vainglory and by avarice… He tempted him by gluttony when he showed him the forbidden food of the tree and told him: “Taste it.” He tempted him by vainglory when he said, “You will be like gods” (Gn 3:5). He tempted him by adding avarice when he said: “knowing good and evil.” Avarice is concerned not only with money but also with high position…
But the means by which the devil overcame the first Adam (1 Cor 15:47) were the same ones which caused him to yield, when he tempted the Second. He tempted Him by gluttony when he said, “Tell these stones to become bread.” He tempted Him by vainglory when he said, “If Thou are the Son of God, cast Thyself down.” He tempted him by an avaricious desire for high position when he showed him all the kingdoms of the world, saying: “I will give Thee all these, if Thou will fall down and worship me”… As a captive, the devil would depart from our hearts by the same avenue which had given him entrance, when he possessed us.
But there is something else we have to consider too in this temptation of the Lord’s… He could have plunged His tempter into the depths. He did not reveal the power of His might but He only brought forth the precepts of Scripture. This was to give us an example of His patience, so that as often as we suffer something from vicious persons, we should be aroused to teach, rather than to exact revenge. Consider how great God’s patience is, how great our impatience! If we are provoked by injuries, or by some attack, we are influenced by rage… the Lord endured the devil’s opposition and He answered him with nothing except words of meekness!” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on the Gospel no 14).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who purify Thy Church by the annual Lenten observance, grant to Thy household that what they strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, they may achieve by good works. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 24 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday, Feast of St Matthias, Apostle
“ Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up.” Psalm 138:1-2
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I Am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden light.” Matthew 11:29-30
ON FASTING 3 St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritas
“THE THIRD CONDITION NECESSARY for fasting well, is to look to God and to do everything to please Him, withdrawing within ourselves in imitation of a great Saint, St Gregory the Great, who, withdrew into a secret and out-of-the-way place, where he remained for some time without anyone knowing where he was, being content that the Lord and His Angels knew it.
This is what Cassian, that great Father of the spiritual life, teaches us so well in the book of his admirable Conferences. (Many Saints held it in such esteem that they never went to bed without reading a chapter from it to recollect their mind to God.) He says: “What will it profit you to do what you are doing for the eyes of creatures? Nothing but vanity and complacency which are good for Hell alone. But if you keep your fast and do all your works to please God alone, you will labour for eternity, without delighting in yourself or caring whether you are seen by others or not, since what you do is not done for them, nor do you await your recompense from them. We must keep our fast with humility and truth and not with lying and hyocrisy – that is, we must fast for God and to please Him alone.” …
This is all I wish to tell you regarding fasting and what must be observed in order to fast well. The first thing is that your fast should be entire and universal – that is that you should make all the members of your body and the powers of your soul fast – keeping your eyes lowered … mortifying the hearing and the tongue, so that you will no longer hear or speak of anything vain or useless; … the memory, in filling it with the remembrance of bitter and sorrowful things and avoiding joyous and gracious thoughts; keeping your will in check and your spirit at the foot of the Crucifix, with some holy and sorrowful thought. If you do this, your fast will be universal, interior and exterior, for you will mortify both your body and your spirit. The second condition is that you do not observe your fast or perform your works, for the eyes of others and the third, is that you do all your actions and consequently, your fasting, to please God alone, to Whom be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – (Excerpt from the Sermon given for Ash Wednesday on 9 February 1622).
One Minute Reflection – 24 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday and the Feast of St Matthias – Acts 1:15-26, Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I Am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light.” … Matthew 11:29-30
REFLECTION – “You are to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” You are not learning from me how to refashion the fabric of the world, nor to create all things visible and invisible, nor to work miracles and raise the dead. Rather, you are simply learning of me: “that I am meek and lowly in heart.”
If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level. If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height, you will begin with the lowest foundation. This is humility. However great the mass of the building you may wish to design or erect, the taller the building is to be, the deeper you will dig the foundation. The building in the course of its erection, rises up high but he who digs its foundation, must first go down very low. So then, you see even a building is low before it is high and the tower is raised, only after humiliation.”… St Augustine(354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 69)
PRAYER – O God, Who added blessed Matthias to the company of Thy Apostles, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his intercession we may ever be aware of the depth of Thy love for us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 23 February – Ash Thursday
“Blessed is the man who feareth the Lord, he shall delight exceedingly in His Commandments.” Psalm 111:1
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not be seen fasting by men …” Matthew 6:17-18.
ON FASTING 2 St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritas
“THE SECOND CONDITION is never to fast through vanity but always through humility. If our fast is not performed with humility, it will not be pleasing to God. All our ancient Fathers have declared it so but particularly, St Thomas, St Anbrose and the great St Augustine. St Paul, in the epistle which he wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor 3) … declares the conditions necessary for disposing ourselves to fast well during Lent. He says this to us: “Lent is approaching. Prepare yourselves to fast with charity, for if your fast is performed without it, it will be vain and useless, since fasting, like all other good works, is not pleasing to God unless it is done in charity and through charity. When you disciopline yourself, when you say long prayers, if you have not charity, all that is nothing. Even though you should work miracles, if you have not charity, they will not profit you at all. Indeed, even if you should suffer martyrdom, without charity, your martyrdom is worth nothing and would not be meritorious in the eys of the Divine Master. For all works, small or great, however good they may be in themselves, are of no value and profit us nothing, if they are not done in charity and through charity,”
I say the same now – if your fast is without humility it is worth nothing and cannot be pleasing to the Lord! … Now, according to the Apostle, all that is done without charity is not pleasing to God, so I say, in the same way with this great Saint, that if you fast without humility, your fast is of no value. For if you have not humility you have not charity and if you are without charity, you are also without humility. It is almost impossible to have charity without being humble and to be humble withou having charity. These two virtues have such an affinity with one another that the one can never be without the other!
But what is this fast through humility? It is never to fast through vanity. Now how can one fast through vanity? … To fast through vanity is to fast through self-will, since this self-will is not without vanity or, at least, not without a temptation to vanity. And what does it mean to fast through self-will. It is to fast as one wishes and not as others wish – to fast in the manner which pleases us and not as we are ordered or counselled.
Let each one of us examine our consciences and we will find that all that comes from ourselves, from our own judgement, choice and election, is esteemed and loved far better, than that which comes from another!” – (Excerpt from the Sermon given for Ash Wednesday on 9 February 1622).
Thought for the Day – 10 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
SELF-LOVE
“There are three tiny blossoms which can scarcely be seen – those of the corn, the olive and the vine. Nevertheless, from these we receive grain, oil and wine – three very precious commodities. These three little blossoms are almost invisible in comparision with other larger flowers, such as that of the magnolia which do not yield any useful fruit. They should present us with a starting-point for meditation. Would we like our actions to be valuable in the sight of God and bring forth good fruit?
Let us be humble and suppress love of self. Then God will look on us with favour. He will give us His grace and make fertile the work which we do purely for Him. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Is 4:6).
AnaStpaul 
You must be logged in to post a comment.