QUOTES on HUMILITY – Page 20

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Second Thought for the Day – 8 February – Blessed Esperanza’s Spiritual Testament

Posted on February 8, 2020February 8, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Second Thought for the Day – 8 February – The Memorial of Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus (1893-1983)

Extract from Blessed Esperanza’s Spiritual Testament

“In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, I write to my beloved sons and my beloved daughters this Testament.

I leave entrusted to the Most Holy Virgin, all my sons and daughters and my two beloved Congregations and all the poor people received in them.

I wish to leave to my sons and daughters the precious inheritance that I have, freely and without any merit, received from the Good Jesus.

Recommendations that I make to my beloved sons and to my beloved daughters:
Be humble, love one another, eradicate from your heart the rash judgements, never look for responsibilities or high positions, stay in the hands of obedience like little children; never have discussions or quarrels, never occupy yourselves with things for which you are not responsible, be very charitable and attached to prayer, because the means to obtain grace and glory is prayer; always follow the narrow path of mortification; work to acquire detachment and disdain with respect to yourselves; you will succeed in this with the knowledge of Our God, His love and the knowledge of your nothingness and your miseries; always and in everything, try to accomplish the Will of Our God and always seek His glory and not yours.

Keep yourselves free, my children, from all greed, try hard to have no attachment to earthly things, because the Son and Handmaid of Merciful Love must be occupied with charity, divine and spiritual things and you will arrive there easily if your hearts are strongly attached to the Good Jesus.

Walk with great attention in order to not become implicated in cares foreign to your vocation and to your state, never get involved in secular business contrary to your vocation, not even in the name of charity or prudence.

The Request I address to the Good Jesus, at the time of the death of my body and the life of my soul, by the mercy and the love of my God. I ask that the Good Jesus personally and the glory of God be the cause of the actions of all the sons and daughters and that He always be their Advocate and defend them against the enemies of the respective Congregations, always repeating in their favour: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing!”

Jesus, at the time of death, see to it that all the sons and daughters can say, full of love and confidence, what I say to You in these moments, with hope in Your charity, love and mercy: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Blessed Esperanza de Jesus, Pray for Us!

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – Speaking of: Discipleship

Posted on February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Responsorial psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13

Speaking of: Discipleship

“He charged them
to take nothing for their journey,
except a staff…”

Mark 6:8

“Go your way,
behold, I send you out
as lambs
in the midst
of wolves.”

Luke 10:3

“Heretics are to be converted
by an example of humility
and other virtues
far more readily,
than by any external
display or verbal battles.
So let us arm ourselves with
devout prayers
and set off,
showing signs of genuine humility
and go barefooted
to combat
Goliath.”

St Dominic (1170-1221)

“He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain,
at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty,
on to the judgement seat, the same Christ there as ever,
still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then.
And then, on through all eternity.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

“Go forth and set the world on fire.”

St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)

“Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes, through which,
the compassion of Christ, looks out to the world.
Yours are the feet,
with which,
He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands,
with which,
He is to bless others now.

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

“Let us remain unafraid in all dangers,
trusting calmly, in the Divine
Providence, that watches over us day and night.”

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

“We are apostles!
We are apostles
and we wander far and wide,
we work generously,
only for the sake of souls,
only for the Church,
only for heaven!”

Blessed Paolo Manna (1872-1952)

“If everyone does something,
then we can do a lot.”

“Each of us feels an inclination,
a charism within ourselves.
A project, which makes each of us
unique, irreplaceable.
This call, this vocation,
is the sign of the Holy Spirit in us.
Only by listening to this voice
can we make sense of our lives.”

Blessed Giuseppe “Pino” Puglisi (1937-1993) Priest, Martyr

“Leave your country, your people
and your father’s household
and go to the land I will show you.”

Genesis 12:1

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One Minute Reflection – 6 February – ‘Follow the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus’

Posted on February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Responsorial psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13 and the Memorial of St Francesco Spinelli (1853-1913)

He charged them to take nothing for their journey...Mark 6:8

REFLECTION – The Lord commands us in the Gospel: “Watch, be on your guard against all malice and greed” (cf. Lk 12:15). “Guard yourselves against the preoccupations of this world and the cares of this life” (cf. Mt 6:25; Lk 21:34). Therefore, none of the brothers, wherever he may be, or wherever he goes, should in any way carry, receive, or have received either money or coins, whether for clothing or books or payment for any work-indeed, for no reason-unless it is for the evident need of the sick brothers, for we must not suppose that money or coins have any greater value than stones. And the devil would like to blind those who desire it or consider it better than stones. Therefore, let us who have left all things behind, take care, that we do not lose the kingdom of heaven for so little (cf. Mt 19:27; Mk 10:24.28). And if we were to find coins in any place, let us give them no more thought than the dust which we crush with our feet, for all this is “vanity of vanities and all is vanity” (Eccl 1:2).

All the brothers should strive to follow the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ (…). And they must rejoice when they live among people who are considered to be of little worth and who are looked down upon, among the poor and the powerless, the sick and the lepers and the beggars by the wayside. And when it may be necessary, let them go for alms. And they should not be ashamed but rather, recall that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living and all-powerful God (…) was a poor man and a transient and lived on alms, He and the Blessed Virgin and His disciples.” … St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) – Founder of the Friars Minor – Earlier Rule, §8-9 he charged them to take nothing for the journey - therefore none of the brothers - st francis of assisi 6 feb 2020

PRAYER – Grant us Lord, a true knowledge of salvation so that, freed from fear and from the power of our foes, we may serve You, unhampered by any worldly ties, trusting only in Your loving and guiding hand. Help us to give our hearts, minds, bodies, our all to You, serving faithfully all the days of our life. May the prayers of St Francesco Spinelli, Your faithful servant, give us strength. We make our prayer, through our Lord Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st francesco spinelli pray for us 6 feb 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 23 January – ‘…Cry to God for help and grace.’

Posted on January 23, 2020January 23, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 January – Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7, Psalm 56:2-3, 9-13, Mark 3:7-12 and the Memorial of Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro (1936-1964) “The White Winter Rose” An Extraordinary Love

… For he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him…. Mark 3:10

REFLECTION – “And so long as we are in this life, whenever, we in our folly, revert to the contemplation of those who are damned, our Lord tenderly teaches us and blessedly calls us, saying in our souls: “Leave it alone, my beloved child, attend to me. I am enough for you and rejoice in your Saviour and in your salvation.” And I am sure that this is our Lord working in us. The soul which is pierced with this, by grace, will see it and feel it. And even though this deed may truly be accepted as done for men in general, still this does not exclude particular men. (…)

And furthermore, He gave special understanding and teaching about the working and revelation of miracles, thus: “It is known that I have performed miracles in time past, many, most great and wonderful, glorious and splendid and what I have done I always go on doing and I shall in times to come.” It is known, that before miracles, come sorrows and anguish and trouble and that, because we ought to know our own weakness and the harm that we have fallen into through sin, to humble us and make us cry to God for help and grace.

And afterwards great miracles come and that is from God’s great power and wisdom and goodness, showing His might and the joys of heaven, so much as this may be in this passing life and that is for the strengthening of our faith and as this may increase our hope in love. Therefore, it pleases Him to be known and worshipped in miracles. Then this is His intention, He wishes us not to be oppressed because of the sorrows and travails which come to us, for it has always been so, before the coming of miracles!” … Julian of Norwich (1342-after 1416) – Revelations of divine love, ch. 36

PRAYER – Lord God, true light and creator of light, grant us the grace to see clearly by the light who is Light, Your only Son. Lead us in His path and send us Your Spirit. Grant us the strength to grow in holiness so that our struggle against the powers of darkness may we a victory over temptation. May the intercession of the extraordinary fortitude and love of Blessed Benedetta Porro, help us and protect us. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen. blessed benedetta bianchi porro pray for us 23 jan 2020

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Thought for the Day – 22 January – Self-Denial

Posted on January 22, 2020January 20, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – Wednesday of the Second week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Self-Denial

“Even though it may not have been put into practice very much, contempt for riches had been taught by some of the ancient pagan philosophers.
Nobody, before Christ, however, even thought of demanding self-renunciation, as well.
Self-denial might seem to be a degradation and almost an annihilation of human nature.
It might appear quite impossible.
Nevertheless, Jesus has said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:24)

Would God have commanded us to do something impossible? Certainly not!
As St Augustine says, our divine Redeemer did not order us to do anything impossible but, to do whatever is perfect.
Perfection is, admittedly, difficult but it is not impossible.
Should we answer Jesus Christ’s command in the same way as the the disciples did on one occasion: “This is a hard saying. Who can listen to it?” (Jn 6:61)
No, our reply must be that which St Peter gave when Our Lord asked reproachfully, “Do you also wish to go away?” (Jn6:68)
We must repeat with Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of everlasting life and we have come to believe and to know, that Thou are the Christ, the Son of God” (Jn 6:69).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Thought for the Day – 21 January – Humility

Posted on January 21, 2020January 30, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Humility

“Humility is the most difficult of all the virtues, because it requires us to deny ourselves.
Jesus warns us, that anyone who wishes to follow Him, must deny himself. “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself” (Mt 16:24).

Humility is necessary if we wish to go straight to Jesus, Who was the first to humble Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross (Phil 2:8).
The Imitation of Christ contains some profound remarks upon this subject. “Seldom do we find anyone so spiritual as to be stripped of all things… If a man gives his whole substance, still it is nothing. And if he do great penance, it is but little. And if he attain to all knowledge, he is far off still. And if he have great virtue and very fervent devotions, there is still much wanting to him, namely, the one thing which is supremely necessary for him. What is that? That having left all things else, he leave also himself and wholly go out of himself and retain nothing of self-love.” (Bk II c 2:4).

When he has done all this, remember, he has only given God all that he received from Him.
He has given nothing which was really his.
He has only fulfilled an obligation of restitution.
When he has arrived at this stage of humility, therefore, he should repeat the words of Jesus. “When you have done everything that was commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants, we have done what it was our duty to do'” (Lk 17:10).

This is genuine humility, as preached in the Gospel.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – Caryll Houselander

Posted on January 16, 2020March 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – Thursday of the First week in Ordinary Time, Year A

“Christ is among us,
His heart like a rose,
expanding within us.”

“God’s will for you is to serve Him,
in His way, as He chooses, now.
It is only a want of humility.
to think of extreme vocations,
like being a nun or a nurse,
while you try to by-pass
your present obvious vocation . . .
Today, you have to use
what you have today
and do not look beyond it.”

Caryll Houselander (1901-1954)

Caryll Houselander (29 September 1901 – 12 October 1954) was an English lay Roman Catholic ecclesiastical artist, mystic, popular religious writer and poet.

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 January – Speaking of: The devil

Posted on January 14, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 January – Tuesday of the First week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Speaking of: The devil

“The most powerful weapon
to conquer the devil is humility.
For, as he does not know at all,
how to employ it,
neither does he know
how to defend himself from it.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“Not only the devil is involved in spiritual warfare
but the Holy Spirit is equally involved, or more involved in it,
bringing men and women of goodwill,
the ability to overcome evil in their lives,
so that they too can say:
“Where evil abounded, grace super-abounded!” (Rom 5:20).”

St John Paul II

(The Holy Spirit (Dominum Et Vivificantem – 1986)

“It is not enough for a Christian
to condemn evil, cowardice, lies
and use of force, hatred and oppression.
He must at all times be a witness to
and defender of justice, goodness, truth, freedom and love.
He must never tire of claiming these values
as a right both for himself and others.”

Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko (1947-1984) Martyr

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – ‘Then Jesus is born within us…’

Posted on January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – Saturday after Epiphany, Readings: 1 John 5:14-21, Psalm 149:1-6, 9, John 3:22-30

“He must increase
but I must decrease.”

John 3:30

“Christ is born, God from His Father,
man through His mother.
He was born from His Father’s immortality
and His mother’s virginity.
From the Father, without the aid of a mother,
from the mother, without that of a father.
From His Father, without time,
from His mother, without seed.
According to His Father,
He is the principle of life,
according to His mother,
the ending of death.
According to His Father,
He was born to determine the order of days,
according to His mother,
to consecrate the day that is here.”

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

“When His place becomes our place,
when His time becomes our time,
when His person becomes our life,
then the prophecies come to fulfilment in us.
Then Jesus is born within us.
He becomes the living God for me.
Today we are asked to imitate the Magi.
They do not debate – they set out.
They do not stop to look but enter the house of Jesus.
They do not put themselves at the centre
but bow down before the One who is the centre.
They do not remain glued to their plans
but are prepared to take other routes.
Their actions reveal a close contact with the Lord,
a radical openness to Him,
a total engagement with Him.
With Him, they use the language of love,
the same language that Jesus, though an infant, already speaks.
Indeed, the Magi go to the Lord not to receive but to give.

Let us ask ourselves this question –
at Christmas, did we bring gifts to Jesus for His party,
or did we only exchange gifts among ourselves?

In this Christmas season, now drawing to its close,
let us not miss the opportunity
to offer a precious gift to our King,
who came to us,
not in worldly pomp
but in the luminous poverty of Bethlehem.
If we can do this,
His light will shine upon us.”

Pope Francis

6 January 2019

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Thought for the Day – 24 December – The Holy Eucharist and Hope – Let us approach Him

Posted on December 24, 2019December 24, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 December – The Nativity of the Lord, Mass at Midnight

The Holy Eucharist and Hope

The greatest source of hope this side of eternity is the Sacrament of hope, the Sacrament of encounter with Christ that is the Holy Eucharist. The document of the Second Vatican Council that begins with the words “joy” and “hope,” Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution On The Church in the Modern World), says:

“Christ left to His followers a pledge of . . . hope and food for the journey in the sacrament of faith, in which natural elements, the fruits of human cultivation, are changed into His glorified body and blood, as a supper of brotherly and sisterly communion and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet (38).”

Those who frequent this Sacrament — receiving it often, if not daily — know that one of the fruits of the Sacrament, is the virtue of hope. Gaudium et Spes refers to this sacrament as a “pledge of hope and food for the journey” that Christ left to His followers.

This document of Vatican II opened with these words:

“The joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Nothing that is genuinely human, fails to find an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community of people united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit in their pilgrimage towards the father’s kingdom, bearers of a message of salvation for all of humanity (1).”

In the general intercessions at Holy Mass, we bring the “joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted.” We name those needs and address them to God our Father, through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit. We know that those pleas to God register with Him, as they come directly to God through the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the compassionate and merciful heart of Christ.

When we bring our prayers and petitions to Holy Mass, we should trust that they are heard by God and that God will bring a most fitting response — in His good time, His unique way and His providential plan — to all the prayers of our hearts. We might take them to Christ, with the added prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you.”

“Let us, at this season, approach Him with awe and love, in whom resides all perfection and from whom we are allowed to gain it. Let us come to the Sanctifier to be sanctified….
May each Christmas, as it comes, find us more and more like Him, who as at this time became a little child for our sake, more simple-minded, more humble, more holy, more affectionate, more resigned, more happy, more full of God.”

Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

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Thought for the Day – The Weekdays of Advent – 20 December – God’s Sign

Posted on December 20, 2019December 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – The Weekdays of Advent – 20 December

God’s Sign

“God’s sign is His humility.
God’s sign is that He makes himself small.
He becomes a child.
He lets us touch him and He asks for our love.
How we would prefer a different sign,
an imposing, irresistible sign of God’s power and greatness!
But His sign summons us to faith and love
and thus it gives us hope – this is what God is like.
He has power, He is Goodness itself.
He invites us to become like Him.
Yes indeed, we become like God,
if we allow ourselves
to be shaped by this sign,
if we ourselves learn humility
and hence true greatness;
if we renounce violence
and use only the weapons
of truth and love.”

Pope Benedict XVI (2009)

gods-sign-pope-benedict-19-dec-2017 and reworked for 20 dec 2019.jpg

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

Posted on December 1, 2019November 30, 2019 by AnaStpaul

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)

“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.”

“Whether our life
be that of Nazareth,
the Public Life
or the Desert…
it should cry the Gospel..”

“To pray,
is to think about Jesus
and love Him.
The more we love,
the better we pray.”

“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)

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Thought for the Day – 30 November – We Must Stoop beneath the Veil

Posted on November 30, 2019November 30, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ, Martyr for Christ

We Must Stoop beneath the Veil

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“St Andrew was the first convert among the Apostle; he was especially in our Lord’s confidence; thrice is he described as introducing others to Him; [but] he is little known in history; while the place of dignity and the name of highest renown, have been allotted to his brother Simon, whom he was the means of bringing to the knowledge of his Saviour ….

These men, are not necessarily, the most useful men in their generation, not the most favoured by God, who made the most noise in the world and who seem to be principals in the great changes and events recorded in history ….

His marvellous Providence works beneath a veil, which speaks but an untrue language. And, to see Him who is the Truth and the Life, we must stoop underneath it and so, in our turn, hide ourselves from the world.”

St Andrew, Apostle of Christ, Pray for Us!

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One Minute Reflection – – 19 November – ‘Make haste and come down’

Posted on November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – – 19 November – Tuesday of the Thirty Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 19:1–10 and the Memorial of St Matilda of Hackeborn (c 1241-1298)

“Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” … Luke 19:6

REFLECTION – “Celine, what a mystery is our grandeur in Jesus. This is all that Jesus has shown us in making us climb the symbolic tree about which I was just talking to you. And now, what science is He about to teach us? Has He not taught us all? Let us listen to what He is saying to us: “Make haste to descend, I must lodge today at your house.” Well, Jesus tells us to descend. Where, then, must we descend? Celine you know better than I, however, let me tell you where we must now follow Jesus. In days gone by, the Jews asked our divine Saviour: “Master, where do you live?” And He answered: “The foxes have their lairs, the birds of heaven their nests, but I have no place to rest my head.” This is where we must descend in order that we may serve as an abode for Jesus. To be so poor that we do not have a place to rest our head. This is, dear Celine, what Jesus has done in my soul during my retreat. You understand, there is question here of the interior. (…)

What Jesus desires is that we receive Him into our hearts. No doubt, they are already empty of creatures but, alas, I feel mine is not entirely empty of myself and it is for this reason that Jesus tells me to descend. He, the King of kings, humbled Himself in such a way that His face was hidden and no one recognised Him and I, too, want to hide my face, I want my Beloved alone to see it, that He be the only one to count my tears, that in my heart at least He may rest His dear head and feel that there, He is known and understood!” … St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) Doctor of the Church zaccheus make haste and come down - jesus tells us to descend - st there of the child jesus 19 nov 2019

PRAYER – Look with favour on our prayer Lord and in Your saving love, may your light so penetrate the hidden places of our hearts, that we may become like You, pure and humble of heart. May no sordid desires darken our minds and may we be renewed and enlightened as we receive Your heavenly grace. Grant that the intercession of St Matilda of Hackeborn lead us to a new way of remorse and repentance as we learn from You, our Saviour. Through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen. st matilda mechtilde of hackeborn pray for us 19 nov 2019

DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 November – “Let us show our gratitude, not just in our words and on our lips but in deed and in truth.”- St Bernard

Posted on November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 13 November – Wednesday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:11–19 and the Memorial of All Benedictine and Cistercian Saints and Blessed Karl Lampert (1894-1944) Martyr

“Was no-one found to return and give praise to God, except this foreigner?” … Luke 17:18

REFLECTION – “How happy was that Samaritan leper who recognised that “he possessed nothing he had not received” (1Cor 4:7). “He guarded what had been entrusted to him” (2 Tm 1:12) and turned back to the Lord to thank Him. Blessed are they who, after each gift of grace, turn back to Him in whom is the fullness of all the graces, for if we show ourselves thankful in regard to Him for all we have received, then we make ready a place for grace within ourselves… in even greater abundance. In fact, our ingratitude is the only thing, that prevents us making progress, following our conversion…
Happy, then, are they who think of themselves as strangers and who give great thanks for even the least blessing, thinking that everything given to a stranger and foreigner is a wholly free gift. How unfortunate and wretched we are, on the other hand, if after first of all appearing timid, humble and pious we then forget, just how freely given, is what we have received…
I beg you then, brethren, let us remain ever more humbly under the mighty hand of God (1 Pt 5:6)… Let us continue in thanksgiving, with great devotion and He will grant us the grace, that alone can save our souls. Let us show our gratitude, not just in our words and on our lips but in deed and in truth.” … St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church luke 17 18 was no-one found to return and give thanks, i beg you then brethren - st bernard 13 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – You Lord, Holy Father, never forget Your solemn covenant and grant us new life each day. We, though in our hearts of stone do forget and cease to thank and bless You. Make our hearts turn in gratitude, for all we are and have is by Your grace and we are as nothing without You. May our minds, hearts and souls sing with love and thanks to You, Lord our God. Grant us new hearts by the prayers of Blessed Karl Lampert and all the saints in heaven, who always lived with grateful hearts, praising You always. We ask this this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. bl karl lampert pray for us 13 nov 2019

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 12 November 2019 – ‘Make yourself small …’

Posted on November 12, 2019November 12, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 November 2019 – Tuesday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:7-10 and the Memorial of St Josaphat Kuncewicz (1584-1623)

“Say, ‘We are unprofitable servants”
Luke 17:10

St Isaac the Syrian of Nineveh (c 613-c 700)
Bishop of Nineveh, Monk at Mosul

The eyes of the Lord look on the lowly to make them glad. But the face of the Lord turns away from the proud to humble them. The lowly always receive pity from God… Make yourself small before everyone and you will be raised up higher than this world’s princes. Make all creatures go before you, embrace them, humble yourself before them, and you will be honoured more than those who make an offering of gold. Descend lower than your own self and you will see God’s glory within you. For where humility sprouts, God’s glory spreads… If you have humility in your heart, God will reveal his glory to you in it…

Do not love honour and you will not be dishonoured. Honour flees before someone who runs after it. But honour pursues the one who flees it and makes known to everyone his humility. If you despise yourself so as not to be honoured, God will make you known. If you accuse yourself for love of the truth, God will permit you to be praised in front of every creature. They will open before you the door to the glory of your Creator and praise you. For you are truly made in His image and likeness (Gn 1:26).

Collect:

Stir up in Your Church, we pray, O Lord,
the Spirit that filled Saint Josaphat
as he laid down his life for the sheep,
so that through his intercession
we, too, may be strengthened by the same Spirit
and not be afraid
to lay down our life for others.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

St Josaphat, Pray for Us!

ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – ‘To Serve Thee’

Posted on November 12, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – Tuesday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:7-10 and the Memorial of St Josaphat (1584-1623) Martyr

“So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.’ ”… Luke 17:10 luke 17 10 - we are unworthy servants - 12 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Thou, O my God, have a claim on me and I am wholly Thine! Thou are the Almighty Creator and I am Thou workmanship. I am the work of Thou Hands and Thou are my owner. As well might the axe or the hammer exalt itself against it’s framer, as I against Thee. Thou owe me nothing, I have no rights in respect to Thee, I have only duties. I depend on Thee for life and health and every blessing every moment. If Thou withdraw Thy breath from me for a moment, I die, I am wholly and entirely Thy property and Thy work and my one duty is to serve Thee. Amen” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Cardinal, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Apologist, Professor luke 17 10 we are unworthy servants - thou o lord have a claim on me - pg 195 heart to heart st john henry newman 12 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – O Lord our God, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love and to be only good influences to our neighbour. That by our love, our brothers in faith may be one . St Josaphat you fought and struggled to unite the Church and by your efforts achieved the crown of martyrdom, please pray for our world, for a one united faith. Amen st-jospahat-pray-for-us-ora-pro-nobis-12-nov-2018 and 2019.jpg

DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – From our Dominican Friends in Heaven

Posted on November 7, 2019November 7, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Memorial of All Dominican Saints

Just a few quotes from Dominican Saints

St Dominic (1170-1221)

“Anyone who receives this Sacrament,
with the devotion of sincere faith,
will never taste death.”

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

“Do not be attached, therefore,
to clothing and riches
because they divided My garments among themselves.
Nor to honours, for I experienced harsh words and scourgings.
Nor to greatness of rank,
for weaving a crown of thorns,
they placed it on My head.
Nor to anything delightful,
for in My thirst, they gave Me vinegar to drink.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

“Remember that you will derive strength
by reflecting that the saints,
yearn for you
to join their ranks,
desire to see you fight bravely,
and behave like a true knight
in your encounters
with the same adversities
which they had to conquer
and that breathtaking joy
is the eternal reward,
for having endured a few years,
of temporal pain.
Every drop of earthly bitterness,
will be changed into
an ocean of heavenly sweetness.”

Blessed Henry Suso OP (1290-1365)

“He will provide the way and the means,
such as you could never have imagined.
Leave it all to Him,
let go of yourself,
lose yourself on the Cross
and you will find yourself entirely.”

“Speak the truth in a million voices.
It is silence that kills!”

“What is it you want to change?
Your hair, your face, your body?
Why? For God is in love with all those things
and He might weep when they are gone!”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church

“Once humility is acquired,
charity will come to life,
like a burning flame,
devouring the corruption of vice
and filling the heart so full,
that there is no place for vanity.”…

St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)

“Apart from the Cross
there is no other ‘ladder’
by which we might get to heaven.”

St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY SOULS, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – St Guido Maria Conforti

Posted on November 5, 2019November 5, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – The Memorial of St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

“Work always with the same spirit of Christ.
Keep Jesus before your eyes.
He is the model of all called to glory.”

The First Circular Letter work always with the same spirit of christ - st guido maria conforti 5 nov 2019.jpg

“Don’t be discouraged,
the Lord measures,
not so much the results of your labour,
as the right intention
with which you work.”

“Persevere always with a simple spirit,
humility, mortification, good intention,
cleanliness of heart, fraternal charity
and you will constitute a formidable army,
for the Lord will be by your side.”

The Second Circular Letter persevere always - st guido maria conforti 5 nov 2019.jpg

“On the last day, we will not be asked
if we accomplished great deeds,
or been acclaimed by men,
rather we will be asked
if we followed His will,
in the state and condition,
to which we were called.”

The Eighth Circular Letter

St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

MARIAN QUOTES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 October – Speaking of: Pride vs Humility

Posted on October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 30 October – Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time, Year , Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

Speaking of: Pride vs Humility

“The proud person is like a grain of wheat
thrown into water – it swells, it gets big.
Expose that grain to the fire – it dries up, it burns.
The humble soul, is like a grain of wheat,
thrown into the earth –
it descends, it hides itself,
it disappears, it dies
but to revive
in heaven.”

St Mary of Jesus Crucified (1846-1878)

“I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple.
But God declared
“Go down again –
I dwell among the people.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“The humble man receives praise,
the way a clean window
takes the light of the sun.
The truer and more intense the light is,
the less you see of the glass.”

Thomas Merton OCSO (1915-1968)

“Strive to enter through the narrow door,
for many, I tell you, will attempt
to enter but will not be able…”…Luke 13:24.

“All, can enter eternal life but for everyone,
the door is narrow. They are not privileged.
The path to the eternal life is open to all
but it is narrow because it’s demanding,
asks for commitment, abnegation
and the mortification of selfishness.”

“To pass through the narrow gate, means
we must commit ourselves to being small,
that is humble of heart like Jesus,
like Mary, His and our mother.”

Pope Benedict XVI
Angelus, 26 August 2007

“Truly, I say to you,
unless you turn and become like children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:3

CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 October – ‘Jesus is the door.’

Posted on October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 October – Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time, Year , Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

“Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be able…”…Luke 13:24.

REFLECTION – “Jesus is the door. It is a narrow door but always wide open to everyone. It is narrow not because it is oppressive but so as to prohibit the entry of pride which bloats us. To go along this path, one must pass through a door. But where is the door? What is it like? Who is the door? Jesus himself is the door (cf. Jn 10,9). He himself says it, ‘I am the door’ in John’s Gospel. He leads us in communion with the Father, where we find love, understanding and protection. … the-whole-of-our-life-must-pass-through-the-narrow-door-pope-francis-25-june-2019-and 30 oct 2019.1.jpg

… The door of God’s mercy is narrow but always wide open, wide open for everyone! God has no favourites but always welcomes everyone, without distinction. A door, that is narrow to restrict our pride and our fear. Open because God welcomes us without distinction. And the salvation that He gives us is an unceasing flow of mercy…which breaks down every barrier and opens up surprising perspectives of light and peace. The narrow but always open door…” … Pope Francis 21 August 2016 luke 13 24 strive to enter through the narrow door - jesusd is the door - pope francis 30 oct 2019

PRAYER – Shed Your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled. Grant that the prayers of the Virgin Mary, merciful Mother, we ask help so that we seize the opportunities that the Lord gives us to cross the threshold of faith. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. blessed virgin merciful mother pray for us 30 oct 2019

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY

Thought for the Day – 27 October – ‘In the first place, be in the last…’

Posted on October 27, 2019October 27, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 27 October – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:9–14

Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916)

Always descend, always humble yourself.

Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara

Retreat, Holy Land, Lent 1898

“[Christ:] See [My] devotion to men and consider what your own should be. See that humility for man’s good and learn to humble yourself to do good… to make yourself small to win others, not to fear to go lower or lose your rights when it is a matter of doing good, not to believe that in descending you make yourself powerless to do good. To the contrary, by descending you imitate Me, by descending you make use of the same means, for the love of humankind, that I Myself employed, by descending you walk in My way and, therefore, in the truth and you are in the best place to lay hold of life and give it to others… By my incarnation I place Myself on a level with creatures, by My baptism …on that of sinners, descent, humility… Always descend, always humble yourself.

Let those who are first always stand in the last place, through humility and in disposition of spirit, with an attitude of descent and service. Love of men, humility, the last place, in the last place, so long as the divine will does not call you to another, since then you must obey. Obedience before all else, conformity to God’s will. In the first place, be spiritually in the last, through humility, occupy it in the spirit of service, telling yourself, that you are only there, to serve others and lead them to salvation.”

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on me a sinner!

DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – Not as a son but as a hired servant

Posted on October 27, 2019October 27, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:9–14

“For everyone who exalts himself
will be humbled
and he who humbles himself
will be exalted.”

Luke 14:11

‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

Luke 18:13

“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)

“The three most important virtues are:
humility,
humility
and humility.”

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

“For it is well known, that,
on the spiritual road, not to go on,
overcoming self,
is to go backwards
and not to increase our gain,
is to lose.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

“We are ever but beginning,
the most perfect Christian,
is to himself but a beginner,
a penitent prodigal
who has squandered God’s gifts
and comes to Him,
to be tried over again,
not as a son
but as a hired servant.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

Posted on October 27, 2019October 26, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:9–14

‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ … Luke 18:13

REFLECTION – “The Gospel of the two men praying in the temple, the Pharisee and the tax collector, reveals to what kind of prayer penetrates to God.
We notice a difference even in their respective postures. The one stands “with unbowed head” as if the temple belongs to him, while the other “keeps his distance,” as if he has crossed the threshold of a house in which he really does not belong.
The first one prays “to himself,” really, not even praying to God but reviewing for himself the list of his virtues assuming that, when God Himself notices them, He will respect them and marvel at them. Moreover, this man catalogues his virtues as a means of setting himself off from “other men,” none of whom have attained his level of perfection. He is travelling the road of “self-discovery,” which is precisely the path of “loss of God.” The other man can only discover sin in himself, can only find himself devoid of God, which, as he pleads, “be merciful to me,” turns into an empty place for God to occupy. No-one, whose ultimate goal is his own perfection, will ever find God.
Anyone who has the humility to permit God’s perfection to take effect in his emptiness – not by being passive but by working with the talent He gives him – will be considered a “justified” person in the sight of God.” … Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

PRAYER – Lord God, deepen our faith, strengthen our hope, enkindle our love and so that we may obtain what You promise, make us love what You command. Mary, holy Mother, teach us complete humility and trust, help us to be a total fiat as you are. We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen. blessed virgin mother mary pray for us - 27 oct 2019.jpg

ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – ‘There are two means – prayer and detachment from self.’

Posted on October 22, 2019October 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel Luke 12:35–38 and the Memorial of St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes ... Luke 12:37

REFLECTION – “What are we to do if we are to overcome our weakness of soul? There are two means – prayer and detachment from self. Our Lord Jesus counsels us to watch. We must be on the watch if we want our heart to be pure but our watching must be peaceful if our heart is to be touched. Because it can be moved by good things or bad, within or without. Thus we need to watch carefully.
As a general rule God’s inspiration is an unobtrusive grace, we mustn’t turn it away… if our heart’s aren’t awake, grace turns back. Divine inspiration is very exact, just as a writer guides his pen, so the grace of God, guides the soul. So let us try hard to attain greater interior recollection.
Our Lord wants us to desire to love Him. The watchful soul notices when it falls and realises that, of itself, it cannot reach it’s destination. That is why it experiences the need for prayer. Our petition is founded on the conviction that we can do nothing of ourselves but God can do all. Prayer is needed to obtain light and strength.” … Saint Maximilian Kolbe OFM (1894-1941) Martyr – Conference of 13/2/1941 luke-12-37-blessed-are-those-servants-st max kolbe - what are we to do to overcome - 22 oct 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, strengthen in our hearts the faith You have given us, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled within us. May Your Light shine through our lives and be constantly lit to lead us ready for the day the Lord Jesus calls. St John Paul, by your prayers, may our way be made holy. Through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st john paul II pray for us 18 may 2019 his birthday 99 years old

FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection- 16 October – “Woe to you Pharisees!”

Posted on October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection- 16 October – Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 and the Memorial of St Marie Marguerite d’Youville (1701-1771)

“Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places.”…Luke 11:43

REFLECTION – “Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ. So pray, that I may never fall into the trap, of impressing people, with clever speech but instead, I may learn, to speak with humility, desiring only to impress people with Christ Himself.”…St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Father of the Church, Martyr christianity is not a matter of persuading people - st ignatius of antioch - 16 oct 2019

PRAYER – Lord Jesus Christ, You wondrously revealed all of the deep treasures of Your Heart to Your saints. May their merits and example win us the grace to love You above all things and in all things so that we may make our abode in Your own Sacred Hea rt. With You, for You and in You, may we assist and love our neigh bour. Hear the prayers of St Marguerite d’Youville on our behalf dear Lord, we beg. Through Christ our Lord, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God who live and reign forever, amen. st marguerite dyouville pray for us 16 oct 2019

NOVENAS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRIDE

Journeying with Newman – The Thanksgiving Novena, Day One

Posted on October 4, 2019October 4, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Journeying with Newman
The Thanksgiving Novena for, with and to
the beloved and blessed John Henry Newman

Day One – 4 October

Example of Humility

Intention
That we find opportunity to alleviate the sufferings of those who are homeless and marginalised.

“I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple.
But God declared
“Go down again –
I dwell among the people.”

From John Henry’s writings

Prayer
Please pray one decade of the Rosary (any you choose) for this Intention and add the following Prayer:

O God our heavenly Father,
we offer You heartfelt thanks
for the life and holiness of John Henry Newman.
In him You give us,
an inspiring example of priest and teacher,
heroic and humble, in his labour
for the salvation of souls
and the pursuit of holiness.
Through his intercession,
we ask You to lead us,
by the kindly light of the Holy Spirit
and so grant us peace and joy,
in the one fold of the Redeemer.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Ora pro nobis! day one newman novena - 4 oct 2019

franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 4 October – St Francis to All the Faithful

Posted on October 4, 2019October 4, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi OFM (1181/2–1226)

We must be Simple, Humble and Pure

Saint Francis of Assisi
Religious

An excerpt from his Letter Written to All the Faithful

It was through His archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above, made known to the holy and glorious Virgin Mary, that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb, the real flesh of our human frailty. Though He was wealthy beyond reckoning, He still willingly chose to be poor, with His blessed mother. And shortly before His passion, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples. Then He prayed to His Father saying – Father, if it be possible, let this cup be taken from me.

Nevertheless, He reposed His will in the will of His Father. The Father willed that His blessed and glorious Son, whom He gave to us and who was born for us, should, through His own blood, offer Himself as a sacrificial victim on the altar of the cross. This was to be done not for Himself, through whom all things were made but for our sins. It was intended to leave us an example of how to follow in His footsteps. And He desires all of us to be saved through Him and to receive Him with pure heart and chaste body.

O how happy and blessed are those who love the Lord and do as the Lord Himself said, in the gospel – You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and your whole soul and your neighbour as yourself. Therefore, let us love God and adore Him with pure heart and mind. This is His particular desire when He says – True worshippers adore the Father in spirit and truth. For all who adore Him must do so in the spirit of truth. Let us also direct to Him our praises and prayers saying – Our Father, who art in heaven, since we must always pray and never grow slack.

Furthermore, let us produce worthy fruits of penance. Let us also love our neighbours as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world but they carry with them, the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these, they will receive from the Lord, the reward and recompense they deserve. We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Ra st-francis-pray for us - 4-oct-2018.jpg ther we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God’s sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father’s children who do His work. They are the spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

St Francis of Assisi, Pray for Us!

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – ‘In what way does the Physician of souls amputate pride’s passion?’

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – Monday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:46–50 and The Memorial of St Gregory the Illuminator (c 257 – c 331)

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me and whoever receives me, receives him who sent me, for he who is least among you all, is the one who is great.” … Luke 9:48

REFLECTION – “The passion and lust of pride attacked some of the holy apostles. The mere argument about who of them was the greatest is the mark of an ambitious person, eager to stand at the head of the rest. Christ, who did not sleep, knows how to deliver. He saw this thought in the disciple’s mind, springing up, in the words of Scripture, like some bitter plant. He saw the weeds, the work of the wicked sower. Before it grew up tall, struck its root down deep, grew strong and took possession of the heart, He tears up the evil by the very root. In what way does the Physician of souls amputate pride’s passion? How does He deliver the beloved disciple from being the prey of the enemy and from a thing hateful to God and man? “He took a child,” it says, “and set it by him.” He made the event a means of benefiting both the holy apostles themselves and us their successors. This illness, as a rule, preys upon all those who are in any respect superior to other people.

What kind of type and representation did He make the child He had taken? He made the child a representation of an innocent and humble life. The mind of a child is empty of fraud and his heart is sincere. His thoughts are simple. He does not covet rank and does not know what is meant by one man being higher than another is. Christ brought forward the child as a pattern of simplicity and innocence and set him by Him. He showed him as in an object lesson, that He accepts and loves those who are like the child. He thinks they are worthy of standing at His side, as being like-minded with Him and anxious to walk in His steps.” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Luke, Homily 54 luke 9 48 whoever receivs this child - what type of representation did he make of the child st cyril of alex 30 sept 2019

PRAYER – Dear and Holy God, let us offer You all our daily struggles against sin and evil. Grant us the strength to resist all forms of idolatry, to seek only You and never to allow the honour of this world to seduce us. Sustain us ever more with Your word and help us to find in it, the source of life. May the Prayers of St Gregory the Illuminator, help us on the path of holiness. We ask this through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. st gregory the illuminator pray for us 30 sept 2019

ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, SAINT of the DAY, The SEVEN LAST WORDS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – “God looks at what is within, it is there He assesses, there He examines.”

Posted on September 29, 2019September 28, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 and The Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. … Luke 16:22-23 luke 16 22-23 the poor man died - 29 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Was that poor man welcomed by the angels solely on account of his poverty? And the rich man, was he delivered up to torment by fault of his wealth alone? No. Let us clearly understand that it was humility that was honoured in the poor man and pride condemned in the rich.

This is the proof, briefly, that it was not his wealth but his pride for which the rich man deserved his punishment. So then, the poor man was carried into the bosom of Abraham, yet Scripture says of Abraham that he had much gold and silver and was rich on earth (Gn 13:2). If every rich man is sent into torment, how is it that Abraham could precede the poor man so as to welcome him into his bosom? It was because, in the midst of his wealth, Abraham was poor, humble, respectful and obedient to all God’s commands. He held his riches in so little esteem that, when God asked it of him, he consented to offer in sacrifice the son for whom these riches were destined (Gn 22:4).

Learn to be poor and needy, then, whether you possess something in this world or whether you don’t possess anything. Because we find beggars full of pride and rich people who confess their sins. “God resists the proud” whether they are covered with silk or with rags but “he gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6) whether or not, they have possessions in this world. God looks at what is within, it is there He assesses, there He examines.” … Saint Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Discourses on the psalms, Ps 85 [86]; CCL 39, 1178 god resists the proud - god looks at what is within - st augustine - 29 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Dear and Holy God, let us offer You all our daily struggles against sin and evil. Grant us the strength to resist all forms of idolatry, to seek only You and never to allow the material goods of this world to seduce us . Sustain us ever more with Your word and help us to find in it, the source of life. Grant that the angels who always minister to You in heaven may defend us during our life on earth and protect us from evil. Grant this, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

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Extract from Blessed Esperanza’s Spiritual Testament

Blessed Esperanza de Jesus, Pray for Us!

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