Category: LOVE of NEIGHBOUR

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Our Morning Offering – 16 April – Guide Me Lord By St Albert the Great

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Our Morning Offering – 16 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament”

Guide Me Lord
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

O Lord Jesus Christ,
Who seeks those who stray
and receives them when returning,
make me approach Thee
through the frequent hearing of Thy Word,
lest I sin against my neighbour,
by the blindness of human judgement,
through the austerity of false justice,
through comparing his inferior status,
through too much trust in my merits
or through ignorance of the Divine Judgement.
Guide me to search diligently,
each corner of my conscience,
lest the flesh dominate the spirit!
Amen

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 9 April– Of the Temptation to Form Rash Judgements of Our Neighbour (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 9 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XLIII: … Of the Temptation to Form
Rash Judgements of Our Neighbour (Part Two)

“And know that, whenever you are so unhappy as to think any evil of your brother, then there is some root of the same evil in your own heart which, in proportion as it is ill-disposed itself, gives a ready welcome to anything like itself!

Whenever, therefore, it comes into your mind to judge another for some fault, despise your own self as guilty of the same and say, in your heart,:

“How can a wretch like me, laden with this
and far worse faults, dare to lift up my head
to see and judge the faults of others!”

And thus, will the weapon which, directed against another, would have wounded you, being turned against yourself, bring healing to your wounds.

If the error committed be clear and manifest, find some compassionate excuse for it and believe that in your brother are some hidden virtues, for the sake of which the Lord has suffered him to fall, or to be, for some time, subject to this failing that he may become vile in his own sight and that, being also despised by others on this account, he may reap the fruit of humiliation and render himself more acceptable to God and so, his gain may become greater than his loss.

But if the sin be not only manifest but grievous and wilfully obstinate, turn your thoughts upon God’s awful judgements.
Then you will see men who were once great sinners attaining high degrees of sanctity and others, who seemed to have reached the sublimest heights of perfection, falling into the lowest depths of perdition!

Therefore, fear and tremble for yourself, far more than for any other.
And, be assured that every good and kindly feeling towards your neighbour is the gift of the Holy Ghost and that, all rash judgement, all contempt and bitterness towards him, flow from our own evil hearts and the suggestions of Satan.
If, then, any imperfection of another has made an impression on your mind, rest not, nor give slumber to your eyes, until, to the utmost of your power, you have effaced it from your heart!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/08/thought-for-the-day-8-april-of-the-temptation-to-form-rash-judgements-of-our-neighbour-part-one/

:

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 8 April– Of the Temptation to Form Rash Judgements of Our Neighbour (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 8 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XLIII: … Of the Temptation to Form
Rash Judgements of Our Neighbour (Part One)

“From the same vice of self-esteem and self-conceit arises another most injurious to us, i.e. rash judgement of our neighbour, leading us to despise and disparage him.
And this fault which arises from our pride and evil inclination, is by that same pride, voluntarily nourished and increased! for, as it increases, so does pride also increase, insensibly flattering and deluding us.

For the more we presume to exalt ourselves, the more do we unconsciously depress others; while we imagine ourselves free from those imperfections which we think we perceive in them!

And the cunning tempter, who discovers this most evil disposition in us, is continually on the watch to open our eyes and keep them awake to see, investigate and exaggerate, the defects of other men.
Careless souls know not and believe not, how diligently he studies and contrives to impress upon our minds the little failings of this or that person, when he cannot discover and use our greater faults.
Therefore, as he is watching to do you harm, be you also awake, lest you fall into his snare.
And when he brings before you any defect of your neighbour, banish the thought at once and, if you still feel a temptation to pass judgement upon it, resist the impulse.

Consider that the Office of Judge has not been committed to you and that even if it were, beset as you are by a thousand passions and but too prone to think evil without just cause, you would be unable to form a righteous judgement

And, as an effective remedy against rash judgements, I would remind you to occupy your thoughts with your own defects; so will you perceive, more and more plainly every hour, how much you have to do in yourself and for yourself and you will find neither time nor inclination, to attend to the doings of others.
Besides, by faithfully performing this exercise, you will be enabled, more and more, to purge your inward sight from the malignant humours whence this pestilent vice proceeds.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419) Confessor, called “The Angel of the Apocalypse” and of “The Last Judgement” and the “Mouthpiece of God.”

“If you truly wish to help
the soul of your neighbour,
you should firstly approach God
with all your heart.
Ask Him simply,
to fill you with charity,
the greatest of all virtues.”

“When troubled by temptations,
raise up your heart and soul to God,
humbly beseeching Him
to turn them to His greater glory
and to your salvation,
supporting the temptations
as long as it shall please Him
and imploring Him, to grant you grace,
never to offend Him.”

“Regard yourself as more vile
and miserable in the sight of God
because of your faults,
than any sinner whatever,
no matter what his sins. . .
and consider closely that any grace,
or inclination to good or desire of virtue,
you may have, is not of yourself
but of the sole mercy of Christ.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-april-st-vincent-ferrer-2/

St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MAUNDY THURSDAY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 28 March – Maundy Thursday – Your Attitude Must Be That of Christ

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 28 March – Maundy Thursday – 1 Corinthians 11:20-32, John 13:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Carry one another’s burdens.”
Gal 6:2

“He loved them unto the end.”
John 13:1

MAUNDY THURSDAY
Your Attitude Must Be That of Christ

Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157)
Cistercian Abbot

“He was in the form of God,” equal to God by nature, since He shared in God’s power, God’s eternity and God’s very being … He did the job of a servant “by humbling Himself, obeying His Father even to death, death on a Cross.” (cf Phil 2:5-8). One might consider it to be trivial that, as God’s Son and His equal, He served His Father as a servant. More than that, He served His own servant more than any other servant. For the human being had been created to serve His Creator. What could be more just for you, than to serve him who made you, without Whom you would not be? And what could be more blest, than to serve Him, since to serve Him is to reign? But the human being said to His Creator: “I will not serve.” (Jer 2:20)

Then the Creator said to the human being: “So I will serve you! Go sit down at the table; I will serve. I will wash your feet. Rest. I will take your pains upon myself; I will carry your weakness… If you grow tired or are burdened, I will carry you, you and your burden, so as to be the first to fulfil my law: ‘Carry one another’s burdens’ (Gal 6:2)… If you are hungry or thirsty… here I Am, ready to be sacrificed, so that you might eat My Flesh and drink My Blood… If you are taken into captivity or, if you are sold, here I Am… Redeem yourself by paying the ransom you will get from Me. I give Myself as ransom… If you are sick, if you fear death, I will die in your place, so that from My Blood you may make for yourself, a life-giving remedy!…”

O my Lord, what a price Thou paid to ransom my useless service! … What a way Thou has, full of love, of gentleness and of kindness, to win back and submit this rebellious servant, by triumphing over evil through good, by confounding my pride with Thy humility, by filling this ungrateful person, with Thy kindness! This! This is howThy Wisdom triumphed!” – (1st Sermon for Palm Sunday),

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 21 March – Seek for Nothing!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 21 March – Thursday of Passion Week – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He asked life of Thee,
Thou hast given him
length of days,
forever and ever.”
Psalm 20:5

“And everyone who has left house,
or brethren, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands
for My Name’s sake,
shall receive a hundredfold
and shall possess life everlasting.”
Matthew 19:29

Seek for Nothing!

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

“Seek for nothing, desiring to enter for love of Jesus, with detachment, emptiness and poverty in everything in this world.
You will never have to do with necessities greater than those to which you made your heart yield itself – for the poor in spirit are most happy and joyful in a state of privation and he, who has set his heart on nothing, finds satisfaction everywhere.

The poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) give generously all they have and their pleasure consists in being thus deprived of everything for God’s sake and out of love for their neighbour …
Not only do temporal goods – the delights and tastes of the senses – hinder and thwart the way of God but, spiritual delights and consolations also, if sought for or clung to eagerly, disturb the way of virtue.” – (Spiritual maxims, nos. 352, 355,356, 364; 1693 Edition).

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 17 March –Instructions for Mortifying Passions,to Attain the Necessary Virtues (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 17 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXIII: … Instructions for Mortifying Passions,
to Attain the Necessary Virtues (Part One)

“Although I have said so much on the course to be pursued in order to conquer self and adorn it with all virtues, there still remain, some other points concerning which, I would give you some advice.

+++ 1. In your endeavours after holiness, never, be persuaded to use such spiritual exercises as select formally, different virtues, for different days of the week, setting apart one for the attainment of each.
But, let the order of your warfare and your exercise, be to combat those passions which have always injured and still continue to assault and injure you and, to adorn yourself and that, with all possible perfection, with their contrary virtues.
For having once acquired these virtues, all others will be readily attained, as occasion offers, with little comparative exertion.
And occasions will never be wanting, for all the virtues are linked together in one chain and he who possesses one in perfection, has all the others ready on the threshold of his heart.

+++ 2. Never set a fixed time, such as days, or weeks, or years, for the attainment of any virtue but, as an infant newly born, a soldier just enlisted, fight your way continually towards the summit of perfection.
Never stand still, even for a moment – for to stand still in the way of virtue and perfection, is not to regain breath or courage but, to fall back, or to grow feebler
than before.
By standing still, I mean flattering ourselves that we have perfectly acquired the virtue in question and so, taking less heed of the occasions which call us to fresh acts of it, or of little failures therein.
Therefore, be careful, be fervent, be watchful – that you neglect not the slightest opportunity of exercising any virtue.
Love all such occasions and especially those which are attended with the greatest difficulty because, habits are quickest formed and deepest rooted, when the difficulties to be overcome, are greatest!
Love those occasions, therefore which present such difficulties.
Fly from those only and, with rapid step, with all diligence and speed which might lead to the temptation of the flesh.

+++ 3. Be prudent and discreet in those exercises which may prove injurious to bodily health, such as – self-chastisement by means of disciplines, hair-cloths, fasts, vigils, meditations and the like – for these virtues must be acquired slowly and by degrees, as will be hereafter explained.
As to other virtues which are wholly internal, such as – the love of God, contempt of the world, self-abasement, hatred of vicious passions and of sin, meekness and patience, love towards all men, towards those who injure us and the like, – it is not necessary to acquire these gradually, nor to mount by degrees to perfection therein but, you should strive, at once, with all your might, to practice each without delay and with all possible perfection!

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 8 March – The Lord Asks of Us Only Two Things

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 8 March – Friday in the Second Week of Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
he shall delight exceedingly
in His commandments. …”
Psalm 111:3

“‘You shall love the Lord your God
with your whole heart
and with your whole soul
and your whole mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it,
‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:37-39

The Lord Asks of Us Only Two Things

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

“The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.

The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything. I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places Ch 3).

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One Minute Reflection – 8 March – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” – Matthew 22:34-46

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One Minute Reflection – 8 March – Friday in the Second Week of Lent – The Memorial of St John of God OH (1495-1550) Confessor, Founder of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?

Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the com­mandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way, You offer a very ample reward, as James the Apostle says: “The Lord has prepared the crown of life for those who love him” (Jas 1:12) …And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).

That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it or for God Who commands it – the other commandments of God also make perfect him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious; in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation; this is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).

PRAYER – O God, Who caused blessed John, when burning with love for Thee, to walk unharmed through the midst of flames and through him, enriched Thy Church with a new religious family; grant by the help of his merits, our sins may be burned away by the fire of Thy love and eternal remedies may come to 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The KINGDOM of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 February – ‘ …We ourselves are only hypocrites , if we …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 February – Thursday in the Second Week of Lent – Jeremias 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“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

“… So then, you rich who have wisdom,
apply yourselves to this business…
Why let yourselves be transfixed
by diamonds and emeralds,
by houses that fire devours,
time destroys,
or earthquakes throw down?
Aspire for nothing other
than to dwell in the heavens
and reign with God.
A mere man,
a beggar will gain you this Kingdom!”

St Clement of Alexandria (150- 215)
Father of the Church

“All of our religion is but a false religion
and all our virtues are mere illusions
and we ourselves are only hypocrites
in the sight of God,
if we have not that universal charity for everyone,
for the good and for the bad,
for the poor people, as well as for the rich,
for all those who do us harm,
as much as for those, who do us good.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 February – I Am meek and humble of heart …

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 February – Ember Saturday – Feast of St Matthias, Apostle – 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

“I shall reflect the image of God
in that I feed on love;
grow certain on faith and hope;
strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience;
grow tranquil by humility;
grow beautiful by chastity;
am sober by abstention;
am made happy by tranquillity
and am ready for death,
by practising hospitality.”

ACW – Ancient Christian Writer
Incomplete Work on Matthew
(Homily 40)

“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 and Doctor of Grace

“True humility consists in persuading
and convincing oneself
that without God, we are insignificant
and despicable
and, in accepting to be treated as such!”

St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

Posted in CARMELITES, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the POOR, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and Saints –16 February – Love for One’s Enemy – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and Saints – 16 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday – The Feast of the Sacred Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Isa 58:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48; 6:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This, rather, is the fasting I wish:
releasing those unjustly bound,
untying the thongs of the yoke,
setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke,
sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
clothing the naked when you see them
and not turning your back on your own. …
Then you will call and the Lord will answer,
you will cry for help and He will say:
‘Here I am!’ For I, the Lord your God, am merciful.”
Isaias 58:6-7 and 9

“But I say to you, Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you
and pray for those who persecute
and calumniate you …”
Matthew 5:44

Love for One’s Enemy

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face (1873-1897)
Carmelite

“There is a Sister in the Community, who has the faculty of displeasing me in everything – in her ways, her words, her character, everything seems very disagreeable to me.
And still, she is a holy religious who must be very pleasing to God.
Not wishing to give into the natural antipathy I was experiencing, I told myself that charity must not consist in feelings but in works – then, I set myself to doing, for this Sister, that which I would do for the person I loved the most.
Each time I met her, I prayed to God for her, offering Him all her virtues and merits.
I felt this was pleasing to Jesus, for there is no artist who does not love to receive praise for his works and Jesus, the Artist of souls, is happy when we do not stop at the exterior but, penetrating into the inner sanctuary where He chooses to dwell, we admire its beauty.

I was not content simply, with praying very much for this Sister who gave me so many struggles but, I took care to render her all the services possible and, when I was tempted to answer her in a disagreeable manner, I was content with giving her my most friendly smile and with changing the subject of the conversation.
… Frequently, when … I had occasion to work with this Sister, I used to run away like a deserter, whenever my struggles became too violent.
As she was absolutely unaware of my feelings for her, never did she suspect the motives for my conduct and she remained convinced that her character was very pleasing to me.
One day at recreation, she asked in almost these words: “Would you tell me, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, what attracts you so much toward me; for everytime you look at me, I see you smile?”
Ah! what attracted me was Jesus hidden in the depths of her soul; Jesus Who makes sweet what is most bitter!” (Autobiographical Manuscript C 13).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FRANCISCAN OFM, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 February – But I say to you, Love your enemies …

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One Minute Reflection – 16 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday – The Feast of the Sacred Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Isa 58:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48; 6:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But I say to you, Love your enemies …” Matthew 5:44

REFLECTION – “Let us pay attention, all my brothers, to what the Lord says: “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you,” for our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose footprints we must follow (cf 1 Pt 2:21), called His betrayer “friend” (Mt 26:50) and gave Himself willingly to those who crucified Him. Our friends, then, are all those who, unjustly afflict upon us, trials and ordeals, shame and inju­ries, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death! We must love them greatly for we will possess eternal life because of what they bring upon us.” – St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226) Founder of the Friars Minor (Earlier Rule, #22).

PRAYER – May Thy kindly favour, we beseech Thee, O Lord, accompany the fast we have begun that we, maybe able to practice, with a pure mind and heart, that which we perform bodily. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 February – Of the Way to Resist Sudden Impulses of the Passions

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Thought for the Day – 11 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XVIII: … Of the Way to Resist
Sudden Impulses of the Passions

“Until we have become habituated to ward off sudden strikes, whether of insult or other adverse circumstances, it is well, in order to acquire such a habit, to anticipate them and desire to suffer them, over and over again and so, to await them with a mind prepared.

The way to anticipate them is, to consider the passion to which you are most inclined and also, the places wherein and the persons with whom, you are wont to converse; whence you may readily conjecture what is likely to befall you.
And should you meet with any other untoward circumstance which you have not foreseen, although you will find your soul strengthened by having been prepared to meet the other evils which you did foresee, yet may you also avail yourself of the following additional help.

At the very first touch of the insult or ‘trial,’ whatever it be, rouse yourself at once and lift up your heart to God, reflecting on His ineffable goodness and love, which sends you this affliction that, by enduring it for the love of Him, you may thereby be more purified and brought nearer and united unto Him.
And, knowing, how greatly He is pleased that you should suffer it, turn next to yourself and with a sharp rebuke, say, “O, why will you refuse to bear this cross which is sent to you, not by man but by your Father Who is in Heaven!”
Then turn to the cross and embrace it with all possible patience and joy, saying, “O cross, formed by Divine Providence before I was born; O cross, endeared to me by the dear love of my Crucified Lord, nail me now to youself that so I may give myself to Him, Who died on you for my redemption!”

And if, at first the passion should prevail against you and you should be wounded and unable to raise your heart to God, strive even then, to do, as at the beginning and fight as if still unwounded.

The most effectual remedy, however, against these sudden impulses, is to remove the cause from whence they proceed.
Thus, if you discover that, through your affection for any object, you
are thrown into a sudden agitation of mind, as often as it is presented to you, the remedy is, by persevering efforts, to withdraw your affection from it.

But, if the agitation proceeds from a person, who is so disagreeable to you that every little action of his annoys and irritates you, the remedy here, is to force yourself to love and cherish him, not only as a creature formed by the same Sovereign Hand, with yourself and created anew by the same Divine Blood but also becaus. he offers you an opportunity, if you will accept it, of becoming like your Lord, Who is kind and loving unto all men!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 February – Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13, 14

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One Minute Reflection – 9 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church – – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.
… You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:13, 14

REFLECTION – “You are the salt of the earth. It is not for your own sake, He says but for the world’s sake that the word is entrusted to you. I am not sending you into two cities only or ten or twenty, not to a single nation, as I sent the prophets of old but across land and sea, to the whole world. And that world is in a miserable state. For when He says: You are the salt of the earth, He is indicating, that all mankind had lost its savour and had been corrupted by sin. Therefore, He requires of these men, those virtues which are especially useful and even necessary, if they are to bear the burdens of many. For the man who is kindly, modest, merciful and just will not keep his good works to himself but will see to it, that these admirable fountains send out their streams, for the good of others. Again, the man who is clean of heart, a peacemaker and ardent for truth, will order his life so as to contribute to the common good. …

Then He passes onto a more exalted comparison – You are the light of the world. Once again, “of the world,” not of one nation or twenty cities but of the whole world. The light He means, is an intelligible light, far superior to the rays of the sun we see, just as the salt is a spiritual salt. First salt, then light, so that you may learn how profitable sharp words may be and how useful, serious doctrine. Such teaching holds in check and prevents, dissipation, it leads to virtue and sharpens the mind’s eye. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket. Here again, He is urging them to a careful manner of life and teaching them, to be watchful, for they live under the eyes of all and have the whole world for the arena of their struggles.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Homily on Matthew).

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over our hearts and bodies this day. Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to the commandments of Your law, so that now and forever, Your grace may free and save us. Teach us Lord to walk in the ways of the Cross of Your Son, our Saviour, longing for and rejoicing always in our heavenly home as St Cyril of Alexandria so lovingly and willingly inspires us to do. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen. (Collect)

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘… Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Candlemas – Malachias 3:1-4; Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My eyes have seen Thy salvation …” – Luke 2:30

REFLECTION – “Come then, my brethren, give an eye to that candle burning in Simeon’s hands. Light your candles too by borrowing from that Light; for these candles I speak of are the lamps which the Lord orders us to have in our hands (Mt 25:1; Lk 12:35). Come to Him and be enlightened (Ps 33:6), so as to be not merely carrying lamps but to be very lamps yourselves, shining inside and out, for yourselves and for your neighbours.

Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. The lamp in your heart will shine for you; the lamp in your hand or on your lips, will shine out for your neighbours. The lamp in the heart is loving faith; the lamp in the hand is the example of good works; the lamp on the lips is edifying speech. But not just before men, must we shine by works and word but before Angels too, by prayer and before God Himself by pure Intention. Our lamp before the Angels is the purity of our devotion, when, in the sight of Angels, we chant the Psalms with care, or pray with burning ardour; our lamp before God is the honesty of our intention to please Him only, Whose approval we have won…

There are so many lamps then, my brethren, to lighten your way, if only you will come to the Source of all Light and be enlightened. Come, I say, to Jesus, Who shines out to us from Simeon’s arms. He will give Light to your faith, lustre to your works, meaning to your words for men, ardour to your prayer, purity to your intentions … And when this life’s lamp is extinguished, there will arise a life’s Light which can never be extinguished, a shimmering noonday Light, arising, as it were, at the evening of your life!” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (1st Sermon for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. 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). Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 5 January – Saint Syncletica (c320-c400)

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 January – The Memorial of Saint Syncletica (c320-c400) Virgin, Anchorite, Mystic, Spiritual Guide, Abbess in the Sketic Desert?

“We hold to the Cross
as our sail
and so we can
set a safe course.”

Some sisters asked St Syncletica:
‘What do we have to do to be saved?‘
She heaved a sigh, wept bitterly and then said:

“We all know what we must do to be saved
but because of our negligence,
we can lose our salvation.
Above all and more and more,
we should do everything we can
to keep the commandment of the Lord –
‘You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind
and your neighbour as yourself’
(Mt 22:37).
So salvation lies in this double love.”

“Just as it is impossible for the grass
to grow on the sand,
so it is impossible for one who seeks pleasure
and superficial conversation,
to produce the heavenly fruit.
For the Lord says:
No-one can serve two masters (Mt 6:24).”

“The more progress the competitors make,
the stronger the opponents they fight against …”

(Compiled by Abbot em. Dr Emmeram Kränkl OSB
Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn – for the Katholische SonntagsZeitung).

Saint Syncletica (c320-c400)

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 27 December – St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

“Both in his Gospel and in his letters, St John continually emphasises the virtue of charity.
He stresses the need for love of God and love of our neighbour, “God is love,” he says, “and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
According to St Jerome, when the Apostle John was almost a hundred years old and lacked the strength to speak for very long, he was accustomed to go, supported by his disciples, to gatherings of the faithful.
There he prepared, on every occasion, the same exhortation: “My children, love one another.”
His followers grew tired of this and finally asked him why he kept repeating the same phrase.
“Because that is God’s command,” he replied, “and if we do no more than obey it, that is sufficient!”

Let us meditate on his words and let us remember, that our love for God is futile, unless it is accompanied by a practical love for our neighbour.
The love of God cannot be separated, from the love of our fellow-men.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/27/thought-for-the-day-26-december-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/27/thought-for-the-day-26-december-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist-2/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 20 December – The Swaddling Clothes of the Divine Infant

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

Christmas Novena V
The Swaddling Clothes
of the Divine Infant

“The swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus are finally, symbols of the bonds of love which should unite us to our neighbour.
Let us always remember that we shall never love God sincerely, as long as we do not love our neighbour.
“This is My commandment” Jesus said, “that you love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12).
This means that we must love our neighbour, not only in word but, in deed.
We must make sacrifices on his behalf and must even be prepared to die for him!

In practice, how do we love our fellowman?
Are we prepared to spend time, money and energy, in order to alleviate the material and spiritual afflictions which beset so many of our brothers?
If we refuse to do so, our piety is hard and false and, is an insult to Almighty God!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/20/thought-for-the-day-20-december-the-swaddling-clothes-of-the-divine-infant-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/20/thought-for-the-day-20-december-the-swaddling-clothes-of-the-divine-infant-3/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 December – This is My commandment that you love one another …

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One Minute Reflection – 20 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of St Thomas, Apostle – Ember Wednesday, Third Week of Advent – Sirach 44:25-27, 45:2-4, 45:6-9; John 15:12-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13

REFLECTION – “We cannot truly love God without loving our neighbour, nor can we truly love our neighbour without loving God. This is why … the Holy Ghost was given a second time to the disciples. First He was given by the Lord while He was still dwelling on earth and later, while He was watching over us in Heaven (Jn 20:22; Acts 2). He was given to us on earth, that we may love our neighbours; from Heaven, that we may love God. Why first on earth and later from Heaven – except for the reason given us openly by John: “How can anyone, who does not love his brother, whom he sees love God Whom he does not see?”

So let us love our neighbours, my friends, let us love the one who is near us, so that we may be able to attain the love of the One, Who is above us! Let our hearts reflect on what our neighbours hold up to God, so that we may be found completely worthy, to rejoice in God with them. Then shall we reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which, we have received an assurance from the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal, where we shall be happy without end, with all our love. There is the holy community of heavenly citizens, there is the sure and solemn observance, there untroubled rest, there the true peace which is no longer dependent on us but given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 14:27).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Excerpt Sermons on the Gospel No 30).

PRAYER – Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee and delay not and with Thy great might, come to our aid, so that what is hindered by our sins, maybe hastened by Thy merciful goodness. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect)

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 17 December – Preparation for the Nativity

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

A Christmas Novena II
Preparation for the Nativity

“Our preparation, finally, should also embrace the will.
In other words, we should make good resolutions during our Christmas Novena.
We should resolve to be more fervent in prayer, to be more mortified and, to make greater efforts to practise virtue.

Everyday and, if possible, every hour, let us think of and invoke the Divine Child.
Let us ask Him to help us to model our lives on His, so that they may be full of humility, of love for God and for our fellowmen, of perfect resignation to suffering and of voluntary mortification and penance, designed to prove our love for Jesus and to expiate our sins.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/17/thought-for-the-day-17-december-a-christmas-novena-ii-preparation-for-the-nativity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/17/thought-for-the-day-17-december-preparation-for-the-nativity/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE

Thought for the Day – 3 December – The Salvation of Souls

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Thought for the Day – 3 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Salvation of Souls

“Remember the countless conversions effected by the Saints as a result of their prayers, mortifications and heroic sacrifices.
No-one can call himself a Christian who does not love, in a practical manner, his fellowmen, especially unfortunate heretics and sinners.

Make up your mind, to offer your prayers and sacrifices for their conversion.
Include them in your daily offering, daily Mass and daily Rosary too.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/07/thought-for-the-day-7-july-the-salvation-of-souls/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/07/thought-for-the-day-7-july-the-salvation-of-souls-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 30 November – The Blessedness of the Meek

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

The Blessedness of the Meek

“St John Climacus notes that there are three levels of meekness (Dcala Paradist pp 296-298).
The first grade, he says, consists in enduring with difficulty, the injuries done to us.
The second, consists in enduring them without displeasure and the third, in regarding them as an honour.

Those who reach the first level are to be congratulated, those who reach the second are to be applauded but, those in the third and highest category, are really blessed by God.

“One day,” he says, “I saw three Monks receiving the same insult.
The first was offended but said nothing, the second was not displeased on his own account but regretted the offence against Almighty God and the third wept for the fault of his neighbour.”
The first Monk, the Saint comments, feared God, the second loved God and the third loved both God and his fellow-man.

At What stage of perfection in this virtue can we claim to have arrived?
If we desire to be sincere Christians, we must realise that we ought to have achieved, at least the first level and should hope to advance eventaully, as far as the third and most perfect grade.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/22/thought-for-the-day-22-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE

Thought for the Day – 24 November – The Blessedness of Those who Hunger and Thirst for Justice

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Thought for the Day – 24 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of Those
who Hunger and Thirst for Justice

“We must be just, finally, in our dealings with others.
This rules out theft, detraction, calumny, murder and hatred of our neighbour.
We can be unjust to our neighbour, not only in material things but also, in the moral order.

Christian justice, moreover, makes many demands on us which we do not sufficiently consider.
If our neighbour is hungry, we are obliged to assuage his hunger.
If he is ill-clad, homeless or out of work, the Gospel tells us that we are obliged to help him and to console him, by every means in our power, even if this necessitates sacrifice on our part.
This, is the Christian justice, without which neither faith, nor charity can survive.

The man who lacks this virtue, will one day be condem;ned by the Supreme Judge, with the terrifying words: “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/01/thought-for-the-day-1-december-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/24/thought-for-the-day-24-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-hunger-and-thirst-for-justice/

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ON the SAINTS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 24 November – St John of the Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 November – St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Confessor, Doctor of the Church

“Strive to preserve your heart in peace;
let no event of this world, disturb it.”

“The soul which is quick to turn
to speaking and conversing,
is slow to turn to God.”

“It is best to learn
to silence the faculties
and to cause them to be still,
so that God may speak!”

Faith “is like the feet,
wherewith, the soul journeys to God
and love, is the guide
which directs it.”

“To Saints,
their very slumber,
is a prayer!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/24/quote-s-of-the-day-24-november-st-john-of-the-cross-2/

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

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HOLY SPIRIT, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 October – ‘… Grow onto Him …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona
because flesh and blood
hath not revealed it to thee
but My Father Who is in Heaven.”

Matthew 16:17

“But the God of all grace,
Who hath called us into His eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little,
will Himself perfect you and confirm you
and establish you.
To Him be glory and empire
forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:10-11

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”
John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Hide me then in the day of evil, O Lord,
in the secret place of Thy tabernacle,
in the hidden recesses of Thy Face,
“far from the strife of tongues” (Ps 26:5; 30:21),
for Thy yoke is easy and the burden
Thou hast laid on me is light (Mt 11:30).
And when Thou show me the difference
between Thy service and the service of the world,
gently and tenderly Thou asks me
if it is not better to serve Thee,
the living God, than to serve strange gods
(Cf 2 Chron 12:8). And I, for my part,
adore the hand that lays the load,
I kiss the yoke and I embrace the burden
and it is very sweet to me to sweat beneath its weight.
For masters other than Thee, have long possessed me…
I acknowledge Thy yoke and Thy light burden
which lifts me up and does not crush me down. …”

William of St Thierry O.Cist (c1075 – c1148)

“Let us always belong to God,
unreservedly and without interruption.
May He ever live and reign in our hearts.”

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

“He who most loves,
will be most loved.”

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

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HEART, The LORD'S PRAYER

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace.

The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus
Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

“If your brother sins, rebuke him
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times
in one day and returns to you
seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”

Luke 17:3-4

“If a man finds it very difficult to forgive injuries,
let him look at a Crucifix
and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him
and not only forgave His enemies
but, even prayed His Heavenly Father,
to forgive them too.
Let him remember,
that when he says the Pater Noster, everyday,
instead of asking pardon for his sins,
he is calling down VENGEANCE UPON HIMSELF!”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“But as a general thing,
what is the state of your heart
with regard to your neighbour?
Do you love him from your heart
and for the love of God?
In order to prove this,
you must call to mind
certain disagreeable, troublesome individuals,
for with such, it is that we practice
the love of God towards our neighbour
and still more, towards those who do us any injury,
either in word or deed.
Consider whether your heart is clear
with regard to such and whether
you have to force it to love them?
Are you slow to speak evil of your neighbour,
especially of those whom you do not like?”
Do you never injure him, either directly or indirectly?”

(Introduction to the Devout Life).

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace.
“The Peace Prayer”
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving
that we receive;
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned
and it is in dying,
that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the POOR, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 21 October – “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

“Note that each one of us prays for “Our Daily Bread” not for “MY Daily Bread.”
We should not ask only for our own requirements but, for those of all our fellowmen, as well.

There are many poverty-stricken people for whom bread is very scarce.
We should pray especially for them and should be prepared to share our bread with those who have none.
Both charity and justice demand this of us.
Let us ask, moreover, only for our necessary requirements, not for wealth and luxury.
Anything superfluous which we possess does not belong to us but, to the poor.
“Give that which remains,” the Gospel commands, “as alms” (Lk 11:41).
Let us remember that, whether we are rich or poor, we are all one great family.
Our love for one another should not be merely theoretical but practical, otherwise we are not sincere Christians!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/20/thought-for-the-day-20-october-give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread/

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, FRANCISCAN OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HEART, The RESURRECTION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder

“All I want to know is Christ
and the power flowing
from His Resurrection!”

“Jesus is happy to come with us,
as Truth is happy to be spoken,
as Life to be lived,
as Light to be lit,
as Love is to be loved,
as Joy to be given,
as Peace to be spread.”

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

“Keep a clear eye toward life’s end.
Do not forget your purpose
and destiny as God’s creature.
What you are in His sight,
is what you are and nothing more.
Remember that when you leave this earth,
you can take nothing that you have received…
but only what you have given – a full heart
enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”

Great and Glorious God
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Great and glorious God,
my Lord Jesus Christ!
I implore Thee to enlighten me
and to disperse the darkness of my soul.
Give me true faith, firm hope and perfect charity.
Grant me, O Lord, to know Thee so well
that in all things I may act by Thy Light
and in accordance with Thy holy Will.
Amen

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace.
“The Peace Prayer”
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving
that we receive;
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned
and it is in dying,
that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-october-st-francis-of-assisi/

St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God, with alll thou heart … Matthew 22:37

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross – Ferial Day, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?

Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the com­mandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way You offer a very ample reward, as James the apostle says: “The Lord has prepared the crown of life for those who love him” (Jas 1:12) (…) And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).

That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it or for God who commands it – the other commandments of God also make perfect, him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious; in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation; this is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus eEver-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, the blessed Vincent Strambi, Thy Confessor 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 the same 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).