Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 November – Render to Caesar

One Minute Reflection – 6 November – The Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost – Within the All Saints Octave – Philippians 1:6-11, Matthew 22:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Why do you tempt Me, ye hypocrites ? Show Me the coin of the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus said to them: Whose image and. inscription is this? They said to Him, Caesar’s. Then He saith to them: Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:18-21

REFLECTION – “How wonderful this answer and how perfect the fulfilment of the prescribed Divine Law! So beautifully does He here indicate, the middle way, between not caring for the things of the world, on the one hand and the offence of injuring Caesar, on the other, that He proves the perfect freedom of minds, however devoted to God, to discharge all human duties, by commanding them to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.

If we possess nothing that is Caesar’s, we are not bound to render anything to him but, since we are concerned with the things which are his, since we make justly, use of his power and are subject to him as paid servants, to take care of property not our own, we cannot question our duty to render to Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s. But all of us, are always bound to render to God the things that are God’s that is, our body, our soul and our will. These things we hold from Him, for He is our Creator. It is, therefore, just and right that those who acknowledge that they owe to Him their being, life and preservation, should render to Him, all that they are and have.” – St Hilary (315-368) Bishop of Poitiers, Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ.(Excerpt from his Homily on Matthew 22:15-21).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee, in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 5 November – The Consolations of the Suffering Souls in Purgatory

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

The Consolations of the
Suffering Souls in Purgatory

“In her description of Purgatory, St Catherine of Genoa, writes as follows:

The soul in Prgatory is happy with its lot but, its happiness is similar to that of the Martyr at the stake.
Its happiness, in other words, is of a pure and supernatural kind which the world could not understand.
The Martyr allows himself to be put to death, rather than offend God; he feels the pain of dying but, despises death because of his ardent love for God.
In the same way because it realises that God desires and commands its agony, the soul in Purgatory, loves Him and is happy to allow Him to refine and purify it spiritually, through suffering.

In one of her ecstasies, St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi was accorded a vision of Purgatory so terrifying that it caused her to grow pale and cry out.
Suddenly she saw her own recently deceased brother among the suffering souls.
My poor brother!” she exclaimed, “how much you are suffering. Yet, I can see too, how greatly you are consoled. Although you are tortured by fire, you are content because, you know that these tortures are the prelude to everlasting happiness.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/05/thought-for-the-day-5-november-the-consolations-of-the-suffering-souls-in-purgatory/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the KING, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY WEEK, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – Jesuits

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus (SJ)

God’s love calls us to move beyond fear.
We ask God for the courage
to abandon ourselves unreservedly,
so that we might be moulded
by God’s grace,
even as we cannot see
where that path may lead us.

Hate what the world seeks
and seek, what it avoids.

He who carries God in his heart
bears heaven with him,
wherever he goes.

St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.

St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572)

Better that only a few Catholics
should be left,
staunch and sincere in their religion,
than that they should,
remaining many,
desire as it were,
to be in collusion
with the Church’s enemies
and in conformity with the open foes
of our faith.

St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597)
Doctor of the Church

The path to Heaven is narrow,
rough and full of wearisome
and trying ascents,
nor can it be trodden without great toil
and, therefore, wrong is their way,
gross their error
and assured their ruin,
who, after the testimony
of so many thousands of Saints,
will not learn where to settle their footing!

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)
Priest and Martyr

Recommend yourself to your Angel Guardian
three times a day –
in the morning. by the prayer “Angele Dei”
in the evening, by the same prayer
and during the day,
when you visit the Altars in Churches.
Remember that you are to be guided
by your Angel, like a blind man
who cannot see the dangers of the streets
and trusts entirely.
to the person who leads him.

St Aloysius de Gonzaga (SJ 1568-1591)

My child, it is indeed
the Voice of God you have heard.
He has given you a great grace
in thus calling you into His one true Church.
While you live,
never cease to thank Him
and bless Him for it.

St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640)

“Teach Us Good Lord”
By St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve You as You deserve;
to give
and not to count the cost,
to fight
and not to heed the wounds,
to toil
and not to seek for rest,
to labour
and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing
that we are doing Your will.
Amen

My God, I Love Thee
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) (Attri)

Transr: Fr Edward Caswall CO (1814-1878)

My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for heav’n thereby,
nor yet for fear, that loving not,
I might forever die
but for that Thou didst all mankind
upon the Cross embrace;
for us didst bear the nails and spear
and manifold disgrace.

And griefs and torments numberless
and sweat of agony;
e’en death itself and all for man,
who was Thine enemy.
Then why, most loving Jesus Christ,
should I not love Thee well?
Not for the sake of winning heav’n,
nor any fear of hell.

Not with the hope of gaining aught,
nor seeking a reward
but as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever loving Lord!
E’en so I love Thee and will love
and in Thy praise will sing,
solely because Thou art my God
and my eternal King!
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – St Charles Borromeo

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

We have only one life
and we should spend it
for Jesus Christ and souls,
not as we wish
but, at the time and in the way, God wishes.
It would show presumption
and neglect of our duty and God’s service,
to fail to do this.

If a tiny spark of God’s love
already burns within you,
do not expose it to the wind,
for it may get blown out…
Stay quiet with God.
Do not spend your time in useless chatter…
Do not give yourself to others, so completely,
that you have nothing left for yourself.

Behold Jesus Christ Crucified,
Who is the only foundation of our hope;
He is our Mediator and Advocate;
the Victim and Sacrifice for our sins.
He is goodness and patience itself;
His mercy is moved
by the tears of sinners
and He never refuses pardon and grace,
to those who ask it,
with a truly contrite and humbled heart
.”

The best way not to find the bed too cold,
is to go to bed colder, than the bed already is.

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-november-st-charles-borromeo/

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The BEATITUDES

Quote/s of the Day – 3 November – “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

Quote/s of the Day – 3 November – Within the Octave of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12, Matthew 5:1-12– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Wisely indeed He puts first…
what every man seeks…
For who does not want to be happy?
Why do men universally quarrel and fight,
bargain, resort to flattery
and inflict injuries on one another?
Is it not simply in order to obtain,
by fair means or foul…
something that promises to make them happy?…
So, the Teacher of all men… begins
by redirecting those who have lost the way…;
He Who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life”…
(Jn 14,16; 6,32;4,6) begins with the words:
“Happy are the poor in spirit.

Bl Isaac of Stella O.Cist. (c 1100–c 1170)
Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher

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
!”

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

If humble souls are contradicted,
they remain calm;
if they are calumniated,
they suffer with patience;
if they are little esteemed,
neglected, or forgotten,
they consider this their due;
if they are weighed down
with occupations,
they perform them cheerfully.

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

O Merciful God
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis

O merciful God,
grant that I may ever perfectly
do Your Will in all things.
Let it be my ambition to work
only for Your honour and glory.
Let me rejoice in nothing but that leads to You,
nor grieve for anything, that leads away from You.
May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes
and may all that is Yours, be dear to me
and You, my God, dear above them all.
May all joy be meaningless without You
and may I desire nothing, apart from You.
May all labour and toil delight me when it is for You.
Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint,
poor without regret,
patient without murmur,
humble without pretence,
joyous without frivolity,
and truthful without disguise.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 3 November –  I Will Love and Follow You

Our Morning Offering – 3 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

 I Will Love and Follow You
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

Oh my Lord,
Let my heart expand in Your love.
Let me learn to know
how sweet it is, to serve You,
how joyful it is, to praise You
and to be absorbed in Your love.
Oh, I am possessed by love
and rise above myself
because of the great fervour I feel,
through Your infinite goodness.
I will sing the canticle of love to You
and I will follow You, my Beloved,
wherever You go
and may my soul never weary of praising You,
rejoicing in Your love.
I will love You more than myself
and myself, only for Your sake.
I will love all others in You
and for You,
as Your law of love commands.
Amen

(Book 3 Ch 5:6)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – ‘ … Wholly united with Christ. … ‘

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – Vigil of Saints Simon and Jude – 1 Corinthians 4:9-14, John 15:1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I am the vine, you the branches;
whoever remains in me and I in him,
the same bears much fruit;
for without Me
you can do nothing.

John 15:5

To magnify her Royal Lover still further,
the soul must have eyes only for Him,
in other words, with an ever-growing,
anxiously eager attentiveness.
the soul must study all the details of His Beauty,
His perfections, must keep on discovering motives
for finding ever-increasing gratification
in the ineffable Beauty with which it is in love.

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

Place all your trust in God,
let Him be your fear and your love.
He will answer for you,
He will do what is best for you.
You have here no lasting home.
You are a stranger and a pilgrim
wherever you may be
and you shall have no rest,
until you are wholly united with Christ.
Why do you look about here
when this is not the place of your repose?

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

For the branch,” says St Augustine,
“there can be no half-measures.
Either it remains united with the vine,
or it is thrown into the fire.”
The same holds true for each one of us.
We must choose, either close union with Jesus,
or separation and spiritual death.
We must decide between a life of fervour in Christ,
or a life of tepidity and sin.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 26 October – “Deliver Us From Evil”

Thought for the Day – 26 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Deliver Us From Evil”

“Deliver us, O God, from the evil of eternal damnation.
Sin is the greatest evil but, as long as we are on earth, it is an evil which can still be remedied, for God, in His Infinite Mercy, is always ready to forgive and to restore us to His divine friendship, if we sincerely repent.
In Hell, however, there is no further remedy, for there, the Mercy of God has been superseded by His Infinite Justice.
Where the tree falls, there it must lie forever.
Such dreadful unhappiness is barely conceivable!

Deliver us from sin, O God, deliver us from a bad death, deliver us from Hell.
Help us to love You more and more and to serve You more faithfully, so that we may one day enjoy Your blessed company, for all eternity.
Amen.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/25/thought-for-the-day-25-october-deliver-us-from-evil/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/26/thought-for-the-day-26-october-deliver-us-from-evil/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 October – Perseverance

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/

Do not let love and fidelity forsake you,
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then will you win favour and esteem
before God and human beings.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
on your own intelligence do not rely.
In all your ways be mindful of him,
and he will make straight your paths
.”

Proverbs 3:3-6

A person who wishes
to become the Lord’s disciple
must repudiate a human obligation,
however honourable it may appear,
if it slows us, ever so slightly,
in giving the wholehearted obedience
we owe to God.

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

I think He intends to try you
like gold in the crucible,
so as to number you
amongst His most faithful servants.
Therefore, you must lovingly embrace
all occasions of suffering,
considering them
as precious tokens of His love.
To suffer in silence
and without complaint,
is what He asks of you.

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Apostle of the Sacred Heart

When the sister of St Thomas Aquinas
asked him how to become holy,
he replied that it needed only one thing –
a firm act of the will,
for God will certainly supply the necessary grace..”
The grace of God is the principal weapon
upon which we must depend,
in order to gain our victory.
We should pray for it humbly and perseveringly.
There will be victors and losers
in the battle for Heaven,
as well as in earthly contests.
We must make sure that we are on the winning side!
For this purpose, we should combine
fervent and constant prayer
with generous co-operation with the grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

My God, Sweetness beyond words,
make bitter all the carnal comfort
that draws me from love of the eternal
and lures me to its evil self,
by the sight of some delightful good
in the present.
Let it not overcome me, my God.
Let not flesh and blood conquer me.
Let not the world and its brief glory
deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness.
Give me courage to resist,
patience to endure
and constancy to persevere.
Give me the soothing unction of Your spirit,
rather than all the consolations of the world
and in place of carnal love,
infuse into me the love of Your Name.

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ
(Book 3 Ch 26:1-4)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – ‘ … The Holy Bond of Love … ‘

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Saints Chrysanthus and Daria Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple

Neither the weeping mothers’ love,
nor the mourning of fathers weeping for their sons,
nor the screams and howling
of the children themselves,
holds you back.
You massacre these little ones in their bodies
because fear is killing you, in your heart.
And you think that, if you achieve your end,
you will live on for a long time,
whereas, it is Life itself,
you are trying to kill!
He Who is the source of grace,
Who is both small and great,
Who is lying in a manger,
causes your throne to topple.
He accomplishes His design through you,
without your knowing it.
He gathers together the children of your enemies
and makes of them, children of adoption.”

St Quodvultdeus (Died c 453)
Father of the Church, Bishop of Carthage

Without the Cup of the Lord
preserving the holy bond of love,
even if a man should deliver his body
to be burned, he gains nothing!

St Fulgentus of Ruspe (c 462 – 533)

Suffering is the ancient law of love;
there is no quest without pain;
there is no lover who is not also a Martyr.

Bl Henry Suso (1295-1366)

We should not forget,
that the devil has his martyrs
and that he infuses into them
a false constancy.
It is not the punishment
but the cause,
that makes the Martyr;
that is – the confession
of the True Faith.

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 October – “I will send to them prophets and apostles and some of them they will kill and persecute. ” – Luke 11:49

One Minute Reflection – 25 October – Saints Chrysanthus and Daria (Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 11:47-51 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I will send to them prophets and apostles and some of them they will kill and persecute. ” – Luke 11:49

REFLECTION – “One of you will say: “I’m not able to love my enemies at all.” All through Holy Scripture God has said to you that you can and do you answer Him that, to the contrary, you cannot!? Now think about it – who are we to believe? God or you? Since He who is Truth itself cannot lie, let human weakness leave off its futile excuses forthwith! He who is just, cannot demand something impossible and He who is merciful, will not condemn someone for something that person could not avoid. So why these evasions then? There is no-one who knows better, what we are capable of, than He who has given us the ability. Such numbers of men, women, children, tender young girls, have borne flames, fire, sword and the wild beasts for Christ’s sake, without flinching and we, do we say that we cannot bear the insults of unintelligent persons?

Indeed, if only the good are to be loved, what are we to say of the action of our God, of whom it is written: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son?” (Jn 3,16). For what good deeds are they, that the world had done, for God to love it so? Christ our Lord, found us all to be, not only evil but even dead, on account of original sin and yet… “he loved us and handed himself over for us” (Eph 5,2). In so acting, He loved even those who did not love Him, as the Apostle Paul also says: “Christ died for the guilty” (Rm 5,6). And in his inexpressible mercy, He gave this example to all humankind, saying: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Mt 11,29).” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop and Monk (Sermons to the people, no 37).

PRAYER – May the prayer of Your blessed Martyrs, Chrysanthus and Daria, defend us, O Lord, that we may ever enjoy the loving help of those whom we honour by this celebration.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", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 24 October – “As We Also Forgive Our Debtors”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“As We Also Forgive Our Debtors”

“Some people hold that it is base and low-spirited to forgive easily, whereas, a keen sense of honour demands revenge.
Nothing could be more false.
The true greatness of human nature lies in its ability to conquer the lower instincts.
It is far more difficult,” wrote a famous historian of antiquity, “to overcome oneself, than to defeat one’s enemy in battle(Valerius Maximus, Memorable Deeds and Sayings, Bk IV, 2).
Forgiveness requires a victory over pride and sensitivity towards others and is, therefore, a high act of human value.

When we forgive, we do not abase ourselves before the man who has offended us but, we raise ourselves above him by our nobility and generosity.
By behaving in this manner, we display out self-control, inspire sentiments of respect and benevolence and, may even bring about a reconciliation and a renewal of friendship.

So, let us make a few good resolutions:
(1) Remembering how Jesus prayed for His executioners, let us always be generous in pardoning others;
(2) Let us do good to those who have offended us, adopting the motto of St Paul: “Be not overcome by evil but, overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21);
(3) When the injury which we have received, disturbs us greatly and causes us to lose our peace of mind, let us remain silent and procrastinate – “Delay is the best cure for anger,” wrote Seneca, who also, very truly observed, that whenever we have been angry with others, we end by being angry with ourselves!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/23/thought-for-the-day-23-october-as-we-also-forgive-our-debtors/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/thought-for-the-day-24-october-as-we-also-forgive-our-debtors/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SACRED MATRIMONY, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – Blessed Severinus Boethius

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – Blessed Severinus Boethius (c 475-524) Martyr, Layman, Theologian, Philosopher.

Prayer of Bl Severinus Boethius
(c 475-524) Martyr

O Father, enable our minds,
to rise to Thy ineffable dwelling place.
Let us find the light
and direct the eyes of our soul to Thee.
Dispel the mists and the opaqueness
of the earthly mass
and shine out with Thy splendour.
Thou art the serene and tranquil abode
of those who persevere
in their goal of seeing Thee.
Thou art, at the same time,
the Beginning, the Vehicle,
the Guide, the Way and the Goal.
Amen.

Love binds people too,
in Matrimony’s Sacred Bonds
where chaste lovers are met
and friends cement their trust
and friendship.
How happy is mankind,
if the Love that orders the stars above,
rules, too, in their hearts.

One’s virtue is all that one truly has
because it is not imperiled,
by the vicissitudes of fortune.

Contemplate the extent
and stability of the heavens
and then, at last, cease to admire
worthless things
.”

A man content to go to Heaven, alone …
will never go to heaven!

Blessed Severinus Boethius (c 475-524)

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, EUCHARISTIC ADORATION and Nocturnal, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantar

Quote/s of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor

Truly, matters in the world,
are in a bad state
but if you and I begin, in earnest,
to reform ourselves,
a really good beginning
will have been made.

Our Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament,
has His Hands full of graces
and He is ready to bestow them
on anyone, who asks for them

No tongue is able to declare
the greatness of the love
which Jesus bears to every soul
and, therefore, this Spouse,
when He would leave this earth,
in order that His absence
might not cause us to forget Him,
left us, as a memorial,
this Blessed Sacrament,
in which He Himself remained;
for He would not,
that there should be any other pledge
to keep alive, our remembrance of Him,
than He Himself!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-october-st-peter-of-alcantara/

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – Hear Me, O Lord By St Peter of Alcantara

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor

Hear Me, O Lord
By St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Hear me, O Lord,
my soul’s delight,
joy of my heart,
not because of my merits
but because of Thy boundless goodness.
Teach me, enlighten me, direct me,
help me in all things
that I may never say
or do anything
but that which I know
to be pleasing in Thou sight.
Guide me, O God,
my Love, my Light and my Life!
Amen.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 October – ‘What is that “wedding garment” then? …’ St Augustine

One Minute Reflection – 16 October – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ephesians 4:23-28, Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Now the king went in to see the guests and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?‘” – Matthew 22:11-12

REFLECTION – “What is that “wedding garment” then? … The wedding garment” is such charity as this. “Although I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” Tongues have come in alone and it is said to them, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and although I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing.

See, these are the miracles of men who very often have not “the wedding garment.” “Although,” he says,” I have all these and have not Christ, I am nothing.” … If then I have not charity, although I bestow alms freely upon the poor, although I have come to the confession of Christ’s Name even unto blood and fire, these things may be done even through the love of glory and so are vain.
… For “the wedding garment” is taken in honour of the union, the union, that is, of the Bridegroom to the Bride. You know the Bridegroom – it is Christ. You know the Bride – it is the Church. Pay honour to the Bride, pay honour to the Bridegroom. If you pay due honour to them both, you will be their children. Therefore, in this make progress. Love the Lord and so learn to love yourselves, that when, by loving the Lord, you shall have loved yourselves, you may securely love your neighbour as yourselves. …So then, have faith with love. This is the “wedding garment!”St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace.

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. 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", CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church

“Prayer is an act of love,
words are not needed.
Even if sickness distracts from thoughts,
all that is needed, is the will to love.

The surest way to determine
whether one possesses the love of God,
is to see whether he or she,
loves his or her neighbour.
These two loves are never separated.
Rest assured, the more you progress
in love of neighbour,
the more your love of God will increase.

When we accept what happens to us
and make the best of it,
we are praising God.

Know that,
even when you are
in the kitchen,
our Lord moves
amidst the pots
.”

We always find that those
who walked closest to Christ,
were those, who had to bear
the greatest trials.

Those who risk all for God
will find that they have
both lost all
and gained all.

It seems to me, my daughters,
that everything passes so quickly
that we should be thinking more,
about how to die,
than how to live!

MORE AND MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/15/87677/

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

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 9 October – O Jesus, Sweetest Love, Come Thou to Me

Our Morning Offering – 9 October – The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O Jesus, Sweetest Love,
Come Thou to Me
(1940)
By Fr Francis Xavier Lasance (1860–1946)

O JESUS, sweetest Love, come Thou to me.
Come down in all Thy beauty unto me.
Thou Who didst die for longing of me
And never, never more depart from me.
Free me, O beauteous God, from all but Thee;
Sever the chain that holds me back from Thee;
Call me, O tender Love, I cry to Thee;
Thou art my all! O bind me close to Thee.
O suffering Love, Who hast so loved me;
O patient Love, Who wearies not of me.
Thou alone O Love! Thou weary not of me!
Ah! Weary not till I am lost in Thee,
Nay, weary not, till I am found in Thee.
Amen

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN QUOTES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, SAINT of the DAY, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow

We must show love
for those who do evil to us
and pray for them.
Nothing is dearer
or more pleasing to God than this.

There is no sinner in the world,
however much at enmity with God,
who cannot recover God’s grace
by recourse to Mary
and by asking her assistance.

Mary is the lily in God’s garden.

Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy
By St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373
)

O Blessed Virgin Mary,
Immaculate Mother of God,
who endured a Martyrdom of love and grief,
beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus!
Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption
by thy innumerable afflictions
and by offering to the Eternal Father,
His only-begotten Son, as a holocaust
and victim of propitiation for my sins.
I thank thee for the unspeakable love
which led thee to deprive thyself
of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus,
true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner.
Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession
of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son,
that I may steadfastly amend my life
and never again crucify
my loving Redeemer by my sins
and that, persevering till death in His grace,
I may obtain eternal life
through the merits of His Cross and Passion.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/08/quote-s-of-the-day-23-july-st-bridget/

St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 5 October – The Third Joyful Mystery, The Birth of Jesus

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus

“Let us too, learn to adore and love Him as His Mother and Foster-father did.

Let us love Him that is, with a contemplative love, not distracted by worldly affairs;
a humble love because, we owe everything to Him, without Whom, we are nothing but miserable sinners;
with a sympathetic love because, we know that He suffered for us and spent Himself for our eternal salvation and, lastly,
with a love which is entirely dedicated.
After all, if He loved us so much that He gave Himself entirely for us, it is only just that in our love for Him, we should sacrifice ourselves completely.
All our thoughts, affections and actions should be offered to Him, with purity of intention and with a firm resolve of living in accordance with His Holy Will.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus-2/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St PAUL!, The HOLY NAME, The SECOND COMING, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – ‘ … Give me courage to resist, patience to endure …’

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Hebrews 10:32-38, Luke 12:1-8
Scripture search – https://www.drbo.org/

Do not, therefore, lose your confidence,
which has a great reward.
For you have need of patience that,
doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a very little while
and He Who is to come,
will come
and will not delay.”

Hebrews 10:35-37

Everyone without God,
has a dead soul.
You, who bewail the dead,
rather, should bewail sin.
Bewail ungodliness.
Bewail disbelief.

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

We have the Providential love of God as our guide.
When there is a ship at sea and heads towards the port,
nobody doubts that it is led by a pilot
and one could doubt that there is a God
who guides the universe
only because He cannot be seen?
By His Providential Love,
God arranges and regulates events,
regulates everything, with gentleness and wisdom.
I advise you to abandon yourself completely
into the hands of Divine Providence.

Blessed Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz (1877-1903)

The Love of Your Name

“My God, Sweetness beyond words,
make bitter all the carnal comfort
that draws me from love of the eternal
and lures me to its evil self,
by the sight of some delightful good
in the present.
Let it not overcome me, my God.
Let not flesh and blood conquer me.
Let not the world and its brief glory
deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness.
Give me courage to resist,
patience to endure
and constancy to persevere.
Give me the soothing unction of Your spirit,
rather than all the consolations of the world
and in place of carnal love,
infuse into me the love of Your Name.

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ
(Book 3 Ch 26:1-4)

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES "CARPE DIEM" - Seize the Day, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – St Thérèse

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)

Whoever does not accept
the kingdom of God
like a little child,
shall not enter it.

Mark 10:15

A word or a smile,
is often enough,
to put fresh life
into a despondent soul.

Prayer is an aspiration of the heart.
It is a simple glance directed to Heaven.
It is a cry of gratitude and love
in the midst of trial as well as joy.

It is true, I suffer a great deal–
but do I suffer well?
That is the question?!

It is not Death that will come to fetch me,
it is the good God.
Death is no phantom, no horrible specter,
as presented in pictures.
In the catechism it is stated,
that death is the separation of soul and body, that is all!
Well, I am not afraid of a separation
which will unite me to the good God forever.

If I did not simply live
from one moment to another,
it would be impossible for me to be patient
but I only look at the present,
I forget the past
and I take good care
not to attempt to foretell the future.

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

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS 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 – 2 October – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” – Matthew 22:34-46

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” and Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46

“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 in Thy wondrous providence graciously send Thy Angels to watch over us, grant that we, who pray to Thee maybe ever under their protection and may rejoice in their unending companionship. 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 CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WISDOM, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 28 September – Prudence and Simplicity

Thought for the Day – 28 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prudence and Simplicity

“Prudence is one of the Cardinal Virtues frequently recommended in the Sacred Scriptures.
If you receive My words and treasure My commands,” the Holy Spirit tells us in the Book of Proverbs, “turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding… if you seek her like silver and like hidden treasures, search her out, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God you will find” (Prov 2:2-61).
Then, He promises, God will counsel and protect you, “for wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul, discretio will watch over you, understanding will guard you; saving you from the way of evil men” (Cf Prov 2:2-12).

The word ‘prudence,‘ as St Thomas Aquinas explains, is derived from the word ‘providence‘ and it consists in ordering everything correctly towards its proper end (Summa Theologiae II-II, q 49, a 6).
From that we can see how necessary this virtue is.
A man who can order everything correctly, towards its own end, does everything as it ought to be done.
He will have achieved true wisdom, which is the foundation of sanctity.

To speak when we should speak; to be silent when we should be silent; never to leave unsaid what ought to be said but, to know when we should speak and how much; to pay attention mainly to necessary things, that is, to God and to the supernatural; to avoid every thought which would separate us from God and endanger our salvation; to love God more than anything else and more than ourselves because, He is the supreme good and our supreme happiness; to love other things only in God and for Him; solely to direct all our actions proportionately towards God, towards our neighbour and, towards ourselves and, to avoid every act which would alienate us from God, which would be contrary to His precepts, or which would endanger our eternal salvation.

And this is true prudence, which is founded on divine wisdom and must be continually nourished by the grace of God an inspired by charity.
Since this virtue pervades and embraces all the others, a man who achieves perfection in it, has reached the peak of holiness.

But perhaps we are too preoccupied with worldly interests and so, stray from the straight path which leads to God and to sanctity? ”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MODESTY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The BEATITUDES, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 6:20

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Wisdpm 5:16-20, Luke 6:17-23

Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:20

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
.”

Matthew 5:3

The soul must grow and expand
so as to be capable of God.
And its largeness is its love,
as the Apostle says,
“widen yourselves in love”
(2 Cor 6:13).
It grows and extends spiritually,
not in substance but in virtue.
The greatness of each soul is judged
by the measure of love that it has-
he who has great love, is great-
he who has little love is little,
while he who has no love at all –
is nothing!

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

This death … has already levelled
his bow to strike me.
Is it not prudent to prevent its stroke,
by dying now to the world,

that at my death,
I may live to God?”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

Do not live any longer in yourself
but let Jesus Christ live in you in such a way
that the virtue of this Divine Saviour may be resplendent
in all your actions, in order that all may see in you
a true portrait of the Crucified and sense,
the sweetest fragrance of the holy virtues of the Lord,
in interior and exterior modesty,
in patience,
in gentleness,
suffering,
charity,
humility
and in all others that follow.

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

You leave the land just as it is
when you depart,
you do not carry anything away.
Our first aim
is to go to God,
we are not on earth
for anything but this!

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EXTREME UNCTION, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – ‘ … She did for the feet, what you refused to the Head. 

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross” and the Mermorial of St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter – Osee 14:2-10, Luke 7:36-50

She began to bathe His feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed is feet and anointed them with ointment.” – Luke 7:38

REFLECTION – “With her hands of good works, she holds the feet of those who preach His Kingdom. She washes them with tears of charity, kisses them with praising lips and pours out the whole ointment of mercy, until He will turn her. This means that He will come back to her and say to Simon, to the Pharisees, to those who deny, to the nation of the Jews, “I came into your house. You gave me no water for my feet.

When will He speak these words? He will speak them when He will come in the Majesty of His Father and separate the righteous from the unrighteous, like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. He will say, “I was hungry and you did not give me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger and you did not take me in.” This is equivalent to saying, “But this woman, while she was bathing my feet, anointing them and kissing them, did to the servants, what you did not do for the Master.” She did for the feet, what you refused to the Head. She expended upon the lowliest members, what you refused to your Creator. Then He will say to the Church, “Your sins, many as they are, are forgiven you because you have loved much.” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Homilies” (Sermon 95).

PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Linus Thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 22 September – Following Jesus, the Divine Model

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

Following Jesus, the Divine Model

“Jesus is the Divine Model, Whom we ought to follow and imitate.
In Him, the virtues possess both the infinite splendour of the Divinity and the gentle appeal of glorified Humanity.
Jesus does not dazzle us with His brightness but kindly invites us to love and follow Him.
“Learn from me” He says, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29).

After He has indicated humility, meekness and interior peace, as the foundations of the spiritual life, He invites us to take up the yoke of His law and assures us, that we shall find it light (Mt 11).

If we follow Jesus, even though we are bowed with Him, beneath the weight of the Cross, we shall experience, even in this life, a reflection of the peace and joy which will be our reward in Heaven.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/24/thought-for-the-day-24-january-following-jesus/
PART TWO HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/11/thought-for-the-day-11-july-following-jesus/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MODESTY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of St Thomas of Villanova

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor

“Humility is the mother
of many virtues
because from it,
obedience, fear, reverence,
patience, modesty,
meekness and peace are born.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind with all.

What great profit you gain from God
when you are generous!
You give a coin
and receive a kingdom;
you give bread from wheat
and receive the Bread of Life;
you give a transitory good
and receive an everlasting one.
You will receive it back,
a hundred times more
than you offered.

If you want God to hear your prayers,
hear the voice of the poor.
If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide for those of the need,
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially, anticipate the needs
of those, who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms,
is to make them buy it!”

I am, notwithstanding,
inexcusable, if I do not love Thee
for Thou grant Thy love to all
who desire or ask it.
I cannot see without light –
yet, if I shut my eyes
in the midst of the noon-day light,
the fault is in me,
not in the sun.

Dismiss all anger
and look into yourself a little.
Remember that he, of whom,
you are speaking, is your brother
and as he is, in the way of salvation,
God can make him a Saint,
in spite of his present weakness.

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, The LAST THINGS

Thought for the Day – 29 August – More About Almsgiving

Thought for the Day – 29 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

More About Almsgiving

“The description of the Last Judgement in the twenty fifth chapter of St Matthew’s Gospel would shock many people, if they were to read it.
The principles, in accordance with which, Christ will pronounce sentence are inescapably clear.
Did you feed and clothe the poor for My sake, He will ask because you recognised Me in them?
If, you have done so, you will certainly be saved.
If, you have neglected to do so, you will be condemned for all eternity.
Christ does not ask about anything else because, everything else is subordinate to the precept of charity.

Where there is charity, everything else follows.
Where charity is lacking, there is nothing else because, Christianity is synonymouse with charity.
Charity, says St Paul, “is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14).

If I should speak with the tongue of men and of Angels,” St Paul says elsewhere, “but have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal … and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, yet have not charity, I am nothing. And if I distribute all my goods to feed the poor … yet do not have charity, it profits me nothing” (Cf 1 Cor 13:1-3).

So, our eternal salvation depends on our charity.
But it must be charity in action, not merely in words.

He who has the goods of this world,” says St John “and sees his brother in need and closes his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 Jn 3:17).
Charity must be expressed in almsgiving and good works, for otherwise, it would be a matter of idle talk which would be powerless to save us.

Our almsgiving should not be dictated simply by natural feelings of compassion, however, nor by mere philanthropy.
It should be pre-eminently a religious act, springing from supernatural motives.
Because we see the person of Christ in the poor man, we should love and help him as we should our Diving Redeemer
.
This is real Christian charity.

A proud man may also be liberal in giving away money in order to draw attention to himself.
But this is not Christian almsgiving which is never the product of self-love but of the love of God.

Let us be more generous in giving, therefore but, let us always give from the supernatural motive of Christian charity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – “I shall repay you on my way back.” – Luke 10:35

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and Father – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9, Luke 10:23-37

“The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’” – Luke 10:35

REFLECTION – “Who is my neighbour?” In answer the Word explained, in the form of a story, God’s entire economy of salvation. He told of man’s descent from heaven, the robbers’ ambush, the stripping of the garment of immortality, the wounds of sin, the progress of death over half of man’s nature while his soul remained immortal. Then came the passage of the Law that brought no help—neither the priest nor the Levite tended the wounds of the man who fell among robbers—for “it was impossible for the blood of goats and oxen to remove man’s sin” (Heb 10:4). And then He came, clothed in our human nature as the first-fruits of the mass in which there was a portion of every race, Jewish, Samaritan, Greek — all mankind. With His body (that is, the beast of the story) He proceeded to the place of man’s disaster, healed his wounds and set him upon His own beast. He created for him the inn of His loving providence, in which all those who labour and are burdened can find rest (Mt 11,28) (…)

“Whoever abides in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56) … Whoever finds shelter in Christ’s mercy accepts two denarii from Him, one of which signifies the love of God with one’s whole heart and the other the love of one’s neighbour as oneself, according to the lawyer’s reply (Mk 12:30f). But “not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rm 2:13). Hence we must not merely accept these two coins … but we must, by our own good deeds, co-operate in the fulfilment of these two commandments. And so, the Lord says to the innkeeper, that whatever he does in caring for the wounded man will be made up to him at the Lord’s second coming according to the measure of his devotion.” … St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–C 395) Father of the Church, Monk, Bishop – Sermons on the Song of Songs, no14 – [Brother of St Basil the Great (Father & Doctor)]

PRAYER – Give heed to our humble prayers, Almighty God and through the intercession of blessed Augustine, Thy Confessor and Bishop, kindly grant Thy oft-given mercy to those upon whom Thou bestows great hope in Thy forgiveness. 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).