Category: QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 17 August – Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts By St Bernard

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Our Morning Offering – 17 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart”

Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
and the last Father of the Church

Jesus, joy of loving hearts,
You Fount of life,
You Light of men,
from the best bliss that earth imparts
we turn unfilled to You again.
We taste You,
O You living Bread,
and long to feast upon You still.
We drink of You, the Fountainhead,
and thirst our souls from You to fill.
O Jesus, ever with us stay,
make all our moments calm and bright;
chase the dark night of sin away,
shed o’er the world Your holy light.
Amen, Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The HOLY NAME, The LORD'S PRAYER, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – God, Our Father

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Readings: Joshua 24: 14-29; Psalm 16: 1-2a and 5-8, 11; Matthew 19: 13-15

God, Our Father

“Let the children come to me,
do not prevent them”

Matthew 19:14

“Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father.”

John 14:9

“So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us.
To ask the Father in words His Son has given us,
to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears,
is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer.
Let the Father recognise the words of His Son.
Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips.
We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father,
when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins,
let us use the words given by our Advocate.
He tells us –
Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you.
What more effective prayer could we then make,
in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer?”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258)
Bishop, Father of the Church and Martyr

An excerpt from his “On the Lord’s Prayer”

“Immediately after rising
and throughout the day,
all make the Sign of the Cross
and renew their trust in God:
to be strengthened by the power of the Father,
to be enlightened by the wisdom of the Son
and to be sanctified by the love of the Holy Spirit.
And as they bless themselves, they may say:
Of myself I can do nothing,
with God I can do everything,
I want to do everything for love of God.”

From the Rule of the Pallottines

Our life is:
“To breathe God in and out.
To find God in everything.
To reveal God to all.
To radiate the presence of God.”

My God, In Your Infinite Love
By St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)

“My God,
in Your infinite love
You created me
according to Your image and likeness.
You gave me a free will.
Help me to use Your gifts
and improve myself
so as to become totally Your living image,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
an image of Your infinite
qualities and perfections.
Amen

St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)

Posted in "Follow Me", FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day – 13 August – St Maximus

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 August – The Memorial of St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) Father of the Church

“Food is not evil – but gluttony is.
Childbearing is not evil – but fornication is.
Money is not evil – but avarice is.
Glory is not evil – but vainglory is.
Indeed, there is no evil in existing things – but only in their misuse!”

“To harbour no envy, no anger,
no resentment against an offender,
is still not to have charity for him.
It is possible, without any charity,
to avoid rendering evil for evil.
But, to render, spontaneously, good for evil –
such belongs to a perfect spiritual love.”

“In conformity with
the philosophy of Christ,
let us make of our life,
a training for death.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Father of the Church

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-august-st-maximus-the-confessor/

Posted in franciscan OFM, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 12 August – St Clare and St Jane Frances de Chantal

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Memorial of St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) and St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641

“Go forth in peace,
for you have followed the good road.
Go forth without fear,
for He who created you has made you holy,
has always protected you
and loves you as a mother.
Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.”

“Love[ing] one another
with the charity of Christ,
let the love you have in your hearts,
be shown outwardly in your deeds …”

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

MORE St Clare:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/11/quote-s-of-the-day-11-august-st-clare-of-assisi/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WISDOM, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – We seek You, we follow You,

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, Readings: Second Corinthians 9:6-10, Psalms 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9, John 12:24-26

“If anyone serves me,
he must follow me
and where I am,
there will my servant be also.”

John 12:26

“Love one another as I have loved you”

John 15:12

“Behold, my servant
whom I have chosen”

Matthew 12:18

“ When we stand in the light
it is not we who illumine the light and cause it to shine
but we are illuminated and made shining by the light…
God grants His blessings on those who serve Him
because they are serving Him
and on those who follow Him
because they are following Him
but He receives no blessing from them
because He is perfect and without need.”

St Irenaeus (c 130 – c 202)
Bishop & Martyr, Father of the Church

“My brothers, Christ made love the stairway
that would enable all Christians
to climb to heaven.
Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity,
give one another practical proof of it
and by your progress in it,
make your ascent together.”

St Fulgentius of Ruspe (460-533)

Our Lord, King of All
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

We pray to You, O Lord,
who are the supreme Truth,
and all truth is from You.
We beseech You, O Lord,
who are the highest Wisdom,
and all the wise depend on You
for their wisdom.
You are the supreme Joy,
and all who are happy
owe it to You.
You are the Light of minds
and all receive
their understanding from You.
We love, we love You above all.
We seek You, we follow You,
and we are ready to serve You.
We desire to dwell under Your power
for You are the King of all.
Amen.

“If you wish to enter into life,
keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth,
believe in Me.
If you will be perfect,
sell all.
If you will be My disciple,
deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life,
despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven,
humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me,
carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross
find the life of blessedness
and of true light.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ Chapter 56

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 August – Walking in His ways … St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 10 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, Readings: Second Corinthians 9:6-10, Psalms 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9, John 12:24-26

“Whoever serves me must follow me,and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honour whoever serves me.” – John 12:26

REFLECTION – “Christ’s servants are those who look out for His things rather than their own. “Let him follow me” means “Let him walk in my ways and not in his own,” as it is written elsewhere. For if he supplies food for the hungry, he should do so in the way of mercy, not to brag about it. He should be looking for nothing else there but to do good and not letting his left hand know what his right hand does. In other words, any work of charity should be utterly devoid of any thought of “what’s in it for me.” The one who serves in this way serves Christ and will have it rightly said to him, “Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of those who are mine, you did it unto me.” And the one who serves Christ in this way, will be honoured by His Father with the peculiar honour of being with His Son and having nothing lacking in his happiness ever again. And so, when you hear the Lord saying, “Where I am, there shall also my servant be,” do not think merely of good bishops and clergy. But you yourselves should also serve Christ in your own way by good lives, by giving to the poor, by preaching His name and doctrine as best as you can too. Every father [or mother] too will be filling an ecclesiastical and episcopal kind of office by serving Christ in their own homes when they serve their families, so that they too may be with Him forever.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church – Tractates on the Gospel of John, 51.

PRAYER – Lord God, You inspired St Lawrence with so ardent a love that his life was renowned for the service of Your people and his death for the splendour of his Martyrdom. Help us to love what he loved and to live as he showed us. St Lawrence, Martyr for Christ and His Church, pray for us. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever amen.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – St John Vianney

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – St John Vianney

“When the heart is pure and simple,
it cannot help loving
because it has discovered,
the source of love,
which is God.”

“Do not try to please everybody.
Try to please God, the Angels and the Saints –
they are your public.”

“All that we do
without offering it to God,
is wasted!”

“God commands you to pray
but forbids you to worry!”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859

LOTS MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-august-st-john-vianney/

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

Our Morning Offering – 9 August – I Love You, O My God

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Our Morning Offering – 9 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart” – The Memorial of St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

I Love You, O My God
By St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

I love You,
O my God
and my only desire is to love You
until the last breath of my life.
I love You,
O my infinitely lovable God
and I would rather die loving You,
than live without loving You.
I love You, Lord
and the only grace I ask,
is to love You eternally
My God,
if my tongue cannot say
in every moment that I love You,
I want my heart to repeat it to You
as often as I draw breath.
Amen

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 7 August – Spiritual Languor

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

Spiritual Languor

“Sometimes we become tired and sleepy.
The love of God no longer warms our hearts nor prompts us to perform good works.
We experience a kind of disgust for spiritual things and prayer becomes a burden.
We no longer feel any pleausre in speaking with God, for our souls have grown arid and cold.
We neglect our spiritual exercises and are careless about mediation and the Sacraments.
We go on living on the edge of the abyss and never consider the fact, that it is a very short step from spiritual inactivity to actual sin.

This kind of languor is not always sinful, however.
Sometimes God permits dryness of spirit to test our humility and to make us understand, that without Him, we are capable of nothing.
Saints, like St Theresa and St Francis de Sales, were tried by spiritual aridity.
In such cases, the only remedy is to be patient and humble and to trust in God.
We must ask God to let us die rather than be separated from Him and to restore to us, our former fervent love for Him.

Most often this languor and inertia is caused by our neglect of the means necessary to preserve our spiritual life.
We begin by omitting the prayers and penances which it is our duty to perform and by postponing Confession and Holy Communion.
Without frequent Confession, our sins increase like noxious weeds, which stifle the good grain.
Without Holy Communion, we lack the protection and grace of God.

Let us examine ourselves and make good resolutions.
Fervour of soul, the love of God and a strong and effective inclination to virtue, cannot be attributed purely to ourselves.
They are the result of God’s grace, for which we should pray without ceasing!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on NATURE - GOD'S CREATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 5 August – Mary, a Light in the Darkness

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

Mary, a Light in the Darkness

“Let us imagine for a moment, that we have grown blind and are forever plunged in darkness.
It is an unhappy thought.
Never again to see those who are dear to us, never to see the light of the sun nor any of the splendour of the universe.
We should feel as if were alone, for we should have to depend only on sounds and on the voices of others for communication with the external world.
As St Augustine points out, however, in his commentary on the miracle of the man who had been blind from birth, we are all more or less blind in the supernatural order.
The world is the image of God but, do we see His Presence in everything which surrounds us?
Is it not more often the case that created things distract us and lead us to forget their Creator because, we regard them as a means of satisfying our own comfort and our own ego?
We should look on creatures as go-betweens which help us to ascend to God, the beginning and end of all creation.

Unfortunately, instead of climbing this mystical ladder which leads us to God, we often descend it.
We forget God and become excessively wrapped up in worldly affairs.
Sometimes matters may be even worse, not only do we forget God through our love of creatures but, we use them, to offend Him.
God has given us eyes to admire His works and, as a result, to lead us to praise, thank and love Him.
Instead, we often use this wonderful gift in order to commit sin.
He has given us the gift of speech, the gift of hearing and other senses.
But how do we employ them?
The tongue is a marvellous invention but, as St James writes, “if anyone does not offend in the word, he is a perfect man, able also to lead round by the bridle, the whole body … With it we bless God the Father and, with it, we curse men, who have been made after the likeness of God.   Out of the same mouth, proceed blessing and cursing.   These things, my brethren ought not to be so” (Js 3:2-10).
What can be said of vision and of speech can be said of all the senses and faculties of body and soul.
They are all God’s gifts and should, therefore, be used as means of bringing ourselves closer to Him.
If creatures lead us away from God and cause us to forget Him, or if, worse still, they cause us to offend Him, then we are spiritually blind and far more unfortunate than those who have lost their natural vision.

Most Holy Mary, during your earthly pilgrimage, you never once lost sight of God.
Grant that I may not be lost in the darkness of this world.
Grant that I may not be ensnared by the passing charm and false beauty of these created things which surround me.
Grant that I may see, in all things, the Presence and Beauty of God, so that I may always continue to advance, nearer and nearer to Him.   Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 August– Doing Everything for the Love of God

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Thought for the Day – 4 August– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Doing Everything for the Love of God

“The beginning of perfection consists in doing the Will of God, even in our smallest actions.
But, to do everything for the love of God, is the summit of Christian perfection.
If we aimed always at doing God’s Will and acting from the motive of love for Him, we should be contented and at peace because we should be holy.
The Saints are the only people who remain calm and undisturbed in the midst of worldly adversity.
They are always content, because they live in God.
Their lives are in full conformity with His Will, guided by His Love and dedicated to His Service.
As a result, they live in a kind of spiritual stratosphere far above the storms of this world.
There, they are above the clouds of pride, ambition, avarice and all the other major vices.
There they see and contemplate everything in the Light of God.
Let us become saints.
Then we shall have solved all the problems of life!.” Amen

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 3 August – Depending Always on Jesus

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

Depending Always on Jesus

“When we abandon ourselves to Jesus, we must do so cheerfully, as well as trustingly.
St Basil calls the devil, the angel of sadness.
The evil spirit is, in fact, sad, for this is the lot of one who has lost God forever.
He wishes, moreover, to communicate that sadness to us also when he has drawn us into sin.

We should be happy in the Lord, as St Paul exhorts.
Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
He who possesses Jesus and His grace, is touched by that holy joy which radiates from Him.
The Saints were joyful in persecution and in martyrdom, as the Apostles were before the Sanhedrin because, “they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).
It is related of St Romuald that in spite of great austerities, he was always smiling, so that he communicated happiness to those who saw him.

Let us, therefore, rely always on Jesus; let us remain close to Him and the path to Heaven will seem smooth, in spite of the many obstacles which we are sure to encounter.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/27/thought-for-the-day-27-june-depending-always-on-
jesus/
PART TWO HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/30/thought-for-the-day-30-january-depending-always-on-jesus/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 2 August – The Awareness of the Presence of God

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Thought for the Day – 2 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Awareness of the Presence of God

“The presence of God, moreover, encourages us to do our best to acquire all the virtues.
When He is always before our eyes, we have no difficulty in recognising, that He is the supreme Truth, Beauty and Goodness.

Let us seek to please God, therefore, by obeying His commandments and inspirations.
If we wish to be worthy of His presence, let us seek to adorn our souls with His grace, which is ours for the asking.
Our awareness of God’s presence, should not be a passive state.
It should enliven our faith and increase our love for Him.

Do we realise how poor and sinful we are in the sight of God?
Let us ask Him to make us holy.
If we are troubled by temptations, let us ask Him for the strength to conquer them.
If we are worn out by suffering, let us ask Him to help and console us.
As St Alphonsus said: “He who does not acquire the love of God will scarcely persevere in the grace of God, for it is very difficult to renounce sin, merely through fear of chastisement.”

If we live in the presence of God and contemplate Him, we shall be moved to love Him more and more.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-awareness-of-the-presence-of-god/

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – The Memorial of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“If you wish to charm the loving Heart of your God,
set yourself to talk to Him,
as often as you can
and, after a fashion,
continually, together with the fullest
and most confident liberty.
He will not hold aloof from answering you
and participating in the conversation on His part.”

“On the journey of this life to eternity,
let me carry You in my heart,
following Mary’s example,
who bore You in her arms,
during the flight to Egypt.”

“… It is Him you should love and no other.
Of Him you could and should say
“My Beloved is mine and I am his” (Sg 2:16);
my God has given Himself without reserve
and, without reserve, I give myself to Him;
He has chosen me as the object of His tenderness
and He, among thousands,
He, the radiant and ruddy one (Sg 5:10),
so loveable and so loving,
He is the chosen of my heart,
the only one I wish to love.”

“Were you to ask,
‘what are the means of overcoming temptations’,
I would answer:
the first means is prayer,
the second is prayer,
the third is prayer
and should you ask me a thousand times,
I would repeat the same.”

“Sacrilegious tongues blaspheme the God
who preserves their existence!
… you should be damned forever
and, instead of thanking Him for His goodness,
you, at the very time
that He bestows His favours upon you,
YOU blaspheme His Holy Name!”

“Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus
in the Blessed Sacrament
is the greatest, after the sacraments,
the one dearest to God
and the one most helpful to us.”

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

I desire, good Jesus,
to receive Thee in Holy Communion
and since I cannot now receive Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually
and to refresh my soul with Thy sweetness.
Come, my Lord, my God and my All!
Come to me
and never let me ever again
be separated from Thee by sin.
Teach me Thy blessed ways,
help me with Thy grace to imitate Thy example,
to practise meekness, humility,
charity and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.
My divine Master, my one desire is to do Thy will
and to love Thee, more and more.
Help me, that I may be faithful to the end, in Thy service.
Bless me in life and in death,
that I may praise Thee, forever in heaven,
Amen

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on ZEAL, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 31 July – St Ignatius Loyola

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” and the Memorial of St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) –

“Go Forth, Set the World on Fire!”

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

“Act as if everything depended on you;
trust as if everything depended on God.”

“True, I am in love with suffering
but I do not know,
if I deserve the honour!”

“There is no better wood
for feeding the fire of God’s love
than the wood of the Cross.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 July – The Love of Our Neighbour

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

The Love of Our Neighbour

“The Gospel not only commands us to love God above all things but also, to love our neighbour as ourselves (Cf Mt 13:35-40).
The Christian love of our neighbour, flows necessarily from the love of God.
Our Creator loves all men as His own sons.
Therefore, we ought to love one another as brothers, even as Our Lord loves us.
We should see, in our neighbour, especially if he is in need, the person of Christ Himself, our elder brother, “the first-born among many brethren” (Rom 8:29).

If men sincerely loved one another, not merely as brothers but as much as they love themselves, what problems would be solved!
Who can say how many evils would be abated and how many sorrows would be assuaged?
To transform the world, it would be enough to put into practice the first great commandment of the Gospel, which is the commandment of charity.
Admittedly, the world would not become an earthly paradise, for any such Utopia is an impossibility.
But, it would become a dignified dwelling place of brothers, loving and helping one another.
“Love is the fulfilment of the law,” St Paul very truly says (Rom 13:10).
“Have charity, which is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 July – “… I speak not here of that simple love of charity …”

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One Minute Reflection – 29 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Memorial of St Martha – Readings: Exodus 40: 16-21, 34-38; Psalms 84: 3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11; John 11: 19-27

“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” – John 11:5

REFLECTION – “Love everyone with a great, charitable love but have no friendship except for those that communicate with you in the things of virtue. … If this communication be in the sciences, the friendship is certainly very commendable but still more so, if it be in virtues, in prudence, discretion, fortitude and justice. Should your mutual and reciprocal communications relate to charity, devotion and Christian perfection, O God, how precious will this friendship be! It will be excellent because it comes from God; excellent, because it tends to God; excellent because its very bond is God; excellent, because it shall last eternally in God. Oh, how good it is to love on earth as they love in heaven;and to learn to cherish one another in this world, as we shall do eternally in the next!

I speak not here of that simple love of charity which we must have for all but, of that spiritual friendship, by which two, three or more souls communicate one to another their devotion and spiritual affections and make themselves have but one spirit. (Cf. Acts 4:32) Such happy souls may justly sing: “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 132[133]:1). … I consider all other friendships as but so many shadows in comparison with this one … For Christians who live in the world and desire to embrace true virtue, it is necessary to unite themselves together by a holy and sacred friendship. By this means, they encourage, assist and conduct one another to good deeds … Surely no-one can deny, that our Lord loved Saint John, Lazarus, Martha and Magdalen with a more sweet and most special friendship, for Scripture tells us so.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of Charity the Church – Introduction to the Devout Life, III, 19 (trans. John Ryan)

PRAYER – Almighty ever-living God, Your Son graciously came as a guest to the home of St Martha and was the friend of her family. Martha in her sorrow was moved to declare her total faith in Him, grant we pray, that in our trials and sorrows, we too may prove our love for You. By her prayers give us grace to serve Christ faithfully in our brethren and bring us to Your home in heaven. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, amen.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – ‘There also will your heart be. …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Readings: Exodus 34: 29-35; Psalms 99: 5, 6, 7, 9; Matthew 13: 44-46

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again and out of joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Matthew 13:44

“For where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be.”

Matthew 6:21

“But God said to him,
‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you
and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
So is he, who lays up treasure for himself
and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:20-21

“Lay not up for yourselves, treasures on earth …
but lay up for yourselves, treasures in heaven”

Matthew 6:19,20

“You are a jailor of your wealth, not its owner,
you who bury your gold in the ground (cf Mt 25,25);
you are its slave and not its master.
Christ said: “Where your treasure is, there also your heart will be”
so it is your heart you have buried.
Rather, sell your gold and buy salvation;
sell what is metal and acquire God’s Kingdom;
sell the field and purchase for yourself, eternal life.
In saying this I am speaking the truth
because I am relying on the words of Him who is Truth:
“If you wish to be perfect, sell what you have
and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mt 19,21).
Do not be cast down by these words lest the same thing be said to you,
as to the rich young man:
“It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (v.23).
Still more, when you read this sentence,
consider that death can snatch these possessions away from you,
that the aggression of someone powerful can carry them away.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Bishop of Milan,
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Where is the heart that loves?
On the thing it loves.
Therefore, where our love is,
there our heart is held captive.
It cannot leave it;
it cannot be lifted higher,
it cannot go either to the right or the left;
see, it is fixed.
Where the miser’s treasure is,
there is his heart
and where our heart is,
there is our treasure.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on NATURE - GOD'S CREATION, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 25 July – The Love of God, The One Thing Necessary!

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Thought for the Day – 25 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Love of God
The One Thing Necessary!

“If we really know God, we should love Him above all created things.
“I have loved you too little, My God,” said St Augustine in his Confessions, “because I have not known You well enough.”
If we knew God, we should recognise, that He is infinite beauty, goodness and wisdom.
We should realise, that the beauty of creatures is like a passing cloud, for it is a vague and distant reflection of the eternal beauty of God.
We should realise, that the wisdom of men, is only a ray of God’s light which comes from Him and must return to Him.
Finally, we should perceive that men are good, only insofar, as they do their best to respond to the inspirations of grace which God has placed in their hearts.
God alone is in Himself and of Himself, supremely true, beautiful, good, wise and holy.
Created things are only an invitation to love God, their Creator.
God alone, therefore, is supremely lovable in Himself.
In the apt words of St Bernard, “God Himself is the reason why we should love God and, the measure of our love should be measureless.”

Let us not allow ourselves to become entangled in the empty passing things of this world but, let us raise our minds and hearts to God alone.
There is only one thing necessary!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/10/thought-for-the-day-10-february-the-love-of-god/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 23 July – The Divided Heart

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

The Divided Heart

“Even if your heart has not become the property of the devil and retains a horror of mortal sin, it is still possible, that you have not given it completely to God.
Your heart is divided.
Part of it belongs to God and part of it to the world.
You are distracted by your own self-love and earthly desires.
A heart which is divided in its affections between God and the world, is dazzled by everything around it and tends to forget God, more and more.

We protest that we belong entirely to God but, in practice, we are so absorbed by work, ambition and pleasure, that we neglect God.

A man who is torn between love of God and love of the world is like Cain who, unlike Abel, did not offer God, the best part of his flock but kept this for himself and offered God whatever he had rejected.
God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice but had no regard for that of Cain, who finally became a murderer and was cursed by his Creator.

Do we offer God the leavings of life while we keep the best part of it for our selves?
Do we think of ourselves nearly all the time and give very little thought to God?
This is not the way in which God has dealt with us.
Not only has He created us but, He loves us with an everlasting love.
He came down to earth and lived as our fellow man.
He redeemed us by His Precious Blood and gave Himself to us as our food!

Why are we not willing to give ourselves to Him forever in return?
Gratitude demands that we should do so.
God, moeover, is our supreme and only good.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/30/thought-for-the-day-30-april-the-divided-heart/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 July – Good ground

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11; Matthew 13: 18-23

“But he that received the seed upon good ground”

Matthew 13:23

“ If you would rise,
shun luxury,
for luxury lowers and degrades.“

St John Chyrsostum (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“You have made us for Yourself
and our hearts are restless
until they rest in You.”

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

“Let us then learn from the Cross of Jesus
our proper way of living.
Should I say ‘living’ or, instead, ‘dying’?
Rather, both living and dying.
Dying to the world, living for God.
Dying to vices and living by the virtues.
Dying to the flesh but living in the spirit.
Thus in the Cross of Christ,
there is death
and in the Cross of Christ, there is life.
The death of death is there
and the life of life.
The death of sins is there
and the life of the virtues.
The death of the flesh is there
and the life of the spirit.
… It was fitting, that we,
who had fallen because of a tree,
might rise up because of a tree.”

St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167)
“St Bernard of the North”

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 22 July – Progress in the Love of God

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

Progress in the Love of God

“The entire Christian system is based on the love of God.
This, is “the greatest and first commandment” (Mt 22:38) of Jesus, from which the second commandment, to love our neighbour, naturally flows.
A man who does not observe this first commandment is not a Christian, whereas a man who endeavours to increase, everyday, his love for God, is a saint.
There are may grades of ascent in this love but, the basic step is indicated in the words of our Divine Master:  “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is is who loves me” (Jn 14:15,21).

The love of God should not consist of an empty and ineffective sentimentality but, should comprise a sincere determinations to please God by carrying out His will, without reserve and by becoming more closely united to Him, by the help of His holy grace.
Progress in the love of God is divided by the masters of the spiritual lfe into three stages:
(1) the period of purification;
(2) the period of illuminations and;
(3) the period of union with God.
We may have advanced no farther than the first stage because there is still so much to be purified in our souls.
Nevertheless, let us ask God’s grace, to help us to begin this work immediately!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July –’ … By the heart …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 July –“Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Feast of St Mary of Magdala -– Readings: Song of Solomon 3:1-4, Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9, John 20:1-2, 11-18

“Do not touch me ”
“Noli me tangere”

John 20:17

“He [Christ], protects their faith
and gives strength to believers,
in proportion to the TRUST,
that each man,
who receives that strength,
is willing to place in Him.”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258)
Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Church

“By His rights as Lord,
He demands wholly
our hearts, tongues and heads.
He wishes to be the object
of our thought and understanding,
our belief and reading,
our fear and love. . . ”

St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431)
Father of the Church

Above Poem 10, from The Poems of St. Paulinus of Nola,

“And yet He could be touched
but by the heart, not by the hand;
by desire, not by the eye;
by faith, not by the sense. …”

St Bernard (1091-1153)
Doctor of the Church

“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)

O God, send forth Your Holy Spirit
By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church

O God,
send forth Your Holy Spirit
into my heart
that I may perceive,
into my mind,
that I may remember,
and into my soul,
that I may meditate.
Inspire me to speak
with piety,
holiness,
tenderness
and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts
and senses, from beginning to end.
May Your grace,
ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now
with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of Your infinite mercy.
Amen

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – ‘… Have patience, that you may touch Me in My Beauty.’

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One Minute Reflection – 22 July –“Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Feast of St Mary of Magdala – Readings: Song of Solomon 3:1-4, Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9, John 20:1-2, 11-18

“Whom do you seek?” – John 20:15

REFLECTION – “Only the hearing that catches the Word possesses the truth … “Do not touch me,” says the Lord. He meant: – depend no longer on this fallible sense, put your trust in the Word, get used to faith. Faith cannot be deceived. With the power to understand invisible truths, faith does not know the poverty of the senses; it transcends even the limits of human reason, the capacity of nature, the bounds of experience. Why do you ask the eye to do what it is not equipped to do? And why does the hand endeavour to examine things beyond its reach? What you may learn from these senses is of limited value. But faith will tell you of Me without detracting from My greatness. Learn to receive with greater confidence, to follow with greater security, whatever faith commends to you.

“Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father.” As if, after He had ascended, He wished to be, or could be, touched by it! And yet, He could be touched but by the heart, not by the hand – by desire, not by the eye; by faith, not by the senses. “Why do you want to touch Me now?” He says … “Do you not remember that, while I was still Mortal, the eyes of the disciples could not endure, for a short space, the glory of My Transfigured Body that was destined to die? I still accommodate Myself to your senses by bearing this form of a servant (Phil 2:7) which you are accustomed to seeing. But this glory of Mine is too wonderful for you … Defer your judgement, therefore, … With its fuller comprehension, faith will define it more worthily and more surely … They, therefore, will touch Me worthily, who will accept Me as being seated with the Father (Mk 16:19; Ps 110[109]:1), no longer in lowly guise but in My own flesh, transformed with heaven’s beauty. Why wish to touch what is ugly? Have patience, that you may touch Me in My Beauty.” – St Bernard (1091-1153) – Cistercian Monk and Doctor of the Church – Sermons on the Song of Songs, no. 28, 9-10

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ made Mary of Magdala the first herald of Easter joy. Grant that, following her example and helped by her prayers, we may, in this life, proclaim the living Christ and come to see Him reigning with You in glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 20 July– The Surest Way to Avoid Sin

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

The Surest Way to Avoid Sin

“The surest way of never offending God, is to love Him.
If we love God sincerely, it will be impossible for us to offend Him.
“Love,” says St Paul, “is the fulfilment of the Law,” (Rom 13:10) and charity “is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14).
If all our actions are inspired by the love of God, it will not matter how insignificant they are, for they will be pleasing to Him and will gain merit for ourselves.
Then it will be impossible for us to sin.

If most of our actions, on the other hand, are dictated by an inordinate attachment to creatures and to ourselves, they will certainly not lead us to God.
Our hearts need love and cannot live without it.
But whom shall we love if we do not love God, Who is our Creator and Redeemer?
We shall find love or a moment in beauty, in goodness and in pleasure but, it will soon pass away and leave us with empty hearts.
God is our highest good and only He can fully satisfy our hearts.
But He wishes us to belong completely to Himself.

Our hearts are too tiny to be divided between God and creatures.
We must belong entirely to God.
If we love Him sincerely, all created things will form a ladder, which will help us to ascent to Him.
Let us love God and remain united to Him in all our actions.
Then sin will never find it’s way into our souls.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WISDOM

Our Morning Offering – 20 July – Our Lord, King of all!

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Our Morning Offering – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Our Lord, King of all!
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

We pray to You, O Lord,
who are the supreme Truth,
and all truth is from You.
We beseech You, O Lord,
who are the highest Wisdom,
and all the wise depend on You
for their wisdom.
You are the supreme Joy,
and all who are happy
owe it to You.
You are the Light of minds
and all receive
their understanding from You.
We love, we love You above all.
We seek You, we follow You,
and we are ready to serve You.
We desire to dwell under Your power
for You are the King of all.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 18 July – Intimacy with Jesus

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

Intimacy with Jesus

“The union of love which should exist between Jesus and ourselves, is modelled on the mysterious union between Jesus and His Heavenly Father.

(1) This intimacy between ourselves and Jesus should be, first of all, in the mind.
Our thoughts will be good when we think like God and with the mind of Jesus, “Who is the true light that enlightens every man who comes into the world” (Jn 1:9).
If we stray away from that light, darkness overwhelms us, even as it pervaded the earth during the agony of Jesus Christ.
Our intelligence is a ray of light which comes from God, we should take care not to allow this ray to be separated from its divine source.
This heavenly ray always shone on the faces of the saints because they were clean of heart and close to God.
That is how we should all be.

(2) In the second place, we should be united intimately with Jesus in our sentiments.
“Have this mind in you which was also in Jesus Christ” (Phil 2:5) says St Paul.
Our love must not be abstract or partial but must be all-absorbing.
Jesus calls us friends and friendship unites two hearts as one.
We must give ourselves completely to Jesus without reserving anything for ourselves.
True holiness is found when God and man are united like two faithful constant friends.

(3) In the third place, there must be intimacy in action.
It is not possible for a man who truly loves God to do anything which would offend Him.
Jesus compares the love which we should have for Him with the love which He has for His Heavenly Father, so we should model our lives continuously on the life of Jesus.
Jesus must work in us, as He did in St Paul and all the Saints.

St Francis de Sales writes, that Jesus should always be in our minds, in our hearts, in our eyes and on our tongue.
We should be living images of Jesus and we must, therefore, live and act for Him, with Him and in Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 17July – ‘… The life of the soul, is Christ’.

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Quote/s of the Day – 17July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Readings: Exodus 12: 37-42; Psalms 136: 1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15; Matthew 12: 14-21

“Behold, my servant
whom I have chosen”

Matthew 12:18

“He cries out, saying:
See, I am with you all the days of this age.
He is Himself the shepherd,
the high priest,
the way and the door,
and has become all things at once for us.”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Loving You, O God,
brings its own reward here on earth,
as well as the eternal reward of heaven.
By becoming mirrors of Your love,
by wearing the mask of Your likeness
and by allowing You to make us perfect,
we can know the joy of heaven,
even while we abide here on earth.”

William of St Thierry O.Cist (c 1075 – c 1148)

“The life of the body,
is the soul,
the life of the soul,
is Christ.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“Who is like You, Who founded heaven and earth …,
You, Who will Your delight to be
with the children of humankind?
How great You are, King of kings
and Lord of Lords,
Who rule the stars
and set Your Heart on humankind!”

St Gertrude the Great of Helfta (1256-1301)

“If you wish to enter into life,
keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth,
believe in Me.
If you will be perfect,
sell all.
If you will be My disciple,
deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life,
despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven,
humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me,
carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross
find the life of blessedness
and of true light.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ Chapter 56

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – In our hearts …

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – “Month of the Most Precious” – Readings: Exodus 11: 10 – 12: 14; Psalms 116: 12-13, 15 and 16bc, 17-18; Matthew 12: 1-8

“I say to you,
something greater
than the temple is here …”

Matthew 12:6

“Evangelical faith lived in Christ,
transcends the law.”

St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368)
Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ

“May Christ be heard in our language,
may Christ be seen in our life,
may He be perceived in our hearts”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“If, then, you seek to know what path to follow,
take Christ because He is the way.”

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

“Every Christian must be a living book
wherein one can read the teaching of the Gospel.
This is what St Paul says to the Corinthians.
Our heart is the parchment;
through my ministry
the Holy Spirit is the writer because
‘my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe’
(Psalm 45:1).”

St Joseph of Leonissa OFM CAP (1556-1612)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 15 July – A Life of Fervour

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Thought for the Day – 15 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Life of Fervour

“God is our Creator and absolute Master, Whom the Angels adore and irrational creatures obey.
His greatness demands that we should offer all our activities to Him in a spirit of fervent and loving dedication.
Since we have received everything from Him, we have many reasons for loving Him.
By the work of redemption, God became our Friend and our Brother and the Victim of Expiation for our sins.
How could we remain indifferent and ungrateful when we remember the favours which we have received .
Love desires love in return and God loves us so much that He became man and shed His Blood for us.
Moreover, He immolates Himself continually on our behalf, in the Sacrifice of the Eucharist.
Finally, our fervour should be increased, by the reflection, that God has reserved for us, an everlasting reward, His own Beatific Vision.

All these considerations should help us to increase the fervour of our love.
Then our actions will form a ladder of ascent to God, by means of which, we shall become intimately united to Him.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/15/thought-for-the-day-15-july-a-life-of-fervour/