Category: QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, One Minute Reflection, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – ‘Let us beware of losing all hope…’

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One Minute Reflection – 15 October – Monday of the Twenty Eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:29–32 and the Memorial of Blessed Roman Lysko (1914–1949) Priest and Martyr

“For they repented at the preaching of Jonah and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” … Luke 11:32

REFLECTION – “Let us beware of losing all hope but let us also avoid giving in too easily to carelessness…   Despair hinders those who have fallen, from getting up again and carelessness causes those who are standing, to fall…   If presumption casts us down from the heights of heaven, despair casts us into the infinite depths of evil, whereas a little hope is enough to hold us back…
This is how Nineveh was saved.   However, the divine judgement pronounced against the Ninevites was of a nature to throw them into confusion since it did not say:  “If you repent you will be saved” but simply:  “Three more days and Nineveh will be destroyed” (Jon 3:4).   Nevertheless, neither the Lord’s threat, nor the prophet’s preaching, nor even the severity of the judgement… caused their confidence to fail.   God wants us to draw a lesson, from this unconditional judgement that taught by this example, that we may resist despair as much as passivity…  Besides, divine good will does not only reveal itself in the forgiveness granted to the repentant Ninevites.. the respite granted them, attests likewise, to His unutterable goodness.   Do you imagine that three days would have been enough to wipe out so much wickedness?   God’s good will is breaking out from behind these words and, besides, isn’t it the principal worker of the whole city’s salvation?
Let this example keep us from despairing.   For the devil thinks of this form of weakness as his most successful weapon and, even when we sin, we could not give him greater pleasure than when we lose hope.” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Father & Doctorluke 11 32 for they repented at the preaching of jonah - despair hope - st john chrysostom 14 oct 2019

PRAYER – Eternal, almighty God and Father, teach us true sorrow and repentance.  Grant us the grace of trust and hope in Your unfailing love, that we may resist despair as we face the sin of the world and the wiles of the evil one.   As we walk always in the Light of Christ, Your Son, following His way, we may never fall into temptation.   May the intercession of Your saints and martyrs, be always an assistance to us all.   Mary, our Mother of merciful love and Blessed Roman Lysko, pray for us.   Through Christ our Lord and the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.merciful mother mary pray for us 14 oct 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD

Thought for the Day – 8 October – Reaching out towards God – St Gertrude

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Thought for the Day – 8 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 10:38–42

Reaching out towards God

Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta (1256-1301)
The Herald of Divine Love, Book III, SC 143

On a certain occasion, while she was interiorly worrying that she was unable to feel as much desire as was fitting to the glory of God, Gertrude received this divine explanation: that God is fully satisfied when a person, without being able to do more, is in a state of wanting, if possible, to have great desires.   Just as great as they would like to have, so they are before God.   In a heart filled with the desire, of wanting to desire, God finds greater delights to dwell, than we do in the flowering of early spring.

On another occasion, due to illness, she had been less attentive to God for several days when, regaining consciousness of this fault, she started to confess this negligence to the Lord with a pious humility.   And as she was fearing she would have to bear a long delay before recovering the former sweetness of the divine presence, all at once, in a flash, she was aware that God was bending towards her with a truly loving embrace with these words:  “Daughter, you are always with me and all that is mine, is yours” (cf. Lk 15:31). She understood by this reply that, even though, through the weakness of nature, a person might sometimes omit to direct their attention to God, nevertheless, in His merciful kindness, He Himself does not neglect to hold all our works, as worthy of an eternal reward, provided only, that we do not deliberately turn away from Him and that we always repent of everything, for which our consciences reproach us.

“You are always with me and all that is mine, is yours”

The Elder Brother’s Prayer

Teach me, my Lord,
to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life,
in disappointments,
in the thoughtlessness of those I trusted,
in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.
Let me put myself aside,
to think of the happiness of others,
to hide my little pains and heartaches,
so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.
Teach me to profit by the suffering
that comes across my path.
Let me so use it that it may make me
patient, not irritable.
That it may make me broad in my forgiveness,
not narrow, haughty and overbearing.
May no one be less good
for having come within my influence.
No one less pure, less true, less kind,
less noble for having been a fellow traveller
in our journey toward Eternal Life.
As I go my rounds from one distraction to another,
let me whisper from time to time,
a word of love to Thee.
May my life be lived in the supernatural,
full of power for good,
and strong in its purpose of sanctity.
Amenprodigal the elder brother's prayer - beautiful fantastic 8 october 2019 - martha amry luke 10 42.jpg

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!the jesus prayer - 3 jan 2018.jpg

Posted in ADVENT, ARCHangels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 29 September – Where are your ostentation and your luxury?

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Thought for the Day – 29 September – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 and The Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ … Luke 16:24

St John Chrysostom explains the point of the parable, to his congregation, by having Abraham speak the following words about Lazarus, to the rich man.

“When you were living in your wealth, when you were free to see at your own will, you did not choose to see him. Why do you have such keen sight now?   Was he not at your gate?   How could you avoid seeing him?   When he was near you, did you not see him and now, do you see him from a distance, even across such a chasm? …  The man whom you passed by a thousand times, whom you did not want to see – now do you seek to have him sent to you for your salvation? …

And where are your cup bearers? …  Where are your flatterers?   Where is your vanity? Where is your presumption?   Where is your buried gold?   Where are your moth-eaten garments?   Where is the silver which you valued so highly?   Where are your ostentation and your luxury?   They were leaves – winter seized them and they are all withered up. They were a dream – and when day came, the dream departed.   They were a shadow – the truth came and the shadow fled away …

When we hear, let us be afraid, my beloved, lest we also see the poor and pass them by, lest instead of Lazarus there be many to accuse us hereafter.”

St John Chrysostom  (347-407) Father & Doctor

Sermon 6 on Lazarus and the Rich Manluke 16 24 and he called out fr abraham - let us be afraid - st john chrysostom 29 sept 2019.jpg

Holy Archangels, Pray for Us!holy archangels pray for us - 29 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, MARTYRS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – He will be everything to you ….

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

But he said to them,
“My mother and my brethren,
are those, who hear
the word of God and do it.”

Luke 8:21luke 8 27 my mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of god and do it 24 sept 2019

“We recognise a tree by its fruit
and we ought to be able to recognise
a Christian by his action.
The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives,
for being a Christian is more than making
sound professions of faith.
It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways.
Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs
and live them out,
than to talk eloquently about what we believe
but fail to live by it.”we-recognise-a-tree-by-its-fruit-st-ignatius-of-antioch-speaking-of-living-the-light-no-2-24-sept-2018.jpg

“A Christian is not his own master,
since all his time belongs to God.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108) Martyr

 Father of the Churcha christian is not his own master - st ignatius of antioch 24 sept 2019.jpg

“Look upon the face of the Crucified,
who invites you to follow Him.
He will be a Father, Mother–
everything to you.”

St Paul of the Cross CP (1694-1775)look upon the face of the crucified st paul of the cross 24 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in FRANCISCAN, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 22 September –    Let’s get to work!

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Quote of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of

St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“Paradise is not made for slackers.   Let’s get to work!” 

St Ignatius of Santhia (1686-1770)paradise is not made for slackers - st ignatius of santhia 21 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, MARIAN TITLES, One Minute Reflection, Papa FRANCIS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 September – ‘Salvation enters the heart, only when we open the heart’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 September – Thursday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:36–50 and The Feast of Our Lady of La Salette

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much”….Luke 7:47luke 7 47 her sins which are many are forgiven - 19 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “At this point, an even greater amazement falls on all those at table:  “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (v.49).   Jesus does not give an explicit answer but the conversion of the sinful women stands before everyone’s eyes and shows that in Him shines forth the power of God’s mercy, capable of transforming hearts.

The sinful woman teaches us the link between faith, love and gratitude.   Her “many sins” were forgive her and therefore she loves much, “but he who is forgiven little, loves little” (v. 47).   Even Simon has to admit that the one who has been forgiven more, loves more.   God has enclosed everyone in the mystery of mercy and from this love, which always goes before us, all of us learn to love.   As St Paul reminds us: “In Christ, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us” (Eph. 1:7-8).   In this text, the word “grace” is practically synonymous with mercy and is called “lavish,” that is, beyond our expectations, for it carries out God’s saving plan for each of us. … Salvation enters the heart, only when we open the heart, in the truth of our sins.” … Pope Francis 18 September 2014 (“Pope Francis” painting by Natalia Tsarkova)salvation-enters-the-heart-only-when-we-pope-francis-20-sept-2018

PRAYER – Grant us Lord, a true knowledge of salvation, so that, freed from fear and from the power of our foes, we may serve You faithfully in love and sorrow for our sins.   May we, through the love You grant us, extend our love to all we meet and may the tears of the Holy Virgin of Reconciliation, not reject our prayers but intercede for us, obtain for us the grace to love our Lord Jesus above all else.   May we console you by a holy life and so come to share the eternal life Christ gained by His Cross.   Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever,amen.our-lady-of-salette-pray-for-us19 sept 2017

Posted in ARMOUR of CHRIST, CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, LAPSED Catholics, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST, The LORD'S PRAYER

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – The wisdom of St Cyprian of Carthage

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – The Memorial of Sts Cornelius & Cyprian

“Not by words alone but also by deeds, has God taught us to pray.   He Himself prayed frequently and demonstrated what we ought to do, by the testimony of His own example.   As it is written: “But he himself was in retirement in the desert and in prayer” and again, “He went out into the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.”   But if He who was without sin prayed, how much more ought sinners to pray and if He prayed continually, watching through the whole night with uninterrupted petitions, how much more ought we to lie awake at night in continuing prayer!”luke-5-16-but-he-withdrew-to-the-wilderness-but-if-he-who-was-without-sin-st-cyprian-11-jan-2019

“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?”

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

let-us-pray-as-god-our-master-has-taught-us-no 2 used on 16 sept 2019 memorial of st-cyprian-12-march-2019-lenten-thoughts-no-2- used again 20 june 2019

“As we do battle and fight, in the contest of faith,
God, His angels and Christ Himself, watch us.
How exalted is the glory,
how great the joy of engaging in a contest
with God presiding,
of receiving a crown, with Christ as judge.”
An excerpt from his Letter 58as-we-do-battle-and-fight-st-cyoprian-of-carthage-6-may-2019-the-contest-of-faith.jpg

“{Lapsed Christians} will often take Communion before their sin is expiated, before confession has been made of their crime, before their conscience has been purged by sacrifice and by the hand of the priest, before the offence of an angry and threatening Lord has been appeased, [and so] violence is done to His body and blood and they sin now, against their Lord, more with their hand and mouth than when they denied their Lord.”
(The Lapsed 15–16 [written in 251])lapsed christians - st cyprian of carthage - 3 feb 2019 sun reflec

“He not only receives and pardons those adversaries,
those blasphemers, those persistent enemies of His name,
provided they do penance for their offence
and acknowledge the crime committed
but He admits them to the reward of the kingdom of heaven.”he not only receives and pardons no 2 used on 16 sept 2019 st cyprians memorial- st cyprian - 24 march 2019 3rdsunlentyearc.jpg

“Whatever a man
prefers to God,
that, he makes,
a god to himself.”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200-258)
Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Churchwhatever man prefers to god that he makes a god to himself - st cyprian of carthage 16 sept 2019.jpg