Category: QUOTES on SIN

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 29 December – Our Frequent Lapses

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

Our Frequent Lapses

“It is sad to have to admit, that in spite of our good resolutions and in spite of the graces which we receive from God, we continue to fall into sin.
Our continual lapses can cause us to become discouraged.
This, however, is a device of the devil, who has already lured us into sin and now, proceeds to suggest thoughts of despair.
He wishes to convince us that resistance is useless, that our nature is completely corrupt and, that there is no escape for us.

“My dear children,” wrote St John to the early Christians, “these things I write to you, in order that you may not sin. But, if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the just and he is a propitiation for our sins, not for ours only but also, for those of the whole world” (1 Jn 2:1-2).
“If we say that that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.” (1 Jn 1:9).
“He who says that he knows him and does not keep his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him But he who keeps his word, in him the love of God is truly perfected” (1 Jn 2:5).

It is clear, therefore, that we ought to avoid sin by every means in our power because, it extinguishes our charity and brings death to the soul.
Nevertheless, even if we continue to fall into sin, we should never lose heart.
Discouragement and despair are stratagems of the devil.
No matter how great and how numerous our sins maybe, God is always prepared to pardon them.
Let us recall the example of Mary Magdalen, of the repentant thief and of the prodigal son.
As long as we repent sincerely, we may be sure that God will forgive us and clasp us to His breast, for God is Infinitely merciful.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 28 December – The Value of An Hour

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

The Value of An Hour

“There are twenty four hours in a day, eight thousand seven hundred and sixty, in a year.
How have you spent all the hours which God has given you in the past?
How do you intend to use the hours which He will give you in the future?

When you examine the past, you will find much to regret.
Perhaps you have spent many hours in sin, in idle gossp, in useless or dangerous pastimes, or in innumerable business transactions, all of which will contribute NOTHING towards your eternal salvation, which should be our main concern in this life.

How much time have you spent thinking of God, your Creator and Redeemer?
How many hours have you devoted to prayer, thanksgiving and penance.
How many have you spent in apostolic work on behalf of your neighbour?
It may be that the service of God and your spiritual welfare have, so far, been the least of your worries, on which you have expended no more than the few odd moments left over from your other preoccupations.
You are well aware, nevertheless, that the purpose of life is to know, love and serve God.
You know that you ought to offer Him all your thoughts, affections and actions, for He alone can make your happy – or do you NOT know and believe this?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 December – Why does God say that He will forgive the people of Israel their iniquity because they have reached the peak of their sinfulness?!

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One Minute Reflection – 21 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Advent IV – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – Luke 3:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.” – Luke 3:4

REFLECTION – “When the pagans led the people of Israel into slavery and sent them as captives among the Persians and the Medes, after a long period of captivity, the good King Cyrus resolved to take them out of their enslavement and to bring them back to the Promised Land. With divine poetry, the Prophet Isaias broke into song with these beautiful words: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says the Lord your God. Your consolation will neither be in vain nor useless. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem … for her sinfulness is complete. And because her iniquity has reached its peak, she will be forgiven.” And that is why that great Prophet told the people of Israel: “Prepare the way of the Lord… Make straight … a highway for our God!” (cf Isa 40:1).

Why does God say He will forgive the people of Israel their iniquity because they have reached the peak of their sinfulness?! The ancient Fathers … teach that these words can be understood … as if God were saying: “When they have reached their greatest affliction and when they intensely feel the burden of their iniquity in enslavement and servitude, after punishing them for their evil ways … I looked at them and I felt compassion for them. When they had reached the worst of their days, I was satisfied with what they had suffered. And that is why now, their iniquity will be forgiven … When they had reached the height of their … ingratitude, when they seemed no longer to remember anything at all of God and His Kindness, then their iniquity will be forgiven.”…

When God in His Providence desired to show humankind His Goodness, it was admirable, for in doing so, He did not want to be motivated by anything. Without being prompted by anything other than His Goodness, He communicated Himself to them in a truly marvelous way.

When He came into this world, it was the time when humankind had reached the peak of its sinfulness; when the laws were in the hands of Annas and Caiaphas … when Herod ruled and Pontius Pilate presided over Judea that was when God came to the world to redeem us and to deliver us from the tyranny of sin and the servitude of our enemy.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who are heavy-laden under the yoke of sin, maybe delivered from the bondage of old, by the long-awaited new birth of Thy Only-begotten Son. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Rejoice! ejoice! Emmanuel, Shall come to thee, O Israel. Amen (Collect)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 November – ‘ … I do not know how we can sleep … ‘ – St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 2 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – All Souls Day – Ephesian 6:10-17 –,– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“‘Thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all thy debt because thou entreated Me. Should not thou then, have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee?’ ” – Matthew 18:32-33

REFLECTION – “Every man is God’s debtor and each has his brother in debt to him. Indeed, who could be without debt towards God, if not Him, in Whom is found no sin? And who could not have a debtor in his brother, if not he, whom no-one has ever offended? Thus every man is both debtor and creditor… A beggar asks you for alms but you, too, are God’s beggar, for when we pray we are all beggars of God. We stand – or rather, prostrate ourselves – at our Father’s door (cf Lk 11:5); we beseech Him with groans, anxious to receive a grace from Him and this grace is God Himself. What does the beggar ask of you? Bread. And what is it that you are asking of God but Christ, Who said: “I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven” (Jn 6:51). Do you want to receive pardon? Then, show pardon. “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Do you want to receive? “Give and gifts will be given to you” (Lk 6:37-38) …

Thus, we ought to be ready to forgive all the wrongs done to us, if we wish God to forgive us too. Truly, if we consider our sins and think over the offences we have committed, I do not know how we can sleep, without feeling the burden of our debt weighing down upon us! And this is why we make our requests to God each day. Each day our prayers strike His ears; each day we prostrate ourselves, saying: “Forgive us our debts, as we ourselves forgive those who are in debt to us.” Which of your debts would you like to have remitted? All of them or only some? You are going to reply – All! So do the same for your debtor then!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 83).

PRAYER – O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaids, the remission of all their sins, that they may obtain, by our loving prayer,s the forgiveness which they have always desired. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in INGRATITUDE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The LORD'S PRAYER

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

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

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

“When we ask God to deliver us from evil, we should think chiefly of the real evil, which is spiritual.
All other evils are insignificant in comparison with sin, which is an offence committed against God, our only good.
Sin robs us of His grace, which is the supernatural life of the soul, deprives us of His friendship and is an act of ingratitude towards our supreme Benefactor.

When we pray to God to deliver us from evil, we should renew our determination to avoid sin by every means in our power.
Prayer is futile, unless it is accompanied by the resolution never to offend God again.
Our prayers and good resolutions will draw God’s favour and will strengthen our bond of intimacy with Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The ASCENSION of the LORD

Thought for the Day – 15 October – The Second Glorious Mystery – The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Glorious Mystery
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

“In the course of our ascent, we must never stop and decide that we have gone far enough!
To stop would inevitably mean going backward.
Jesus and Mary are inviting and encouraging us to go higher and higher.

Have we been purified of sin, the defiler of the soul and the destroyer of human dignity?
Have we an intense horror, even of venial sin, which separates us from God and kills the life of grace?
It is still not enough – we must go higher.

Are we generous and unselfish in the fight to achieve holiness, guarding ourselves against the evil suggestions of the world, the flesh and the devil?
It is still not enough – we must continue to advance.

Do we carry the daily cross which God has entrusted to us and accept the burden with perfect resignation to His Holy Will?
Very good but even this is not enough!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – ‘Serving Him purely for the love of His Will’

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – St Callistus I (c218- c223) Confessor, Pope, Martyr (and remembering St Bernard our Pilgrim today) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Simon Peter answered and said:
Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. ”

Matthew 16:16

“Arise my soul
and review your deeds
which have preceded you.
Scrutinize them closely
and shed the rain of your tears,
declaring openly to Christ, our thoughts and deeds
so that you may be justified.”

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

“We become what we love
and who we love
shapes what we become.”

St Clare (1194-1253)

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.”

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

“Now it is that we are to show
an invincible courage towards our Saviour,
serving Him purely for the love of His Will,
not only without pleasure
but amid this deluge of sorrows,
horrors, distresses and assaults,
as did his glorious Mother and St John,
upon the day of His Passion.
Amongst so many blasphemies,
sorrows and deadly distresses,
they remained constant in love …”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The HOLY NAME of MARY, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 September – ‘… Why did He then defer His gift for so long? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 16 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of Saint Corneliu, Pope & Martyr and Saint Cyprian, Bishop & Martyr – Wisdom 3:1-8 – Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search herehttps://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall be hated by all men for My Name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall perish.” – Luke 21:17-18

REFLECTION – “If God’s gift to the world in sending it His Son is so good, so worthy of God, why did He then defer His gift for so long? Why, when evil in the world was still in its early stages, did God not cut short its hidden development? I have time to respond briefly to this objection – that it is God’s foreknowledge and Wisdom, the One Who is good by nature, Who has impeded this gift. Just as with physical illnesses … doctors wait until the disease which is hidden within the body to begin with, manifests itself without, so that he can apply the remedy it requires once it has become visible, so once the disease of sin had attacked the human race, the world’s Physician waited until no kind of wickedness should remain concealed.

That is why God did not apply His remedy to the world immediately after Cain’s jealousy and murder of his brother Abel … It was when vice had reached its peak and there was no single act of evil which men had not attempted that God set about curing the wound, no longer in its beginnings but in its full development. In this way, the Divine remedy could extend to every human weakness…

But then, why was the grace of the Gospel not at once extended over all? True, the Divine call is addressed equally to all alike, without distinction of condition, age or race … But, He Who has the free arrangement of all things within His Hands, pushed to the extreme His respect for humankind. He has permitted each one of us to have our own domain over which we alone are masters – this is the will, the faculty which does not know bondage which remains free, founded on the autonomy of reason. Therefore, faith is at the free disposition of those who receive the message of the Gospel.” – St Gregory of Nyssa (335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church, [The brother of St Basil the Great] (Catechetical Instruction 29-30)

PRAYER – May the feast of the blessed Martyrs and Bishops, Cornelius and Cyprian, protect us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and may their holy prayer recommend us to Thee.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 AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on The SOUL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 September – ‘ … The body is dead without the soul and the soul is dead without God. … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 9 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Peter Claver SJ (1581-1654) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, Missionary – 2 Timothy 2:8-10; 3:10-12 – Matthew 10:26-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather, be afraid of him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28

REFLECTION – “The Gospel is life. Impiety and infidelity are the death of the soul. So then, if the soul can die, how then is it yet immortal? Because, there is always a dimension of life in the soul which can never be extinguished. And how does it die? Not in ceasing to be life but by losing its proper life. For the soul is both life to something else and it has it own proper life. Consider the order of the creatures. The soul is the life of the body. God is the life of the soul. As the life which is the soul, is present with the body, that the body may not die, so the life of the soul (God), ought to be with the soul that it may not die.

How does the body die? By the departure of the soul. I say, by the departure of the soul, the body dies and it lies there as a mere carcass, what was a little before, a lively, not a contemptible object. There are in it still, its several members, the eyes and ears. But these are merely the windows of the house – its inhabitant is gone. Those who bewail the dead, cry in vain at the windows of the house. There is no-one there within it to hear. Why is the body dead? Because the soul, its life, is gone . But at what point is the soul itself dead? When God, its life, has forsaken it! This then we can know and hold for certain – the body is dead without the soul and the soul is dead without God. Everyone without God has a dead soul. You who bewail the dead rather, should bewail sin! Bewail ungodliness! Bewail disbelief! – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 65).

PRAYER – God of mercy and love, Thou offer all peoples the dignity of sharing in Thy Light and Life. By the example and prayers of St Peter Claver, strengthen us to love each other as brothers. 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

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – St Lawrence Justinian

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455) Bishop and Patriarch of Venice, Confessor

“By the practice of prayer,
we can construct an impregnable citadel,
in which we shall be securely protected
against all the snares of the enemy.”

“He cannot help sorrowing
for other’s sins, who truly sorrows
for his own.”

“The name of Mary istruly a tower of strength
which saves sinners from punishment
and defends the just
from the assaults of hell.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-september-st-lawrence-justinian-3/

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, DYING / LAST WORDS, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PURGATORY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Caesarius of Arles and St Joseph Calasanz

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father of the Church and St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) Confessor, Priest– –

“The worst kind of sin,
is not to acknowledge
that you are sinful.”

“God never deserts a man,
unless He is first deserted by that man.
For even if a man shall have committed
grievous sins once, twice and a third time,
God still looks for him,
‘so that he may be converted and live!‘”

“Whatever He receives on earth,
He returns in Heaven.”

“A person may say,
I am not much concerned
how long I stay in purgatory,
provided I may come to eternal life.
Let no-one reason thus!
Purgatory fire will be more dreadful
than whatever torments can be seen, imagined
or endured in this world.
He who is now afraid to put his finger into the fire,
does he not fear,
lest he be then all buried in torments, for a very long time?”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Bishop, Father of the Church

St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648)
QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-august-st-joseph-calasanz/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING

Thought for the Day – 19 August – The Awareness of the Presence of God

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Thought for the Day – 19 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Awareness of the Presence of God

the awareness of the presence of god - bacci 8 aug 2020

“The cultivation of a continual awareness of the presence of God is such a useful practice that many writers regard it as the fundamental principle of the spiritual life.
As St Alphonsus de’Liguori points out, it obliges us to do three thing:
(1) To preserve ourselves completely free from sin;
(2) To practise virtue, in every possible way and
(3) To seek a closer and more loving contact with God (Al Servizio Divino, III, 1,3).

The realisation of the presence of God is a particularly good way of subduing our passions and conquering temptation.
“If we were always aware of God’s presence within us,” writes St Thomas Aquinas, “we should never, or hardly ever, sin” (Opusc 58, c 2).

It is unlikely that a man who is committing sin adverts to the fact that God is watching him and could intervene to punish him at any moment.
He has forgotten the presence of God, his Creator and Redeemer, Who has been so good to him and Who will one day be his judge.
His mind has been darkened and his heart led astray by the deceptive pleasures of this world.

God is far from the sinner because the sinner ignores His inspirations and advice and has, in short, rejected Him.
The unhappy man will never find peace in this world and is doomed to eternal unhappiness in the next.

“If we remained always in the presence of God,” wrote St John Chrysostom, “we should neither conceive, nor do anything evil” (Homil 8, ad, Phil 2).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Our Morning Offering – 5 August – O Mary, Immaculate Virgin 

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Our Morning Offering – 5 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of the Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows

O Mary, Immaculate Virgin
Prayer for Health of Soul and Body

O Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
our salvation lies in thy hands.
Cleanse our souls,
we beseech thee,
from the leprosy of sin
and assist us in our corporal infirmities.
And, if it be the will of God
that we must be acquainted
with sickness and suffering,
obtain for us, at least,
perfect patience and resignation,
in whatsoever God may dispose.
Amen.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SIN, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 29 July – Why God Created Us

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

Why God Created Us

“We should ask the reason for everything which comes from the Hand of God.
Have you ever seriously considered WHY you are in this world?
It is certainly not for the sake of this passing earthly existence, for the sake of earning your living, or enjoying yourself.
You know well, that the passing pleasures of this life do not satisfy the human heart and cannot be the final goal of life.
Each one of us has a thirst for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect.
God alone can satisfy this thirst.
Just as we are created by God, so we are created for Him.
Just as we came from God, so we are gradually travelling back towards Him, for He is the final goal of our earthly journey.
We should meditate on this great truth which we were first taught in the Catechism, namely, that we were created to know, love and serve God on this earth and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.
Let us not allow ourselves to be dazzled by earthly beauty.
God alone is the eternal beauty which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/26/thought-for-the-day-26-march-why-god-created-us/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on The SOUL

Thought for the Day – 22 July – Fervour and Tepidity – There is NO MIDDLE WAY!

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

Fervour and Tepidity

“The ONLY choice in the life of a Catholic is between fervour and sin!
The tepid or negligent soul cannot remain in the grace of God long and, when God’s grace is removed, it means the death of the soul.

The spiritual life resembles a steep hill.
A man cannot stay still.
He must keep going upwards or begin to slip downwards.
Whoever struggles on, up the hill is approaching perfection and Heaven; whoever slips backwards, is approaching sin, a dead soul and Hell.

There is NO MIDDLE WAY!
Those who are lukewarm are an object of DISGUST to their Creator, Who casts them away from Himself – “Because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot,” the Holy Ghost says, “I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth” (Apoc 3:16).

So, it is not enough to be mediocre Catholic.
The half-hearted and indifferent are already travelling along the slippery path of sin and are on the waiting list for hell!
It is dangerous for anyone to remain thoughtlessly in this state of spiritual ineptitude.
A man who never thinks of his own salvation, is suffering from a serious illness.
He is running a very great risk of eternal damnation.
He has one foot in Hell here on this earth!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the JUDGE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PAPAL Apostolic EXHORTATIONS, PAPAL DECREE, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – So it will be at the end of the world … ‘Judge your own conscience!’

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – St Praxedes, Virgin (Died 164) – 1 Corinthians 7:25-34 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“So it will be at the end of the world.
The Angels will go out and separate
the wicked from among the just …

Matthew 13:49

“Judge your own conscience.
Demand an account from it.
Dig deep and rend it apart.
Discover all the evil thoughts
and intentions of the day …
and punish yourself for them!” 

 (Expos in Ps 4 n 8).

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


“Be a searching inquirer
into your own integrity of life;
examine your conduct everyday.
See how much you have advanced,
or, how much you have fallen back …
Learn to know yourself. …
Place all your faults before your eyes.
Stand before yourself,
as if it were before someone else
and you will find reason to weep over yourself!” 

(Meditat Cap 5 de quotidiano sui ipsius examine).

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Mellifluous Doctor

“Experience has proven that anyone
who makes a strict examination
of his thoughts, words and actions,
is more firmly resolved to hate
and avoid that which is evil
and wholeheartedly to love
that which is good.”

Exhortatio ad Clerum
(Acta Pii X, IV p257)

St Pius X (1835-1914)

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 21 June – The Eucharistic Life

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

The Eucharistic Life

“The Eucharistic life which is the life of union with Jesus, especially by means of daily Communion, transforms us and makes us holy.
It preserves and increases in us, the grace which is the supernatural life of the soul.
The Eucharist, of itself, does not bestow grace because, it is a Sacrament of the living.
It is our food and food is not given to the dead but, to the living.
For this reason, we should receive Holy Communion free from the stain of sin.
The Eucharist, moreover, remits venial sin, strengthens us in our resolution and increases our charity.
Venial sin, is a sickness of the soul.
Just as natural food banishes listlessness and vulnerability to disease, our Eucharistic nourishment has the same effect on our spiritual life.

It is because the Blessed Eucharist increases our love for Jesus, that it weakens our evil inclinations.
The Eucharist and sin, are mutually exclusive of one another because, the Eucharist is Jesus and sin is the devil.
Our Eucharistic food, moreover, produces, in our souls, a spiritual consolation which is a foretaste of the happiness of Heaven.

Let us listen to Jesus living within us.
He will enable us to forget our worldly cares and will raise us to a higher plane where, by God’s Infinite Goodness, we shall continue to grow in virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-eucharistic-life/

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – ‘… The austerity of false justice … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – 1 John 4:8-21 – Luke 6:36-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The disciple is not above his Master …”

Luke 6:40

“Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?
How then has it weeds?”

Matthew 13:27

“While the Householder slept,
the enemy sowed tares;
when the servants hastened to root them up,
the Master prevented them,
reserving for Himself the separation of wheat and chaff. … No-one, before the Day of Judgement,
can take Christ’s winnowing fan in hand,
no-one can pass judgement on another,
whoever they might be.”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father & Doctor of the Church

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

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

“On the other hand, Charity
shall cover a multitude of sins.
If we have been always men of charity,
it is wonderful how God will seem
to have forgotten our many sins.
The poor whom we have helped
will pray for us, those whom we have comforted
in sorrow, will say kind things on our behalf
and our charitable judgeement of others,
will find its counterpart in God’s judgement of us.
Our sins will be concealed and disappear
under the mantle of our charity.
Is my charity such as this to cover my sins?”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PETER!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 May – ‘ … Do you see how God can let someone fall into sin? … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 19 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Pope Celestine V (1210-1296) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11 – Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Upon this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and, whatever you loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven.” … Matthew 16:18-19

REFLECTION – “Peter was to receive on deposit, the keys of the Church, or rather the keys of Heaven and, he should see himself entrusted with the numerous people. What did the Lord actually say to him? “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven” (Mt 16:19).
For Peter had a somewhat abrupt character; if he had been without sin what sort of forgiveness would the disciples have received from him? This is why Divine Grace allowed him to fall into a certain fault, in order that his own trial should make him benevolent towards others.
Do you see how God can let someone fall into sin; this Peter, the leader of the Apostles, the unshakable foundation, indestructible rock, first in the Church, impregnable harbour, unshakable tower — this same Peter, who had said to Christ: “Even though I should have to die with Thee, I will not deny Thee” (Mt 26:35), Peter who, by a divine revelation, had confessed the truth: “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:16). …
But as I said, God arranged it in this way and allowed Peter to sin because He had it in mind, to confer numerous people upon him and He feared, that his roughness, joined to his impeccability, might make him unsympathetic towards his brothers.
He gave way to sin so that, remembering his own failure and the kindness of the Lord, he might testify to others, a grace of philanthropy in accord with the Divine design conceived by God. The fall had been permitted to the one who was going to see himself entrusted with the Church, the Pillar of the Church, the Harbour of the Faith; the fall had been permitted to Peter, the Doctor of the Universe, in order that, the forgiveness received, might remain the foundation of love for others.” – (Attr) St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Apostle Peter and the Prophet Elijah).

PRAYER – O God, Who raised blessed Peter Celestine to the lofty dignity of Supreme Pontiff and taught him to prefer self-abasement instead; mercifully grant that by his example, we may look upon all worldly things as naught and may be worthy to reap, in joy, the rewards promised to the humble.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 17 April – THE CRUCIFIX

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

THE CRUCIFIX

“Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
When we are oppressed by the weight of our own cross, we shall look at the Crucifix and find comfort.
When we are tempted, we shall grasp the Crucifix and turn away with horror from thoughts of sin and ingratitude.

The Crucifix will teach us, as it taught the Saints, the lesson of charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life, it will be our consolation to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-the-crucifix/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/thought-for-the-day-25-september-the-crucifix/

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on SIN, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 16 April – Jesus Dies on the Cross

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Lenten Meditations – 16 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Wednesday in Holy Week
Jesus Dies on the Cross

Read St Luke xxiii:45-48

[45] And the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple was rent in the middle.
[46] And Jesus, crying with a loud Voice, said: Father, into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit. And saying this, He gave up the ghost. [47] Now the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man. [48] And all the multitude of them who were come together to that sight and saw the things which were done, returned, striking their breasts. [Luke 23:45-48]

+1. After Our Lord has hung in agony upon the Cross, for three hours, at last the time approach’s when His deliverance is at hand.
He has endured every possible form of suffering, bodily and mental. His Body has been subjected to a physical torture far worse than the accumulated sufferings of the Martyrs; His Sacred Soul has been rent asunder with an anguish and desolation more awful than any, save the eternal anguish of hell. He has sacrificed His honour, His reputation; He has been esteemed a fool and a madman. Now, there is only one sacrifice more He can make,for mankind, to His Eternal Father, – the sacrifice of His Life. He is determined to give up all for us, to be obedient, even tuno death.

+2. What was it, caused the Death of Our Lord?
Not the executioners, not the Jews, not the agony of the Cross – they were but instruments.
It was sin.
Sin contains a malice sufficient, even to rob God Our Lord and King, of Life!
What a strange mystery sin is! And how strange that we do not hate it more, when we see its power to destroy!

+3. Jesus’ Death was no transient occurrence.
He still mystically dies for us each day and each hour. When we receive Holy Communion, we exhibit the Death of the Lord until He Comes and, therefore, His Sacred Passion and Death, should be the chief subject of our thoughts whenever we approach the Holy Table and especially, on the eve of the solemn day when He instituted the Sacrament of His Love.

Posted in HOLY WEEK, LENT- 2025, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 14 April – The Dereliction of Jesus on the Cross

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Lenten Meditations – 14 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Monday in Holy Week
The Dereliction of Jesus on the Cross

Read St Mark xv:33-36

[33] And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud Voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? [35] And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold He calleth Elias. [36] And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar and putting it upon a reed, gave Him to drink, saying: Stay, let us see if Elias come to take Mim down. [Mark 15:33-36]

+1. Our Lord had for a long time been silent. A thick darkness had gathered; most of the spectators had departed in fear. The mocking Pharisees had been awed to silence. Few were left save the soldiers, St John and a faithful group of holy women.
All of a sudden. a piercing cry from the Divine Sufferer breaks the silence:
“My God , My God , why hast Thou forsaken Me ?”
These words were an expression of the thick darkness which Our Lord had permitted to gather around His human soul and to hide from Him, as it were, the face of His Eternal Father.
This desolation was, by far, the greatest of all the unspeakable sufferings of the Son of God.

+2. What was its cause?
Nothing else but sin.
He was made sin for us and having thus identified Himself with the sins of men, as far as was possible for the sinless Lamb of God, He allowed Himself to experience, to the utmost degree which He could, the awful misery which is the consequence of sin – the black, dark hopelessness (if the word is a lawful one) which results to the sinner whom God forsakes! This consequence of sin, Jesus took upon Himself to save men from the eternal remorse and despair which otherwise would have been their lot.

+3. This cry of Jesus is a model prayer for us in times of darkness and desolation.
We sometimes feel as if God has forsaken us and cry out in our misery and deep distress.
We are always safe in echoing Jesus’ words and He, Who hears us use them, will remember His own dereliction and help us in ours.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY FACE, The LAMB of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 April – Palm Sunday

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 April – Palm Sunday – Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:36-75; 27:1-60 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold the hour is at hand
and the Son of man shall be betrayed
into the hands of sinners.”
Matthew 26:45

“Because of sin, O innocent One,
You were set before the criminal’s judgement seat;
When Thou return in the Father’s glory
Do not judge me together with him.
Thou have put on crimson,
Set the scarlet cloak over Thee
As a dishonour and an affront,
As Pontius Pilate’s soldiers thought it to be.”

St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
Armenian Bishop

(Jesus, Only Son of the Father 708-724)

“Lord Jesus, whether Thy Face
be glorious or humiliated,
we always see wisdom shining in It.
On Thy Face shines the refulgence
of Eternal Light (Wis 7:26).
O Lord, may Thy Light,
the Light of Thy Face (Ps 4:7),
always shine upon us, in sorrow as in happiness…
Thou art joy and salvation for all,
both when Thou ride on a donkey
and when Thou hang from a Cross!”

Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157)
Cistercian Abbot

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 12 April – The Redemption

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Thought for the Day – 12 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Redemption

“Do I ever think of all that I have cost Jesus?
Do I ever meditate on His Infinite Love for me?
If I could constantly bear in mind the work of Redemption and the Passion of Jesus Christ, I should certainly never offend God and I should be on fire with love for Him.
Moreover, if in time of temptation, I were to pray earnestly before the image of Christ Crucified, I should certainly succeed in my resistance, by asking the suffering Lord for His Divine assistance.

If by some misfortune, however, I should fall into sin, it should suffice to kiss the Crucifix in order to revive my confidence in Christ, to rouse myself to sorrow, to obtain pardon and to begin a new life.
That should be the fruit of the Redemption for me.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-the-redemption/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SACRILEGE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 11 April – The Betrayal of Judas

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Thought for the Day – 11 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Betrayal of Judas

“It is quite certain, that Judas did not commit this sacrilegious act of betrayal on the spur of the moment.
Evil, like goodness, is arrived at step-by-step.
Perhaps it was some motive of self-interest, rather than of pure love,which led Judas to become one of Jesus; Apostles.
Covetousness, “the root of all evils,” (Cf 1 Tim 6:10) seems to have been his dominant passion.
As the Gospel tells us, he kept the money offerings which those who had been converted, gave to Jesus for His support and for that of His Apostles.
Judas did not know how to suppress his dominant passion at times.
On one occasion, he complained about Mary Magdalen, when she anointed the feet of Jesus with precious ointment.
The passion grew and he became a thief, “He was a thief and holding the purse used to take what was put in it” (Jn 12:6).
In spite of the extraordinary grace he had received, he fell into sin.
Finally, he was guilty of the betrayal, of the sacrilegious communion at the last supper and of the kiss of hypocrisy in Gethsemane.

The example of Judas is a lesson to us.
It is disastrous to begin to yield to our passions and to fall into evil habits.
The Holy Spirit warns us that anyone who makes little account of small things, will fall into bigger (Cf Ecclus 19:11).
Let us remember, that even a tiny spark can set off a conflagration.
Likewise, a single mortal sin can lead us to Hell!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/09/thought-for-the-day-9-april-the-betrayal-of-judas/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 April – ‘ … He spoke to her alone but, He was drawing all creation to His grace. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Thursday in Passion Week –Ferial Day – Daniel 3:25, 34-45 – Luke 7:36-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – Luke 7:50

REFLECTION – “A sinful woman has proclaimed to us that God’s Love has gone forth in search of sinners. For when He called her, Christ was inviting our whole race to His Love and, in her person, He was drawing all sinners to His forgiveness. He spoke to her alone but, He was drawing all creation to His grace. …

Who would not be struck by the Mercy of Christ, who accepted an invitation to a Pharisee’s house, in order to save a sinner! For the sake of the woman, who hungered for forgiveness, He, Himself felt hunger for the table of Simon the Pharisee and all the while, under the guise of a meal of bread, He had prepared for the sinner, a meal of repentance! …

In order that you may have the same experience, reflect within yourself that your sin is great but that it is blasphemy against God and an injury to yourself, to despair of His forgiveness because your sin seems to you to be too great. He has promised to forgive your sins, however many they are; will you tell Him you cannot believe this and dispute with Him, saying that your sin is too great and He cannot heal your sickness? Stop at that point and cry out with the prophet: “Lord, I have sinned against you” (Ps 50:6). At once He will reply, “As for Me, I have overlooked your fault, you shall not die.” Glory to Him from us all, through all ages! Amen, Amen.” ~ An Anonymous Christian Syrian Writer of the 6th Century [ACW} (From a collection of Sermons on the sinful woman, 1, 4.5.19.26.28).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the dignity of human nature, weakened by excessive self-indulgence, may be restored by the earnest practice of healing self-denial. 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 JUDGE, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 9 April – The Presence of God

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Thought for the Day – 9 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Presence of God

“A man who lives always in the Presence of God. cannot sin.
When we find ourselves in the presence of a high-ranking worldly personality, do we dare to behave any other way but correctly and respectfuly?
How should we dare then to behave in any other fashion, in the Presence of the Infinite Majesty of God, our Creator and Redeemer, Who will one day also be our Judge?!
Could He not, in a single instant, snap the thread of our mortal life and call us before His judgement-seat, even while we are in the act of offending Him?!

Let us remember St Paul’s stern warning: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10-:31).
Let us remain always in the Presence of God and we shall be at peace and strong in His grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/30/thought-for-the-day-30-march-the-presence-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-presence-of-god/

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 April – “The Jews sought to kill Him.” – John 7:1

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One Minute Reflection – 8 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday in Passion Week – Ferial Day – Daniel 14:27-42 – John 7:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Jews sought to kill Him.” – John 7:1

REFLECTION – “I am the true vine,” Jesus says (Jn 15:1)… People dig trenches around this vine; that is to say, cunningly dig traps. When they plot to make someone fall into a snare. it is as if they dug a pit in front of Him. That is why He mourns about it, saying: “They have dug a pit before Me” (Ps 56:7)…

However, they discovered that these traps caused no harm to the vine. To the contrary, in digging these pits, they themselves fell into them (Ps 56:7)… Then they kept on digging – not just His Hands and His Feet (Ps 21:17) but they pierced His Side with a lance (Jn 19:34) and uncovered the interior of that Sacred Heart, which had already been wounded by the spear of love. The Bridegroom says in the song of His love that: “You have wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse” (Sg 4:9 Vg.). O Lord Jesus, Thine Heart has been wounded with love by Thy spouse, Thy friend, Thy sister. Why, then, was it necessary for Thy enemies to wound Thee again?  O you enemies, what are You doing?… Do You not know that this Heart of our Lord Jesus, already pierced, is already dead, already open and cannot be touched by any other suffering? The Heart of the Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus, has already received the wound of love, the death of love. What other death could touch Him?… The martyrs also laugh when they are threatened, rejoice when they are struck, triumph, when they are killed. Why? Because they have already died through love in their hearts, “dead to sin” (Rm 6:2) and to the world!

Thus Jesus’ Heart has been wounded and put to death for our sake… Physical death triumphed for a moment but only to be conquered forever. It was blotted out when Christ rose from the dead because “death has no power over Him anymore” (Rm 6:9). – St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Doctor of the Church (The Mystical Vine, ch. 3, § 5-10).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, make holy our fasting and graciously lavish forgiveness upon us, for all our sins. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 6 April – THE CRUCIFIX

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Thought for the Day – 6 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

THE CRUCIFIX

“Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
When we are oppressed by the weight of our own cross, we shall look at the Crucifix and find comfort.
When we are tempted, we shall grasp the Crucifix and turn away with horror from thoughts of sin and ingratitude.

The Crucifix will teach us, as it taught the Saints, the lesson of charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life, it will be our consolation to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-the-crucifix/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/thought-for-the-day-25-september-the-crucifix/

Posted in HUMILITY-Fr Richard Clarke, QUOTES on SIN, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 4 April – Ecce Homo

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Lenten Meditations – 4 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Friday after the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Ecce Homo

Read St John xix:4-6

[4] Pilate, therefore, went forth again and saith to them: Behold, I bring Him forth unto you, that you may know, I find no cause in Him. [5] (Jesus, therefore, came forth, bearing the Crown of Thorns and the purple garment). And Pilate saith to them: Behold the Man.
[6] When the chief priests, therefore and the servants, had seen Him, they cried out, saying: Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith to them: Take Him you and crucify Him, for I find no cause in Him. [John 19:4-6]

+1. The Scourging and Crowning with Thorns, have brought the Son of God to a condition pitiable to contemplate. We have seen Him and there is no beauty in Him that we should desire Him. Pity, contempt, horror, disgust, disdain, are mingled in the hearts of those who behold Him . He is indeed, a worm and not a man. He, the fairest among ten thousand! He, the sinless Lamb of God!
Oh, how frightful must sin be, if it can work such havoc, even in the Sacred Person of the Son of God!

+2. The sin which did this work, moreover, was the sin of others, not His own. It was something external to Him. He indeed, took it upon Himself, He was made sin for our redemption but sin was never His own, as it is ours! If it could so disfigure and degrade the sinless Lamb of God, when laid upon Him from without, what must be the disfigurement and degradation which sin works in us, springing up as it does, out of ourselves, being a part of our sinful nature, producing its
natural fruits?

+3. But was the Son of God really degraded by all these consequences of sin?
On the contrary, His Sacred Humanity had never been so glorious or so worthy of honour, as it was then.
If He was unsightly before men, in the Eyes of His Eternal Father, He was crowned with honour and glory. There is nothing as pleasing to God as voluntary self- abasement and humiliation, nothing which brings so rich a recompense.
How foolish then am I, when I seek to avoid humiliation and hate to be made like the Son of God by suffering contempt and reproach from others!