Thought for the Day – 23 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Those Who Will to be Damned
“We cannot claim that we are too weak to fight our temptations. “God is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength” (1 Cor 10:13). Neither can we complain that we have not enough time to think about such matters, for when God gave us time, He intended us to devote it principally to the solution of the most important problem in our lives, which is, our salvation! It is futile to insist that the devil is too strong for us, for, to quote St Augustine, he is like a chained mastiff which can bark at us with all his might but, cannot bite us, unless we approach too close to him.
We have been given every weapon – there is no excuse!”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man…” Luke 21:36
“Watch” over your life. … Sheep will turn into wolves and love into hatred. With the increase of iniquity, people will hate, persecute and betray each other. Then the world deceiver will appear in the disguise of God’s Son. He will work “signs and wonders” and the earth will fall into his hands. He will commit outrages such as have never occurred before. Then humankind will come to the “fiery trial“ and many will fall away” and perish.”
Unknown 1st Century Author (ACW) of this early Treatise (Didache, 16)
“Be you then also ready …” Luke 12:40
“Wretch! using the excuse that your Master is late, do you imagine He will not come at all? His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard? No, the Lord is not slow in coming – this lateness is purely in the imagination of the wicked servant!”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“It is time now for us to rise from sleep!”
St Benedict (c 480-547)
“But vigilant faith not only performs good works, like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed Truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception. It is active and diligent, in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it. It watches and perceives from afar, all its enemies. It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil. It guards itself against anything which could ruin it. Vigilant, it walks firmly and easily keeps from falling over precipices.
This vigilant faith is accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance. It uses them as an Armoured Breastplate to put its enemies to flight, or to remain among them firm, invincible and unshaken. So great is its strength that it fears nothing because, not only is it strong but also, it is aware of its strength and by Whom it is supported— Truth itself!”
(Sermon for Thursday after the First Sunday of Lent, 17 February 1622).
Our Morning Offering – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus,” The Friday Devotion of the Passion and Feast of St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
To Our Lady of Sorrows By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
O most holy Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the Martyrdom, the Crucifixion and the Death, of your Divine Son, look upon me, with eyes of compassion and awaken in my heart, a tender commiseration for those sufferings and a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem and that, henceforward, all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object, the honour, glory and love of our divine Lord Jesus, and to you, the Holy and Immaculate Mother of God. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 2 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Moments of Silence
“Such is the speed of modern life that many people forget God and do not even pause to think about themselves. Action is everything. There is no time for reflection, no time for prayer. Life has become mechanical and superficial, for nobody has the time, nor the inclination, to think about spiritual matters.
What is the result? Since men are not machines but living beings, composed of soul and body and are capable of feeling and passion, their lower inclinations break loose and insist on being satisfied. In the absence of prayer and of all effort to lead a good life, grace is lacking to inspire the mind, to strengthen the will and to keep the heart pure. Rapid materialistic progress has accustomed men to accept, as inevitable, the most shameful falls. The absence of any kind of contact with God, makes the soul the slave of sin.
Examine yourself. Perhaps, you have not yet sunk to this low level of spirituality and are still capable of feeling remorse and the urge to do good. But, you must listen for God’s voice and a certain amount of silence, is necessary, if His voice is not to be drowned in the tumult of the world. We are in real need of solitude, recollection and prayer!”
Quote/s of the Day – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”
“Embrace, then, Jesus Crucified, raising to Him the eyes of your desire! Consider His burning love for you which made Jesus pour out His Blood from every part of His body! Embrace Jesus Crucified, loving and beloved and in Him, you will find true life because He is God made Man. Let your heart and your soul burn with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross! … You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus! Run, … do not stay asleep because time flies and does not wait one moment! Dwell in God’s sweet love!”
St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church
“If a man finds it very difficult to forgive injuries, let him look at a Crucifix and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him and not only forgave His enemies but, even prayed His Heavenly Father, to forgive them too. Let him remember, that when he says the Pater Noster, everyday, instead of asking pardon for his sins, he is calling down VENGEANCE UPON HIMSELF!”
St Philip Neri (1515-1595)
“The Saviour has instituted the most glorious Sacrament of the Eucharist, which truly contains His Body and His Blood, so that, whoever eats it will live forever. Therefore, those who receive it frequently, with devotion, strengthen their spiritual life and well-being, to such an extent, that it is almost impossible for them to be poisoned by any kind of evil attachment.”
(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 20)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
Quote/s of the Day – 7 June – The Memorial of St Anthony Mary Gianelli (1789-1846) Bishop, Founder of the Missionaries of St Alphonsus, the Oblates of St Alphonsus and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden.
“In every activity we do, let us imitate Mary. Let us build with our example and exercise charity.”
“In the dangers, in the anguish, in the needs, in the uncertainties, think, seek, invoke Mary!”
“Everything is possible and even easier with God’s help which is never lacking to those who ask Him, with humility and faith.”
“Time is short. While we have it, let us do good.”
Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – “The Month of the Resurrection” – Tuesday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20. 19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“My Lord and my God.”
John 20:28
“Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”
Matthew 20:22
“Embrace, then, Jesus Crucified, raising to Him the eyes of your desire! Consider His burning love for you which made Jesus pour out His Blood from every part of His body! Embrace Jesus Crucified, loving and beloved and in Him, you will find true life because He is God made Man. Let your heart and your soul burn with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross! … You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus! Run, … do not stay asleep because time flies and does not wait one moment! Dwell in God’s sweet love!”
St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church
“Alas, how the faith of Jesus’ Apostles is shaken after His Crucifixion! Assembled in a room with closed doors, they are filled with fear. Then Jesus enters, stands in their midst and greets them: ‘Peace be with you.’ … Without the presence of our Saviour, they felt timid and lacked strength. Such is the case when one is without God. They were afraid. Like a ship tossed in a storm without a pilot, such was this poor boat. Our Lord appears to His disciples to bring relief to their fear.”
Thought for the Day – 3 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Shortness of Time
“Another vision will confront us also in that final hour. Our frightened minds will see again all those hours which we have misused in sin. The devil will try by every means in his power, to repaint them in our troubled imagination. He will do his best to lead us into despair, even as he tempted Judas and many other sinners before us.
We know well that the mercy of God is infinite and that it remains infinite at the hour of death. But, we know too that His justice, is no less infinite. Since God has granted us so much time in which He called us to repentance and to a life of virtue, it could happen that at the point of death, He will put an end to the mercy and to the favours which He has shown us and which we have disregarded. What will become of us then? Remember that only one of the two thieves was converted. The other died unrepentant on his cross, even though he was hanging by the side of Jesus!
Reflect and make provision while there is still time. While we have time.,let us do good (Gal 6:10). We shall be unable to do anything about it afterwards.”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 January – St Anthony Abbot (251-356)
“The fruits of the earth are not brought to perfection immediately but by time, rain and care. Ssimilarly, the fruits of men ripen through ascetic practice, study, time, perseverance, self-control and patience.”
“Regard as free, not those, whose status makes them outwardly free but those, who are free in their character and conduct. For we should not call men truly free when they are wicked and dissolute, since they are slaves to worldly passions. Freedom and happiness of soul consist in genuine purity and detachment from transitory things.”
“. . . You should know that there is present with you, the Angel whom God has appointed for each man. . . This Angel, who is sleepless and cannot be deceived, is always present with you; he sees all things and is not hindered by darkness. You should know, too, that with him, is God!”
Thought for the Day – 14 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Proper Use of Time
“Time is money,” runs an old English proverb. But, for a Christian, time is something much more important. It is the price of eternity! With time well spoent or badly spent, we can purchase a life of eternal happiness with God, or of eternal suffering in hell. Since our true destiny is God and everlasting happiness, all the time which we spend with this in view, is well spent, whereas, all that is not devoted to this end, is useless or harmful.
We must make a special effort to avoid sloth. There is good reason for calling it the father of vices. When a man surrenders to laziness, he is squandering a priceless treasure, which was intended to be used in the service of God and for the sanctification of his own soul and the souls of his fellowmen. He is also disobeying the clear command which God issued after the sin of Adam: “In the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread” (Gen 3:29).
The man who is steeped in sloth, moreover, is more vulnerable to the temptations of the devil, the suggestions of the flesh and the frivolous attractions of the world. If our hands are not employed in labour, or our minds occupied in study or prayer, we can easily be diverted from our proper purpose and drawn towards sin.”
Thought for the Day – 28 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Value of An Hour
“This does not mean, of course, that we are obliged to spend all our hours engaged either in prayer or in penance, or in apostolic work. God does not demand this much. The bow which is extended too far will snap. We do need rest, sleep and recreation. But the most pleasant hours should be those which we dedicate to the love and service of God.
The hours, moreover, which we devote to our work, rest or enjoyments, should be spent in the presence of God. From time to time, we should think of Him and speak to Him. We should love also, to interweave our conversations, in a natural manner, with spiritual reflections, for the edification of our neighbour.”
Thought for the Day – 21 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Glory of God
“Let us study the behaviour of the Saints, who forgot themselves and thought only of God. In order to please Him, to win His approval and to co-operate in the manifestation of His glory, they deprived themselves of food and rest and sacrificed themselves entirely for His sake.
Now, consider yourself. Perhaps you are still excessively self-centred. Perhaps you love yourself too much and love God too little. Perhaps you try too hard to achieve worldly success and forget that at the end of life, your insignificant personal conquests and laurels, will seem to you, to be so many useless toys on which you have wasted the precious time which God gave you. Consider this carefully and form suitable resolutions for the future.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 November – Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour
“Zeal for Your House will consume me.”
John 2:17
“…The great movement of apostasy being organised in every country for the establishment of a One-World Church which shall have neither dogmas, nor hierarchy, neither discipline for the mind, nor curb for the passions and which, under the pretext of freedom and human dignity, would bring back to the world, (if such a Church could overcome) the reign of legalised cunning and force and the oppression of the weak and of all those who toil and suffer. […] Indeed, the true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators – they are traditionalists.”
“The Church alone, being the Bride of Christ and having all things in common with her Divine Spouse, is the depository of the Truth.”
“Truly, we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own, the lamentation of the Prophet: “There is no truth and there is no mercy and there is no knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1). Yet, in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes, like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man.”
Our Morning Offering – 14 October – Catholic Time, Friday: The Passion
Have Mercy, Lord By St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Father & Doctor of the Church
Have mercy, Lord, on all my friends and relatives, on all my benefactors, on all who pray to Thee for me and on all who have asked me to pray to Thee, for them. Give them the spirit of fruitful penance, mortify them in all vices and make them flower in all Thy virtues. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – The Month and Feast of the Most Holy Rosary
THE SEVEN BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY ROSARY
“The Rosary, recited with meditation on the mysteries, brings about the following marvellous results:
It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
It purifies our souls, washing away sin;
It gives us victory over all our enemies;
It makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
It enriches us with graces and merits;
It supplies us with what is needed to pay, all our debts to God and to our fellow men and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God.”
St Louis Marie Grignion De Montfort (1673-1716)
“We put great confidence in the Holy Rosary, for the healing of evils which afflict our times.”
Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – Friday after the Octave of Ascension
“I speak out in order to lead Him into your hearts but He does not choose to come where I lead Him, unless you prepare the way for Him.”
“Everyone without God, has a dead soul. You, who bewail the dead, rather, should bewail sin. Bewail ungodliness. Bewail disbelief.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
“But He still follows behind us and counsels us, that we have despised Him but He still does not cease to call us. We turn our backs on His face, so to speak, when we reject His words, when we trample His commandments underfoot but He who sees that we reject Him, still calls out to us by His commandments and waits for us by His patience, stands behind us and calls us back when we have turned away.”
St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father & Doctor of the Church
“Death is approaching. How many years have we left? How many months? How many hours? We do not know. Perhaps this could be the last day or the last hour of our lives and, if that were true, in what state would we appear before the majesty of God? How terrible if we were in mortal sin – we would be damned for all eternity! But, even if we find ourselves i n the state of grace, what merits have we to present to the eternal Judge? What sacrifices have we made to prove our love for Him? What mortifications and penances have we voluntarily undertake to purify ourselves of our sins? What good works have we done, what alms have we given, what prayers have we said? We may have to admit, that we have wasted most of the time which God has given us in useless or even sinful occupations. Let us treasure, at least, the years, days, or hours which God still wills to grant us, for our full conversion and for our spiritual perfection.”
Thought for the Day – 23 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mediocrity
“Mediocrity in the spiritual life, inevitably paves the way for sin. Indifference at prayer, listlessness in practising charity and habitual neglect of our duties in life, lead firstly, to deliberate venial sin and finally, to mortal sin. If we are not generous with Jesus, Jesus will CEASE to be generous with us! He will NO LONGER shower us with His grace. Deprived of this heavenly dew, our souls will grow dry, shrivelled and incapable of producing fruits worthy of eternal life.
Let us get rid of any tendency towards lassitude. Let us revive the divine charity in ourselves. Let us make firmer resolutions and pray more fervently, that the grace of God will make us capable of greater effort. TIME IS SHORT – DO NOT DELAY!”
Thought for the Day – 14 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Proper Use of Time
“The high value of the divine gift of time imposes an obligation on us to avoid laziness. The obligation to avoid sin, is still greater. Sin is the most serious way in which we can abuse this gift of God. It is also an act of deep ingratitude, in that, we turn this treasure which God has bestowed on us, into a weapon to be used against the Giver of every good. To use time properly, it is necessary to direct all our actions, intentions and desires towards God, Who is the source of our being and the goal of our earthly pilgrimage.
If everything we do, intend, or desire, springs from our love of God and is aimed at the manifestation of His glory and the expansion of His kingdom upon earth, then, even our most humble and apparently indifferent actions, are precious in the sight of the Mos High and receive His blessing. But, if we are working for ourselves, for our own satisfaction and petty glorification, we ruin everything. All that we do is barren. If we seek ourselves instead of God, we shall hear Him say one day: “You shall have no reward with your Father in Heaven”(Mt 6:1).
Thought for the Day – 11 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Particular and General Judgements
“How consoling, on the other hand, the last judgement will be for those who have led good lives. They will see God looking upon them with love and mercy and will hear from Him the wonderful invitation: “Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt 25:35).
On the day of the general judgement, these words willl be repeated for the confusion of the wicked and the consolation of the good.
Now that we have considered both sides of the picture, let us think deeply about it. We shall have to render an account for all the evil we have done, of all the good things we did badly or from distorted motives, of all the good actions we omitted to do and of all the time we wasted. Let us examine our consciences carefully before God, our supreme Judge. Let us form whatever firm and worthwhile resolutions which seem to be demanded by the circumstances of our lives. Remember that, as we have lived, so shall we die and we shall be judged accordingly.”
Thought for the Day – 31 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Last Day of the Year
“Now that the year is almost over, cast your mind back to the good resolutions which you made at the beginning of it. Have you put these resolutions into effect? Has there been any improvement in your spiritual life during these twelve months, or must you confess, that it has deteriorated? How often have you committed sin, perhaps even grave sin, during the year? When God appealed to you to perform some good action, how often did you refuse Him?
Your future outlook is very dark if your life has developed into a gradual descent towards evil. Anyday, God could grow tired of your ingratitude and obstinacy and send death to end your infidelity. Then you would almost certainly, be damned forever. If you have surrendered to spiritual languor and mediocrity, therefore, it is time for you to stir yourself. It is time to become more generous with God, to display a greater spirit of self-sacrifice in responding to His appeals and to form further resolutions.
Virtue cannot co-exist with spiritual tepidity, which leads inevitably, towards sin.”
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?”
Quote/s of the Day – 12 November – Readings: Wisdom 13: 1-9; Psalm 19: 2-5; Luke 17: 26-37
“On that day, … a person in the field, must not return to what was left behind.”
Luke 17:31
“The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom, all causers of sin and all law-breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:41-43
“Then the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”
Matthew 13:43
“So from now on, run well (cf. Gal 5:7) and may the devil not bewitch you (cf. Gal 3:1) nor hinder you! … May mercy, peace, charity, freedom from envy, from jealousy and ostentation come upon you, docility, friendly speech, solidarity, compassion towards each other, humility.”
St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
“Ah Jesus, Sun of Justice, make me clothe myself with You, so that I may be able to live according to Your will. Make me, under Your guidance, preserve my robe of baptismal innocence, white, holy and spotless and present it undefiled, before Your tribunal, so that I may wear it, for eternal life.”
St Gertrude the Great of Helfta (1256-1301)
“Let everyone who has the grace of intelligence, fear that because of it, he will be judged more heavily, if he is negligent.”
St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)
“Life is passing. The days chase one another; time is flying. Do not say, therefore, that you will change tomorrow, that tomorrow you will turn away from the path of sin and begin to lead a holy life. For not alone does time pass but, it often betrays us! Our Lord tells us that the judgement will come at a time when we least expect it. The time that is gone will never return; the future is uncertain; there remains, only the present. But the present is equally uncertain; it is something that passes and, every moment could be the last of our lives. How many whom we have known, were taken away suddenly in the flower of their youth … Is that not a warning to us?”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 November – Feast Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour in the Lateran – Gospel: John 2:13-22
“Zeal for your house will consume me.”
John 2:17
“Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?”
Matthew 13:27
“We … are under an obligation to be the light of the world by the modesty of our behaviour, the fervour of our charity, the innocence of our lives and the example of our virtues. Thus shall we be able to raise the lowered prestige of the Catholic Church and, to build up again, the ruins that others by their vices have caused. Others, by their wickedness, have branded the Catholic Faith with a mark of shame, we must strive, with all our strength, to cleanse it from its ignominy and to restore it to its pristine glory!”
St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595) Priest and Martyr
“…The great movement of apostasy being organised in every country for the establishment of a One-World Church which shall have neither dogmas, nor hierarchy, neither discipline for the mind, nor curb for the passions and which, under the pretext of freedom and human dignity, would bring back to the world (if such a Church could overcome) the reign of legalised cunning and force and the oppression of the weak and of all those who toil and suffer. […] Indeed, the true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators – they are traditionalists.”
“Truly we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own, the lamentation of the Prophet: “There is no truth,and there is no mercy and there is no knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1). Yet in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man.”
Thought for the Day – 13 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Fundamental Facts – But tomorrow?
“Life is passing. The days chase one another; time is flying. Childhood has become a distant memory. Perhaps youth and manhood have also passed and gone and we find ourselves on the threshold of old age. All those days, months and years that have passed were gifts of God. He gave them to us for our benefit and sanctification. But what use have we made of them? Have we laid up treasure for eternal life? And, if we have not done so up to now, for what are we waiting? Let us remember the old saying, that we should never put off till tomorrow, what we can do today. Today there is still time to turn from sin, regain sanctifying grace and lead a life of Christian perfection. But tomorrow? What do we know about tomorrow? Tomorrow is in the hands of the Lord and we do not know if the Lord will grant us further time to make amends!
Do not say, therefore, that you will change tomorrow, that tomorrow you will turn away from the path of sin and begin to lead a holy life. For not alone does time pass but, it often betrays us! Our Lord tells us that the judgement will come at a time when we least expect it. The time that is gone will never return; the future is uncertain; there remains, only the present. But the present is equally uncertain; it is something that passes and, every moment could be the last of our lives. How many whom we have known, were taken away suddenly in the flower of their youth … Is that not a warning to us?
Let us do good while we have time; let us gain merit now, for eternal life. Amen”
Our Morning Offering – 30 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood”
A Prayer to Seek the Consolation of the Cross By St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)
Jesus, love of my soul, centre of my heart! Why am I not more eager to endure pains and tribulations for love of You, when You, my God, have suffered so many for me? Come, then, every sort of trial in the world, for this is my delight, to suffer for Jesus. This is my joy, to follow my Saviour and to find my consolation with my Consoler on the Cross. This is my happiness, this my pleasure: to live with Jesus, to walk with Jesus, to converse with Jesus, to suffer with and for Him, this is my treasure. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 9 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Readings: Genesis 46: 1-7, 28-30; Psalms 37: 3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40; Matthew 10: 16-23
“Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be, therefore, wise as serpents and simple as doves.” –Matthew 10:16
REFLECTION – “I urge you, by the grace in which you are clothed, to press on in your race and urge everyone to be saved. Assert your office with all the diligence of flesh and spirit. Give your attention to unity, for there is nothing better. carry your brethren as the Lord also carries you. Patiently, bear with them all in love, as indeed you do bear with them. Devote yourself to unceasing prayer. Ask for greater understanding than you have. Be watchful, possessing a wakeful spirit. Speak to each one individually, concerning God’s way. “Bear the infirmities” (cf Mt 8,17) of each as a perfect athlete. Where there is more toil, there is greater gain. If you only love the good disciples, this wins you no advantage. Rather, subdue by meekness the more annoying. Not every wound is cured by the same salve. Ease sharp pains with a hot compress. In everything “be wise as serpents” and always “harmless as doves”. You who are of flesh and spirit, humour those things visibly present before you but pray, too, that what is invisible may be manifested to you, so that you may lack nothing and may abound in every spiritual gift.
As pilots invoke the winds and tempest-tossed mariners call for haven, this season invites you to return to God. Be temperate, as God’s athlete. The prize is incorruption and life eternal… It is the part of a great athlete to suffer blows and to conquer. It is above all for God’s sake we ought to endure all things, that He too, may endure us. Become more zealous than you are already. Consider the times. Look for Him Who is above all times, Who is timeless, invisible but made visible for our sakes – He Who, beyond the touch of our hands, beyond suffering, yet knew the Passion for our sakes and endured every suffering.” – St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108) Father of the Church, Martyr, Bishop – Letter to St Polycarp (69-155) Bishop and Martyr), 1-3 ; SC 10
PRAYER – Father of all holiness, guide our hearts to You. Keep in the light of Your truth, all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief. May our lives be the source of enlightenment to others and our faith and love every remain strengthened by Your grace. Listen to the prayers of our Blessed Mother on our behalf, as we long for our eternal home. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 21 March – Passion Sunday, Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15, Hebrews 5:7-9, John 12:20-33
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.”
John 12:26
… “Now is the time for us to choose! … Listen to me, you holy seed, for I have no doubt, that it is here, in abundance… Listen to me or, rather, listen to Him, in me, Who was first called a good seed. Do not love your life in this world! If you truly love yourselves, do not thus love your life and then, you will save your life!”…
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“We must note, therefore, that he that does things pleasing to God, serves Christ but he that follows his own wishes, is a follower, rather of himself and not of God.”
St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Incarnation
AnaStpaul 
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