Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – [He] hath called you out of darkness …

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Easter Saturday – 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 20:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

[He] hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous Light … ”

1 Peter 2:9

“Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

“In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33

Who will be crowned without having fought?
Who will go to rest if he is not tired
(cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?
Who will gather the fruits of life
without having planted virtues in his soul?
Cultivate them, prepare the earth
with the greatest care,
take trouble over it, sweat over it,
children, God’s workers,
imitators of the Angels,
competitors with incorporeal beings,
lights for those who are in the world
(cf. Phil 2:15)!

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

Lord, help me to live this day,
quietly, easily.
To lean upon Thy great strength,
trustfully, restfully.
To wait for the unfolding of Thy will,
patiently, serenely.
To meet others,
peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow,
confidently, courageously.

St Frances of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Let nothing perturb you,
nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of Prayer

Let us think only
of spending the present
day well.
Then, when tomorrow
shall have come,
it will be called
TODAY
and then, we will think
about it.

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on The HUMAN SOUL, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 1 March– The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All which May Disturb His Peace of Mind (Part Three)

Thought for the Day – 1 March– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXV: … The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All
which May Disturb His Peace of Mind
(Part Three)

And, as anxiety at the approach of adverse events, springs up even more frequently in our hearts, you have two things to do in order to ward off this assault.

+++ The FIRST is, carefully to search out and discover to what these events are adverse, whether to the soul, or to self-love and self-will.
For, if they be adverse to your own will and to self-love, your chief and greatest enemy, they are not to be called adverse but, to be esteemed as special favours and aids from the Most High God, to be received with a joyful heart and with thanksgiving!
And, although they should be adverse to the soul, you ought not. on this account, to lose your peace of mind, as I will show you in the following chapter.

+++ The SECOND is, to lift up the heart to God, accepting all things blindly from the Hand of His Divine Providence, ever full of manifold blessings, beyond your power to comprehend and, seeking to know nothing further!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-avoid-all-which-may-disturb-his-peace-of-mind-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/29/thought-for-the-day-29-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-avoid-all-which-may-disturb-his-peace-of-mind-part-two/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 24 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part Two)

Thought for the Day – 24 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part Two)

“+++ When walking, remember that every step brings you nearer to death.

+++ Let the flight of birds and the flowing of water remind you that your life is hastening far more swiftly to its close.

+++ Let storms of wind, lightning and thunder, remind you of the tremendous Day of Judgement and kneeling down, worship God and beseech Him to give you time and grace, duly to prepare yourself to appear before His most high Majesty.

In the variety of accidents which may befall you, exercise yourself thus:
+++ When, for instance, you are oppressed by sadness or melancholy, or suffer heat, cold, or the like, lift up your heart to that Eternal Will, Which, for your own good, wills that at such a time and in such a measure, you should endure this discomfort.
Then, rejoicing in the love thus shown you by God and, at the opportunity of serving Him in the way He is pleased to appoint, say in your heart:
“Behold in me is the Divine Will fulfilled, Which from all eternity, has lovingly appointed that I should now endure this trial. All praise be to Thee for the same, my most gracious Lord!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-one/

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 December – “The Lord is near. Have no anxiety [at all]” Phil 4:5-6

One Minute Reflection – 18 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Monday of the Third Week of Advent and the Feast of Our Lady of Expectation – Ferial Day – Philippians 4:4-7; John 1:19-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“[One is standing] in the midst of you, Whom you do not know.” – John 1:26

REFLECTION The Lord is near. Have no anxiety [at all]” (Phil 4:5-6). This is what God the Father says in the Prophet Isaiah: “I am bringing on My Justice,” – that is to say, His Son; “My salvation shall not tarry. I shall put salvation within Zion and give to Israel My glory” (46:13). It is what today’s Gospel says: “One is standing in your midst, One Whom you do not know” Mediator between God and men, a Man (1Tim 2:5), Christ Jesus, arises in the camp of this world, to fight the devil. As victor, He rescues man and reconciles him with God our Father. But you do not know Him!

Sons have I raised and reared but they have disowned Me. An ox knows its owner and an ass, its master’s manger. But Israel does not know Me and My people have not understood” (Is 1:2-3). How close the Lord is to us! And we do not know Him! “I have fed My children with My blood,” He says to us, “as a mother feeds her children with her milk. I have raised the human nature I have taken, to which I am united, above the Choirs of Angels.” Could He show us greater honour? “And they have rejected Me. See whether there is any sorrow like Mine” (Lam 1:12) …

So, then, “have no anxiety at all,” for it is anxiety concerning material things which makes us forget the Lord!” – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (Sermons for Sundays and Feast days, 3rd Sunday of Advent).

PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly, the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with 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 GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 December – Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

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

Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

“We should try to behave with similar serenity.
We should remain close to God and live in complete conformity with His will.
We should perform our duties attentively and whole-heartedly but, we should never worry about them.
As a result, we shall do more and do it more effectively.
Most important of all, we shall be sure that God shall bless our work.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/?s=leaving+our+worries+in+god%27s+hands

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, St PAUL!, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – ‘ He has written us on His hands…’

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The Kingdom of Heaven
is like unto a treasure,
hidden in a field.

Matthew 13:44

I press on,
hoping that I may lay hold of that,
for which Christ Jesus,
has laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

He has written us on His hands,
so as to have us always under His eyes;
that whoever touches us, touches the apple of His eye;
that we should never be anxious,
about what we need to live and to clothe ourselves,
that He knows well, we need these things
and takes care of them for us;
that He has numbered the hairs on our head
and not one of them will perish
that His Father loves us as He loves Him
and that, He loves us as His Father loves Him
that He wills that we should be where He is
that is to say, that we should be at rest with Him,
in the breast and Heart of His Father.

St John Eudes (1601-1680)
Apostle of the Two Holy Hearts

Where is the heart which loves?
On the thing it loves.
Therefore, where our love is,
there our heart is held captive.
It cannot leave it; it cannot be lifted higher,
it cannot go either to the right or the left;
see, it is fixed. Where the miser’s treasure is,
there is his heart and where our heart is,
there is our treasure.
And what is so deplorable is
that the things which hold us in servitude,
are, for the most part, such unworthy things!

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 21 October – The Our Father, Our Daily Bread

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Our Father
Our Daily Bread

In the Pater Noster, Jesus instructs us to ask for our daily bread – that is, for sufficient bread for today, not for tomorrow.
In this way, He warns us not to be too preoccupied with the future but, to trust in Providence and accept, from God’s hands, from day to day, whatever is necessary for us.
God is our Father and loves us as His children.
Knowing this, why should we worry about the future?

We are in the hands of God, Who looks after all His children.
Let us entrust ourselves completely to His care.
This does not mean that we should indulge in any kind of fatalism, expecting everything from God and doing nothing ourselves.
We cannot and should not expect unnecessary miracles.
We are under an obligation to work because work, is the result of and the punishment for, sin.

It enable us to co-operate with God in His work of creation and has ben ennobled and sanctified by Jesus Christ, Who chose to be “the carpenter’s son,” (Mt 13:55) and a carpenter Himself (Cf Mk 6:3).
We should work, therefore but, should not worry!

When we have done everything of which we ae capable, we should leave the rest to Divine Providence.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, EUCHARISTIC ADORATION and Nocturnal, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Quote/s of the Day – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque

Quote/s of the Day – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Virgin

Let us begin, in earnest,
to work out our salvation,
for no-one will do it for us,
since, even He Himself,
Who made us, without ourselves,
will not save us, without ourselves!

Keep your heart in peace
and let nothing trouble you,
not even your faults.
You must humble yourself
and amend them peacefully,
without being discouraged or cast down,
for God’s dwelling, is in peace.

Let every knee bend before Thee,
O greatness of my God,
so supremely humbled in the Sacred Host.
May every heart love Thee,
every spirit adore Thee
and every will be subject to Thee!

In Thy Divine Heart
By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Visionary of the Sacred Heart

Lord Jesus,
let my heart never rest
until it finds Thee,
Who are its source,
its love and its happiness.
By the wound in Thy Heart
pardon the sins I have committed,
whether out of weakness,
or out of evil desires.
Place my weak heart
in Thy own Divine Heart,
continually under Thy protection and guidance,
so that I may persevere in doing good
and in fleeing evil,
until my last breath.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/17/quote-s-of-the-day-17-october-st-margaret-mary-alacoque-2/

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 12 September – Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet!

Our Morning Offering – 12 September – Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary

Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet!
Attrib. to St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Italian Hymn
Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughan CSSR (1827-1908)

Mother Mary, Queen most sweet!
Joy and love my heart inflame;
Gladly shall my lips repeat
Every moment thy dear name.

Ah! that name, to God so dear,
Has my heart and soul enslaved;
Like a seal it shall appear
Deep on heart and soul engraved.

When the morning gilds the skies,
I will call on Mary’s name;
When at evening twilight dies,
Mary, still will I exclaim.

Sweetest Mary, bend thine ear:
Thou my own dear mother art;
Therefore, shall thy name so dear
Never from my lips depart.

If my soul is sore oppress’d
By a load of anxious care,
Peace once more will fill my breast
When thy name re-echoes there.

Waves of doubt disturb my peace,
And my heart is faint with fear;
At thy name the billows cease,
All my’terrors disappear.

When the demon hosts invade,—
When temptation rages high,
Crying, “Mary, Mother! aid!”
I will make the tempter fly.

This shall be my comfort sweet,
When the hand of death is nigh,
Mary! Mary! to repeat
Once again—and then, to die.

This Hymn is an Anonymous Hymn belonging to the Redemptorist tradition but Hymnary.org attributes it to St Alphonsus Liguori.
“Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects” (1863) notes that this is one of two Hymns, translated in that book, mentioned above, which come from a Neapolitan published collection of Mission Hymns which are attributed to St Alphonsus.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC TIME, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – “I will never abandon you, I will always be with you.”

Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Therefore, I say to you,
do not be anxious for your life,
what you shall eat;
nor yet, for your body,
what you shall put on.

Matthew 6:25

“… May grace and peace
be yours in abundance,
through knowledge of God
and of Jesus Our Lord
…”

2 Peter 1:2

Do you desire security?
Here you have it.
The Lord says to you, “I will never abandon you,
I will always be with you.”
If a good man made you such a promise,
you would trust him.
God makes it and do you doubt?
Do you seek a support, more sure
than the Word of God, which is infallible?
Surely, He has made the promise,
He has written it,
He has pledged His Word for it, it is most certain!

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

Let nothing perturb you,
nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of Prayer

Let the world turn upside down,
let everything be in darkness, in smoke,
in uproar – God is with us!

I recommend that you look before you
but not dwell upon those
dangers which you see in the distance.

Let us think only
of spending the present day well.
Then, when tomorrow
shall have come,
it will be called
TODAY
and then, we will think
about
IT!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 September – ‘… Jesus wishes us, then, to be free from every anxiety regarding temporal affairs, … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 3 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Is not the life a greater thing than the food and the body, than the clothing? ” – Matthew 6:25

REFLECTION –If spiritual things hold first place in our lives, material needs will cause us no concern, for God, in His goodness, will give them to us in abundance. On the other hand, if we devote ourselves entirely to earthly pursuits and neglect our spiritual life, concern for what this life has to offer will lead us to neglect our souls… I urge you, therefore, let us not overturn the established order. We know that our Master is good, so let us commit everything to Him and not be taken up with the cares of this life… “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things even before you ask him” (Mt 6:32).

Jesus wishes us, then, to be free from every anxiety regarding temporal affairs and to have all possible leisure for the things of the Spirit. He says: “Your part is to seek spiritual blessings and I myself, will provide amply for your material needs. Look at the birds in the sky. They neither sow nor reap nor gather crops into barns and yet, your Father feeds them. ” In other words, “If I take such care of irrational birds, as to supply them with all they need without plowing or sowing, I will take much greater care of you, who are endowed with reason, if only you make up your minds to put spiritual things before temporal ones. If I made these creatures for your sake and the whole of creation too and, if I take such care of them, of what great care will I not deem you worthy – you, for whom I created all of this?” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Baptismal catechesis, no 8, 19-25).

PRAYER – O God Who, for the defence of the Catholic faith and the restoration of all things in Christ, filled St Pius, the Supreme Pontiff, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fearlessness, mercifully grant that, by following his teachings and examples, we may receive Thy eternal rewards. 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 JESUIT SJ, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Our Morning Offering – 21 June – O Holy Mary By St Aloysius de Gonzaga

Our Morning Offering – 21 June – The Feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591) Confessor, Jesuit Seminarian, Mystic, Marian devote

O Holy Mary
By St Aloysius de Gonzaga (1568-1591)

O Holy Mary, my mistress,
into your blessed trust
and special custody
and into the grasp of your mercy
I this day, everyday
and in the hour of my death,
commend my soul and my body.
To you, I commit,
all my anxieties and miseries,
my life and the end of my life,
that by your most holy intercession
and by your merits,
all my actions may be directed
and disposed
according to your will
and that of your Son.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, OUR Cross, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – ‘May grace and peace be yours in abundance …’

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Jesus then took the loaves of bread
and having given thanks,
he distributed them to those who were seated there;
in the same way he gave them some fish,
as much as they wante
d.”

John 6:11

“… May grace and peace
be yours in abundance,
through knowledge of God
and of Jesus Our Lord…

2 Peter 1:2

Let the world turn upside down,
let everything be in darkness, in smoke,
in uproar – God is with us!

I recommend that you look before you
but not dwell upon those
dangers which you see in the distance.

Do not look forward to the changes and chances
of this life in fear – rather look to them
with full hope that, as they arise,
God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them.
He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto.
Do you but hold fast to His dear hand
and He will lead you safely through all things
and, when you cannot stand,
He will bear you in His arms.
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
Our Father will either shield you from suffering,
or He will give you strength to bear it
.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Must you continue to be your own cross?
No matter which way God leads you,
you change everything into bitterness
by constantly brooding over everything.
For the love of God,
replace all this self-scrutiny,
with a pure and simple glance at God’s goodness!”

We think not enough of this Truth –
that God is present with us
that He sees our thoughts,
even long before we have them.
That He knows what we think
and shall think, better than we ourselves
that He sees the folds and recesses,
of our heart
and of this other Truth –
that NOTHING HAPPENS to us
but by the order of Providence.
We should all be Saints,
if we well apprehended these Truths.
And truly, it is a great consolation,
to know that God sees
the bottom of our heart.

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Disciple and Collaborator with St Francis de Sales
in Founding the Sisters of the Visitation

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore, I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the LIGHT, CONSECRATION Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN PRAYERS, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the POPE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY NAME, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 29 January – St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 29 January – St Francis de Sales, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

“The measure of love,
is to love without measure.

Since God often sends us His inspirations
by means of His Angels,
we ought frequently to offer Him,
our aspirations, through the same channel.
… Call on them and honour them frequently
and ask their help in all your affairs,
temporal, as well as spiritual.

Anxiety is the greatest evil
that can befall a soul, except sin.
God commands you to pray
but He forbids you to worry
.”

“Friendships begun in this world
will be taken up again,
never to be broken off. ”

“Have patience with all things
but chiefly, have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage
in considering your own imperfections
but instantly set about remedying them,
everyday begin the task anew.

Do not look forward
to the changes and chances
of this life in fear –
rather look to them with full hope that,
as they arise, God, whose you are,
will deliver you out of them.
He is your keeper.
He has kept you hitherto.
Do you but hold fast to His dear hand
and He will lead you safely through all things
and, when you cannot stand,
He will bear you in His arms.
Do not look forward to
what may happen tomorrow.
Our Father will either shield you from suffering,
or He will give you strength to bear it.

“Thus we do not say that the Pope
cannot err in his private opinions,
as did John XXII;
or be altogether a heretic,
as perhaps Honorius was.
Now, when he, [the Pope],
is explicitly a heretic,
he falls ipso facto, from his dignity
and OUT of the Church!
…”

During the night
we must wait for the Light.

Hail, Sweet Jesus!
Prayer to Christ
in His Passion and Death

By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Doctor of the Church

Hail, sweet Jesus!
Praise, honour and glory be to Thee, O Christ,
Who, of Thou own accord, embraced death,
and recommending Thyself to Thy heavenly Father,
bowing down Thy venerable Head,
did yield up Thy Spirit.
Truly thus giving up Thy life for Thy sheep,
Thou hast shown Thyself, to be the Good Shepherd.
Thou died, O Only-begotten Son of God.
Thou died, O my beloved Saviour,
that I might live forever.
O how great hope,
how great confidence have
I reposed in Thy Death and Thy Blood!
I glorify and praise Thy Holy Name,
acknowledging my infinite obligations to Thee.
O good Jesus,
by Thy bitter Death and Passion,
give me grace and pardon.
Give unto the faithful departed,
rest and life everlasting.
Amen.

Most Holy Mary,
Virgin Mother of God
Act of Consecration
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Indulgence of 300 days, for each recitation
St Pius X, 17 November 1906

Most Holy Mary,
Virgin Mother of God,
I ………., most unworthy though I am to be thy servant,
yet touched by thy motherly care for me
and longing to serve thee,
do, in the presence of my Guardian Angel
and all the Court of Heaven,
choose thee this day to be my Queen,
my Advocate and my Mother
and I firmly purpose to serve thee evermore myself
and, to do what I can, that all may
render faithful service to thee.
Therefore, most devoted Mother,
through the Precious Blood thy Son poured out for me,
I beg thee and beseech thee,
deign to take me among thy clients
and receive me as thy servant forever.
Aid me in my every action
and beg for me the grace never,
by word or deed or thought,
to be displeasing in thy sight
and that of thy most holy Son.
Think of me, my dearest Mother
and desert me not at the hour of death.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-january-st-francis-de-sales/

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The BEATITUDES, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The REDEMPTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – ‘Look up …’

Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception” – Romans 13:11-14, Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

When these things begin to come to pass,
look up and lift up your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

Luke 21:28

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

Elizabeth says:
‘Blessed are you because you have believed.’
You also are blessed,
because you have heard and believed.
A soul that believes,
both conceives and brings forth
the Word of God
and acknowledges His works.

St Ambrose of Milan (340-397)
Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church

Wherever you are on earth,
however long you remain on earth,
the Lord is near,
do not be anxious about anything!”

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

He is present to the eyes of the mind,
making Himself seen by those who have a pure heart
and conversing with them.
So pursue your path ….
Do not hinder the Lord’s narrow way
with your dragging feet.
Hitch up your garment and be ready for action,
look up and do not burden yourself
with those oppressive loads
which are your evil desires.
For anyone who is accomplishing
the journey from earth to Heaven,
it is enough to diligently pursue one’s path
without assuming extra weight. …

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk and Theologian at Constantinople

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY MASS, The REDEMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque

Quote/s of the Day – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Virgin

Announce it and let it be announced
to the whole world,
that I set neither limit, nor measure,
to My gifts of grace,
for those who seek them
in My Heart.

The words of the Our Lord Jesus Christ
to St Margaret Mary Alacoque

“The Sacred Heart is the symbol
of that boundless love
which moved the Word to take flesh,
to institute the Holy Eucharist,
to take our sins upon Himself
and, dying on the Cross,
to offer Himself as a victim
and sacrifice to the eternal Father.

We must never be discouraged
or give way to anxiety. . .
but ever have recourse
to the adorable Heart of Jesus
.”

“I need nothing but God
and to lose myself
in the Heart of God.”

My greatest happiness is to be
before the Blessed Sacrament,
where my heart is, as it were, in Its centre.

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/17/quote-s-of-the-day-17-october-st-margaret-mary-alacoque/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 13 August – Work and Worry

Thought for the Day – 13 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Work and Worry

There are many people who claim that they are working for God and for souls.
In fact, they do work hard and make great sacrifices but, at the first sign of failyre, they are disappointed and discouraged.

Why is that?
It is because, they only believed that they were working for God and for His Church, whereas, in their heart and soul, they were more influenced by self-love and by a desire fore the praise and approval of others.
Their motives were not completely disinterested and their sacrifices were not made entirely for God.
Therefore, they were disturbed by visions of success in human terms and were agitated at the prospect of failure.

The Saints worked hard too but they never worried.
They were always calm because, their attention was focused on Heaven, rather than on themselves.

As long as we work entirely for God and accept, as His Will, the outcome of our efforts, everything will go well for us, even when it seems to be going badly!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/16/thought-for-the-day-16-august-work-and-worry/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – Pray, pray, pray

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

St Anne, through her constant prayer,
received, the Mother of God
and then, became the Grandmother of God!

God accepts our desires as though
they were of great value.
He longs ardently for us
to desire to and love Him.
He accepts our petitions for benefits,
as though we were doing Him a favour.
His joy in giving,
is greater than ours in receiving.
So let us not be apathetic in our asking,
nor set too narrow bounds to our requests;
nor ask for frivolous things
unworthy of God’s greatness.

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Prayer is the place of refuge
for every worry,
a foundation for cheerfulness,
a source of constant happiness,
a protection against sadness.

When you are weary of praying
and do not receive,
consider how often
you have heard a poor man calling
and have not listened to him.

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

Fasting is the soul of prayer,
mercy is the lifeblood of fasting.
Let no-one try to separate them,
they cannot be separated.
If you have only one of them,
or not all together,
you have nothing!
So if you pray, fast;
if you fast, show mercy;
if you want your petition to be heard,
hear the petition of others.
If you do not close your ear to others,
you open God’s ear to yourself.

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Realise above all,
that you are in God’s presence
and stand there
with the attitude
of one, who stands
before the Emperor.

St Romuald (c 951-1027)

The spirit of prayer
is the spirit of the love of God
and this should inspire
all our vocal prayers.
Flowery petitions are no use
if our minds and hearts
are turned away from God.
God wants our hearts.
Let us pray often
but let our prayers
be sincere acts of the love of God,
coming from the heart.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Thank You for our Faith Lord!

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – The Octave Day of the Ascension

He who believes and is baptised,
shall be saved …

Mark 16:16

See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name,
saying, ‘I am he’
and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!

Luke 21:8

[Christ speaks:]
I became useless to those
who knew Me not,
because I shall hide Myself,
from those who possessed Me not.
And I will be with those who love Me.
… I arose and am with them
and will speak by their mouths.
For they have rejected those
who persecute them
and I threw over them, the yoke of My love.
… Then I heard their voice
and placed their faith in My Heart.
And I placed My Name upon their forehead (Rv 14,1)
because they are free and they are Mine!

Odes of Solomon
(Hebrew Christian text f
rom the beginning of the 2nd Century)
N° 42

Faith gives rise to prayer
and this prayer obtains
an increase of faith.”

Wherever you are on earth,
however long you remain on earth,
the Lord is near,
do not be anxious about anything!”

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

Let Your Name, not mine, be praised.
Let Your Work, not mine, be magnified.
Let Your Holy Name be blessed
but let no human praise be given to me.
You are my glory.
You are the joy of my heart.
In You I will glory and rejoice
all the day and for myself
I will glory in nothing but my infirmities. …

Thomas `a Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

The Imitation of Christ – Book 3 Chapter 40

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 15 May – St John Baptiste de la Salle

Quote/s of the Day – 15 May – Tthe Memorial of St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719) “The Father of Modern Education,” Confessor, Priest, Founder

Do not have any anxiety about the future.
Leave everything in God’s hands,
for He will take care of you.

Often remind yourself
that God is with you
.”

You are called like the Apostles
to make God known to others.

How long has Jesus
been knocking
at the door of your heart,
waiting to enter?

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-april-st-john-baptiste-de-la-salle/

St John Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 13 February – The Causes of Discontent

Thought for the Day – 13 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Causes of Discontent

There are a few people in the world, who are always content.
They walk lightly upon the earth, for their minds are already with God in Heaven and their hearts are united to Him
.

Have they any anxieties or disappointments?
They have and they feel them deeply.
But, sorrow can make them bow their heads only for a moment and then, they raise them cheerfully again.
They understand that they are suffering for God, even as they live and work only for Him.
Therefore, their reaction to every sorrow or humiliation, is always the same:
Deo Gratias!
If God wants it this way, I must be satisfied too.
May His Holy Will be done in all things.

These people are the Saints who are never lacking in the Church.
The Apostles rejoiced in the insults and ill-treatment they received from the Sanhedrin, “They departed from the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).

Do we desire to possess also, the only kind of contentment it is possible to have on earth?
Let us do our best to become holy.
That is the only way open to us.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/13/thought-for-the-day-13-february-the-causes-of-discontent/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 27 January – St John Chrysostom

Quote/s of the Day – 27 January – The Memorial of St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church, Bishop, Confessor.

“The waters have risen
and severe storms are upon us
but we do not fear drowning,
for we stand firmly upon a rock.
Let the sea rage,
it cannot break the rock.”
Let the waves rise,
they cannot sink the Boat of Jesus.

“Let the world be in upheaval.
I hold to His Promise
and read His Message,
that is my protecting wall and garrison.
What Message?
“Know that I am with you always,
until the end of the world!

Prayer is the place of refuge
for every worry,
a foundation for cheerfulness,
a source of constant happiness,
a protection against sadness.

If you cannot find Christ
in the beggar at the Church door,
you will not find Him in the Chalice.

“When you are weary of praying
and do not receive,
consider how often
you have heard a poor man calling
and have not listened to him.

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

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 14 December – Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

Thought for the Day – 14 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

Although we ought to be busy, we should never be too preoccupied.
We should do what we can and leave the rest to Providence.

Preoccupation is unprofitable and even harmful, for it produces worry and anxiety.
Very often, it impedes our work because it destroys our peace of mind.
We should do everything of which we are capable, therefore and leave the rest for God to do, if He believes that it is for our spiritual benefit.
If He does not consider that it would be to our advantage, He will leave it undone and we shall be the gainers thereby.

Preoccupation springs from lack of faith and lack of resignation to the Will of God.
One is reminded, in this context ,of a story which is told about St John Bosco.

He was waiting one day for an audience with a Minister of State, with whom he would have to discuss various difficult problems.
There were a good many other people in the waiting room, most of whom walked up and down agitatedly
as they pondered over what they intended to say to the Minister and what they hoped to receive from him.
Dom Bosco, however, remained calm, so calm in fact, that because he was also very tired, he fell asleep.
At last the Minister appeared in the doorway and to his amusement discovered the Priest slumbering contentedly.
Dom Bosco awoke when the Minister called him and calmly proceeded to explain, at once, what it was that he desired.
He spoke in the manner of one accustomed to conversing with God and he obtained, without any trouble, everything which he wanted.

We should try and behave with similar serenity.
We should stay close to God and live in complete conformity with His Will.
We should perform our duties attentively and whole-heartedly but, we should never worry about them.
As a result, we shall do more and do it more effectively.
Most important of all, we shall be sure that God will bless our work.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – St Francis Xavier

Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – The Memorial of St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552)

“Give me the child until he is seven
and I’ll give you the man.

Learn to seal the dead past,
not to worry about the unborn future
but live and enjoy,
the realistic present.

“May the grace and charity
of Christ our Lord,
always help and favour us!
Amen
.”

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/03/quote-s-of-the-day-3-december-st-francis-xavier-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Thought for the Day – 25 November – The Storms of Life

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

The Storms of Life

“The Evangelist describes how Jesus got into a boat one day, along with His Apostles and set out across the lake of Genesareth.
Suddenly a great storm arose, so furious, that the waves covered the tiny vessel and threatened to submerge it.
The Apostles were terrified and turned to Jesus but, He was asleep.
They woke Him, crying out: “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
He sat up and said to them: “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”
Then, He rebuked the wind and the sea and immediately all was calm again.
His followers were astonished.
“What manner of man is this,” they asked one another, “that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mt 8:23-26; Mk 4:36-49; Lk 8:22-25).

We also are often subjected to the tempests of life.
Sometimes, these storms, are purely interior, as when our lower impulses threaten to overcome our good resolutions and to submerge our purity of soul.
In these serious crises, we should turn humbly and fervently to Jesus for help.
Sometimes perhaps, Jesus will seem to be asleep and deaf to our anguished entreaties.
But it is never so!
He simply wishes to test us, as He tested His Apostles on the lake of Genesareth.

We must persevere.
We must tell Him that we do not wish to lose His grace, that we do not wish to fall into sin but desire to go on loving Him.
If our prayers are humble and insistent, we may rest assured, that after our moment of trial, Jesus Christ will speak to us.
At the sound of His Voice, the tempest will be stilled and there will come, a great calm.
Then, we shall experience the peace, which only God can give.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING

One Minute Reflection – 14 November – Let us not resist His First Coming, so that we may not dread the Second.

One Minute Reflection – 14 November – “Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Readings: Daniel 12: 1-3; Psalm 16: 5, 8, 9-10, 11; Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18; Mark 13: 24-32 and the Memorial of St Serapion of Algiers OdeM (c 1179–1240) Mercadarian Priest and Martyr

And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory… ” – Mark 13:26

REFLECTION – “All the trees of the forest will exult before the Face of the Lord, for He has come, he has come to Judge the earth. He has come the first time and He will come again. At His first coming, His own voice declared in the gospel: “Hereafter, you shall see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds.” What does He mean, by hereafter? Does He not mean that the Lord will come at a future time when all the nations of the earth will be striking their breasts in grief?
Previously He came through His preachers and He filled the whole world. Let us not resist His first coming, so that we may not dread the second.
… But I wish you to be without anxiety. He who is without anxiety waits without fear until his Lord comes. For what sort of love of Christ is it to fear His Coming? Brothers, do we not have to blush for shame? We love Him, yet we fear His Coming? Are we really certain that we love Him? Or do we love our sins more? Therefore, let us hate our sins and love Him, Who will exact punishment for them. He will come whether we wish it or not. Do not think that because He is not coming just now, He will not come at all. He will come, you know not when and provided He finds you prepared, your ignorance of the time of His Coming, will not be held against you. … ” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop and Great Western Father, Doctor of Grace of the Church – (An excerpt from his On The Psalms (Psalm 95) 14-15.)

PRAYER – Almighty Lord and God, protect us by Your power throughout the course of this day, even as You have enabled us to begin it. Your grace is all that we need, to see the loving kindness of Your Son, our Lord Jesus in all we see and do and think. Do not let us turn aside from His path but by the faith You have granted us, let us find meaning in all, which is the sign of Your glory. Do not let us turn aside to sin and may the intercession of St Serapion of Algiers, grant us courage and peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The LAST THINGS

Thought for the Day – 13 November – Almsgiving and Simplicity

Thought for the Day – 13 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Almsgiving and Simplicity

“Some people are so afraid of poverty, that they rarely give alms.
Let them meditate on these words of St Cyprian of Carthage: “You are afraid that if you begin to engage in too many charitable enterprises, your substance will be dissipated and you will be reduced to poverty.
Have confidence and do not be afraid
” (De Opere at elemosynis, 9-10),

That fortune, will never be exhausted, he assures us, from which the possessor draws frequently, in order to relieve Christ’s poor or to perform an act of religion.
He does not assure us of this on his own authority, he says but bases his promises on the evidence of Sacred Scripture.

Speaking through the medium of Solomon, the Holy Spirit says: “He who gives to the poor, suffers no want but he who ignores them, gets many a curse” (Prov 28:27).
In other words, the avaricious and self-centred man, is more likely to be reduced to poverty, than the kind and bountiful man.

St Paul says much the same under the influence of diving inspiration.
He who provides the sower with seed, will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice, that being enriched in all things, you may contribute with simplicity of purpose” (2 Cor 9-10).
The administration of this service,” he adds, “not only supplies the wants of the saints but, overflows also, in much gratitude to the Lord” (Ibid 9-12).
The poor thank God for the alms which we give them and our prosperity increases as a result.

In the Gospel, Our Lord reproaches men for their niggardliness and lack of confidence.
Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What are we to put on?’ (for after all these things, the Gentiles seek), for your Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice and all these things shall be given you besides” (Mt 6:31).
The man who aims at doing justice, therefore, will not go in want.
When the Day of Judgement comes, moreover, he has Our Lord’s promise, that he will be given a share in the Kingdom, for the sake of which, he performed his charitable actions.

You are afraid,” says St Cyprian, “that your substance will be exhausted, if you take from it, in order to give in charity. You do not realise, wretched man, that while you are afraid of losing your substance, you are losing life itself!
While you are carefully guarding against the diminution of your possessions, you do not see, that you, yourself, are diminishing.
You love money more than life!
While you are afraid of expending your wealth for the sake of spiritual gain, you are ruining yourself, for the sake of your possessions!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 13 November – St Augustine

Quote/s of the Day – 13 November – The Memorial of All Saints of the Augustinian Order and the Anniversary of the Birth of St Augustine (354-430)

Man’s Maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars,
might nurse at His mother’s breast,
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey,
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood,
that Strength might grow weak,
that the Healer might be wounded,
that Life might die.

Faith gives rise to prayer
and this prayer obtains
an increase of faith.

Pray as though everything
depended on God.
Work as though everything
depended on you.

Our pilgrimage on earth
cannot be exempt from trial.
We progress by means of trial.
No-one knows himself except through trial,
or receives a crown,
except after victory,
or strives,
except against an enemy or temptations.

Do you desire security?
Here you have it.
The Lord says to you, “I will never abandon you,
I will always be with you.”
If a good man made you such a promise,
you would trust him.
God makes it and do you doubt?
Do you seek a support, more sure
than the Word of God, which is infallible?
Surely, He has made the promise,
He has written it,
He has pledged His Word for it, it is most certain!

If you believe what you like in the Gospels
and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the Gospel you believe
but yourself.

Wherever you are on earth,
however long you remain on earth,
the Lord is near,
do not be anxious about anything!

Gracious Lady, Mother and Virgin
By St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

Gracious Lady,
you are a Mother and Virgin.
You are the Mother of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer.
You are also truly Mother
of all the members
of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through your love,
you have co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
you are Mother and Virgin,
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ.
You are the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
You are forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came life,
yes, through you, O Mother of God.
Be with us through this life.
Amen

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Thought for the Day – 11 November – Sensitiveness

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

Sensitiveness

A single severe glance from our employer or superior, is enough to make us anxious.
If it is accompanied by a word of rebuke, we are thoroughly upset.
Why should this be so?
It is because we are lacking in the fundamental virtue of humility.
We want to keep up appearances and to be held in high regard.
If we are frustrated in this ambition, we suffer inwardly.

All this is quite natural but, on this natural foundation, we must build the virtue of humility and the desire to serve God alone.
If we possess this virtue, we shall continue to be sensitive to insults and humiliations but our suffering will be sanctified and will be meritorious in the sight of God.

We are all pleased when we are praised by others and are hurt when we are criticised because our natural inclinations are never destroyed.
Our sensitivity, however, can be moderated and brought under the control of right reason, whose guide should be the rule of virtue.
It is worth reflecting on what The Imitation of Christ has to say in this regard.

Whenever a man desires anything inordinately, straight away, he is disquieted within himself.
The proud and the covetous are never at rest; the poor and the humble in spirit, pass their life in abundance of peace.
The man who is not yet perfectly dead to self, is soon tempted and overcome in little and paltry things.
He that is weak in spirit and in a certain manner, as yet carnal and inclined to things of sense, cannot, without difficulty, sever himself wholly from earthly desires.
And, therefore, he is often sad when he does withdraw himself and besides, he is easily moved to anger if anyone thwart him
And, if he has pursued his inclination, forthwith he is burdened with remorse of conscience, for having gone after his passion, which helped him not at all, to the peace he looked for.
It is by resisting the passions, therefore and not by serving them, that true peace of heart is to be found.
Peace, therefore, is not in the heart of the carnal man, nor in the man who is devoted to outward things but, in the fervent and spiritual man
” (Bk 1 Ch 6).

Continual peace dwells with the humble but in the heart of the proud, is frequent envy and indignation” (Ibid Ch 7, V3).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 22 October – Our Daily Bread

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
Our Daily Bread

“We can find this teaching which is contained in these words of the “Our Father” in another section of the Gospel, where Jesus tells us that not to ask for riches and not to hoard goods for the future but, to pray and work from day to day, for our daily needs.

Do not be anxious for your life, what you shall eat, nor yet for your body, what you shall put on …
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them …
Consider how the lilies of the fields grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I say to you, that not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which flourishes today but tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more you, O you … you of little faith!
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will have anxieties of its own.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble
” (Cf Mt 6:25-34).“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/21/thought-for-the-day-19-october-our-daily-bread/