Category: CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – I believe …

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, seeing their faith,
said to the paralytic,
Take courage, son,
your sins are forgiven you.”

Matthew 9:2

“This is the order of our faith,
the foundation of the edifice
and the support of our conduct –
God, the Father, uncreated, uncontainable, invisible,
One God, the Creator of all –
this is the first article of our faith.
And the second article – the Word of God,
the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord,
Who was revealed by the Prophets
according to the character of their prophecy
and according to the nature
of the economies of the Father,
by Whom all things were made
and Who, in the last times, to recapitulate all things,
became a Man amongst men,
visible and palpable, in order to abolish death,
to demonstrate life and to effect communion
between God and man.
And the third article – the Holy Ghost,
through Whom the Prophets prophesied
and the Patriarchs learnt the things of God
and the righteous, were led in the path
of righteousness and Who, in the last times,
was poured out in a new fashion
upon the human race, renewing man,
throughout the world, to God.”

St Irenaeus (130-202)
Martyr, Father of the Church

“Grace is given,
not to those who speak [their faith]
but to those, who live their faith!”

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

“… He effected a wonderful exchange with us,
through mutual sharing –
we gave Him the power to die,
He will give us the power to Live!”

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

“He pours light into our minds,
arouses our desire
and gives us strength…
As the soul is the life of the body,
so the Holy Ghost is the life of our souls.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – The Feast of the Divine Maternity – ‘ … This most prudent woman … ‘ St Bede

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One Minute Reflection – 11 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of the Divine Maternity –Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23-31 – Luke 2:43-51 –

“He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them and His mother kept all these things in her heart.” – Luke 2:51

REFLECTION – “Consider the most prudent woman Mary, Mother of true Wisdom, as the pupil of her Son. For she learned from Him, not as from a child or man but, as from God. Yes, she dwelt in meditation on His words and actions. Nothing of what was said or done by Him, fell idly on her mind. As before, when she conceived the Word itself, in her womb, so now, does she hold within her, His ways and words, cherishing them, as it were, in her heart. That which she now beholds in the present, she waits to have revealed with greater clarity, in the future. This practice she followed as a rule and law through all her life.” – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke).

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, maybe assisted by her intercession with Thee.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, Quotes Self-Oblation, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 October – ‘ … He weighs the heart and not the substance …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “No-one should say to himself, even when he regards others who have left a great deal behind: “I want to imitate those who despise this world but I have nothing to leave behind.” You leave a great deal behind, my friends, if you renounce your desires. Our external possessions, no matter how small, are enough for the Lord, He weighs the heart and not the substance and does not measure the amount we sacrifice for Him but the effort with which we bring it…. The Kingdom of God has no assessment value put on it but it is worth everything you have… To Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and boat they gave up; to the widow it was worth two small coins (Lk 21:2); to another person it was worth a cup of cold water (Mt 10:42). The Kingdom of God, as I said, is worth everything you have. Think about it, my friends, what has less value when you purchase it, what is more precious when you possess it?

But perhaps a cup of cold water offered to someone who needs it, is not enough, even then the Word of God gives us assurance…: “Peace on earth to men of goodwill!” (Lk 2:4). In the sight of God, no hand is ever empty of a gift, if the deep places of the heart are filled with goodwill… Although I have no gifts to offer outwardly, yet I find within myself something to place on the Altar of Thou praise… Thou art better pleased with an offering of our heart! (cf. Ps 55:13).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospel no 5).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, model of true humility and its reward, we beseech Thee, that as Thou made blessed Francis one of Thy glorious imitators, by his contempt for earthly honours, grant us to follow his example and to share in his glory.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house … Luke 10:5 (‘… This greeting of peace did not dry up; …’)

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One Minute Reflection – 9 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St John Leonardi (1541-1609) Confessor, Priest, Founder – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 4:15-18 –,Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house.
And, if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him but if not, it shall return to you.” – Luke 10:5-7

REFLECTION – “As you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house,‘” (Lk 10:5) so that the Lord Himself might enter and remain there, as with Mary. … This greeting is the Mystery of Faith which shines forth in the world. Through it, enmity is stifled, war is ended and people acknowledge one another. The effect of that greeting was hidden by a veil in spite of the fact that it prefigures the Mystery of the Resurrection … when the light rises and dawn chases night away. From the moment Christ sent out His disciples, people began to give and receive this greeting, a source of healing and blessing. …

This greeting with its hidden power … is amply sufficient for us all. That is why Our Lord sent it out, together with His disciples, as forerunner, so that it might bring about peace and, carried by the voice of the Apostles whom He sent, prepare the way before them. It was sown in every dwelling … it entered into all who heard it, so as to separate and set apart, the children it recognised as its own. It remained in them but it denounced those who were alien to it, for they did not welcome it.

This greeting of peace did not dry up; it began in the Apostles and then sprang up in their brethren, revealing the Lord’s inexhaustible treasures. … Present in those who offered greetings in this way and in those who welcomed the greeting, this announcement of peace was neither diminished nor divided. It announced that the Father is near and is in everyone; it revealed that the Son’s mission is bound up with all, even if its object is to be with His Father. It will not cease to proclaim that images are now brought to completion and Truth will cast all shadows away at last.” – St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church (Diatessaron 8: 3-4).

PRAYER – O God, Who in a wondrous way graciously urged blessed John, Thy Confessor, to propagate Thy faith among the pagans and through him brought together a new religious family in Thy Church for the education of the faithful, grant Thy servants, so to profit by his teaching that we may reach everlasting 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 CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, HOLY WEEK, INGRATITUDE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MIRACLES, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 8 October – The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

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Thought for the Day – 8 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Sorrowful Mystery
The Agony of Jesus
in the Garden of Gethsemane

“Let us pay particular attention to the scene in Gethsemane.
Jesus is lying prostrate on the ground.
He has given everything for sinful humanity.
He has given His heavenly teaching, His miracles and His mercy.
Even more, He has given Himself in the Blessed Eucharist which He has instituted in the form of food and drink, to sustain men on their earthly journey.

Now, He lies prostrate in prayer.
Near Him, are His Apostles who, already forgetful of the immense favours which they have received, are asleep!

Not far away, there is another Apostle, Judas, who has sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver, as a slave would be sold and is about to deliver Him to His executioners.
But Jesus can see across the centuries – many other Judases, so many traitors, who will be indifferent and sleep, never thinking of Him and neglecting to make any return for His Infinite Love.
His Passion is beginning now, here in Gethsemane and will be protracted throughout the centuries.
Before His Crucifixion, He drinks the bitter chalice of human ingratitude and, in His tremendous Agony, He perspires drops of Blood!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/08/thought-for-the-day-8-october-the-first-sorrowful-mystery-the-agony-of-jesus-in-the-garden-of-gethsemane/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 October – ‘ … Let us aim to make Jesus Christ reign in us! …’ for He is the Kingdom …

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One Minute Reflection – 8 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow – 1 Timothy 5:3-10 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field;
he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Never be obsessed about appearing to be superior or in control. I do npt share the opinion of someone who said to me a few days ago that, to keep a firm hold on one’s authority, one should let one’s superiority be seen. My God! Our Lord Jesus Christ, never spoke like that! In both Word and Example, He taught us quite the contrary, telling us that He hHmself, had come, not to be served but to serve and, whoever wishes to be first among you, must become the slave of all (Mk 10:44-45)…

For this reason, give yourself to God, so that you can speak in the lowly spirit of Jesus Christ, confessing that your teaching, is not your own, nor does it come from you but is the Gospel’s. Above all, imitate the simple Words and comparisons made by Our Lord in Holy Scripture when speaking to the people. Alas! What wonderful things might He not have taught the people! What secrets might He not have disclosed about the Divinity and Its marvellous perfections, He Who was His Father’s Eternal Wisdom! But yet, you see how He speaks intelligibly and makes use of familiar comparisons of labourer, vinedresser, field, vine, mustard seed. This is how you ought to speak, if you would make yourself understood by the people to whom you are proclaiming the Word of God.

Something else, to which you ought to give special attention, is to rely heavily on the Son of God’s method of acting. In other words, when you have to do something, you should ask yourself: “Does this conform to the Sayings of the Son of God?” If you find that it does so, then say: “Let us do it when the opportunity arises” but, if not, say: “I’ll have nothing to do with it.” In addition, when there is some question of carrying out a good work, say to the Son of God: “Lord, if Thou were in my place, what would Thou have done in this instance? How would Thou have taught this people? How would Thou have consoled this sick person in body or soul?”… Let us aim to make Jesus Christ reign in us!” – St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) Priest, Confessor, Founder of religious communities (Conversations; Counsels to Antoine Durand 1656)

PRAYER – O Lord, our God, Who through Thy Only-begotten Son revealed secrets to blessed Bridget, grant that through her kind intercession, we, Thy servants, may rejoice and be glad in the revelation of Thy eternal glory. 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).

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One Minute Reflection – 6 September – “Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.” – Luke 12:40

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One Minute Reflection – 6 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Bruno O.Cart (c1030-1101) Priest, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.” – Luke 12:40

REFLECTION – “Let our “loins be girded and our lamps lit”; let us be like “servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast” (Lk 12:35). Do not let us be like those unbelievers who say: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15:32). The more unsure the day of our death is, the more painful are the trials of life and the more too, we should fast and pray since, to all intents and purposes, tomorrow we die. Our Lord said to His disciples: “Yet a little while and you will no longer see Me and again, a little while and you will see Me” (Jn 16:16). Now is the time of which He said: “You will grieve but the world will rejoice” (v. 20); now is the time in this life of suffering when we journey apart from Him. “But,” He adds, “I shall see you again and your hearts will be full of joy and no-one will take your joy away from you” (v. 22).

Even now, the hope we thus put in the One Who is faithful to His promise, will not leave us without some joy, until we are filled with overwhelming joy on the day when “we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2), when “no-one shall take our joy away from us” … “A woman in labour,” says our Lord, “is in anguish because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to a child, she feels immense joy because a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16:21). This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be filled when we pass from our present understanding of faith into eternal Light. So let us fast and pray now because we are in the days of childbirth.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace [Sermon 210, 5 (7)]

PRAYER – May we be aided by the intercession of St Bruno, Thy Confessor, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who have grievously offended Thy Majesty by sin, may, by his merits and prayers, obtain forgiveness for our offenses. 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 CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 October – ‘ … The Lord asks of us only two things …’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVII – St Placidus and Companions – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His Will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.

The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything.  I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places, Ch 3).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “I praise Thee, Father, … Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to the little ones. ” – Matthew 11:25

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Francis of Assisi OFM (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder – Galatians 6:14-18 – Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I praise Thee, Father, … Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to the little ones. ” – Matthew 11:25

REFLECTION – “The fact that the all-powerful God has been able to humble Himself even to the humility of the human condition, constitutes a greater proof than the impact and supernatural character of miracles. Indeed, when Divine power effects something of great sublimity, this is, after a fashion, in conformity with and appropriate to God’s nature… On the other hand, that God descended even to our lowliness is, in a certain way, the expression of an overwhelming power which, is not in the least restrained by what is contrary to its nature…

Neither the expanse of the heavens, the brightness of the stars, the governing of the universe, nor the harmony of created things, reveal the splendid power of God so much, as His indulgence, which leads Him to lower Himself to the weakness of our nature… God’s goodness, wisdom, justice and power, are revealed in His plans on our behalf: goodness in His will to “save that which was lost” (Lk 19,10); wisdom and justice, in His manner of saving us; power in the fact, that Christ became “in the likeness of men” (Phil 2,7-8) and made Himself conformable to the humility of our nature.” – St Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church (Catechetical Discourse 23-26 ; SC 453).

PRAYER – O God, Who by the good works of blessed Francis enriched Thy Church by establishing a new religious family, grant us to imitate him by emulation of him, by looking upon the things of earth as nought and ever to rejoice in sharing Thy heavenly gifts. 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 CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, LENT, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, LENTEN THOUGHTS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, SAINT of the DAY, The DIVINE INFANT

Quote/s and Prayers of the Day – 3 October – of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873–1897)

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873–1897)

“It is above all, the Gospel
which supports me during my prayer.
There, I find all which
my poor little soul needs.
There, I always discover new lights,
hidden and mysterious meaning.
… Just when I need it, I discover lights
which I had not seen before.”)

“Our vocation, yours and mine,
is not to go harvesting in the fields of ripe corn.
Jesus does not say to us:
“Lower your eyes, look at the fields
and go and reap them,”
our mission is still loftier.
Here are Jesus’ words:
“Lift up your eyes and see…. ”
See how, in My Heaven, there are places empty;
it is for you to fill them … each one of you
is My Moses praying on the mountain (Ex 17:8)
ask Me for labourers and I shall send them,
I await only a prayer, a sigh from your heart!” ”

O Jesus, Dear Holy Child
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873 – 1897)

O Jesus,
dear Holy Child,
my only treasure,
I abandon myself to Thy every whim.
I seek no other joy
than that of calling forth Thy sweet Smile.
Vouchsafe to me, the graces and the virtues
of Thy Holy Childhood,
so that, on the day of my birth into Heaven,
the Angels and Saints
may recognise in Thy Spouse,
Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
Amen

Lenten Offering
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face of Lisieux (1873-1897)

O my God!
I offer Thee all my actions of this Lent
for the intentions and for the glory
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart,
my every thought,
my simplest works,
by uniting them to Its Infinite Merits
and I wish to make reparation for my sins,
by casting them into the furnace
of Its Merciful Love.
O my God!
I ask of Thee for myself
and for those whom I hold dear,
the grace to fulfil perfectly Thy Holy Will,
to accept for love of Thee,
the joys and sorrows of this passing life,
so that we may one day
be united together in Heaven,
for all eternity.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/03/quote-s-of-the-day-3-october-st-therese-of-the-child-jesus/

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 18:4

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One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873–1897) – Isaias 66:12-14 – Matthew 18:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 18:4

REFLECTION – “Remember this saying : “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6). Keep before yourself the Lord’s words: “Those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled” (Mt 23:12)… If it seems to you that you have some good quality, set it to your account but without forgetting your faults; do not boast about what you have done well today; do not set aside recent and past evil. If the present gives you reason to glory, remember the past! That is how you will pierce the abcess of pride! And if you see your neighbour sinning, beware you do not just consider him in the light of this lapse but, think too, about what he is doing, or has done which is good. Very often you will discover him to be better than yourself if you examine your life as a whole and do not add up the fragmentary bits. For God does not examine us in a fragmentary fashion … Let us often remember all this, so as to preserve ourselves from pride, humbling ourselves, so as to be raised up!

Let us imitate the Lord, Who came down from Heaven to the lowest depths … Yet, after such a humbling, He caused His glory to shine forth, glorifying with Himself, those who had been despised together with Him. These were indeed, in fact, His first blessed disciples who, poor and naked, went out through all the world, without words of wisdom, without sumptuous escort but alone and in anguish, vagabonds by land and by sea, beaten with rods, stoned, pursued and, in the end, put to death. Such as these are for us the divine teachings of our Father. Let us imitate them that we may also come to eternal glory, Christ’s perfect and authentic gift.” – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on Humility 5-6).

PRAYER – O Lord, Who said: Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to follow the footsteps of blessed Thérèse the Virgin, in humility and simplicity of heart that we may obtain everlasting 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 "Follow Me", CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GATE of HEAVEN, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

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One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels” – St Remigius (c438-533) Confessor, “Apostle of the Franks” Bishop –Ecclesiasticus Sir ach 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness …, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.

O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring Light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory, to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…

Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the solemn feast of blessed Remigius, Thy Confessor and Bishop, may both increase our devotion and advance our salvation. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – “You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

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One Minute Reflection – 30 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor – 2 Timothy 4:1-8 – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

REFLECTION – “I shall always love and reverence the Apostles sent by Christ and their successors, in sowing the seed of the Gospel, those zealous and tireless co-operators in propagating the Word, who may justly say of themselves: Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the Mysteries of God. For Christ, like a most watchful and most faithful householder, wished that the Gospel lamp should be lit by such ministers and delegates, with fire sent down from Heaven and once lit, should not be put under a measure but set upon a candlestick, so that it may spread its brightness far and wide and put to flight, all darkness and error, rife among both Jews and Gentiles.

Now it is not enough for the Gospel teacher to be a brilliant speaker in the eyes of the people; he must also be as a voice crying in the desert and endeavour, by his eloquence, to help many to lead good lives, lest, if he omit his duty of speaking, he be called the dumb dog that is not able to bark, spoken of by the prophet. Yes, he should also burn, in such a way, that, equipped with good works and love, he may adorn his evangelical office and follow the leadership of Paul. He indeed was not satisfied with bidding the Bishop of the Ephesians: This command and teach: conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus but he unflaggingly preached the Gospel to friend and foe alike and, said with a good conscience to the Bishops gathered at Ephesus: You know how I have kept back nothing that was for your good but have declared it to you and taught you in public and from house to house, urging Jews and Gentiles to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such should be the shepherd in the Church who, like Paul, becomes all things to all men, so that the sick may find healing in him; the sad, joy; the desperate, hope; the ignorant, instruction; those in doubt, advice; the penitent, forgiveness and comfort and finally, everyone, whatever is necessary for salvation. And so Christ, when He wished to appoint the chief teachers of the world and of the Church, did not limit Himself to saying to His disciples: You are the light of the world but also added these words: A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Those churchmen err, who imagine that it is by brilliant preaching, rather than by holiness of life and all-embracing love, they fulfil their office.” – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church (Sermon excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously gave Thy Church blessed Jerome, Thy Confessor and peerless teacher, to explain the Holy Scriptures, grant, we beseech Thee that, with the help of his merits and by Thy assistance, we may be able to put into practice what he has taught us by his life and works. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – ‘Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ – Matthew 18:1

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One Minute Reflection – 29 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like little
children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. ” – Matthew 18:3

REFLECTION – “We must seek for reasons for individual sayings and actions of the Lord. After the coin was found, after the tribute paid, what do the Apostles’ sudden questions mean? Why precisely “at that time” did the disciples come to Jesus saying, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Because they had seen the same tax had been paid for both Peter and the Lord. From the equal price, they inferred that Peter may have been set over all the other Apostles, since Peter had been compared with the Lord in the paying of the tax. So, they ask, who is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus, seeing their thoughts and understanding the causes of their error, wants to heal their desire for glory, with a struggle for humility.

He called a child to Him to ask its age or to show the image of innocence. Or perhaps, He actually set a child in their midst — He Himself, Who had not come to be served but to serve — to show them an example of humility.

Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as this child, whose example I show you, does not persist in anger, does not long remember injury suffered, is not enamoured inordinately by the sight of a beautiful woman, does not think one thing and say another, so you too, unless you have similar innocence and purity of mind, will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Or it might be taken in another way: “Whosoever, therefore, humiliates himself like this child, is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven,” so as to imply that anyone who imitates Me and humiliates himself following My example, so that he abases himself, as much as I abased Myself in accepting the form of a servant, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” – St Jerome (343-420) Priest, Monk, Translator of the Scriptures, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Matthew 3).

PRAYER – O God, Who assign according to a wondrous order, the duties of Angels and men, mercifully grant that our life on earth be guarded by those who continually stand in Thy presence and minister to Thee in Heaven. 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 CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The ANNUNCIATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – ‘ … Distrusting ourselves and our own strength, produces trust in God … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 28 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Wenceslaus (907-935) Duke of Bohemia, Martyr – Ephesians 3:13-21 – Luke 14:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For everyone who exalts himself, shall be humbled and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.” – Luke 14:11

REFLECTION – “Humility is not just about self-mistrust but about the entrusting of ourselves to God. Distrusting ourselves and our own strength, produces trust in God and, from that trust, generosity of soul is born. The most holy Virgin, Our Lady, gave us an outstanding example of this, when she spoke these words: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38). When she said she was the handmaid of the Lord, she was performing, the greatest act of humility, it is possible to do and, all the more so, in that, she was contradicting the praise given her by the Angel – that she would be mother of God, that the child to be born from her womb would be called Son of the Most High, a greater dignity than any we might imagine – I say, she opposed her lowliness and unworthines,to all these praises and greatness, by saying that she was the handmaid of the Lord. Yet, note how, no sooner had she rendered her duty to humility, than she practised outstanding generosity, by saying: “May it be to me according to thy word.”

What she wanted to say was – “It is true, I am in no way capable of this grace of myself if one is to consider what I am ut, insofar as what is good in me, comes from God and what thou say to me, is His own most holy will, I believe it can happen and will ha,ppen.” And so, without the least hesitation, she said: “Let it be done to me according to thou word.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Doctor Caritatis (Conversations 5).

PRAYER – O God, Who through the Palm of Martyrdom transported blessed Wenceslaus from an earthly dominion unto heavenly glory, keep us, by his prayers, from all harm and grant us to rejoice in his fellowship. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Behold, your reward is great in Heaven,

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286 ) Martyrs – Wisdom 5:16-20 – Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be glad in that day and rejoice,
for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,”

Luke 6:23

“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward
will be great in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:12

“The one who walks in the love of God
seeks neither gain nor reward
but seeks only, with the will,
to lose self and all things, for God
and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! ”

St John of the Cross (1442-1591)
Doctor of the Church

“It is true that we require great confidence
to abandon ourselves, without any reserve,
to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all,
Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all.
But, if we reserve anything which we are
unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us,
as if He would say:
“You think yourselves sufficiently wise
to manage that affair without Me –
you can do so and see what will come of it!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“The patience of the Saints
was more severely tried than is ours.
Not only were they stoned, racked, torn asunder,
not only did they suffer want, distress, afflictions
(Hebrews 11 : 37) but, they had to endure
what was still more difficult –
ingratitude, failure, unkindness, false accusations, desolation, darkness.
Yet they willingly endured all for Jesus’ sake,
never ceasing to love Him through it all.
I have my trials, yet none so dreadful as theirs,
yet I complain even under my lighter cross!”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

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One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light! ” (Eph 5:14)

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One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Ferial Day – Pentecost XV – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross – Galatians 5:25-26.6:1-10 – Luke 7:11-16. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Young man, I say to thee, arise!” – Luke 7:14

REFLECTION – “Let no-one who is Christian doubt that even now, dead people rise. Certainly, every human being has eyes, by which he can see dead people rising, in the way this widow’s son, whom we just heard about in the Gospel, arose. But not everyone can see people who are spiritually dead rise. For that, it is necessary to have already risen interiorly. It is greater to raise someone, who is to live forever, than to raise someone, who will have to die again.

The young man’s mother, this widow, was transported with joy at seeing her son rise. Our Mother, the Church, also rejoices when she sees her children’s spiritual resurrection everyday. The widow’s son was dead with the death of the body but these latter, are dead with the death of the soul. People wept tears over the visible death of the former but people were not concerned by the invisible death of the latter – they did not even see it. The only One Who did not remain indifferent, is the One Who knew these deaths – only the One, Who could give life back to them, knew these deaths. For, if the Lord had not come to raise the dead, the Apostle Paul would not have said: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light.” (Eph 5:14).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 98).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of the blessed and gloriosus Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, the blessed Vincent Strambi, Thy Confessor and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors, being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SILENCE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – ‘ … Learning in silence, in the school of the Word … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 24 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Our Lady of Ransom – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Truly it is “a trustworthy word and deserving of every welcome” (1 Tm 1:15) your Almighty Word, Lord, which, in such deep Silence, made His way down from the Father’s royal throne (Wis 18:14f) into the mangers of animals and meanwhile, speaks to us better by His Silence. “Let him who has ears to hear, hear” what this loving and mysterious Silence of the eternal Word speaks to us …

For what recommends the discipline of silence with such weight and such authority, what checks the evil of restless tongues and the storms of words, as the Word of God, Silent in the midst of men. “There is no word on My tongue” (Ps 138:4), the Almighty Word seems to confess while He is subject to His Mother. What madness then will prompt us to say: “With our tongues we can do great things; our lips are good friends to us; we own no master” (Ps 11:5). If I were allowed, I would gladly be dumb and be brought low and be silent, even of good things that I might be able, the more attentively and diligently, to apply my ear to the secret utterances and sacred meaning of this Divine Silence, learning in silence, in the school of the Word, if only for as long as the Word Himself was Silent under the instruction of His Mother …

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” (Jn 1:14). With complete devotion, then, let us think of Christ in the swaddling clothes with which His Mother wrapped Him, so that, with eternal happiness, we may see the glory and beauty with which His Father has clothed Him.” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (The 5th sermon for Christmas).

PRAYER – O God, Who for the deliverance of Christians from the power of the pagans, graciously willed to enrich Thy Church by a new religious offspring through the most glorious Mother of Thy Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that by the merits and intercession of her, whom we piously venerate, as the founder of so great a work, we may be delivered from all our sins and from the captivity of the devil. 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 "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – ‘ … If we are faithful in labouring at this work …’

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One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor – Ecclesiasticu Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” – Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “Let us keep our eyes unceasingly fixed upon the Divine Ideal; let us work to realise, within ourselves, the perfection to which God wishes us to reach, in order to imitate His Divine Son. He is the form of our eternal predestination and for each one, there exists “given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.” (cf Eph 4:7). Here below we do not know what this measure is, by what amount the measure of our predestination is fixed by God. But, without question, it is going to form Christ in us, to reproduce the characteristics of the unique Ideal which the Father Himself indicates …

If we are faithful in labouring at this work, despite temptations and difficulties, the day of reward promised by God will sound for us. … If we have had that constant application which love brings to the perfect fulfilment of our Heavenly Father’s wishes, if we have done “ always the things which please Him” (Jn 8:29), we shall receive the magnificent reward promised by Him Who is Faithfulness Itself: “Well done, good and faithful servant because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (cf Mt 25:21). All the Saints, on entering Heaven, hear these blessed words; this is the welcome they receive from Christ Jesus!

And what are the good things in which Our Lord gives a share? – God Himself, in His Trinity and His perfections and, with God, all spiritual good. The soul will be like God for it will “See Him as He really is” (1 Jn 3:2). Through this ineffable vision which succeeds to faith, the Soul will be fixed in God and will find in Him the Divine stability. It will be forever knit in a perfect embrace to the supreme and immutable Good, without the fear of ever losing Him.” – Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot (“The Instruments of Good Works” – Christ the Ideal of the Monk)

PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Bishop Thomas with the virtue of special pity for the poor, we beseech Thee, through his intercession, generously to pour forth the riches of Thy mercy upon all those who pray to Thee.ThroughJesus 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 "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – For I have come to call sinners, not the just.- Matthew 9:13

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One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr – Pentecost XV – Ezekiel 1:10- 14 – Matthew 9:9-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“It is not the healthy who need a physician but they who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call sinners, not the just.”- Matthew 9:12-13

REFLECTION – “The Apostles, those who all as one and each in particular, possessed the Good News of God, went to the ends of the earth proclaiming the news of all the blessings God sends us and announcing Heaven’s peace towards men (Lk 2:14). Specifically, Matthew produced a written form of the gospel for the Hebrews in their own language, while Peter and Paul evangelised Rome and founded the Church there. After their deaths, Mark, who was Peter’s disciple and interpreter (1 Pt 5:13), also handed down Peter’s preaching to us in writing. Likewise, Luke, Paul’s companion, set down in a book, the Gospel preached by the latter. And then John, the disciple of the Lord, the one who leaned back on his breast (Jn 13:25), also published the Gospel during his stay at Ephesus.

In his Gospel,Matthew relates the genealogy of Christ as man: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: now this is how the birth of Christ came about” (Mt 1:1, 18). Thus, this Gospel, presents Christ in human form, which is why it always represents Christ as being moved by sentiments of humility and remaining a man of gentleness … The Apostle Matthew knows none but One and the same God, Who promised Abraham that He would multiply his descendants like the stars in the sky (Gen 15:5) and, Who, through His Son, Jesus Christ, has called us from the worship of stones to knowledge of Him, (Mt 3:9) in such a way, that “those who were no people have become His people and she who was unloved has become beloved” (cf Hos 2:25; Rom 9:25).” – St Irenaeus (130-202) Father of the Church, Bishop of Lyons, Theologian, Martyr (Against the heresies, III, 11,8 ; 9,1 – One of the first historical testimonies to the Evangelists).

PRAYER – We thank You, heavenly Father,
for the witness of Your Apostle
and Evangelist, Matthew,
to the Gospel of Your Son, our Saviour
and we pray, that, after his example,
we may with ready wills and hearts,
obey the calling of our Lord, to follow Him;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect).

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – Blessed are you who are poor

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – The Vigil of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Wisdom 5:16-20 – Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:20

“Let him who is greatest among you,
become as the youngest
and he who is the leader,
as the servant.”

Luke 22:25

“No Christian should think of himself
as his own master
but each should rather so think and act,
as though given by God,
to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Humility is the mother of many virtues
because, from it are born:
obedience, fear, reverence, patience,
modesty, meekness and peace.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind to all!”

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

“Be generous to the poor orphans
and those in need.
The man to whom our Lord
has been liberal
ought not to be stingy.
We shall one day find in Heaven,
as much rest and joy
as we ourselves have dispensed in this life.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

“Humility is not just about self-mistrust
but about the entrusting of ourselves to God.
Distrusting ourselves and our own strength
produces trust in God
and from that trust,
generosity of soul is born.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

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One Minute Reflection – 20 September – ‘ … What could be more wretched for God, than to take the form of a slave? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 20 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ember Saturday – The Vigil of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Wisdom 5:16-20 – Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” –

REFLECTION – “As almost all men have a natural tendency to pride, the Lord begins the Beatitudes by casting aside the original sin of self-sufficiency and by counseling our imitation of Himself, Who is truly blessed, the genuinely voluntary Poor Man … so, we might become like Him, in a voluntary poverty which is according to our means, so as to share His blessedness, His happiness. “Have among you the same attitude which is also yours in Christ Jesus. Who, although He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave,” (Phil 2:5-7).

What could be more wretched for God, than to take the form of a slave? What lowlier for the King of the Universe, than to share our human nature? The King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Judge of the world, pays taxes to Caesar (1 Tim 6:17; Heb 12:23; Mk 12:17)! Creation’s Lord embraces this world, enters a cave, finds no place in an inn and takes refuge in a stable, in the company of irrational beasts. He, Who is pure and spotless, takes upon Himself, the stains of human nature and, after sharing all our poverty, goes as far as to experience our death. Consider the excessiveness of His voluntary poverty! Life tastes death; the Judge is dragged before the court; the Master of the lives of us all submits to a magistrate; the King of the Heavenly Powers does not escape the hands of torturers! This is the pattern, says the Apostle Paul, against which His humility is measured.” – St Gregory of Nyssa (c335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church, Brother of St Basil the Great (The Beatitudes 1).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the worshipful Feast of Thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist, St Matthew, on the eve whereof we now stand, may avail us, to the increase, both of godliness toward Thee and of health to our own souls. 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 APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 September – “The world is crucified to me and I to the world”

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One Minute Reflection – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Januarius of Naples (Died c304) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr and his Martyred Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Matthew 24:3-13 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming and of the consummation of the world? ” – Matthew 24:3

REFLECTION – “Not one stone will remain upon another: all shall be destroyed.” These words were true of the Temple built by Solomon … for everything built by human hands either wears away or disintegrates or is overthrown by violence or destroyed by fire … But there is also a temple within everyone of us which crumbles whenever faith is lacking and, most especially, if in Christ’s Name, one falsely tries to gain possession of interior convictions. Perhaps this is the most helpful interpretation, where we are concerned. Indeed, what is the point of my knowing the day of judgement? Being aware of so many sins, what is the point of knowing the Saviour will one day come, if He has not come into my soul, if He is not recalled to my mind, if Christ does not live in me, if Christ does not speak in me? So it is to me Christ must come and it is for my sake, His coming must take place.

The Lord’s Second Coming takes place, as the world draws to a close, when we are able to say: “The world is crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14)… To the one to whom the world is dead, Christ is everlasting; to such a one, the temple is spiritual, the Law spiritual, even the Passover is spiritual … And so, for that person, Wisdom’s Presence has come to pass, along with virtue and justice and the presence of the Resurrection, for Christ indeed Died once for the sins of the people, in order daily, to redeem the sins of the people.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop, Father & Dpctpr of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel 10:6-8)

PRAYER – O God, Who gladdens us by the annual festival of Thy Martyrs Januarius and Companions, grant that we, may be inspired by the example of those, in whose merits we rejoice.Through tJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – ‘ … But have not charity, I am nothing!’

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If I speak with the tongues
of men and of Angels
and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass,
or a tinkling cymbal.
And if I should have prophecy
and should know all mysteries
and all knowledge
and if I should have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains
but have not charity,
I am nothing!”

St Paul
1 Corinthians 13:1-2

“Love the Lord and so,
learn to love yourselves
that when, by loving the Lord,
you shall have loved yourselves,
you may securely love
your neighbour as yourselves. …
So then, have faith with love.
This is the “wedding garment!”

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

“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey
the Eternal Father by following Our Lord
in order to hear His Word.
And behold, how we are taught that all
persons, whatever their condition may be,
must pray and meditate,
for it is there, principally,
where this Divine Master speaks to us.
… But, it will not do us any good to listen,
if we do not DO what He says to us,
observing His commandments
and His wishes faithfully,”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

“But who really loves his neighbour
as if he were himself?
Only the Saints.
… The example of St Paul will suffice, however.
He said that his life was so much the life of Christ,
that it was not he himself, who was living
any longer but Christ in him. (Rom 9:3).
Do we possess this sincere and active love
of our neighbour?
Let us examine ourselves in this regard.
Let us remember that if we are lacking in this charity towards our brothers in Jesus, we are not genuine Christians!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

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One Minute Reflection – 18 September – ‘What is that “wedding garment” then? …’ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 – Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www. drbo.org/

Now the king went in to see the guests and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?‘” – Matthew 22:11-12

REFLECTION – “What is that “wedding garment” then? … The wedding garment” is such charity as this. “Although I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” Tongues have come in alone and it is said to them, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? “I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and although I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing.”

See, these are the miracles of men who very often have not “the wedding garment.” “Although,” he says,” I have all these and have not Christ, I am nothing.” … If then I have not charity, although I bestow alms freely upon the poor, although I have come to the confession of Christ’s Name even unto blood and fire, these things may be done even through the love of glory and so are vain.
… For “the wedding garment” is taken in honour of the union, the union, that is, of the Bridegroom to the Bride. You know the Bridegroom – it is Christ. You know the Bride – it is the Church. Pay honour to the Bride, pay honour to the Bridegroom. If you pay due honour to them both, you will be their children. Therefore, in this make progress. Love the Lord and so learn to love yourselves, that when, by loving the Lord, you shall have loved yourselves, you may securely love your neighbour as yourselves. …So then, have faith with love. This is the “wedding garment!” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace.

PRAYER – O God, Who willed that all things be drawn unto Thy Son, when He was raised above the earth, mercifully grant, by the merits and example of Thy seraphic Confessor Joseph that, having been raised above all earthly desires, we may be found worthy to come unto Him. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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One Minute Reflection – 17 September– Christ is our Glory, Property and Kingdom!

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One Minute Reflection – 17 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Commutation of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi – Galatians 6:14-18 – Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

REFLECTION – “In achieving the mystery of His Love, the Lord “took the form of a servant” and, for us, “deigned to humble Himself even to the death of the Cross” (Phil 2:8). He did this so that, through the lowliness which all could see, He might secretly achieve, for us, that hidden eminence amongst the dwellers of Heaven. Only realise, from what we first fell and you will become aware, that by the design of God’s Wisdom and Love, we are being refashioned for Life. In Adam, we fell through pride and, in Christ, we are humbled, that we may dissolve the sin of that ancient crime, by obedience to the opposite virtue. So, we who by proud conduct, have sinned, win approval by humble service.

Therefore, let us rejoice and glory in Him, Who made us both His battle and His victory, when He said: “Have confidence, for I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33) … He, Who is unconquered, will fight for us and conquer in us. Then the prince of this darkness shall be cast out (cf Jn 12:31). He is not, to be sure, expelled from the world but from the individual, for when faith enters us, we shut him out and provide a place for Christ…

Let orators keep their eloquence, philosophers their wisdom, rich men their wealth and kings their kingdoms. Christ is our Glory, Property and Kingdom! Our wisdom lies in the “foolishness of our preaching,” our strength, in the weakness of the flesh, our glory, in the stumbling block of the Cross (cf 1 Cor 1:21).” – St Paulinus of Nola (355-431) Bishop, Father of the Church (Letter 38:3-4.6).

PRAYER – O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who, to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy love, when the world was becoming cold in spirit, renewed in the flesh of most blessed Francis, the sacred marks of Thine own Passion, graciously grant that by his merits and prayers, we may steadfastly carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – May the feast of the blessed Martyrs and Bishops, Cornelius and Cyprian, protect us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and may their holy prayer recommend us to Thee.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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One Minute Reflection – 15 September – Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus, Mary, His Mother …”

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One Minute Reflection – 15 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin – Judith 13:22; 13:25 – John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here:

“Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus, Mary, His Mother …” –John 19:25

REFLECTION – “Like a sheep beholding its lamb being led to the slaughterhouse (Is 53 :7), Mary followed behind with the other women, consumed with sorrow and crying: “Where are Thou going, my Child? Why do Thou end Thy swift course (Ps 18:6) in this way? Are there still other wedding feasts in Cana? Is it there that Thou are now going so swiftly, to make wine for them out of water? May I come with Thee, O my Child, or would it be better to wait? Speak one word to me, O Word, do not pass before me in silence…, oh Thou Who are my Son and my God…

“Thou art going towards an unjust death and no-one shares Thy suffering. Peter does not go with Thee, he who said: “Even if I have to die, I will never deny Thee” (Mt 26:35). Thomas, who exclaimed: “Let us all die with Him!” (Jn 11:16), has left Thee. And the others too, Thy friends, those who are to judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28), where are they now!? Not one remains. But Thou alone, O my Child, Thou dies for all. This is Thy recompense for having saved and served all humankind, my Son and my God.”

Turning to Mary, His Mother, He who came forth from her, cried out: “Mother, why do thy weep?… Am I not to suffer? Not to die? Then how could I save Adam? Am I not to dwell in the tomb? How should I bring back to life, those who inhabit the dwelling of the dead? Why do thou weep? Shout aloud, rather: ‘My Son and my God, is suffering of His Own Free Will.’ O wise Virgin do not make thyself like those who are foolish (Mt 25:1); thou stands in the wedding hall, do not become as though thou stood outside… Weep no longer, then but rather say: ‘Take pity on Adam, be merciful towards Eve, O my Son and my God.’

“Be assured, O Mother, thou will be the first to see Me come from the Tomb. I will come to show thee from what misfortunes I have redeemed Adam, what efforts I have expended for his sake. To My friends, I shall reveal their marks which I will show in My Hands. Then thou will see Eve alive, as she was before and in thou joy, thou will cry out: ‘He has saved my parents, my Son and my God!’ – St Romanos Melodios (c490-c556) Monk, Composer of Hymns, Poet (Hymn 25, The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Cross).

PRAYER – O God, in Whose Passion the sword, according to the prophecy of blessed Simeon, pierced through the soul of Mary, the glorious Virgin and Mother, mercifully grant that we, who reverently commemorate her piercing through and her suffering, may, by the interceding glorious merits of all the Saints faithfully standing by the Cross, obtain the abundant fruit of Thine Passion. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, OUR Cross, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St PAUL!, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

“We are made a spectacle to the world
and to Angels and to men.
We are fools for Christ’s sake
but you are wise in Christ;
we are weak but you are strong;
you are honourable but we without honour.
Even unto this hour, we both hunger and thirst
and are naked and are buffeted
and have no fixed abode.
And we labour, working with our own hands.
We are reviled and we bless.
We are persecuted and we suffer it.
We are blasphemed and we entreat.
We are made as the refuse of this world,
the offscouring of all, even until now.”

St Paul – 1 Corinthians 4:9-14

“Be imitators of God, as very dear children
and walk in love, as Christ also loved us
and delivered Himself up for us …”

St Paul … Ephesians 5:1-2

“Carry me, O Christ,
on Thy Cross
which is salvation to the wanderer,
rest for the wearied
and, in which alone,
is Life for those who die.”

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

“Happy the soul which detaches itself
from its own pleasure,
from its own will,
from its own understanding.
A sublime lesson is this
and God will teach it,
to all those who place their happiness
in the Cross of Jesus Christ.”

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

“Crosses, contempt,
sorrows and afflictions,
are the real treasures
of the lovers of Jesus Christ Crucified.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque
(1647-1690)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-september-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross-the-book-of-life/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 September – ‘I … ‘will never find Thee, except on the Cross …’

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One Minute Reflection – 14 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Pentecost XIV – Philippians 2:5-11 – John 12:31-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself.” – John 12:32

REFLECTION – “Far be it for me to glory, except in the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:4). The Cross is Thy glory, the Cross is Thy Dominion. Behold, upon Thy shoulders Dominion rests (Is 9:5). Those who bear Thy Cross, bear Thy glory. That is why the Cross which makes unbelievers quail, is more beautiful than all the trees of Paradise to believers. Was Christ afraid of the Cross? Or Peter? Or Andrew? To the contrary! they longed for it. Christ went to meet it “like a champion joyfully running his course” (Ps 18:6): “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Lk 22:15). He ate the Passover even as He suffered His Passion when He passed from this world to His Father. He ate and drank on the Cross, He was drunk with wine and fell asleep …

From henceforth, who can fear the Cross? Lord, I may traverse Heaven and earth, the sea and dry land, yet will never find Thee, except on the Cross. It is there Thou sleeps, there Thou pasture Thy flock, there Thou rest at noonday (Sg 1:7). One ,who is united to his Lord, sweetly sings upon this Cross: “Thou, O Lord, my encircling shield, my glory, Thou lifts up my head” (Ps 3:4). None seeks for Thee, none finds Thee, except on the Cross. O glorious Cross, embed Thyself in me that I may be found in Thee!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian Abbot, Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Meditation on the Passion (attrib),

PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us this day by the annual feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who know on earth, the mysteries of Christ, may be found worthy to obtain, in heaven, the rewards of His Redemption. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).