Category: “Follow Me”

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St PETER!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 February – ‘…The Apostle chosen to be His co-worker …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 February – Feast of the Chair of St Peter at Antioch – 1 Peter 1:1-7; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

Matthew 16:18-19

“… Now you must be, for a little time,
made sorrowful in divers temptations.
That the trial of your faith,
(much more precious than gold
which is tried by the fire)
may be found unto praise and glory
and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:6-7

“But the God of all grace,
Who hath called us into His eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little,
will Himself perfect you and confirm you
and establish you.
To Him be glory and empire
forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:10-11

“Yes, the Apostle chosen
to be His co-worker,
merited to share,
the same Name as Christ.
They built the same Building together –
Peter does the planting,
the Lord gives the increase
and it is the Lord, too,
Who sends those,
who will do the watering (cf 1 Cor 3:6f).”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“It is good to admire the fidelity of St Peter
and the designs of Divine Providence
in making him the visible Head of the Church
but, it is far better, to follow his example.
His love for Jesus, led him to leave his family
and his fisherman’s trade, in order to follow Our Lord.
It led him to undertake long voyages,
to endure imprisonment and to face martyrdom.
What can we do for the love of Jesus?
Remember that, if love is to be sincere,
it must be generous and effective.
He was not satisfied, until he was hanging
upon the cross like his Divine Master
and could prove his love for Jesus by a Martyr’s death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", ACT of CONTRITION, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SIN

Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Lord Jesus, Think on Me By St Synesius of Cyrene

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Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Ember Wednesday

Lord Jesus, Think on Me
By St Synesius of Cyrene (375-430)
Bishop of Ptolemais, Father

Lord Jesus, think on me
and purge away my sin,
from earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
With care and woe oppressed,
let me Thy loving servant be
and taste Thy promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray,
through darkness and perplexity
point Thou the heav’nly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see
and share Thy joy at last.
Amen

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One Minute Reflection – 6 March – ‘Satan will return. He will enter Judas and will make him betray his Master.’

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One Minute Reflection – 18 February – The First Sunday of Lent – St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) of Lourdes – Virgin, The Visionary of Lourdes, – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Then the devil left Him …” – Matthew 4:11

REFLECTION – “When the Lord had been tempted with this triple temptation—because in all the allurements of the world these three are to be found, either pleasure, or curiosity, or pride — what did the Evangelist say? After the devil had concluded every temptation — every kind but of the alluring sort — there remained the other sort of temptation, by harsh and hard treatment, savage treatment, atrocious and ferocious treatment. Yes, there remained the other sort of temptation. Another Evangelist knew this, knew what had been carried out, what remained, and so he said, “After the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from Him, until the time.” He departed from Him in the form, that is, of the insidious serpent. He is going to come back in the form of the roaring lion. The One Who will trample on the lion and the cobra, will conquer him. Satan will return. He will enter Judas and will make him betray his Master. He will bring along the Jews, not flattering now but raging. Taking possession of his own instruments, he will cry out with the tongues of all of them, “Crucify him, crucify him!” That Christ was the Conqueror there, why should we be surprised? He is Almighty God.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of Grace (Ser

PRAYER – Almighty and eternal God, Who has dominion over both the living and the dead and has mercy upon all, whom Thou foreknow will be Thine own by faith and good works; we humbly beseech Thee that all, for whom we have resolved to make supplication, whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come holds them out of the body, may, through the intercession of St Bedrnadette and all Thy Saints, obtain of Thine goodness and clemency, pardon for all their sins.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 – 16 February – But I say to you, Love your enemies …

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One Minute Reflection – 16 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday – The Feast of the Sacred Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Isa 58:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48; 6:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But I say to you, Love your enemies …” Matthew 5:44

REFLECTION – “Let us pay attention, all my brothers, to what the Lord says: “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you,” for our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose footprints we must follow (cf 1 Pt 2:21), called His betrayer “friend” (Mt 26:50) and gave Himself willingly to those who crucified Him. Our friends, then, are all those who, unjustly afflict upon us, trials and ordeals, shame and inju­ries, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death! We must love them greatly for we will possess eternal life because of what they bring upon us.” – St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226) Founder of the Friars Minor (Earlier Rule, #22).

PRAYER – May Thy kindly favour, we beseech Thee, O Lord, accompany the fast we have begun that we, maybe able to practice, with a pure mind and heart, that which we perform bodily. 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", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 February – ‘By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy …’

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One Minute Reflection – 15 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” –Thursday after Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting – – – Isaias 38:1-6; Matthew 8:5-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, only say the word and my servant will be healed.” – Matthew 8:8.

REFLECTION – “When the Lord promised to go to the Centurion’s house to heal his servant, the Centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility, if he had not already welcomed, in his heart, the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility, both by word and example, sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon and although he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 62).

PRAYER – O God, offended by sin and appeased by penance, graciously hear the prayers of Thy people as they entreat Thee to turn away from us the scourges of anger which we have deserved because of our sins. 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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Quote/s of the Day – 12 February – Lose self and all things ….

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 February – The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (1233) – Ecclus 44:1-15; 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

“We must follow Christ, cleaving to Him,
nor should we forsake Him until we die.
As Elisha said to his master:
“ As the Lord lives and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you ” (2 Kgs 2:2) …
So, let us follow Christ and stay close to Him!
“To be near God is my good” says the Psalmist (72:28).
“ My soul clings fast to Thee;
Thy right hand upholds me ” (Ps 62:9).
And Saint Paul adds :
“ Whoever is joined to the Lord
becomes One Spirit with Him ” (1 Cor 6:17).
Not just One Body but One Spirit.
His whole body, lives from the Spirit of Christ,
through the Body of Christ,
we attain to the Spirit of Christ.”

Guigo II “The Angelic” O.Cart. (Died c1188)

The 9th Prior of Grande Chartreuse, from 1174 to 1180
(Meditation 10).

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit, Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

“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! ”

“Happiness is not a destination,
it is a method of travel.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

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One Minute Reflection – 12 February – ‘… True faith knows no delay. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 12 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (1233) – Ecclus 44:1-15; 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 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men.’” Happy transformation of fishing! Simon and Andrew are what Jesus caught fishing … These men are made similar to fish, caught by Christ, before going themselves to catch other people. “They immediately abandoned their nets and became His followers.” True faith knows no delay. As soon as they heard Him, they believed, they followed Him and they became fishers. “They immediately abandoned their nets.” I think that with those nets, they abandoned all the vices of the life of this world …

“Proceeding a little farther along, He caught sight of James, Zebedee’s son and his brother, John … He summoned them on the spot. They abandoned their father Zebedee, who was in the boat with the hired men and went off in His company.” You will tell me — faith is daring. What indication did they have, what sublime characteristic had they noted which made them follow Him, as soon as He called them? We realise that evidently something Divine came forth from Jesus’ gaze, from the expression on His Face which incited those who looked at Jesus to turn towards Him … Why am I saying all this? It is to show you that the Lord’s Word was active and, that through the least of His Words, He was working on His task: “He commanded and they were made.” (Ps 148:5) With the same simplicity, He called and they followed …: “Hear, O daughter and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father’s house. So shall the king desire your beauty.” (Ps 45:11-12)

Listen well, brother and follow the path of the Apostles; listen to the Saviour’s Voice, ignore your father according to the flesh and see the true Father of your soul and your mind … The Apostles left their father, left their boat, left all their riches of that time; they abandoned the world and its countless riches; they renounced all that they owned. However, God does not consider the mass of riches but rather, the soul of the person who renounces them. Those people who left only a few things would also have renounced a large fortune, if the need had arisen.” – St Jerome (347-420) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on the Gospel of Mark).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, to keep alive the memory of Your most holy Mother’s sorrows, through the Seven holy Fathers enriched your Church with a new family of her Servants, graciously grant that we may be so united with them in their sorrows, as also to share their joys. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Soldier of Christ Must Prepare for Battle, Early in the Morning (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XVI: … The Soldier of Christ Must Prepare
for Battle, Early in the Morning (Part Two)

‘Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.’ – Zechariah 4:6,

“Begin the combat in the Name of the Lord, with the weapons of Self-distrust and Trust in God, of prayer and spiritual exercises and challenge your foe to the battle, that is, that inclination, whatever it be, which, according to the order above laid down, you have resolved to conquer.
Do this, now by open resistance, now by deep abhorrence, or again, by acts of the contrary virtue, wounding him again and again, even unto death, to give pleasure to your Lord, Who is looking on, with the whole Church Triumphant, to behold your conflict!

I tell you again, you must not weary of the struggle but, remember the obligation which lies on us all, to serve and please God and the absolute necessity of fighting in this battle, from which none can escape, without wounds or death.

I tell you, moreover, that if, as a rebel you would fly from God,and give
yourself over to the world and the delights of the flesh, you will still be forced, in spite of yourself, to labour by the sweat of your brow, against many and many an adversary, who will pierce your heart with deadly anguish.

Consider, then, what folly it would be to incur all this toil and trouble, which does but lead to greater toil and endless trouble and spiritual death, in order to avoid that which will soon be over and which will lead us to eternal and infinite blessedness in the everlasting enjoyment of our God.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/08/thought-for-the-day-8-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-prepare-for-battle-early-in-the-morning-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Of the Enemies We are to Engage and the Courage Necessary to Fight (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 7 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XV: … Of the Enemies We Are to Engage
and the Courage Necessary to Fight (Part Two)

“Therefore, you must never be dismayed, although at times, your enemy seems to be strengthening his array against you, although the struggle threatens to last your whole lifetime and although, almost certain falls menace you on every side! – for know assuredly, that the whole strength and wisdom of our enemies, is in the Hands of our Divine Captain, in Whose honour the battle is arrayed – Who, prizing us beyond measure, sure and having Himself imperatively called us to the conflict, will never suffer you to be overcome!

Nay more, He will Himself fight on your right hand and will not fail, in His own good time, to subdue your foes before you and this, to your greater reward, if He should delay to give you the victory, until the last day of your life!
This alone is your concern, to fight manfully, and never, however numerous your wounds, to lay down your arms or take to flight.

Lastly, that you fail not to fight courageously, bear in mind that this is a conflict whence there is no escape and, that he who will not fight must needs be captured or slain!
Moreover, we have to deal with enemies so powerful and so filled with
deadly hate, as to leave us no hope of either peace or truce.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-of-the-enemies-we-are-to-engage-and-the-courage-necessary-to-fight-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on the PRIESTHOOD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – Sent …

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One Minute Reflection – 6 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And He sent them, … into every city and place …” – Luke 10:1

REFLECTION – “No-one,” the Apostle admonishes us, “can lay another foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor 3:11). It is Christ alone “whom the Father anointed and sent into this world” (Jn 10:36), “the splendour of the Father and the image of His substance” (Heb 1:3), true God and true Man, without Whom no-one can know God with the knowledge for salvation, “neither doth anyone know the Father but the Son and He to whom it shall please the Son to reveal Him” (Mt 11:27). Hence, it follows that to restore all things in Christ and to lead men back to submission to God, is one and the same aim. To this, then, it behoves Us to devote Our care – to lead back mankind under the dominion of Christ; this done, We shall have brought it back to God. When We say “to God” We do not mean, to that inert being heedless of all things human which the dream of certain philosophers has imagined but, to the true and living God, One in Nature, Triple in Person, Creator of the world, most wise Ordainer of all things, Lawgiver most just, Who punishes the wicked and has reward in store for virtue.

Now the way to reach Christ is not difficult to find — it is the Church. Rightly does St John Chrysostom inculcate: “The Church is thy hope, the Church is thy salvation, the Church is thy refuge.” It was for this that Christ founded it, gaining it at the price of His Blood and made it the depositary of His doctrine and His laws, bestowing upon it, at the same time, an inexhaustible treasury of graces, for the sanctification and salvation of men.

You see, then, venerable Brethren, the duty that has been imposed upon Us…? To form Christ in those, who are destined from the duty of their vocation to form Him, in others … It is the same mission … as that which Paul proclaimed in these tender words: “My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you” (Gal 4:19). But how will they be able to perform this duty if they be not first clothed with Christ themselves? and so clothed with Christ, as to be able to say with the Apostle: “I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). “For me to live is Christ!” (Phil 1:21). – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope from 1903 to 1914 (Encyclical “ E Supremi Apostolatus ”).

PRAYER – O God, Who adorned blessed Titus, Thy Confessor and Bishop, with the virtues of an apostle, grant, through his merits and intercession that by living justly and piously in this world, we may be found worthy to enter 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).

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – ‘ … Let us too build a dwelling in our hearts …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – Sexagesima Sunday – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9, Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And as for that in the good ground
they are those who, hearing the word,
hold it fast in an honest and good heart
and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luke 8:15

“Those who are My sheep
hear My Voice
and follow Me”

John 10:27

“What a happy day they spent!
What a blessed night!
Who can say what it was they heard
from the Lord’s mouth?
Let us, too, build a dwelling in our hearts,
construct a house
where Christ can come
to teach and converse with us.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“He is the origin of all wisdom.
The Word of God in the heights,
is the source of wisdom.
Christ is the source of all true knowledge,
for He is “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). …
As way, Christ is the teacher
and origin of knowledge …
Without this Light,
which is Christ,
no-one can penetrate
the secrets of faith.”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Beloved and Most Holy Word of God
By St James of the Marches (1391-1476)

Beloved and most holy Word of God!
Thou enlighten the hearts of the faithful,
Thou satisfy the hungry,
console the afflicted.
Thou make the souls of all,
productive of good
and cause all virtues to blossom.
Thou snatch souls
from the devil’s jaw.
Thou make the wretched holy
and men of earth,
citizens of Heaven!
Amen

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘… Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Candlemas – Malachias 3:1-4; Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My eyes have seen Thy salvation …” – Luke 2:30

REFLECTION – “Come then, my brethren, give an eye to that candle burning in Simeon’s hands. Light your candles too by borrowing from that Light; for these candles I speak of are the lamps which the Lord orders us to have in our hands (Mt 25:1; Lk 12:35). Come to Him and be enlightened (Ps 33:6), so as to be not merely carrying lamps but to be very lamps yourselves, shining inside and out, for yourselves and for your neighbours.

Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. The lamp in your heart will shine for you; the lamp in your hand or on your lips, will shine out for your neighbours. The lamp in the heart is loving faith; the lamp in the hand is the example of good works; the lamp on the lips is edifying speech. But not just before men, must we shine by works and word but before Angels too, by prayer and before God Himself by pure Intention. Our lamp before the Angels is the purity of our devotion, when, in the sight of Angels, we chant the Psalms with care, or pray with burning ardour; our lamp before God is the honesty of our intention to please Him only, Whose approval we have won…

There are so many lamps then, my brethren, to lighten your way, if only you will come to the Source of all Light and be enlightened. Come, I say, to Jesus, Who shines out to us from Simeon’s arms. He will give Light to your faith, lustre to your works, meaning to your words for men, ardour to your prayer, purity to your intentions … And when this life’s lamp is extinguished, there will arise a life’s Light which can never be extinguished, a shimmering noonday Light, arising, as it were, at the evening of your life!” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (1st Sermon for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. 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). 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 LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Conversion

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle

“O my brethren, if only we wanted to,
if only we all wanted to perceive
our soul’s paralysis in all its depth!
Then we would see
that it is lying on a stretcher of sins,
deprived of strength.
Christ’s action within us,
would be a source of light
and we would understand
that each day He sees our lack of faith,
harmful as it is, that He draws us
towards healing remedies
and sharply presses our rebellious wills.
“My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

“What are you afraid of, you men of little faith?
That He will not pardon your sins?
But with His own hands He has nailed them to the Cross.
That you are used to soft living
and your tastes are fastidious?
But He knows the clay of which we are made (Gn 2:7).
That a prolonged habit of sinning binds you like a chain?
But the Lord loosens the shackles of prisoners.
Or perhaps that angered by the enormity
and frequency of your sins,
He is slow to extend a helping hand?
But where sin abounded,
grace became superabundant (Rom 5,20).
Are you worried about clothing
and food and other bodily necessities
so that you hesitate to give up your possessions?
But He knows that you need all these things (Mt 6,32).
What more can you wish?
What else is there to hold you back
from the way of salvation? ”

St Bernard (1091-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“When it is dark,
we do not see how dusty and dirty
our house is.
Only when the place
is flooded with sunlight,
do we realise its awful condition.
So, we need the light of God’s grace
to show us the real state of our soul
and to induce us
to clean up our hearts!”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“I see clearly with the interior eye,
that the sweet God loves, with a pure love,
the creature that He has created
and has a HATRED for nothing but SIN,
which is more opposed to Him,
than can be thought or imagined.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

“A person who is conscious of his misery,
can certainly have great confidence in God.
In fact, he cannot have true confidence in Him,
without this consciousness of his misery.
This knowledge and acknowledgement
of our misery, leads us to the presence of God.”

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 January – My disciples?

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 January – St Timothy (1st Century) Disciple of St Paul, Bishop and Martyr – 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Luke 14:26-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone comes to Me
without hating his father
and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters
and even his own life,
he cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:26

“So likewise, everyone of you,
who does not renounce all
that he possesses,
cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:33

“Pursue justice, godliness,
faith, charity, patience, mildness.
Fight the good fight of the faith,
lay hold on the life eternal,
to which you have been called …”

1 Timothy 6:11-12

“… Anyone of you
who does not renounce
all his possessions,
cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33

“The tradition and the authority
of Holy Scripture, show us three renunciations …
The first is that, by which,
as far as the body is concerned,
we make light of all the wealth
and goods of this world.
By the second,
we reject the fashions and vices
and former affections of soul and flesh.
By the third,
we detach our soul from all present
and visible things and contemplate only
things to come and set our heart
on what is invisible.
We have to do all these three at once,
as the Lord charged Abraham to do,
when he said to him
“Go out from your country
and your kinsfolk
and your father’s house.”(Gn 12:1).”

St John Cassian (c360-435)
Monk, Founder of Monasteries,
Father of the Church

(Conference 3, 6-7)

“Let us trust in Him. Who has
placed this burden upon us.
What we ourselves cannot bear,
let us bear, with the help of Christ.
For He is All-powerful
and He tells us:
‘My yoke is easy and my burden light.’”

St Boniface (c672-754)
Martyr, Confessor, Bishop

“I will go anywhere and do anything,
in order to communicate the love of Jesus
to those who do not know Him,
or have forgotten Him.”

St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

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One Minute Reflection – 24 January – ‘ … In the Kingdom these relationships are transcended …’

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One Minute Reflection – 24 January – St Timothy (1st Century) Disciple of St Paul, Bishop and Martyr – 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Luke 14:26-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone comes to Me, without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:26

REFLECTION – “On another occasion, the Lord says, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, and wife and children and brothers and sisters and even his own soul, cannot be my disciple.” As a rule, this is more upsetting to the mind of new Christians, who are eager to begin at once, to live in accordance with the precepts of Christ. To those who do not fully grasp its meaning, it would seem contradictory…. He has condescended to call His disciples to the eternal Kingdom. He also called them brothers. In the Kingdom these relationships are transcended because, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female, neither slave nor freeman but Christ, is all things and in all.” The Lord says, “For in the resurrection, they will neither be married nor marry but will be as the Angels of God in Heaven.”

Whoever wishes to prepare himself now, for the life of that Kingdom, must not hate people but those earthly relationships, through which the present life is sustained, the temporary life that begins at birth and ends with death. Whoever does not hate this necessity, does not yet love that other life, in which there will be no condition of birth and death, the condition which makes marriages natural on earth.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Father, Doctor of Grace (Sermon on the Mount,15).

PRAYER – Be mindful of our weakness, Almighty God and because the burden of our sins weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of blessed Timothy, Your Martyr and Bishop, sustain us. 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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Thought for the Day – 22 January – Of Inclining the Will to Please God in All Things

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Thought for the Day – 22 January – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

The Third Weapon
of the Spiritual Combat

XI: … Of some Considerations which May Incline
the Will to Seek to Please God in All Things

“Furthermore, to incline the Will more readily to seek God’s honour
and glory in all things, always remember that, in many and various ways, He has first loved and honoured you!

In creation: — by creating you out of nothing after His Own Likeness and all other creatures for your service.
In Redemption: — by sending, not an Angel but, His Only-begotten Son, to redeem you, not with the corruptible price of silver and gold but with His Precious Blood and, by His most painful and ignominious death.
Remember, that every hour, nay, every moment, He protects you from your enemies, fights for you by His grace, offers you continually, in the Sacrament of the Altar, His well-beloved Son, to be your food and your defence; are not all these tokens of the inestimable regard and love borne for you by the Infinite God?

It is not in man to conceive, on the one hand, how great is the value which so great a Lord sets upon us poor creatures, in our loneliness and misery and, on the other, how great the return we are bound to make to His Supreme Majesty, Who has done so many and such great things for us.

For if earthly lords, when honoured even by poor and lowly men, feel bound to honour them in return, how should our vile nature demean itself towards the Supreme King of Heaven and earth, by Whom we are so dearly loved and so highly prized?

And besides all this and before all things, keep ever vividly in mind that the Divine Majesty is infinitely worthy to be loved for Himself alone and to be served, purely for His own good pleasure.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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One Minute Reflection – 21 January –  “Many will come … ” – Matthew 8:11

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One Minute Reflection – 21 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr – Romans 12:16-21; Matthew 25:1-13 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Many will come from the east and the west and will recline… at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven” – Matthew 8:11

REFLECTION – “I have seen our Lord in the Gospel accomplish many miracles and, reassured by them, have strengthened my fearful words. I have seen the centurion throw himself at the Lord’s feet, nations send their firstfruits to Christ. The Cross has not yet been erected and already, pagans hasten towards their Master. The words “Go, teach all nations” have not yet been heard (Mt 28,19) but the nations are already hastening. Their race precedes their call, they are burning with desire for the Lord. The sound of preaching has not yet been heard but they are hurrying towards the One Who preaches. Peter… has now been instructed and they gather around the One Who is teaching him; the light of Paul has not yet blazed beneath Christ’s standard and nations are coming with incense to adore the King (Mt 2:1).

And now, see how a centurion begs Him and says to him: “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, suffering dreadfully.” Here is a new miracle indeed! The servant, whose limbs are paralysed leads his master to the Lord; the slaves’ sickness gives health to his owner. Seeking his servant’s healing, he finds our Lord and while he is seeking for his slave’s cure, he becomes Christ’s conquest!” – Basil of Seleucia (Died c 468) Archbishop (Homily 19 on the centurion, PG 85, 235f).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Thou Who choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant that we, who are celebrating the feast of blessed Agnes, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may reap the benefit ofher patronal 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).

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 January – ‘In the hours of the night, think always on Christ …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Marius and Family of Persia, (Died c 270) Martyrs – Hebrews 10:32-38, Matthew 24:3-13 – Scripture 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

“Watch, therefore because you know not
the day, nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:13

“ In the hours of the night, think always on Christ
and hope for His coming at every moment. …
Christ enters at the open door.
He will not fail to do so, for He has promised to enter.
Embrace Him, Whom you have sought.
Approach Him and be illumined.
Hold Him and ask Him not to go away quickly.
Beg Him not to depart.
For “His Word runs swiftly” (Ps 147:15)
and will not be held by the slothful
or negligent soul.
Let your soul run to His call and follow closely,
the sound of His heavenly Voice,
for His passing is swift. …”

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

“… In fact, according to the merit
and fervour of each one,
there is a frequent and familiar advent of the Lord
that, in this intermediary period,
between His First and Last Coming,
models us on one and prepares us to the other.
The Lord comes to us now,
so that His First Coming to us, may not be in vain
and that the Last One, may not be that of wrath.
Through His Present Coming, in fact,
He works at reforming our pride,
in the image of the humility of His first advent,
to then remodel our humble body,
in the image of the glorified body He will show us,
when He will return. This is why we should desire
and fervently ask this personal coming –
which gives us the grace of this first advent
and promises us the glory of the last. …”

Bl Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157)
Cistercian Abbot

(2nd sermon for Advent, 2-4)

Grant Me, My God
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor, Common Doctor

Make my heart watchful, O God,
so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee.
Make it noble,
so that it may never be seduced by any base affection.
Make it steadfast,
so that troubles may not dismay it.
Make it free,
so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion.
Grant me, my God,
the intelligence, to understand Thee,
the love, to seek Thee,
the wisdom, to find Thee,
words, to please Thee,
the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee
and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last.
Grant that I, a repentant sinner,
may bear Thy chastisements with resignation.
Poor pilgrim which I am,
may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace
and may I one day,
be eternally happy with Thee in Heavnely glory!
Amen.

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 January – ‘Peter alone was chosen to stand at the head …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 January – Feast of the Chair of the Apostle, St Peter at Rome – 1 Peter 1:1-7, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

“Upon this rock
I will build My Church”

Matthew 16:18

“I decided to consult the Chair of Peter,
where that faith is found
exalted by the lips of an Apostle;
I now come to ask for nourishment
for my soul there,
where once I received the garment of Christ.
I follow no leader save Christ,
so I enter into communion with Your beatitude,
that is, with the Chair of Peter,
for this, I know, is the rock
upon which the Church is built.”
(cf Le lettere I, 15, 1-2)

St Jerome (343-420)
Father & Doctor od rhw Church

“He gave way to sin so that,
remembering his own failure
and the kindness of the Lord,
he might testify to others,
a grace of philanthropy in accord
with the divine design conceived by God.
The fall had been permitted to the one
who was going to see himself
entrusted with the Church,
the Pillar of the Church,
the Harbour of the Faith;
the fall had been permitted to Peter,
the Doctor of the Universe,
in order that, the forgiveness received,
might remain the foundation of love for others.”

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

“Nothing escaped the Wisdom and Power of Christ,
the elements of nature lay at His service,
spirits obeyed Him, Angels served Him. …
And yet, out of all the world,
Peter alone was chosen to stand at the head,
for the calling of all the peoples
and the oversight of all the Apostles
and Fathers of the Church.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

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One Minute Reflection – 17 January –  ‘ … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 17 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Anthony Abbot (251-356) – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Luke 12:40

REFLECTION – “These words mean – you are to be awake and vigilant because you do not know the hour when the Lord will come from the wedding … Because, as soon as some feeling of pride, self-satisfaction or self-will enters a man, the Enemy is there, cutting the precious bag, of all his good works from him. Oh, children! How many people like these, will you see, who have done great works … and thus gained great renown … but, presumption has stripped them of all … They will be placed after the poor and simple fellows, whom no-one values because of their outward appearance and work. Because they humbly take a lowly place, these latter, will be set above the others … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes …

“Let your loins be girt about and your lamps alight.” Here there are three points to notice. First – the loins are to be girded like someone firmly bound with a rope, so as to be led, against his will … Second – you are to carry lighted lamps in your hands which is to say, works of love. Your hands should never stop doing the true, ardent work of charity … Third – you should wait for the Lord when He returns from the wedding … “The Lord will set them over all His goods; He will gird Himself and will serve them.” This wedding from which the Lord comes, takes place in the most interior part of the soul, in its depths, where the noble image is found. O what intimate contact the soul has with God and God with it, in this depth and what a marvellous work God does there! What rejoicing and joy He finds there! It surpasses all feeling and thought and yet, man knows nothing and feels nothing of it.” – Fr Johannes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Priest and Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian (Sermon 77 for the Feast of a Confessor).

PRAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Anthony, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 15 January – Of Spiritual Exercises, the Third Weapon

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Thought for the Day – 15 January – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

The Third Weapon
of the Spiritual Combat

VII: … Of Spiritual Exercises
(and the first of the Exercise of the Understanding (Reason) — which must be kept guarded
against ignorance and curiosity).

“If in this warfare, we are provided with no weapons except self-distrust and trust in God, needful as both these are, we shall not only fail to gain the victory over ourselves but, shall fall into many evils.
To these, therefore, we must add the use of Spiritual Exercises, the Third Weapon named above.
And these relate chiefly to the Understanding (Reason) and the Will.

As regards the Understanding, we must guard against two things which are apt to obscure it.
One is ignorance which darkens it and impedes it in acquiring the knowledge of truth, the proper object of the understanding.
Therefore, it must be made clear and bright, by exercise that so it may be able to see and discern plainly, all that is needful to purify the soul from disorderly passions and to adorn it with saintly virtues.

This light may be obtained in two ways:
The first and most important is prayer, imploring the Holy Ghost to pour it into our hearts.
This He will not fail to do, if we, in truth seek God alone and the fullment of His holy will and, if in all things, we submit our judgement to that of our spiritual father.
The other is, to exercise ourselves continually in a true and deep consideration of all things, to discover whether they be good or evil, according to the teaching of the Holy Ghost and not, according to their outward appearance, as they impress the senses or are judged of by the world.

This consideration, if rightly exercised, will teach us to regard, as falsehood and vanity, all which the blind and corrupt world, in so many various ways, loves, desires and seeks after.
It will show us plainly that the honours and pleasures of earth are but vanity and vexation of spirit; that injury and infamy inflicted on us by the world, bring true glory and tribulations, contentment; that to pardon our enemies and to do them good, is true magnanimity and an act, which likens us most nearly to God; that to despise the world is better than to rule it; that voluntary obedience, for the love of God to the meanest of His creatures, is greater and nobler, than to command mighty princes and, that the mortication and subjugation of our most trying appetite, is more glorious than the reduction of strong cities, the defeat of mighty armies, the working of miracles, or the raising of the dead!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – We have come to adore Him

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Seventh Day Within the Octave of The Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12

“We have seen His Star in the east
and are come to adore Him.”

Matthew 2:2

“Thus we offer the Lord,
Gold, when we shine in His Sight
with the Light of heavenly wisdom ….
We offer Him Frankincense,
when we send up pure prayer before Him
and Myrrh, when, “mortifying our flesh
with its vices and passions” (Gal 5:24)
by self-control, we carry the cross behind Jesus.”

St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c 1030 -1101)

Bishop (1st Sermon on the Epiphany PL 165, 863).

Grant me, O my God
By St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

Good Jesus,
let me be penetrated with love
to the very marrow of my bones,
with fear and respect toward Thee.
Let me burn with zeal for Thy honour,
so that I may deeply resent,
all the outrages committed against Thee,
especially those of which,
I myself have been guilty.
Grant further, O my God,
that I may humbly adore
and acknowledge Thee,
as my Creator and penetrated with gratitude
for all Thy benefits,
I may never cease to render Thee thanksgiving.
Grant that I may bless Thee in all things,
praise and glorify Thee,
with a heart full of joy and gladness
and obeying Thee with docility
in every respect, I may one day,
despite my ingratitude and unworthiness,
be seated at Thine table
together with Thine Holy Angels and Apostles,
to enjoy ineffable delights for all eternity!
Amen

“He who most loves
will be most loved.”

(Letters to Persons in Religion III, 43)

“Do much for God
and do nothing without love:
refer everything to this love;
eat and drink with it in mind!”

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

“The love of God,
is the end, the perfection
and the excellence of the universe.”

(Treatise on the Love of God
Book 10, Chapter 1)​

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

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One Minute Reflection – 12 January – ‘Shine like a Star! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 12 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Seventh Day Within the Octave of The Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Where is He Who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the east and are come to adore Him.” – Matthew 2:2

REFLECTION – “All these things we know to have taken place ever since the Three Wise Men, aroused in their far-off land, were led by a Star to recognise and worship the King of Heaven and earth.
The responsiveness of that Star exhorts us to imitate it’s obedience and, as much as we can, to make ourselves servants of that grace which invites us all to Christ.
For, whoever lives religiously and chastely in the Church and “sets his mind on the things which are above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Col 3:2) resembles that heavenly light in a certain sense.
So long as he maintains in himself the brightness of a holy life, he points out to many, like a Star, the way that leads to God.
All having this concern, dearly-beloved… you will shine in the Kingdom like children of Light.”… St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father & Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in 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, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The GOOD SHEPHERD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 January – Of Trust in God – The FOUR WAYS

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Thought for the Day – 11 January – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

The First Two Weapons
of the Spiritual Combat

II: Of Trust in God (Confidence) The FOUR WAYS

“And this also may be accomplished in four ways:

  • FIRSTLY, by asking it of God.
  • SECONDLY, by gazing, with the eye of faith, at the Infinite Wisdom and Omnipotence of God, to which nothing is impossible or difficult and confiding in His unbounded goodness and unspeakable willingness, to give, hour-by-hour and moment-by-moment, all things needful for the spiritual life and perfect victory over ourselves, if we will but throw ourselves, with confidence into His Arms.
    For how shall our Divine Shepherd, Who followed after His lost sheep for three-and-thirty years, with loud and bitter cries, through that painful and thorny way wherein He spilled His Heart’s Blood and laid down His life — how shall He refuse to turn His quickening glance upon the poor sheep, which now follow Him in obedience to His commands, or with a desire (though sometimes faint and feeble) to obey Him!
    When it cries to Him piteously for help, will He not hear and laying it upon His Divine Shoulders, call upon His friends and all the Angels of Heaven to rejoice with Him?
    For if our Lord ceased not to search most diligently for the blind and deaf sinner, the lost drachma of the Gospel, till He found them — can He abandon him, who, like a lost sheep, cries and calls piteously upon his Shepherd?
    And, if God knocks continually at the heart of man, desiring to enter in and sup there and to communicate to it, His gifts, who can believe that when that heart opens and invites Him to enter, He will turn a deaf ear to the invitation, and refuse to come in?
  • THIRDLY, the third way to acquire this holy confidence is, to call to mind that truth so plainly taught in Holy Scripture — that no-one, who trusted in God has ever been confounded.
  • The FOURTH which will serve, at once, towards the attainment of self-distrust and of trust in God, is this — when any duty presents itself to be done, any struggle with self to be made, any victory over self to be attempted, before proposing or resolving upon it, think firstly upon your own weakness; next turn, full of self-distrust, to the Wisdom, the Power and the Goodness of God and in reliance upon these, resolve to labour and to fight generously.

Then, with these weapons in your hands and with the help of prayer (of which we shall speak in its proper place), set yourself to labour and to strive.
Unless you observe this order, though you may seem to yourself to be doing all things in reliance upon God, you will too often find yourself mistaken; for so common, is a presumptuous self-confidence and so subtle, are the forms it assumes that it lurks almost always, even under an imagined self-distrust and fancied confidence in God.

To avoid presumption, as much as possible and in order that all your works maybe wrought in distrust of self and trust in God, the consideration of your own weakness must precede the consideration of God’s Omnipotence and both, together, must precede all your actions!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/10/thought-for-the-day-10-january-ii-of-trust-in-god-confidence/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 January – Following His Star

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 January – Within the Octave of The Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“We have seen His Star in the East
and have come, with gifts,
to worship the Lord.
Alleluia!”

Matthew 2:2

“Behold, the star
which they had seen in the east,
went before them
until it came and stood
over where the Child was…”

Matthew 2:9

“I implore you to live with me and,
by believing, to run with me;
let us long for our Heavenly Country,
let us sigh for our Heavenly Home,
let us truly feel that here, we are strangers.
What shall we then see?
Let the gospel tell us:
In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
You will come to the fountain,
with whose dew you have already been sprinkled.
Instead of the ray of Light
which was sent through slanting
and winding ways, into the heart of your darkness,
you will see the Light Itself,
in all its purity and brightness.
It is to see and experience this Light
that you are now being cleansed. …
It has been good for us to share
the common Light,
good to have enjoyed ourselves,
good to have been glad together.
When we part from one another,
let us not depart from Him!”

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

“The obedience of the Star
calls us to imitate its humble service:
to be servants, as best we can,
of the grace which invites all men
to find Christ.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“… For this day, I must abide in thy house.”
Luke 19:5

“But He says to all:
“Come down quickly, for the exalted
freedom of the spirit cannot be maintained,
except through lowly obedience of mind.
You must know and love Me,
as both God and a human being,
higher than all and lower than all!
You will savour Me when I raise you up
above all things and above yourself to Myself
and, when you lower yourself beneath all things
and beneath yourself, to Me and for My sake.
Then, I will have to come to your house
and remain living with you and in you
and you with Me and in Me!”

Bl Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)

(A Mirror of Eternal Blessedness)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 6 January – Of the Struggle Requisite for the Attainment of Christian Perfection

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Thought for the Day – 6 January – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

Introduction
I: Of the Essence of Christian Perfection –
Of the Struggle Requisite for its Attainment –
And of the Four Things Needful in this Conflict

Of the Struggle Requisite for its Attainment

“You see, then, very clearly that, as I have said, the spiritual life consists not in these things.
It consists in nothing else but:
the knowledge of the goodness and the greatness of God and of our nothingness and inclination to all evil;
in the love of Him and the hatred of ourselves;
in subjection, not to Him alone but for love of Him, to all His creatures; in entire renunciation of all will of our own and absolute resignation to all His divine pleasure;
and furthermore, willing and doing all this purely for the glory of God and solely to please Him and because He so wills and merits thus to be loved and served.

This is the law of love, impressed by the Hand of the Lord Himself upon the hearts of His faithful servants;
this is the abnegation of self which He requires of us;
this is His sweet yoke and light burden;
this is the obedience to which, by His Voice and His Example, our Master and Redeemer calls us.

In aspiring to such sublime perfection, you will have to do continual violence to yourself by a generous conflict with your own will in all things, great or small, until it be wholly annihilated;
you must prepare yourself, therefore, for the battle with all readiness of mind, for none but brave warriors shall receive the crown!

This is indeed the most difficult of all struggles — for while we strive
against self, self is striving against us and, therefore, is the victory here most glorious and precious in the sight of God!
For if you will set yourself to trample down and exterminate all your
unruly appetites, desires and wishes, even in the smallest and most inconsiderable matters, you will render a greater and more acceptable service to God, than if you should discipline yourself to blood, fast more rigorously than hermits or anchorites of old, or convert millions of souls and yet, voluntarily leave even one of these evils alive within you.
For although the conversion of souls is no doubt more precious to the Lord than the mortification of a fancy, nevertheless, nothing should, in your sight, be of greater account than to will and to do that very thing which the Lord specially demands and requires of you.
And He will infallibly be better pleased that you should watch and labour to mortify your passions, than if, consciously and willfully, leaving but one alive within you, you should serve Him in some other matter of greater importance in itself.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – Help for those New Year Resolutions

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – Help for those New Year Resolutions

“A tree is known by its fruit,
a man by his deeds.
A good deed is never lost,
he who sows courtesy,
reaps friendship
and he who plants kindness,
gathers love.”

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

“Remember God
more often
than you breathe!”

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

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

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit, Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

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One Minute Reflection – 3 January – ‘ … Peter, therefore, was exposed to action, John was reserved for love … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 3 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Octave Day of St John, Apostle – Ecclesiasticus 15:1-6; John 21:19-24 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Peter saw following them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who, at the supper, had leaned back upon His breast … Peter, therefore, seeing him, said to Jesus, Lord and what of this man?” – John 21:20-21

REFLECTION – “There are some persons who think they are not loved because they cannot be promoted and who allege that they are despised, if they are not entrusted with responsibilities and offices. We know that as a result of this type of thinking, no small discord has sprung up, among those who were considered friends, so that estrangement followed upon indignation and railings upon estrangement …

Let no-one say that he is held in contempt, for the reason that he is not promoted, since the Lord Jesus pre­ferred Peter to John in this respect; nor did He, on that account, lessen His affection for John because He had given Peter the leadership.  To Peter He commended His Church; to John, His most beloved Mother (Jn 19:27). To Peter He gave the keys of His Kingdom (Mt 16:19); to John He revealed the secrets of His Heart (Jn 13:25). Peter, therefore, was the more exalted; John, the more secure. Although Peter was established in power, nevertheless, when Jesus said, “One of you will betray Me,” (Jn 13:21) he was afraid and trembled along with the rest but John, leaning on the bosom of his Master, was made the bolder and, at a nod from Peter, asked who the traitor was. Peter, therefore, was exposed to action, John was reserved for love, according to the words of Christ: “So will I have him remain until I come.” Thus Christ gave us the example that we might do in like manner.” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk (Spiritual Friendship, III, 115, 117).

PRAYER – O Lord, graciously shed light upon Thy Church, so that, enlightened by the teachings of blessed John, Thy Apostle and Evangelist, she may gain YThy 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).

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 December – Night and Day

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Sunday Within the Octave of Christmas – Galatians 4:1-7, Luke 2:33-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“She did not leave the temple,
serving with fastings and prayers,
night and day.”

Luke 2:37

“If, in holy Scripture, Christ is the true Sun and the true Day,
there is no hour when Christians
should not adore God frequently and constantly,
so that we, who are in Christ, that is,
in the true Sun and true Day,
should be persevering, throughout the whole day,
in our petitions and prayer.
And when, in the course of time,
the revolving night returns,
there can be no harm from the nocturnal shades,
for those who pray because, to the sons of Light (1 Thes 5:5),
even in the night there is day!
For when is he without light who has Light in his heart?
Or when does he not have sun and day
to whom Christ is Sun and Day?”

St Cyprian (200-258)
Martyr, Father of the Church

“Arm yourself with prayer
instead of a sword;
be clothed with humility
instead of fine raiment.”

St Dominic (1170-1221)

“If you want God to hear your prayers,
hear the voice of the poor.
If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide for those of the need,
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially, anticipate the needs
of those, who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms,
is to make them buy it!”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

“It is best to learn
to silence the faculties
and to cause them to be still,
so that God may speak!”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

“The chief exercise of prayer,
is to speak to God
and to hear God speak
in the bottom of our heart.”

(Treatise on the Love of God
Book 6 Chapter 1)

“The sacred gift of prayer
is already in the Right Hand of the Saviour;
as soon as ever you shall have emptied yourself of self,
He will pour it into your heart!”

(Letters to Persons in Religion III 19)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 December – St Thomas à Becket

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 December – St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170) Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury

“Who shall resist Anti-Christ when he comes,
if we show such patience towards
the vices and crimes of his precursors?
By such leniency, we encourage
kings to become tyrants and tempt them
to withdraw every privilege
and all jurisdiction from the Churches!”

“My hopes are laid up within my own bosom,
for he is not alone, with whom the Lord is;
when he falls, he shall not be dashed to pieces,
for the Lord sustains him in His Hand!”

“The more I loved the King,
he more I opposed his injustice
until his brow fell lowering upon me.
He heaped calumny after calumny on my head
and I chose to be driven out,
rather than to subscribe.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-december-st-thomas-a-becket/

St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170)
Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury