Category: “Follow Me”

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

One Minute Reflection – 30 November – ‘To carry the Word to all the peripheries!’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ, Gospel: Matthew 4:18–22

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” … Matthew 4:19

REFLECTION – “The call reaches them in the middle of their daily activity – the Lord reveals Himself to us, not in an extraordinary or impressive way but in the everyday circumstances of our life.   There we must discover the Lord and there, He reveals Himself, makes His love felt in our heart and there — with this dialogue with Him in the everyday circumstances of life — He changes our heart.   The response of the four fishermen is immediate and willing – “Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (v. 20).   On the shores of the lake, in an inconceivable land, the first community of disciples of Christ was born.   May the knowledge of these beginnings give rise in us to the desire to bear Jesus’ word, love and tenderness in every context, even the most difficult and resistant.   To carry the Word to all the peripheries! … Pope Francis – Angelus, 22 January 2017matthew 4 19 - follow me and I will make you fishers of men - the lord calls them in the middle - 30 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, in Your kindness hear our petitions.   You called Andrew the Apostle, to preach the Gospel and guide Your Church in faith.   May he always be our friend in Your presence, to help us with his prayers.   We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amenst andrew apostle pray for us-30nov2018.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 September – ‘The required faith embraces the act it includes – Discipleship ..’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 September – Friday of the Twenty Fifth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:18–22 and the Memorial of St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”... Luke 9:22luke 9 22 the son of man must suffer many things - 27 sept 2019

REFLECTION – “The scene found n the Gospel reading forms a climax of the Synoptic Gospels.   It constitutes the watershed in Jesus’ life.   To this point, in accord with the mission given Him by the Father, He has acted messianically and has aroused a sense of who He is, especially in His disciples.   Because the shift that takes place in this scene is so important, Luke places it in the context of a prayer of Jesus in solitude.   By asking His disciples about His identity, He takes the opportunity to reveal the core of His mission.
Yet, the people’s perception of who He is, is so imperfect, that He cannot use it as a point of departure.   Peter’s statement, “you are the Messiah of God” hits the target, yet Peter’s image of the Messiah remains an Old Testament and contemporary one – the Messiah as Israel’s liberator.   That is why Jesus forbids them to use the title and, more profoundly, that is why He lays out clearly, what is the true task of the Messiah – to be rejected, to die, to rise again.   So that this will not be received as some sort of incomprehensible, mythological event, He immediately explains it’s implications for anyone who wishes to be His disciple – “Take up your cross daily” and “follow” the Messiah in this way.
The required faith embraces the act it includes – discipleship – but not by scheming to gain something – rather, by unconditional loss:  “Whoever loses his life for my sake … ” … Cardinal Han Urs von Bathasar (1905-1988)you are the messiah of god luke 9 20 - yet peter's image hans urs von balthasar 27 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, You hold out the Light of Your Word to those who do not know You. Strengthen in our hearts, the faith You have given us and the Credo we profess, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled in us.   May the intercession of St Vincent de Paul, grant us the grace of following the way of the Cross, to stand beneath it with our Mother, the Mother of God, Ave Maria!   We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-vincent-de-paul-pray-for-us-27 sepy 2017.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – The three languages of knowing Jesus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – Thursday of the Twenty Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:7–9 and The Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286) Martyrs

“Who is this about whom I hear such things?”   And he sought to see him. … Luke 9:9

REFLECTION – “You cannot know Jesus without having problems.   You cannot know Jesus “by sitting in first class” or “in the calm”, much less “in the library.”   We only come to know Jesus on the daily path of life. … knowing Him with the mind is a step in the right direction but in order to know Jesus, we need to enter into a dialogue with Him.  By talking with Him, in prayer, on our knee  s. If you don’t pray, if you don’t talk to Jesus, you don’t know Him.   The third way to know Jesus is by following Him, by going with Him, by walking with Him, by travelling along the road of His ways.   If you know Jesus with these three languages – of mind, heart and action, then you can say that you know Jesus.   Therefore, in order truly to know Him, it is necessary to read what the Church tells us about Him, to speak with Him in prayer and to walk along the path of His ways with Him.   This is the road and everyone has a decision to make.”luke 9 9 wo is this - if you know jesus with these 3 languages pope francis 26 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy God, through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son in union with the Holy Spirit, with Mary Mother of the Church, St Joseph her spouse, the communion of Saints, we pray, be with us, lead us, guide us, never leave us.   May we learn the ways of Your Son, may we follow them and may we constantly seek His Face in prayer and the Sacraments.   Grant we pray, that by the intercession of Sts Cosmas and Damian, we may be filled with courage and joy as we follow behind Him.  We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.sts cosmas and damian pray for us 26 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 August – Follow me

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 10 August – Friday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 16:24–28 and the Memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942) Martyr

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” ... Matthew 16:24matthew 16 24 - if any man ...take up his cross and follow me - 9 aug 2019 no 2 lg

REFLECTION – “Two years before he gave his spirit back to heaven… Francis understood that just as he had imitated Christ in the actions of his life, so he should be conformed to him… in his Passion…  He was in no way terrified but… by the Seraphic ardour of his desires, he was transformed into Him who chose to be crucified, because of “the excess of his love” (Eph 2:4).   On a certain morning about the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, while Francis was praying on the mountainside, he saw a Seraph with six fiery and shining wings descend from the height of heaven.   And when, in swift flight, the Seraph had reached a spot in the air near the man of God, there appeared between the wings, the figure of a man crucified, with His hands and feet extended in the form of a cross and fastened to a cross…

When Francis saw this, he was overwhelmed and his heart was flooded with a mixture of joy and sorrow.   He rejoiced, because of the gracious way Christ looked upon him under the appearance of the Seraph but, the fact that he was fastened to a cross, “pierced his soul with a sword” of compassionate sorrow (Lk 2:35).   He wondered exceedingly at the sight of so unfathomable a vision, realising that the weakness of Christ’s passion, was in no way compatible, with the immortality of the Seraph’s spiritual nature.   Eventually, he understood by a revelation from the lord, that divine providence had shown him this vision so that, as Christ’s lover, he might learn in advance, that he was to be totally transformed into the likeness of Christ crucified, not by the martyrdom of his flesh but by the fire of his love consuming his soul.” … St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Doctor of the Churcheventually he understood that he was to be - st bonaventure on st francis - 9 aug 2019

PRAYER – “O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead but when I have arrived
where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me and I shall be met with peace. How wondrous are the marvels of Your love, we are amazed, we stammer and grow dumb, for word and spirit fail us. Amen” …St Teresa Benedicta of the Crossi-do-not-see-very-far-ahead-st-teresa-benedicta-of-the-cross-9-aug-2018.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – I will not deny you

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – The Memorial of Saints St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, Martyrs of China

“Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.”

Matthew 26:35matthew 9 35 even though i should suffer with you i will not deny you 9 july 2019

“The road is narrow.
He who wishes to travel it more easily,
must cast off all things
and use the cross as his cane.
In other words,
he must be truly resolved,
to suffer willingly,
for the love of God in all things.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Churchthe road is narrow - st john of the cross 9 july 2019 chinese martyrs

Posted in "Follow Me", MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 June – “Follow me.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 June – Thirteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:51–62 and the Memorial of Gennaro Maria Sarnelli C.Ss.R. (1702–1743)

“Follow me.”…Luke 9:59

REFLECTION – “The Saviour preceded us on the path of poverty.   All the possessions of heaven and earth belonged to Him.   They presented for Him no danger, He could make use of them while keeping His heart completely free.   But He knew that it is almost impossible for a human being to have possessions without subjecting ourselves to them and becoming a slave.   That is why He gave up everything and so showed us by His example, even more than by His words, that only the one who possesses nothing possesses everything.   His birth in a stable and His flight to Egypt already showed, that the Son of the Man had nowhere to rest His head.   Whoever wants to follow Him must know that we have here below no permanent dwelling.   The more deeply we become aware of it, the more ardently we shall aim towards our future dwelling and we shall exult in the thought, that we will find our home in heaven.”…St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] (1891-1942) Martyr – Meditation for the feast of the Exaltation of the Crossluke 9 59 follow me - he gave up everyting - st teresa benedicta of the cross 30 june 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, strength of those who hope in You.   Support us in our prayer because we are weak and can do nothing without You.   Help us as we follow Your Son, whose Light leads us home to You.   Grant us always the help of Your grace and listen, we pray to the prayers of Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli, who cries to You on our behalf. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in unity with You and the Holy Spirit, one G always and for all eternity, amen.bl gennaro maria sarnelli pray for us 30 june 2019.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, OUR Cross, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The LAST THINGS

Quotes of the Day – 14 December – St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quotes of the Day – 14 December – The Memorial of St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church

“If a man wishes to be sure of the road
he treads on, he must close his eyes
and walk in the dark.”

“The road is narrow. 
He who wishes to travel it more easily 
must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. 
In other words, he must be truly resolved 
to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”

“Live in the world,
as if only God and your soul were in it,
then your heart will never be made captive,
by any earthly thing.” live in the world - st john of the cross 14dec2018

“We must dig deeply in Christ.
He is like a rich mine
with many pockets containing treasures –
however deep we dig,
we will never find their end or their limit.
Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches
are discovered on all sides.”we must dig deeply in christ - st john of the cross 14 dec 2018

“At the end of your life,
you will be judged by your love.”

“Now that I no longer desire all,
I have it all, without desire.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 3 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:57–62

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 3 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:57–62

To another he said, “Follow me.”   But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”...Luke 9:59-60

Following and accompanying Christ, staying with Him, demands “coming out of ourselves”, requires us to be outgoing – to come out of ourselves, out of a dreary way of living faith that has become a habit, out of the temptation to withdraw into our own plans which end by shutting out God’s creative action.

God came out of Himself to come among us, He pitched his tent among us to bring to us His mercy that saves and gives hope.
If we want to follow Him and to remain with Him, we too must “go out” with Him to seek the lost sheep, the one that has strayed the furthest.

To come out always!   And to do so with God’s love and tenderness, with respect and with patience, knowing that God takes our hands, our feet, our heart and guides them and makes all our actions fruitful...

Pope Francis – General Audience, 27 March, 2013to another he said follow me - luke 9 59 - to come out always - pope francis 3 oct 2018

Posted in "Follow Me", EASTER, MIRACLES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 April – Easter Saturday and the Memorial of St John Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 April – Easter Saturday and the Memorial of St John Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719)

“When you are at Mass,
be there as if you were on Calvary.
For it is the same sacrifice
and the same Jesus Christ
Who is doing for you
what He did on the Cross
for all human beings.”when you are at Mass - st john baptiste de la salle - 7 april 2018

“Jesus Christ came to this earth to reign here
but not, says Saint Augustine, as other kings do,
to raise tribute, enroll armies and visibly do battle
against his enemies, for Jesus Christ assures us
that His kingdom is not of this world
but to establish His reign within our souls,
according to what He Himself says,
in the holy Gospel, that His kingdom is within us.”jesus christ came to this earth - 7 april 2018

“We must strive to place ourselves completely in God’s hands.
Then He will cause us to feel the effects
of His goodness and protection – which are, at times extraordinary.”we-must-strive-stjohnbaptistdelasalle.14 jan 2017

“Miracles happen by touching hearts.”

“You are called like the apostles
to make God known to others.”

“God has chosen you
to do his work.”

“Say to Jesus as the apostles
did: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’.“miracles happen, you are called, god has chosen you, say to Jeus - st john baptiste de la salle - 7 april 2018

St John Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719)