Category: One Minute Reflection

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FRANCISCAN, One Minute Reflection, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN HENRY Cardinal NEWMAN!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 September The Light of the world

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One Minute Reflection – 23 September – Monday of the Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:16–18 and the Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

“Take heed then how you hear…” … Luke 8:18

REFLECTION – “The lamp on the lampstand is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father’s true light “who enlightens everyone coming into the world” (Jn 1:9), in other words, the Father’s Wisdom and Word. having accepted our flesh, He truly became and was called, the “light of the world”.   By our faith and devotion He is honoured and exalted in the Church.   In this way He is made visible to all nations and shines out for “all the people in the house”, namely the whole world, as He said:  “They do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket, it is set on a lampstand , where it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:15).

As we have seen, Christ calls Himself a lamp. God by nature, He became flesh according to the plan of salvation, a light held within the flesh as if in a vase…  This is what David was thinking when he said: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119[118]:105).   Since He causes the darkness of ignorance and the evil of men to vanish, my Saviour and my God is called a lamp in Scripture.   And since He is the only one able, to obliterate the darkness of ignorance and disperse the shadows of sin, He has become the way of salvation for all.   He leads towards the Father all those who, through understanding and virtue, walk with Him along the path of the commandments as on a road of righteousness.

The lampstand is holy Church because the Word of God shines out through her preaching.   This is how the beams of its truth can enlighten the whole world… On one condition, however – so long as it is not hidden under the letter of the Law.   Anyone who clings to Scripture according to the letter only is living according to the flesh, he is placing the lamp under a bushel basket.   But when, to the contrary, the Church is set on the lampstand, it enlightens everyone.” … Saint Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) – Abbot and Theologian – Question 63 to Thalassiusluke 8 18 take heed then how you hear - since he causes the darkness - st maximus the confessor 23 sept 2019

PRAYER – Holy God, teach me gratitude for Your love, teach me faithfulness no matter what difficulties I face. Jesus, my Lord, Your Church is my guide and my understanding, help me to always be true to her, my holy mother. St Padre Pio, pray for the Church and all God’s people. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st pio pray for us - 2 - 23 sept 2017

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRANCISCAN, One Minute Reflection, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

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One Minute Reflection – 22 September – Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:1–13 and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“You cannot serve God and mammon.” … Luke 16:13

REFLECTION – “A servant cannot serve two masters.”   Not that there are two, there is only one Master.   For even if there are some people who serve money, it has no inherent right to be a master, they themselves are the ones, who assume the yoke of this slavery.  In fact, money has no rightful authority but constitutes an unjust bondage.   That is why Jesus says: “Make friends for yourselves with deceitful money” so that by generosity to the poor we will win the favour of angels and saints.

The steward is not blamed.   By this we learn that we are not masters but rather stewards of other people’s wealth.   He was praised even though he was in the wrong because, in paying out to others in his master’s name he won support for himself.   And how rightly Jesus spoke of “deceitful wealth” because love of money so tempts our desires with its various seductions that we consent to become its slaves.   That is why He said: “If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?”   Riches are alien to us because they exist outside of our nature, they are not born with us, they do not follow us in death.   But Christ, to the contrary, belongs to us because He is life… So don’t let us become slaves of exterior goods because Christ is the only one we should acknowledge as our Lord.” … Saint Ambrose (340-397) – Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel, 7, 244s SC 52you cannot serve god and mammom - love of money st ambrose - 22 sept 2019

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, turn our ears and hearts to Your Word, that we may hear and live by the seed You have sown. May all that grows in us, be of Your good seed and yield fruit a hundredfold.   Grant Lord, we pray, that by the prayers of St Ignatius of Santhia, we may be filled with courage and love and spread Your Word by our lives.   We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord and Word, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever, amen.st ignatius of santhia - pray for us - 22 sept 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, One Minute Reflection, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Follow me”

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One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Follow me”.. Matthew 9:9matthew 9 9 the calling of matthew follow me 21 sept 2019

REFLECTIONS – “Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office and he said to him: “Follow me.”   He looked at him not with the eyes of the body but rather with the eye of interior pity.   He saw a tax collector, and since He looked at him in pity and choosing him as a disciple, He said: “Follow me.” ‘Follow’ meant ‘imitate’ – not by the movement of his feet but rather by a change of life.   For whoever says he is following Christ “ought himself to walk as Christ walked” (cf 1Jn ).

“Matthew rose and followed him.”   It is not to be wondered at that the tax collector should leave the earthly gains he was looking after at the first command of the Lord and that, abandoning riches, he should join the company of Him who, he saw, had no wealth. For the Lord, who outwardly called him with words, through a hidden instinct secretly taught him to follow Him.   By the gift of divine grace the Lord enlightened his mind to understand that He who on earth called him away from temporal interests, could in heaven give incorruptible treasures (cf Mt 6,20).

“And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.”   The conversion of one tax collector provided an example of penance and forgiveness to many tax collectors and sinners.   In a wonderful and true sign of the future, he who was to become the apostle and teacher of the gentiles, brought with him to salvation, a multitude of sinners in the first moments of his conversion!” ... Saint Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the gospels I, 21 ; CCL 122, 149st bede - in a wonderful and true sign of the future - the calling os st matthew 21 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, You showed Your great mercy to Matthew the tax-gatherer by calling him to become Your Apostle.   Supported by his prayer and example, may we always answer Your call and live in close union with You.   We make our prayer, in union with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  St Matthew, Apostle of Christ, pray for us, amen.st matthew pray for us - 21 sept 2018.jpg

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, One Minute Reflection, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on WOMEN, SAINT of the DAY, St Pope JOHN PAUL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 September – The feminine “genius”

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One Minute Reflection – 20 September – Friday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:1–3 and the Memorial of Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

And the twelve were with him and also some women … Luke 8:1-2

REFLECTION – “If you knew the gift of God” (Jn 4:10), Jesus says to the Samaritan woman during one of those remarkable conversations which show His great esteem for the dignity of women and for the vocation which enables them to share in His messianic mission… The Church desires to give thanks to the Most Holy Trinity for the “mystery of woman” and for every woman – for that which constitutes the eternal measure of her feminine dignity, for the “great works of God”, which throughout human history have been accomplished in and through her.   After all, was it not in and through her that the greatest event in human history – the incarnation of God Himself – was accomplished?

Therefore, the Church, gives thanks for each and every woman – for mothers, for sisters, for wives, for women consecrated to God in virginity, for women dedicated to the many human beings who await the gratuitous love of another person, for women who watch over the human persons in the family, which is the fundamental sign of the human community, for women who work professionally and who at times are burdened by a great social responsibility…

The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine “genius” which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations, she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God…  The Church asks at the same time that these invaluable “manifestations of the Spirit” (cf. 1 Cor 12:4ff)… may be attentively recognised and appreciated so that they may return, for the common good of the Church and of humanity.” … St John Paul II (1920-2005) – Apostolic Letter « Mulieris dignitatem /The Dignity of women» # 31luke 8 1-2 and the twelve were with him and also some women - the church gives thanks st john paul 20 sept 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace upon Your children, all Your men and women who gather together to thank you and bless you.   As Your work within us to keep us in the path of Your commandments, may we receive consolation in this present life and eternal joy in the next.   You gave us Saint Jose Maria Parres to protect and assist all in need of help, grant that by his prayer, all may be comforted in their need and may our precious Holy Mother, the icon of all womanhood, accompany us on our journey.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amenst jose maria parres pray for us 20 sept 2019MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US - 1 jan 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, MARIAN TITLES, One Minute Reflection, Papa FRANCIS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 September – ‘Salvation enters the heart, only when we open the heart’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 September – Thursday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:36–50 and The Feast of Our Lady of La Salette

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much”….Luke 7:47luke 7 47 her sins which are many are forgiven - 19 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “At this point, an even greater amazement falls on all those at table:  “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (v.49).   Jesus does not give an explicit answer but the conversion of the sinful women stands before everyone’s eyes and shows that in Him shines forth the power of God’s mercy, capable of transforming hearts.

The sinful woman teaches us the link between faith, love and gratitude.   Her “many sins” were forgive her and therefore she loves much, “but he who is forgiven little, loves little” (v. 47).   Even Simon has to admit that the one who has been forgiven more, loves more.   God has enclosed everyone in the mystery of mercy and from this love, which always goes before us, all of us learn to love.   As St Paul reminds us: “In Christ, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us” (Eph. 1:7-8).   In this text, the word “grace” is practically synonymous with mercy and is called “lavish,” that is, beyond our expectations, for it carries out God’s saving plan for each of us. … Salvation enters the heart, only when we open the heart, in the truth of our sins.” … Pope Francis 18 September 2014 (“Pope Francis” painting by Natalia Tsarkova)salvation-enters-the-heart-only-when-we-pope-francis-20-sept-2018

PRAYER – Grant us Lord, a true knowledge of salvation, so that, freed from fear and from the power of our foes, we may serve You faithfully in love and sorrow for our sins.   May we, through the love You grant us, extend our love to all we meet and may the tears of the Holy Virgin of Reconciliation, not reject our prayers but intercede for us, obtain for us the grace to love our Lord Jesus above all else.   May we console you by a holy life and so come to share the eternal life Christ gained by His Cross.   Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever,amen.our-lady-of-salette-pray-for-us19 sept 2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, One Minute Reflection, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ..?” St Basil the Great

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One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Wednesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:31–35 and the Memorial of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)

“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation and what are they like? “…Luke 7:31

REFLECTION – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ, who calls us into His heavenly Kingdom?   Aren’t we going to purify ourselves?   Won’t we resolve to forsake our customary way of life to follow the Gospel radically?…   We claim to want the Kingdom of God yet without bothering to concern ourselves with the means of obtaining it.

What is more, in the conceitedness of our souls, without taking the least trouble to obey the Lord’s commandments, we think ourselves worthy to receive the same reward as those who have resisted sin to the death!   But how could anyone sit and sleep at home during the time of sowing and then gather sheaves by the armful at harvest?   Who has ever brought in the grapes without having planted and tended the vine?   Fruit is for those who have toil, rewards and crowns for those who have conquered.   Has anyone ever crowned an athlete who did not even strip to fight his opponent?   And yet, not only must we win but we must also “fight according to the rules”, as the apostle Paul says, that is to say according to the commandments we have been given…

God is good but He is also just… “The Lord loves justice and right” (Ps 32:5), that is why, “of kindness and judgement I will sing” (Ps 100:1)…   See how wisely the Lord exercises kindness.   He is not gracious without consideration, nor does He judge without mercy for, “gracious is the Lord and just” (Ps 115:5).   So don’t underestimate God – His love for men should not become a pretext for negligence on our part.” … St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Church – Longer monastic Rules, prologueluke 7 31 to what then shall i compare the men - how long are we going to put off obeying christ - 18 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to be holy in the way that You have laid out for me. Let me carry out my duties of my state of life to the full and grant me the grace to carry my crosses in honour of You.   Only in You may I attain holiness, learning to give myself, my will, my heart and my soul only to You.   St Joseph of Cupertino, you who were so disadvantaged, achieved by the grace of God, sanctity in this life and now behold His Face through all eternity. We ask for your intercession, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-joseph-of-cupertino-pray-for-us-18 sept 2017.jpg

Posted in One Minute Reflection, Papa FRANCIS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “Arise! “

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One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:11–17, Tuesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski (1822-1895)

And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”... Luke 7:14band 17 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “God wants us to stand upright.   He created us to be on our fee,: for this reason, Jesus’ compassion leads to that gesture of healing, to heal us, of which the key phrase is:  “Arise! Stand up, as God created you!”.   Standing up. “But Father, we fall so often” — “Onward, arise!”.   This is Jesus’ word, always.   His word revives us, gives us hope, refreshes weary hearts, opens us to a vision of the world and of life which transcends suffering and death” .…Pope Francis – General audience, 10 August 2016young-man-i-say-to-arise-luke-7-14b-pope-francis-god-wants-us-to-stand-upright-18-sept-2018 and 17 sept 2019

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us to be holy in the way that You have laid out for us. Let us stand upright and carry out my duties of our state of life to the full. Only in You may we attain holiness, learning to give ourself, our will, our heart and to You. Keep us ever faithful to Your precepts and bring us to Your home, to look upon Your Face. May the prayers of Your saints assist us on our journey. In your untiring life of trust in God, St Zygmunt Felinksi, you sought to make Him the goal of all and the love of all, please pray that we may imitate your zeal and love. We ask all this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st zygmunt felinski 17 sept 2019 pray for us.jpg