Category: ONE Minute REFLECTION

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 November – “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 17 November – The Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 21:5–19, The Third World Day of Prayer for the Poor and the Memorial of St Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)

“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” … Luke 21:19

REFLECTION – “That person has not yet attained perfect love and profound knowledge of Divine Providence who, in time of trial, when affliction befalls, does not have magnanimity but cuts himself off from love for the spiritual brethren.
The aim of Divine Providence is to re-unite by means of right faith and spiritual love, those who were cut asunder and scattered by evil.   It was in order to “gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad” (Jn 11:52) that the Saviour suffered. So, someone who refuses to bear the burden of arduous circumstances and endure sorrows or suffer pain, walks outside the love of God and the aim of Providence.   If “charity is patient and kind” (1Cor 13:4), does not the person who is fainthearted in sorrows, who bears malice against those giving offence, or who severs the love due to them, fall short of the aim of Divine Providence?…   They are long-suffering who await the end of the trial and receive praise for what they have endured.
“Whoever is slow to wrath abounds in wisdom” (Prv 14:29), for such a one, relates all that happens, to the ultimate end and, in its expectation, bears all afflictions.   And the end, says the Apostle, is everlasting life (cf. Rm 6:22).   “And this is eternal life, that they might know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (Jn 17:3).” … St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) Monk, Theologian, Father – Fourth Century on Love, nos 16-18, 23-24luke 21 10 by your perseverance you will secure your lives - the aim of divine providence - st maximus 17 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy God and Father, grant us a strong Faith!   Poor Your graces into our hearts that we may believe with all our hearts, minds and souls and that in believing, we may constantly raise our entire being to You in prayer and supplication, in prayer and adoration, in prayer and love.   May the intercession of St Elizabeth of Hungary, a woman of deep prayer from her youth, strengthen our perseverance and trust.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.st-elizabeth-of-hungary-pray-for-us-17-nov-2018 AND 2019.jpg

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEMARIA Escriva and Opus Dei, The HOLY EUCHARIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – “Pray at all times ”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – Saturday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:1–8 and The Memorial of St Edmund Rich of Abingdon (1175-1240) Archbishop of Canterbury

“And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night?” … Luke 18:7luke 18 7 and will not god vindicate his elect who cry to him day and night 16 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “ Pray at all times ” commands the apostle Paul (1 Th 5:17).   Calling to mind this precept, Clement of Alexandria writes: “We have been commanded to praise and honour the Word, which we know to be our Savior and King and through Him, the Father, not on certain select days as others do but continually, our whole lives long and in every possible way.”

Amidst our daily occupations, at times when we overcome our egoistical tendencies, when we experience the joy of friendship towards others, at all such times, Christians must discover God.   Through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, Christians gain intimacy with God the Father and run along the way, as they seek that kingdom which, although it is not of this world (Jn 18:36), is prepared for, in this world and begins in this world.

We need to go regularly to Christ in the Word and the Bread, in the Eucharist and prayer. And stay with Him frequently, as one stays with a friend, a truly alive person – just as Christ is, being risen…   Christ, the risen Christ is our companion, our Friend.   A companion who is only to be seen in the semi-darkness but whose reality fills our lives and makes us want His company permanently.   “The Spirit and the Bride say:  ‘Come!’ Let those who hear say: ‘Come!’   Let anyone who thirsts come forward and let those who desire it receive the gift of life-giving water…   He who gives this testimony says:  ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rv 22:17.20).” … St Josémaria Escriva de Balaguer (1902-1975) – Sermon of 26/03/67 in ‘Es Cristo que pasa’we need to go regularly to christ - st josemaria 16 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy Father, grant us a strong Faith! Poor Your graces into our hearts that we may believe with all our hearts, minds and souls and that in believing, we may constantly raise our entire being to You in prayer and supplication, in prayer and adoration, in prayer and love.   May the intercession of St Edmund Rich of Abingdon, a man of deep prayer from his youth, strengthen our perseverance.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.st edmund rich of abingdon pray for us 16 nov 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Papa FRANCIS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 November – ‘Let us try to merit this hour of eternal delights.’

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One Minute Reflection – 15 November – Friday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:26–37 and the Memorial of St Albert the Great OP (1200-1280) Doctor of the Church and of Bl Bl Mary of the Passion FMM (1839-1904)

“Whoever seeks to gain his life, will lose it but whoever loses his life, will preserve it.   I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed, one will be taken and the other left.”…Luke 17:33-34

REFLECTION – “Today the Church, the Lord, with His goodness, tells each one of us, ‘Stop, stop, not every day will be so.   Do not get used to this as if it were eternity.   There will be one day that you will be taken, while the other one will remain, you will be taken, you will be removed.’   It means going with the Lord, thinking that our life will end.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 17 November 2017whoever-seeks-to-gain-his-life-today-the-church-the-lord-pope-francis-16-nov-2018 and 15 nov 2019.jpg

“It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for “God is Charity” (1 John 4:8) … it is by the path of love - st albert the great 15 nov 2019

“We will not be proclaimed blessed on the altars in all probability but if we are faithful, in Heaven we will be proclaimed ‘blessed’ and that is enough for us.   Let us try to merit this hour of eternal delights.” … Bl Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)we will not be proclaimed blessed - bl mary of the passion 15 nov 2019 pray for us .jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, You made St Albert great by his gift for reconciling human wisdom with divine faith.   Help us so to follow his teaching that every advance in science may lead us to a deeper knowledge and love of You.   May his prayers on our behalf be a succour to us all.   We ask too for the intercession of the blessed Mary of the Passion that her zeal and perseverance may be the driving force of our lives.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.st-albert-the-great-pray-for-usno 2 - 15 nov 2017

Posted in ARCHangels and Angels, IGNATIAN/JESUIT SJ- Reflections, Jesuit Saints and more, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN HENRY Cardinal NEWMAN!, The KINGDOM of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 November – ” … For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 14 November – Thursday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:20–25 and the Memorial of Saint Joseph Maria Pignatelli SJ (1737 – 1811)

” … For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” … Luke 17:21for-behold-the-kingdom-of-god-is-in-the-midst-of-you-luke-17-21-15-nov-2018 and 14 Nov 2019

REFLECTION – “Is it difficult to faith to admit the word of Scripture concerning our connection with a world superior to us?…   The world of spirits then, though unseen, is present, present, not future, not distant.   It is not above the sky, it is not beyond the grave, it is now and here, “the kingdom of God is among us.”   Of this the text speaks—”We look,” says St Paul, “not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18)…

Such is the hidden kingdom of God and, as it is now hidden, so in due season it shall be revealed.   Men think that they are lords of the world and may do as they will.   They think this earth their property and its movements in their power, whereas…  it contains Christ’s little ones, whom they despise and His Angels, whom they disbelieve and these, at length, shall take possession of it and be manifested.   At present, “all things,” to appearance, “continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” and scoffers ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?”(2 Pt 3:4) but at the appointed time there will be a “manifestation of the sons of God” and the hidden saints “shall shine out as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Mt 13:43)the world of spirits then is here now present - st john henry newman 14 nov 2019.jpg

When the Angels appeared to the shepherds, it was a sudden appearance—“Suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host” (Lk 2:13).   How wonderful a sight!   The night, had before that, seemed just like any other night – they were keeping watch over their sheep, they were watching the night as it passed.   The stars moved on—it was midnight.   They had no idea of such a thing when the Angel appeared.   Such are the power and virtue hidden in things which are seen and at God’s will, they are manifested.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Cardinal, founder of the Oratory in England, Theologian – PPS “The Invisible world” vol.4, no.13

PRAYER – Our Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done! Grant us Lord, a true knowledge of our salvation, so that freed from fear and from the power of our foes, we may serve You faithfully, all the days of our lives and thus attain eternal joy with You. May the prayers of St Joseph Pignatelli on our behalf, be a succour to us all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.st joseph pignatelli pray for us 14 nov 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARTYRS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 November – “Let us show our gratitude, not just in our words and on our lips but in deed and in truth.”- St Bernard

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 13 November – Wednesday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:   Luke 17:11–19 and the Memorial of All Benedictine and Cistercian Saints and Blessed Karl Lampert (1894-1944) Martyr

“Was no-one found to return and give praise to God, except this foreigner?” … Luke 17:18

REFLECTION – “How happy was that Samaritan leper who recognised that “he possessed nothing he had not received” (1Cor 4:7). “He guarded what had been entrusted to him” (2 Tm 1:12) and turned back to the Lord to thank Him.   Blessed are they who, after each gift of grace, turn back to Him in whom is the fullness of all the graces, for if we show ourselves thankful in regard to Him for all we have received, then we make ready a place for grace within ourselves… in even greater abundance.   In fact, our ingratitude is the only thing, that prevents us making progress, following our conversion…
Happy, then, are they who think of themselves as strangers and who give great thanks for even the least blessing, thinking that everything given to a stranger and foreigner is a wholly free gift.   How unfortunate and wretched we are, on the other hand, if after first of all appearing timid, humble and pious we then forget, just how freely given, is what we have received…
I beg you then, brethren, let us remain ever more humbly under the mighty hand of God (1 Pt 5:6)…  Let us continue in thanksgiving, with great devotion and He will grant us the grace, that alone can save our souls.   Let us show our gratitude, not just in our words and on our lips but in deed and in truth.” … St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Churchluke 17 18 was no-one found to return and give thanks, i beg you then brethren - st bernard 13 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – You Lord, Holy Father, never forget Your solemn covenant and grant us new life each day.   We, though in our hearts of stone do forget and cease to thank and bless You.   Make our hearts turn in gratitude, for all we are and have is by Your grace and we are as nothing without You.   May our minds, hearts and souls sing with love and thanks to You, Lord our God.   Grant us new hearts by the prayers of Blessed Karl Lampert and all the saints in heaven, who always lived with grateful hearts, praising You always.  We ask this this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl karl lampert pray for us 13 nov 2019

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN HENRY Cardinal NEWMAN!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – ‘To Serve Thee’

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One Minute Reflection – 12 November – Tuesday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:7-10 and the Memorial of St Josaphat (1584-1623) Martyr

“So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.’ ”… Luke 17:10luke 17 10 - we are unworthy servants - 12 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Thou, O my God, have a claim on me and I am wholly Thine!   Thou are the Almighty Creator and I am Thou workmanship.   I am the work of Thou Hands and Thou are my owner.   As well might the axe or the hammer exalt itself against it’s framer, as I against Thee.   Thou owe me nothing, I have no rights in respect to Thee, I have only duties.   I depend on Thee for life and health and every blessing every moment.   If Thou withdraw Thy breath from me for a moment, I die, I am wholly and entirely Thy property and Thy work and my one duty is to serve Thee.   Amen” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Cardinal, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Apologist, Professorluke 17 10 we are unworthy servants - thou o lord have a claim on me - pg 195 heart to heart st john henry newman 12 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – O Lord our God, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love and to be only good influences to our neighbour.   That by our love, our brothers in faith may be one . St Josaphat you fought and struggled to unite the Church and by your efforts achieved the crown of martyrdom, please pray for our world, for a one united faith.   Amenst-jospahat-pray-for-us-ora-pro-nobis-12-nov-2018 and 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on UNITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – ‘..You must forgive him.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – Monday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:   Luke 17:1-6 and the Memorial of St Martin of Tours

“… if he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you, seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” … Luke 17:4

REFLECTION – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:7).  By this the apostle Paul showed that love can persevere steadfastly because it has learned to endure all things.   And in another place he says:  “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3).

Neither unity nor peace can be preserved, unless brothers cherish one another, with mutual forbearance and preserve the bond of unity, with patience as intermediary.   How then will you be able to endure these things – not to swear or curse, not to seek again what has been taken away from you, on receiving a blow to offer the other cheek also to your assailant, to forgive your brother who offends you, not only seventy times seven times but all his offences without exception, to love your enemies, to pray for your adversaries and persecutors, if you do not have the steadfastness of patience and forbearance?

We see what happened in the case of Stephen.   When he was being killed by the violence and stones of the Jews, he did not ask for vengeance but forgiveness for his murderers, saying:  “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).” … St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258) Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Church – The Good of Patienceluke 17 4 - if he sins against you seven times - we see what happened inthe case of stephen - st cyprian of carthage 11 nov 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, Your Son has shown us the way. As we follow in His steps, may we never wander from the path that leads to life. Renew the wonders of Your grace in our hearts so that neither death nor life may separate us from Your love. Holy Father, as You were glorified by the life and death of St Martin, grant that by his prayers, we may receive strength to always give You our hearts, minds and selves. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, with You in union with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.st-martin-of-tours-pray-for-us-11-nov-2017-no-2