Category: ONE Minute REFLECTION

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – “That way above the rest”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – Friday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13 and the Memorial of Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster OSB (1880-1954)

“The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.” … Matthew 25:3-4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies.   Do you think it might be charity?   If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement.   I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil.   The apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.”   “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”  This is charity.   It is “that way above the rest,” which is with good reason signified by the oil.   For oil swims above all liquids.   Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above.   If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost.   “Charity never fails.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor – Sermon 93matthew 25 3-4 the foolish ones took no oil - it is some great thing that this oil signifies - st augustine - 30 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Saviour, through the grace of Baptism you made us children of light. Hear our prayer, that we may always walk in that light and work for truth, love and charity, as Your witnesses before men.   Dispel from our hearts the darkness of sin and keep us ever watchful for the true light, Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever.   Blessed Alfredo Schuster, you lived a life of total charity ever watchful to the needs of your neighbour, please pray for us, amen.bl alfredo schuster pray for us 30 aug 2019

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 August – Pleasing other people is of little value …

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One Minute Reflection – 29 August – The Beheading of St John the Baptist, Gospel:  Mark 6:17–29

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”…Mark 6:24mark-6-24-she-went-out-and-asked-her-mother-29-aug-2017

REFLECTION – “John did not live for himself alone, nor did he die for himself alone.   How many there were, burdened with sin, who were led to conversion by his hard and austere life.   How many who were strengthened to bear their own trials by his undeserved death.   And what about us?   From where does the opportunity come to offer faithful thanks to God today, if not from the the remembrance of Saint John, put to death for righteousness’ sake, that is to say, for Christ?…

Yes indeed, John the Baptist sacrificed his life with all his heart here below for love of Christ.   He chose to despise the commands of a tyrant, rather than those of God.   His example teaches us, that nothing should be dearer to us, than the will of God.   Pleasing other people is of little value, indeed, it often causes great harm…  Therefore, let us die to our sins and anxieties with all God’s friends, tread underfoot our misguided self-will and be careful to allow fervent love for Christ, to grow within us.” … Lanspergius the Carthusian (1489-1539) – Monk, Theologian – Sermon for the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Opera omnia, t. 2he chose to despiase the commands of a tyrant - lanspergius 29 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Father, You appointed St John the Baptist to be the herald of the birth and death of Christ Your Son.   Grant that as he died a martyr for justice and truth, so we may also courageously bear witness to Your Word.   We make our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever.   St John the Baptist, pray for us, amen.st-john-the-baptist-pray-for-us1-29-aug-2017

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Flee to Him by Confessing

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Wednesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:27–32 and The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Doctor of Grace

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” … Matthew 23:27woe to you scribes and pharisees - whitewashed tombs - matthew 23 27 - 28 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “You are before God.   Question your heart, see what you have done and what you have been yearning for there—your salvation or the windy praise of men.   Look within, for a person cannot judge one whom he cannot see.   If we are assuring our heart, let us assure it in His presence.
“Because if our heart thinks badly”—that is, if it accuses us within, because we aren’t acting with the spirit with which we should be acting —“God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things” (v.20).
You hide your heart from man – hide it from God if you can.   How will you hide it from Him to whom it was said by a certain sinner in fear and confession:  “Where shall 1 go from your spirit, and where shed!  I flee from your face?”…  For where does God not exist? “If,” he said, “I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to hell, you are present” (Ps 139[138]:7-8).   Where will you go?   Where will you flee?   Do you want to hear some advice?   If you want to flee from Him, flee to Him.   Flee to Him by Confessing, not from Him by hiding, for you cannot hide but you can Confess.   Tell Him. “You are my refuge” (Ps 32[31]:7) and let there be nursed in you the love that alone leads to life.”…St Augustine (354-430) – Doctor of Graceyou hide your heart from man - hide it from god if you can - st augustine 28 aug 2019

PRAYER – Renew in Your Church, we pray , O Lord, the spirit with which You endowed Your Bishop Saint Augustine, that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for You, the sole fount of true wisdom and seek You, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. St Augustine, pray for us! Amenst augustine pray for us 28 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “..Let us each examine our conscience..”

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One Minute Reflection – 27 August – Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:23–26 and The Memorial of St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Father of the Church

“You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”…Matthew 23:26matthew 23 26 you blind pharisee first cleanse the inside of the cup - 27 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “And so, dearly beloved brethren, let us each examine his conscience and when he sees that he has been wounded by some sin, let him first strive to cleanse his conscience by prayer, fasting, almsgiving and so dare to approach the Eucharist.   If he recognises his guilt and is reluctant to approach the holy altar, he will be quickly pardoned by the Divine Mercy, “for whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12).   If then, as I have said, a man conscious of his sins, humbly decides to stay away from the altar until he reforms his life, he will not be afraid of being completely excluded from the eternal banquet of heaven.
I ask you then, brethren, to pay careful attention.   If no-one dares approach an influential man’s table in tattered, soiled garments, how much more should one refrain in reverence and humility from the banquet of the Eternal King, that is, from the altar of the Lord, if one is smitten with poisonous envy, or anger, or is full of rage and fury? For it is written, “Go first and be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:24).   And again, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And when he kept silent, that man said to the attendants, ‘bind his hands and feet and cast him forth into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” (Mt 22:12,13).   The same sentence awaits the man who dares present himself at the wedding feast, that is at the Lord’s table, if he is guilty of drunkenness, or adultery, or retains hatred in his heart.” … St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Bishop of Arles, Father of the Churchi ask you then brethren to pay careful attention - st caesarius bishop and father 20 jan 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, renew Your Church with the Spirit of wisdom and love which You gave to St Caesarius.   Lead us by that same Spirit, to seek You, the only fountain of true wisdom and the source of everlasting love.   May we turn to You in sorrow and true repentance when we fail and strive always and everywhere to live in Your truth and Your love for all.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Spirit, one God, forever and ever.   St Caesarius, pray for the Church and for us all, amen.st caesarius of arles pray for us 27 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – ‘It is from the heart…..’

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One Minute Reflection – 26 August – Monday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:13–22 and The Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa

“And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.” … Matthew 23:18

REFLECTION – “Consider this analogy.   Think of the altar as the heart and the temple as the whole of Scripture. The temple of God’s glory, spiritually understood, is the divinely inspired Scripture.   The gold refers to the meanings it conveys.   To swear is to witness to the Scriptures, as a validation and confirmation of the word we speak.   Therefore, we ought to profess the whole sense of Scripture, as a confirmation of the sense which we invoke, in all of our words.
…The temple, that is, the reading of the Scriptures, makes a great and venerable sense, just as consecrated gold is valuable.   So we ought not to swear by our own intellects to confirm our beliefs, as if we were creating witnesses that could judge according to the truth.   But let us explore further the analogy of the temple, the gold and the altar.   The altar is the place where a vow is sanctified.   The altar in this passage is the heart of a man.   What happens in the heart happens deeply within a person.   Vows and gifts placed on the altar are clearly those placed upon the human heart.   When you begin to pray, you place the vow of your prayer upon your heart, as if you had placed something upon the altar, so that you might offer your prayer to God.
Suppose you are ready to place an offering of psalms upon your heart, so as to offer to God an offering of psalms, accompanying yourself with a harp.   Or suppose you are ready to give alms.  You make an offering of alms upon your heart, just as if you had placed something on the altar, as you would offer your alms to God  . Suppose you have proposed to fast, in order to make an offering of your fasting upon your heart, as if you had placed something upon the altar.
In this way the heart of a man makes vows in a holy and venerable way.    It is from the heart, that is, the altar, that the vow is offered to God.   Therefore, it is not possible for the offering of a man to be more honourable than his heart, from which the offering is sent up.” … Origen (c 185-253) (Commentary on Matthew, 2)matthew 23 18 if one swears by the altar - it is from the altar that is from the heart - origen 26 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, be the beginning and the end of all that we do and say.   Prompt our actions with Your grace and complete them with Your all-powerful help.   Fill us with the grace of Your true love, that our hearts may be made of flesh and not of stone.   May our hearts, minds and souls belong to You alone.   May the guiding hand of the Mother of Your Son lead us, with unfailing tenderness, to You.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, ‘totus tuus’ Maria – please pray for us, amen.our-lady-of-czestochowa-pray-for-us.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – ‘Why is this door narrow…?

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One Minute Reflection – 25 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:  Luke 13:22–30

“Strive to enter by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” … Luke 13:24

REFLECTION – “But why is this door narrow, one might ask?   Why does He say it is narrow?   It is a narrow door not because it is oppressive but because it demands that we restrain and limit our pride and our fear, in order to open ourselves to Him with humble and trusting hearts, acknowledging that we are sinners and in need of His forgiveness. This is why it is narrow, to limit our pride, which swells us.” … Pope Francis – Angelus, 21 August 2016luke 13 24 the narow door - but why is this door narrow - pope francis 25 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart.   Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy.   May the intercession of Your faithful servant, St Maria Micaela of the Blessed Sacrament, bring us strength and courage to persevere in our battles against pride.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st maria micaela of the bl sacrament pray for us 25 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 August – Gospel Mathew 24:42-51

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One Minute Reflection – 31 August – Gospel Mathew 24:42-51

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.’...Matthew 24:42

REFLECTION – “You have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation…..This is your goal! This is the centre of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.   If you reach your goal you will find happiness. If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.”……St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Churchyou have been created for the glory of god - st robert bellarmine

PRAYER – My Lord and my God, help me eternal Father, to stay awake!   Teach me to be constantly on guard against my own weakness, to constantly keep watch for temptation and to live constantly in prayer, that Your Son will lead me to safety.   St Raymond Nonnatus, you suffered torture but always remain prayerful and awake, waiting for the Lord, please pray for me, amen.st raymond nnonnatus pray for us

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 March – “But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection…” – Col 3:14

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One Minute Reflection – 4 March – The Memorial of St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince 

“But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection…” – Col 3:14

REFLECTION – “By the power of the Holy Ghost, Casimir burned with a sincere and unpretentious love for Almighty God that was almost unbelievable in its strength. So rich was his love and so abundantly did it fill his heart, that it flowed out from his inner spirit toward his fellow men. As a result nothing was more pleasant, nothing more desirable for him, than to share his belongings and even to dedicate and give his entire self to Christ’s poor, to strangers, to the sick, to those in captivity and all who suffer. To widows, orphans and the afflicted, he was not only a guardian and patron but a father, son and brother.” (From the Biography of Saint Casimir, written by a contemporary).

PRAYER – Loving Father, pour out Thy divine love into my heart and soul. Let me co-operate with that love and in this way strive for perfection in all virtues. St Casimir, you are a shining example to us all of how love should look, of how love should behave, please pray that we may too become beacons and hearts burning with love for all! Amen.

st-casimir-pray-for-us