Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL DECREE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 February – “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, (…) the people of God”

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One Minute Reflection – 16 February – The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Sirach 15:15-20 (16-21), Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37 and the Memorial of Blessed Nicola Paglia OP (1197-1256) Priest

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.   I have come not to abolish but to fulfil” … Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – At all times and in every race God has given welcome to whosoever fears Him and does what is right (cf. Acts 10:35).   God, however, does not make men holy and save them merely as individuals, without bond or link between one another.   Rather has it pleased Him to bring men together as one people, a people which acknowledges Him in truth and serves Him in holiness.   He, therefore, chose the race of Israel as a people unto Himself.   With it He set up a covenant   Step by step, He taught and prepared this people, making known in its history both Himself and the decree of His will and making it holy unto Himself.

All these things, however, were done by way of preparation and as a figure of that new and perfect covenant, which was to be ratified in Christ and of that fuller revelation which was to be given, through the Word of God Himself, made flesh.   “Behold the days shall come saith the Lord and I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the house of Judah (. . ).   I will give my law in their bowels and I will write it in their heart and I will be their God and they shall be my people (. . .)   For all of them shall know Me, from the least of them even to the greatest, saith the Lord” (Jer 31:31f.)   Christ instituted this new covenant, the new testament, that is to say, in His Blood, (1 Cor 11:25) calling together a people made up of Jew and gentile, making them one, not according to the flesh but in the Spirit.   This was to be the new People of God (…) : “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, (…) the people of God” (1 Pt 2:9).

Israel according to the flesh, which wandered as an exile in the desert, was already called the Church of God.  (2 Esd 13:1; Nb 20:4; Dt 23:1f.)   So, likewise, the new Israel, which while living in this present age, goes in search of a future and abiding city (Heb 13:14) is called the Church of Christ. (Mt 16:18)   For He has bought it for Himself with His blood, (Acts 20:28) has filled it with His Spirit and provided it with those means which befit it as a visible and social union. … Vatican Council II – Constitution on the Church “Lumen gentium”, # 9matthew 5 17 do not think that i have come to abolish - christ instituted - lumen gentium 16 feb 2020

PRAYER – Loving and merciful Father!   In all our needs, even when we turn from You and cause You sorrow, You are there to help us!   You grace us with garments of love to protect us from the evils which surround us.   Bless us we pray, as we turn to You in pain and repentance and by the sufferings of Your divine Son Whom You sent to redeem us, grant us peace.   May the prayers of Blessed Nicola Paglia, intercede in our strife as we make our way home to You.   Through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.bl nicola paglia pray for us 16 feb 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONSECRATION Prayers, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 16 February – Consecration to Our Lady of the Eucharist

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Our Morning Offering – 16 February – The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Consecration to Our Lady of the Eucharist
After Holy Communion
By the Claretian Fathers Teaching Ministr
Order founded by St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

Mary is called Our Lady of the Eucharist, because
without her, there would be no physical Body of Jesus
to be present in the Eucharist. (See John 6:51) 

Most kind Mother,
we consecrate to thee, our bodies,
which have just been
honoured and sanctified,
by the presence of thy Divine Son,
our souls which have
conversed with Him
and our hearts which have loved Him.
O dearest Mother,
may the words which we have spoken, be made
acceptable to Him. through thy intercession.
Tell Him the things which we should have said
but were unable to express.
Love Him and beseech Him for us,
thy poor children.
Receive and keep us in thine heart.
Warn us, protect us
and guide us during this day
that we may faithfully serve thy Divine Son
and please Him
in all our thoughts, desires and actions.
Amen

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 15 February – Lord, be the Centre of Our Hearts

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Our Morning Offering – 15 February – The Memorial of St Claude de la Colombiere SJ (1641-1682)

Lord, be the Centre of Our Hearts
by St Claude de la Colombiere

O God, what will You do to conquer
the fearful hardness of our hearts?
Lord, You must give us new hearts,
tender hearts, sensitive hearts,
to replace hearts
that are made of marble and of bronze.
You must give us Your own Heart, Jesus.
Come, lovable Heart of Jesus.
Place Your Heart deep in the centre of our hearts
and enkindle in each heart a flame of love
as strong, as great, as the sum of all the reasons
that I have for loving You, my God.
O holy Heart of Jesus, dwell hidden in my heart,
so that I may live only in You
and only for You,
so that, in the end,
I may live with You
eternally in heaven.
Amenlord be the centre of our hearts st claude de la colombiere 15 feb 2020

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

One Minute Reflection – 14 February – “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

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One Minute Reflection – 14 February – Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinay Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19, Psalm 81:10-15, Mark 7:31-37 and the Memorial of Blessed Vicente Vilar David (1889-1937) Martyr

“Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” … Mark 7:34

REFLECTION – “The Gospel relates the healing of a deaf-mute by Jesus.   For Him, this clearly has to do with more than a physical disability.   It is a parable for the people of Israel, who, in turn, represent all mankind.
As the prophets have said so often, Israel is hard of hearing when it comes to the Word of God, which, in turn, renders it incapable of giving a valid response.
Jesus does not make a spectacle out of His miracles.
Hence, He takes the sick man aside, seeking the middle line between entirely avoiding publicity and helping the people.
Physically touching both ears and tongue precedes His upward look toward the Father (in this miracle, the Father acts through Him) and His sign, which probably points to His having been filled with the Holy Spirit.
This trinitarian fullness, indicates that the prayer “Be opened!” speaks not only of physical healing but, of effective grace for Israel and for all mankind.” … Hans Cardinal Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)mark 7 34 ephphatha be opened - physically touching - hans ur von balthasar 14 feb 2020

PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, open the ears and eyes of our hearts and fill us with Your grace.   May we follow You in holiness all the days of our lives.   Grant we pray, that as You brought Your Martyr Blessed Vicente to overcome fearlessly, the persecutions of Your people, that we too may remain invincible under Your protection and by his prayers be strengthened against the snares of the enemy.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.BL VICENTE VILAR DAVID PRAY FOR US 14 FEB 2020

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS

Our Morning Offering – 14 February – You are Waiting for Me

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Our Morning Offering – 14 February – Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

You are Waiting for Me
By Fr Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)

Dear Lord…
there is no certainty that my life
will be any easier in the years ahead
or that my heart will be any calmer
but, there is certainty
that You are waiting for me
and will welcome me home
when I have persevered
in my long journey to Your house.
Amenyou are waiting for me by fr henri nouwen 14 feb 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 February – ‘…This hidden treasure.’

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One Minute Reflection – 13 February – Thursday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings11:4-13, Psalm 106:3-4, 35-37, 40, Mark 7:24-30 and the Memorial of Blessed Archangela Girlani (1460-1494)

“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” … Mark 7:28

REFLECTION – “When she came up to Jesus the Canaanite woman just said these words: “Have pity on me” (Mt 15:22) and her repeated cries drew a large crowd of people.   It was a touching sight to see this woman crying out with such great feeling, a mother pleading on behalf of her daughter, a child who was so severely possessed. (…)   She didn’t say: “Have pity on my daughter” but “Have pity on me.”   “My daughter is not aware of her plight but I, I experience sufferings in profusion, it makes me ill to see her in such a state, I am almost out of my mind at seeing her like this.” (…)

Jesus answered her:  “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ” (Mt 15:24)      Now what did the Canaanite woman do when she heard these words?   Did she lose heart? Not in the least!   She urged him even more.   This is not what we do when our prayers are not answered – we turn away in discouragement, whereas, we ought to be pleading even more insistently.   Who, it is true, would not be discouraged by Jesus’ response?   His silence would have been enough to take away all hope. (…)   This woman, however, does not lose heart, on the contrary, she comes nearer to Him and bows to the ground, saying:  “Lord, help me” (v.25) (…)   If I am a little dog in this house then I am no longer a foreigner.   I well know that food is necessary for children (…) but it cannot be forbidden to give away crumbs.   They should not be refused me (…) because I am a little dog who cannot be pushed aside.”

It was because he foresaw her answer that Christ delayed to grant her prayer (…)    His replies were not intended to cause this woman pain but, to reveal this hidden treasure.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no.52, § 2mark 7 28 yes lord but even the dogs - this woman does not lose heart - st john chrysostom 13 feb 2020

PRAYER – Lord support us as we pray, protect us day and night.   Grant us the grace of total trust and teach us to hear Your Voice and do Your Will.   May the prayers of Blessed Archangela Girlani (1460-1494), help us and strengthen us that we may grow in worthiness to receive Your grace.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.BL ARCHANGELA GIRLANI PRAY FOR US 13 FEB 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 13 February – Let Your will be mine

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Our Morning Offering – 13 February – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A

Let Your will be mine
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Most kind Jesus, grant me Your grace, I pray,
let it dwell in me, work in me
and abide in me to the end.
Grant me always to will
and desire, whatever is most pleasing
and acceptable to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will ever follow
and be conformed wholly to Your own.
Let me ever will
and not will in union with Yourself
and be unable to will otherwise
than You will or do not will.
Grant that I may die to all things in this world
and for Your sake, love to be despised and unknown.
Grant me, above all else, to rest in You,
that my heart may find its peace in You alone,
for You are the heart’s true peace,
it’s sole abiding place
and outside Yourself, all is hard and restless.
In this true peace that is in You,
the sole, supreme and eternal Good,
I will dwell and take my rest.
Amen

The Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 15let your will be mine by thomas a kempis 13 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 February – What is my treasure? 

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One Minute Reflection – 13 February – Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings10:1-10, Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40, Mark7:14-23 and the Memorial of St Eulalia of Barcelona (c 290-c 303) Virgin and Martyr

And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man.   For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.   All these evil things come from within and they defile a man.” Mark 7:20-23

REFLECTION – “The boundary between good and evil does not pass outside of us but rather within us.   We could ask ourselves: where is my heart?   Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”   What is my treasure?   Is it Jesus, is it His teaching?   If so, then the heart is good.   Or is my treasure something else?   Thus it is a heart which needs purification and conversion.   Without a purified heart, one cannot have truly clean hands and lips which speak sincere words of love — it is all duplicitous, a double life — lips which speak words of mercy, of forgiveness but only a sincere and purified heart can do this.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 30 August 2015mark-7-20-what-comes-out-of-a-man-the-boundary-between-good-and-evil-pope-francis-13feb2019 and 12 Feb 2020

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, as Your witnesses before men.   May our hearts be purified by You grace and may our hands and lips speak with sincere words of love.   St Eulalia of Barcelona, child as you were, you bravely withstood all the assaults against Christ your Lord, with zeal and passion, please pray for us.   We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st eulalia pray for us 12 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Only for You, in You, by You

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Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Only for You, in You, by You
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus,
let me know myself and know You
and desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything, for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing, except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens, as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You
and ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve, to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You
and let me be among those, who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey, for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing, save only to You,
And let me be poor, because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me, that I may see You
and forever enjoy You.
Amenonly for you in you by you st augustine - 12 feb 2020

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 February – …’He is seated upon an extremely valuable throne…’

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One Minute Reflection – 11 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30, Psalm 84:3-5, 10-11, Mark 7:1-13 and the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes

“This people honours me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” … Mark 7:6mark 7 6 this people honours me with their lips but their hearts are far from me 11 feb 2020

REFLECTION – “Well, let us imagine that within us is an extremely rich palace, built entirely of gold and precious stones, in sum, built for a lord such as this.   Imagine, too, as is indeed so, that you have a part to play, in order for the palace to be so beautiful, for there is no edifice as beautiful as is a soul pure and full of virtues.   The greater the virtues the more resplendent the jewels.
Imagine, also, that in this palace dwells this mighty King who has been gracious enough to become your Father and, that He is seated upon an extremely valuable throne, which is your heart. (…)

You will laugh at me, perhaps and say that what I’m explaining is very clear and you’ll be right, for me, though, it was obscure for some time.   I understood well that I had a soul. But what this soul deserved and who dwelt within it I did not understand because I had covered my eyes with the vanities of the world.   For, in my opinion, if I had understood as I do now, that, in this little palace of my soul dwelt so great a King, I would not have left Him alone so often.   I would have remained with Him at times and striven more so as not to be so unclean.
But what a marvellous thing, that He who would fill a thousand worlds and many more with His grandeur, would enclose Himself in something so small!” … St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church – The Way of Perfection, ch. 28, 9-11imagine also that in this palace dwells this mighty king - st teresa of avila 11 feb 2020

PRAYER – Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may, with the help of her intercession, rise up from our iniquities.   Grant, we pray that our lives may be gifts to all those who cry out in pain.   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, amen.ou-lady-of-lourdes-pray-for-us-11-feb-2019 and 2020

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Ave Maria, Amen

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Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year A and the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes

Ave Maria, Amen
Traditional Catholic Hymn/Poem
Unknown Author

A song ascends from vale to heights,
from town to town a hundred times,
Ave Maria, Amen.

In every place the earth around,
at every bells resound,
Ave Maria, Amen.

All creatures, be they low or high,
send joyous songs up to the sky,
Ave Maria, Amen.

Stars near each other in their rays
and greet each other on their ways,
Ave Maria, Amen.

The angels at the throne of God
with harps and flutes the Highest land,
Ave Maria, Amen.

And all the blest in paradise
to joyous, happy praise give rise,
Ave Maria, Amen.

Thus praises sound through space and time
in everlasting, glorious rhyme,
Ave Maria, Amenave-maria-amen-trad-catholic-hymn-poem-26-oct-2019

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – The more we believe, the more shall we receive!

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – Monday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13, Psalm 132:6-10, Mark 6:53-56 and the Memorial of St Scholastica (c 482-547) Twin sister of St Benedict

“That they might touch only, the tassel on his cloak and as many as touched it were healed” … Mark 6:56

REFLECTION – “Jesus had planned a picnic for the tired apostles.   What a picnic it turned out to be, for no sooner did they land at Gennesaret, than crowds recognised Him and ran to tell others about Him, so that wherever He went – to villages, towns or farms – they brought to Him the sick, lying on their mats and helped them to just touch the fringe of His cloak.   This was profound personal faith, because all those who touched Him were cured.   Such faith had to be fully and suitably blessed and rewarded.
Faith is not merely a series of formulae which we profess, nor is faith a bundle of pious practices.
Faith is touching and being touched by Jesus.
The more we believe, the more shall we receive!” … Msgr Alex Rebello – Wrexham, Wales – Daily Reflections 2020mark 6 56 that they might touch onl;y the tassle on his cloak-faith is not - bible diary 10 feb 2020

PRAYER – O God, that You created the universe so wondrously but more wondrously you created redemption.   To Your divine Son, who came to repair us and lead us to You, to take on our pain and heal us of our sin, we turn in trust and wonder and touch Him.    May the prayers of St Scholastica help us to grow in faith.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-scholastica-pray-for-us 10 feb 2017

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 February – ‘For the heart is then illumined by Jesus.’

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One Minute Reflection – 9 February – Fifth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10, Psalm 112:4-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth …you are the light of the world…” …Matthew 5:13,16

REFLECTION – “Just as salt seasons our bread and other food and keeps certain meats from spoiling for quite a time, so the spiritual sweetness and marvellous working which result from the guarding of the intellect effect something similar.   For in a divine manner they season and sweeten both the inner and the outer self, driving away the stench of evil thoughts and keeping us continually in communion with good thoughts. Many of our thoughts come from demonic provocation and from these derive our evil outward actions.   If, with the help of Jesus, we instantly quell the thought, we will avoid its corresponding outward action.   We will enrich ourselves with the sweetness of divine knowledge and so will find God, who is everywhere.

Holding the mirror of the intellect firmly towards God, we will be illumined constantly as pure glass is by the sun.   Then the intellect, having reached the term of its desires, will, in Him, cease from all other contemplation. (…) Just as he who looks at the sun cannot but fill his eyes with light, so he who always gazes intently into his heart, cannot fail to be illumined. (…)   When clouds are scattered, the air is clear and when the fantasies of passion are scattered by Jesus Christ, the Sun of righteousness, bright and star-like thoughts are born in the heart.   For the heart is then illumined by Jesus.” … St Hesychios the Sinaite (c 5th century), Monk of the monastery at Vatos on Mount Sinai -sometimes identified with Hesychios of Jerusalem, Priest – Chapters “On watchfulness and holiness”, nos. 87, 88, 108 – St Hesychios the Sinaite’s Liturgical Memorial is on 3 October).matthew5 13 16 you are salt ofthe earth you are the light of the world st hesychios 9 feb 2020

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed.   May our eyes see and our hearts have compassion, to all those who need us.   May the intercession of our Holy Mother and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort.   Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.mother mary pray for us - 5 oct 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WORD

Our Morning Offering – 9 February – Jesus, Open the Eyes of My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 9 February – Fifth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jesus, Open the Eyes of My Heart
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Jesus, open the eyes of my heart,
that I may hear Your word
and understand and do Your will.
Open the eyes of my mind
to the understanding
of Your Gospel teachings.
Speak to me the hidden
and secret things of Your wisdom.
Enlighten my mind and understanding
with the light of Your knowledge,
not only to cherish those things
that are written
but to do them.
Amenjesus open the eyes of my heart st john chrysostom 9 feb 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – If you wish to come and find Me, seek me aside.

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One Minute Reflection – 8 February – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Tme, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13, Psalm 119:9-14, Mark 6:30-34 and the Memorial of Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus (1893-1983)

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile” … Mark 6:31

REFLECTION – “If you wish to come and find Me, seek me aside.   As Mark says: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.   People were coming and going in great numbers and they had no opportunity even to eat.” (Mk 6:31).
Alas, such are the passions of the flesh and the turmoil of thoughts coming and going in our hearts that we have no time to eat the food of everlasting sweetness nor perceive the taste of interior contemplation.   That is why our Lord says: “Come away” from the noisy crowd “to a deserted place,” to solitude of mind and heart, “and rest awhile.”   For truly, as the book of Revelation says:  “There will be silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Rv 8:1); and in the Psalm:  “Who will give me wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest” (Ps 54[55]:7 LXX).
But let us listen to what the prophet Hosea says:  “I will seduce her and lead her into the wilderness and I will speak to her heart” (cf. Hos 2:16 Vg).   These three expressions: seduce, lead into the wilderness, speak to her heart, represent the three stages of the spiritual life – the beginning, development and perfection.   The Lord seduces the beginner when He enlightens him with His grace so that he may grow and progress from virtue to virtue.   Then he leads him aside from the din of the vices and disordered thoughts into peace of spirit.   Finally, once guided to perfection, God speaks to his heart. Then the soul experiences the sweetness of divine inspiration and can surrender totally to joy of spirit.
What depth of devotion, of wonderment and happiness in his heart!   By devotion he is raised above himself, through wonder he is led above himself, through happiness he is transported out of himself.” … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church – Sermon for the feast of Saint John the Evangelistmark 6 31 come away by yourselves and rest - if you wish to find me seek me aside - st anthony of padua 8 feb 2020

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed.   May our eyes see and our hearts have compassion, to all those who need us.   May the intercession of our Holy Mother, Bl Esperanza de Jesus and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.bl esperanza de jesus pray for us 8 feb 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS

Our Morning Offering – 8 February – Jesus, my Saviour, Help me

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Our Morning Offering – 8 February – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Tme, Year A

Jesus, my Saviour, Help me
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Jesus, my Saviour, help me.
I am resolved truly to love You
and to leave all to please You.
Help me to free myself from everything
that hinders me from belonging wholly to You,
who have loved me so much.
By your prayers, O Mother Mary,
which are so powerful with God,
obtain for me this grace
to belong wholly to God.
Amenjesus my saviour help me - st alphonsus liguori 8 feb 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 February – ‘Learn to think and live like a Christian.’

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One Minute Reflection – 7 February – Friday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Sirach 47:2-11 (2-13), Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51, Mark 6:14-29 and the Memorial of Bl Alfredo Cremonesi PIME (1902-1953) Priest and Martyr

“He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.   The girl in turn gave it to her mother.” … Mark 6:28

REFLECTION – “In what way, then, was this just man harmed by this demise, this violent death, these chains, this imprisonment?   Who are those he did not set back on their feet — provided they had a penitent disposition — because of what he spoke, because of what he suffered, because of what he still proclaims in our own day — the same message he preached while he was living.   Therefore, do not say:  “Why was John allowed to die?” For what occurred was not a death but a crown, not an end but the beginning of a greater life.

Learn to think and live like a Christian.   You will not only remain unharmed by these events but will reap the greatest benefits.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor – On the Providence of God, 22.he brought in the head mark 6 28 - what occurred was not a death but a crown st john chrysostom 7 feb 2020

PRAYER –  Father of mercy, You chose Blessed Alfredo Cremonesi to be a father to orphans in their need.   Grant that through his prayer, we may keep faithfully the spirit of sonship, by which we are not only called but really are Your children.   Help us to imitate his love and faith, manifesting by our commitment to Your commandments, our true faith.   May we be filled with strength and grace as we face persecution and animosity in Your service.   We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amenbl alfredo cremonesi pray for us 7 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS

Our Morning Offering – 7 February – Let Me Breathe through You

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Our Morning Offering – 7 February – Friday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A

Let Me Breathe through You
by Fr Jean Galot SJ (1919-2008)

Lord, be the goal of my pilgrimage
here upon the earth.
Let me cling to You
with all the force of my longing.
Let me penetrate
the very depth of Your heart.
Let me breathe through You
and let me live by the breath of Your love.
Let me work for You,
not shunning hardship and fatigue.
Let me rest in You,
peacefully,
in unending confidence and friendship.
Let me radiate, through You,
Your divine, loving kindness and apostolic zeal.
Let me remain in You forever,
firmly rooted in Your love.

Amen.

~from Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr Jean Galot, SJ (1919-2008)let me breathe through you fr jean galot sj 7 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, Lady POVERTY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – ‘Follow the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 February – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Responsorial psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13 and the Memorial of St Francesco Spinelli (1853-1913)

He charged them to take nothing for their journey...Mark 6:8

REFLECTION – The Lord commands us in the Gospel: “Watch, be on your guard against all malice and greed” (cf. Lk 12:15).   “Guard yourselves against the preoccupations of this world and the cares of this life” (cf. Mt 6:25; Lk 21:34).   Therefore, none of the brothers, wherever he may be, or wherever he goes, should in any way carry, receive, or have received either money or coins, whether for clothing or books or payment for any work-indeed, for no reason-unless it is for the evident need of the sick brothers, for we must not suppose that money or coins have any greater value than stones.   And the devil would like to blind those who desire it or consider it better than stones.   Therefore, let us who have left all things behind, take care, that we do not lose the kingdom of heaven for so little (cf. Mt 19:27; Mk 10:24.28).   And if we were to find coins in any place, let us give them no more thought than the dust which we crush with our feet, for all this is “vanity of vanities and all is vanity” (Eccl 1:2).

All the brothers should strive to follow the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ (…).   And they must rejoice when they live among people who are considered to be of little worth and who are looked down upon, among the poor and the powerless, the sick and the lepers and the beggars by the wayside.   And when it may be necessary, let them go for alms.   And they should not be ashamed but rather, recall that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living and all-powerful God (…) was a poor man and a transient and lived on alms, He and the Blessed Virgin and His disciples.” … St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) – Founder of the Friars Minor – Earlier Rule, §8-9he charged them to take nothing for the journey - therefore none of the brothers - st francis of assisi 6 feb 2020

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, unhampered by any worldly ties, trusting only in Your loving and guiding hand. Help us to give our hearts, minds, bodies, our all to You, serving faithfully all the days of our life. May the prayers of St Francesco Spinelli, Your faithful servant, give us strength. We make our prayer, through our Lord Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st francesco spinelli pray for us 6 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 6 February – Jesus, Fill Us, with Your Light and Life

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Our Morning Offering – 6 February – Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A

Jesus, Fill Us, with Your Light and Life
By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Jesus, fill us, we pray,
with Your light and life
that we may show forth
Your wonderful glory.
Grant that Your love
may so fill our lives
that we may count nothing
too small to do for You,
nothing too much to give
and nothing too hard to bear.
Amenjesus fill us with your light and love st ignatius loyola 6 feb 2020

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

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – ‘…The scandal of the Incarnation’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 February – Wednesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17, Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, Mark 6:1-6 and the Memorial of St Philip of Jesus (1572-1597) Martyr

“Is not this the carpenter?”…Mark 6:3

REFLECTION – “According to the people of Nazareth, God is too great to humble Himself to speak through such a simple man!   It is the scandal of the Incarnation – the unsettling event of a God made flesh, who thinks with the mind of a man, works and acts with the hands of a man, loves with a human heart, a God who struggles, eats and sleeps like one of us.
The Son of God overturns every human framework – it is not the disciples who washed the feet of the Lord but, it is the Lord who washed the feet of the disciples (cf. Jn 13:1-20). This is a reason for scandal and incredulity, not only in that period but in all ages, even today.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 8 July 2018mark-6-3-is-not-this-the-carpenter-the-son-of-god-overturns-pope-francis-6feb2019 and 5 feb 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, source of strength and grace, grant us eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to love the Word of Your Son. Make us recognise Your Son in our daily lives and be generous in sharing our faith to all we meet. Grant, we pray, that the prayers of St Philip of Jesus, may help us to manifest zeal and courage. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in unity with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st philip of jesus pray for us 5 feb 2020

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for CANONISATION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – O Mary – Ven Fulton Sheen

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Our Morning Offering – 5 February – Wednesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year A

O Mary
By Ven Fulton J Sheen (1895-1979)

O Mary,
we have exiled your Divine Son
from our lives,
our councils,
our education
and our families!
Come with the light of the sun
as the symbol of His Power!
Heal our wars, our dark unrest,
cool the cannon’s lips so hot with war!
Take our minds off the atom
and our souls out of the muck of nature!
Give us rebirth in your Divine Son,
us, the poor children of the earth,
grown old with age!
Ameno-mary-no-2-ven-fulton-sheen-6-feb-2019.and 5 feb 2020

On 18 November Pope Francis approved a miracle for the Beatification of Ven Fulton Sheen, however the celebration has since been postponed.

Prayer for the Canonisation
of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Heavenly Father, source of all holiness,
You raise up within the Church in every age,
men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication.
You have blessed Your Church
through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant,
Archbishop Fulton J Sheen.
He has written and spoken well
of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ
and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit
in touching the hearts of countless people.
If it be according to Your Will,
for the honour and glory of the Most Holy Trinity
and for the salvation of souls,
we ask You to move the Church
to proclaim him a saint.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory beprayr for the canonisation of ven fulton sheen 5 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on IGNORANCE, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 February – “The child is not dead but asleep”

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One Minute Reflection – 4 February – Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30–19:3, Psalm 86:1-6, Mark 5:21-43 and the Memorial of St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr

“The child is not dead but asleep” … Mark 5:39

REFLECTION -“My dear young people, the future depends on you, the completion of this millennium and beginning of another depend on you.   So do not be passive, assume your responsibilities in every area that opens itself up to you in this world. (…)   Take up your responsibilities!   Inspired by faith in the Lord “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Pet 3:15) (…)   What is the reason for your confidence?   Your faith, recognition and acceptance of the tremendous love God is constantly showing towards humankind.(…)   Jesus Christ, “the same today, yesterday and forever” (Heb 13:8), continues to show to all young people the same love the Gospel describes when he met up with a young man or woman.

So we can contemplate the raising of Jairus’ daughter who “was twelve years old” (…) Jairus frankly exposes his anguish to the Master, he earnestly beseeches his heart:  “My daughter is at the point of death.   Please, come lay hands on her that she may get well and live”.    “Jesus went off with him”.   The heart of Christ, which is moved before this man and his daughter’s human suffering, cannot remain heedless before our suffering.   Christ always hears us but He asks us to turn to Him with faith (…).   The Lord’s every gesture and word express this love.

I would like especially to pause over the words drawn from Jesus’ own lips:   “The child is not dead but asleep”.   These words that are so deeply illuminating, prompt me to think of the mysterious presence, of the Lord of life, in a world that appears to have succumbed to the shameless promptings of hate, violence and injustice.   Yet, no, this world of yours is not dead but sleeps.   In your hearts, dear young people, we perceive the strong beat of life and the love of God.   Youth is not dead when it is close to the Master.   Yes, when it is close to Jesus, you are all close to Jesus.   Listen to all His words, every word, each one. Young people, love Jesus, seek Jesus, meet Jesus.” … Saint John Paul II (1920-2005), Pope from 1978 to 2005 – Speech to the youth of Chile, 02/04/1987mark 5 39 the child is not dead but sleeps - listen to his words every one - st pope john paul 4 feb 2020

PRAYER – Increase in us, O Lord, the gift of faith, so that we may arise and offer our praise to You and by Your grace, yield fruit from heaven, for the glory of Your Kingdom. Lord God, may St John de Britto, who became precious in Your sight through his pure life and valiant martyrdom, plead for our forgiveness.   Through Jesus Christ, Your divine Son, in unity with the Spirit, one God forever.   St John de Britto, pray for us, amen.st john de britto pray for us 4 feb 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 4 February – Veni Creator Spiritus

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Our Morning Offering – 4 February – Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A and The Memorial of Blessed Rabanus Maurus (776-856)

Veni Creator Spiritus
By Blessed Rabanus Maurus (776-856)

Come, Creator, Spirit,
come from Your bright heavenly throne,
come take possession of our souls
and make them all Your own.
You who are called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring,
the vital fire,
sweet christ’ning and true love. . . .
O guide our minds with Your best light,
with love our hearts inflame
and with Your strength,
which ne’er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our deadly foe,
true peace unto us bring
and through all perils lead us safe
beneath Your sacred wing.
Through You may we the Father know,
through You th’eternal Son
and You the Spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed Three in One. . . .veni-creator-spiritus-bl-rabanus-maurus-4-feb-2018 and 4 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘We must be burning with love…’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24:7-10, Hebrew 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 and the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God ..… Luke 2:27-28luke 2 27 28 and inspired by the spirit he came into the temple - presentatio of the lord2 feb 2020

REFLECTION – “Your lamps must be burning in your hands” (Lk 12:35).   By this outward sign let us remind ourselves of the joy of Simeon carrying the Light in his hands (…)   We must be burning with love and radiant with good deeds and so take up Christ in our hands with Simeon (…)   Let us discuss this charming custom of the Church of bearing lights aloft on this feast day (…)   Could anyone hold up a lighted candle in his hands on this day, without at once remembering that old man, who on this same day, took up in his arms Jesus, God’s Word, clothed in flesh like a candle-flame clothed in wax and affirmed Him to be “the Light which would be a beacon for the Gentiles.”   Surely he was that “burning and radiant lamp” (Jn 5:35; 1,7) which bore witness to the light.   For this purpose he came in the Spirit, who had filled him, into the temple that he might “receive, O God, your loving-kindness in the midst of your temple” (Ps 48[47]:10) and declare him to be loving-kindness indeed and the light of your own people.

Truly, O holy Simeon, in the quiet contentment of old age you carried this light not simply in your hands but in the very dispositions of your heart.   You were like a lamp-standard, seeing so clearly how much the Gentiles would one day be lit up, while reflecting (…) the bright rays of our faith.   Old, yet still sincere, you can now be happy, in that, you really see what once you but foresaw.   Gone is the world’s gloom, “the Gentiles bask in this light of yours,” “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is 60:3; 6:3).” … Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c 1080-1157) Cistercian abbotwe must be burning with love ...and so take up christ in our hands like simeon bl guerric 2 feb 2020

PRAYER – May the Lord renew in you and in all consecrated people each day the joyful response to His freely given and faithful love. Dear brothers and sisters, like lighted candles, always and everywhere shine with the love of Christ, Light of the world.   May Mary Most Holy, the consecrated Woman, help you to live to the full, your special vocation and mission in the Church for the world’s salvation.   And may we all follow our Lord in obedience. Amen! … Pope Francisworld-day-consecrated-life-2018-2-feb-2018 AND 2 FEB 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on VIOLENCE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – So awaken Christ, remember Christ, may Christ awaken in you.   Think of Him.

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One Minute Reflection – 1 February – Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A , Readings: 2 Sm 12:1-7A, 10-17, Psalm 51(50),12-13.14-15.16-17, Mk 4:35-41 and the Memorial of Blessed Luigi Variara SDB (1875-1923)

And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that the boat was already filling.  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion … Mark 4:37-38

REFLECTION – “With the Lord’s grace, I am going to talk to you about today’s gospel. With God’s help, I also want to encourage you not to let faith sleep in your hearts in the midst of the storms and swells of this world.   Without any doubt, the Lord Jesus Christ exercised His power over sleep, no less than over death and, when He was sailing on the lake, the Almighty could not succumb to sleep, if He did not want to do so.   If you think He did not have this power, it is because Christ is asleep in you.   If on the contrary, Christ is awake in you, your faith is also awake.   The apostle Paul said: “May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Eph 3:17)

So Christ’s sleep is the sign of a mystery.   The people in the boat represent the souls that go through the life of this world on the wood of the cross.   Furthermore, the boat is a figure of the Church.   Yes, truly, all the faithful are temples where God dwells and the heart of each one of them, is a boat sailing on the sea.   It cannot go down if the mind maintains good thoughts.   You have been insulted, it is the wind that is whipping you. You became angry, it is the rising tide.   Thus, when the wind is whistling and the tide is rising, the boat is in danger.   Your heart is in danger, it is shaken by the waves.   The insult aroused in you, the desire for vengeance.   And you took vengeance, thus giving way to the fault of another and you were shipwrecked.  Why?   Because Christ went to sleep in you, that is to say, you forgot Christ.   So awaken Christ, remember Christ, may Christ awaken in you.   Think of Him.” … St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo and Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 63, 1-3mark 37-38 and a great storm of wind arose - so christ's sleep is a mystery - st augustine 1 feb 2020 -

PRAYER – Waken us holy Lord, to Your presence in us, with us, now and forever.   Open our eyes to see Your presence and our ears to hear Your voice.   Teach us that You are always with us and Your presence is all we need to survive the storms and the winds of this world.   For You, just You, are our rock and our foundation, our ship and our harbour.   Grant that the prayers of Blessed Luigi Variara and all Your saints may serve to remind us of Your love and power.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl luigi variara 1 feb2020 pray for us

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 1 February – I Will Love You Lord By St Bernard

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Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Saturday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year A

I Will Love You Lord
By St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

I will love You, O Lord,
my Strength,
my Stony Rock
and my Defense,
my Saviour,
my one desire and love.
I will love You
with all the power
You have given me –
not as much as You deserve to be loved,
for that can never be
but as much as I am able to.
The more power to love You give me,
the more I will love You.
Ameni will love you lord - st bernard - 1 feb 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 January – ‘The grain of mustard seed is the Lord’

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One Minute Reflection – 31 January – Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-10, 13-17, Psalm 51:3-7, 10-11, Mark 4:26-34 and the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier Bianchi CRSP (1743-1815) “Apostle of Naples” and St John Bosco (1815-1888)

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed…” … Mark 4:30-31

REFLECTION – “The Word of God is like a grain of mustard seed, before cultivation it looks extremely small.  But when it is cultivated in the right way, it grows so large, that the highest principles of both sensible and intelligible creation, come like birds to revive themselves in it.   For the principles – or inner essences of all things, are embraced by the Word but the Word is not embraced by anything.   Hence, the Lord has said, that whoever has faith like a grain of mustard seed, can move a mountain by a word of command (cf. Mt 17:20), that is, he can destroy the devil’s dominion over us and remove it from its foundation.

The grain of mustard seed is the Lord, who by faith is sown spiritually in the hearts of those who accept Him.   Whoever diligently cultivates the seed by practising the virtues, moves the mountain of earthbound pride and, through the power thus gained, expels the obdurate habit of sin.   In this way, the activity of the principles and qualities, or divine powers, present in the commandments, is revived as though they were birds. (…)   Those who seek the Lord should not look for him outside themselves.   On the contrary, they must seek Him, within themselves, through faith made manifest in action.

For it is written, “The word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rm 10:8), that is, the word of faith, Christ, being Himself, the word that is sought.” … Saint Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) Monk and Theologian – Second Century on Theology, nos. 10-11, 35mark 4 30-31 the grain of mustard seed is the lord - st maximus 31 jan 2020 to what shall I compare

PRAYER – Almighty Father, we bless You Lord of life, through whom all living things tend.   You are the source of all, our first beginning and our end!  Grant holy Father, that we may allow the Word to enter our hearts and grow by Your grace, so that we may always live for Your glory.   May the intercession of St Francis Xavier Bianchi and St John Bosco, who consistently tended Your seed, grant us strength and zeal.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.Saint_Francis_Xavier_Bianchi PRAY FOR US 31 JAN 2020st john bosco pray for us 31 jan 2019

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 31 January – Come, O Spirit, from on High!

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Our Morning Offering – 31 January – Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A and the Memorial of St John Bosco (1815-1888) Founder of the Society of St Francis de Sales now known as the Salesians

Come, O Spirit, from on High!
A Salesian Morning Invocation

Come, O Spirit, from on high!
Shine upon our inward eye,
Pierce the blindness of our sight!
Come, O Kinsman, to our aid.
Come with gifts that never fade,
Come and bathe us in Thy light!

Come, Consoler Spirit best,
Troubled Soul’s most welcome Guest,
Soothing hand on fevered brow!
Restful ease in toil and stress,
Cooling wind when heats oppress,
Comfort in all grief art Thou!

Light of lights in darkness shine,
Flood our hearts with light divine,
Burn within us, living Fire!
Amen!

come o spirit from on high a salesian morning invocation - 31 jan 2020 st john bosco

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 January – ‘…That it may give light.’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 January – Thursday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29, Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14, Mark 4:21-25 and the Memorial of Blessed Sebastian Valfrè CO (1629-1710)

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” … Mark 4:21

REFLECTION – “A well, when pumped regularly, produces purer water.   If neglected, and no-one uses it, it changes into a source of pollution.   Use, keeps metal brighter but disuse produces rust.   For, in a word, exercise produces a healthy condition both in souls and bodies.   So “No-one lights a candle and puts it under a bowl but upon a candlestick, that it may give light.”   For of what use is wisdom, if it fails to make those who hear it wise.” … St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Father of the Doctormark 4 21 is a lamp brought in - for of what use is wisdom - st clement of alexandria 30 jan 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your providence You rule us, You have planted us, penetrate our inmost being Your holy Light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service to You.  Grant us the grace and love to walk in Your ways and to radiate Your Light by our lives.   May the prayers of all the angels and saints and of Blessed Sebastian Valfrè be unfailing assistance to us.   Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl sebastian valfre pray for us 30 jan 2020 no 2