Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JUSTICE, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 October – ‘The requirement to live “underway.”

One Minute Reflection – 24 October – Wednesday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time Year C, Gospel: Luke 12:39-48 and The Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer

“Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be required”…Luke 12:48luke 12 48 - everyone to whom much is given - 23 oct 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “In various ways the Gospel modifies the challenge to Christians to live in a constant state of departing.
The more richly God has endowed Christians with gifts and thereby with assignments, the more God varies the requirement to live “underway.”
God’s assignments are carried out best if His servant, never loses sight of the fact, that he might be called to account at any moment – in other words – if every temporal moment is lived and shaped directly in and toward the light of eternity.   If he forgets this immediacy, he has forgotten the content of his earthly mission and the justice and righteousness it incorporates (“he begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants”).   It now becomes clear, that this justice-righteousness, can only be retained if the believer looks beyond the world to the requirements of eternal justice-righteousness, which is not merely an “idea” but is the living Lord, for whose appearance, all of the world history waits!” … Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)luke 12 48 everyone to whom much is given - to live underway - hans urs von balthasar 23 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to keep my death constantly before my eyes, for this is my final account. pray You for a holy life that my death may be holy and that I may come to You and live for all eternity with You. hen my hour is come, bid me come to You, Lord. ear the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, our Mother and your saints, who lived each moment of their lives for the glory of Your Kingdom. e ask this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!the jesus prayer - 23 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SAINT of the DAY, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 23 October – Jesus, My Saviour, Help Me

Our Morning Offering – 23 October – Wednesday of the Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer celebrated today by the Redemptorists

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 by st alsphonsus liguori 23 oct 2019 feast of the holy redeemer.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – ‘There are two means – prayer and detachment from self.’

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel Luke 12:35–38 and the Memorial of St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes ... Luke 12:37

REFLECTION – “What are we to do if we are to overcome our weakness of soul?   There are two means – prayer and detachment from self.   Our Lord Jesus counsels us to watch. We must be on the watch if we want our heart to be pure but our watching must be peaceful if our heart is to be touched.   Because it can be moved by good things or bad, within or without.   Thus we need to watch carefully.
As a general rule God’s inspiration is an unobtrusive grace, we mustn’t turn it away… if our heart’s aren’t awake, grace turns back.   Divine inspiration is very exact, just as a writer guides his pen, so the grace of God, guides the soul.   So let us try hard to attain greater interior recollection.
Our Lord wants us to desire to love Him.   The watchful soul notices when it falls and realises that, of itself, it cannot reach it’s destination.   That is why it experiences the need for prayer.   Our petition is founded on the conviction that we can do nothing of ourselves but God can do all.   Prayer is needed to obtain light and strength.” … Saint Maximilian Kolbe OFM (1894-1941) Martyr – Conference of 13/2/1941luke-12-37-blessed-are-those-servants-st max kolbe - what are we to do to overcome - 22 oct 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, strengthen in our hearts the faith You have given us, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled within us.   May Your Light shine through our lives and be constantly lit to lead us ready for the day the Lord Jesus calls.   St John Paul, by your prayers, may our way be made holy.   Through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st john paul II pray for us 18 may 2019 his birthday 99 years old

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – ‘The bridal train is sweeping by…’

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – Monday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 and the Memorial of Blessed Giuseppe “Pino” Puglisi (1937-1993) Priest, Martyr

But God said to him, ‘Fool!   This night your soul is required of you and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ … Luke 12:20

REFLECTION – “Take heed, watch – for you do not know when the time will come» (Mk 13:33)…   Let us then consider this most serious question, which concerns everyone of us so nearly—What it is to watch for Christ.   He says, “Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.   And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch!” (v.35 f.)…

Many men indeed are open revilers of religion, or at least openly disobey its laws but let us consider those who are of a more sober and conscientious cast of mind.   They have a number of good qualities and are in a certain sense and up to a certain point religious but they do not watch…  They do not understand that they are called to be strangers and pilgrims upon the earth (Heb 11:13) and, that their worldly lot and worldly goods, are a sort of accident of their existence and that they really have no property…  Now, it cannot surely be doubted, that multitudes in the Church, are such as I have been describing and that they would not, could not, at once welcome our Lord on His coming…

It is a most affecting and solemn thought, that He has actually called our attention to this very danger…  He warns His disciples of the danger of having their minds drawn off from the thought of Him, by whatever cause, He warns them against all excitements, all allurements of this world, He solemnly warns them, that the world will not be prepared for His coming and tenderly entreats of them, not to take their portion with the world. He warns them by the instance of the rich man whose soul was required, of the servant who ate and drank (Lk 12:45) and of the foolish virgins (Mt 25:2)…   The bridal train is sweeping by—Angels are there—the just made perfect are there—little children and holy teachers and white-robed saints and martyrs washed in blood…  His Bride hath made herself ready (Rv 19:7).   She has already attired herself, while we have been sleeping.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) – Cardinal, Founder of the Oratory in England, Theologian – Sermon: “Watching” (PPS, vol. 4, no. 22, passim)luke 12 20 - fool this night your sol - the bridal train is sweeping by - st john henry newman 21 oct 2019.jpg

“I’ve been expecting you.” – Blessed Giuseppe “Pino” Puglisi (1937-1993) Priest, Martyr – HIS LAST WORDS TO HIS MURDERERSi've been expecting you - bl pino puglisi last words 21 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to Yours and serve Your majesty in sincerity of heart.   Teach us to lay up riches in heaven and may the prayers of Blessed Pino Puglisi, who bravely fought against the worldly evils of the Mafia, assist us in our daily struggles against the idols of the world.   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.bl pino puglisi pray for us 21 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 21 October – Lord, God, Your light which Dims the Stars

Our Morning Offering – 21 October – Monday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C

Lord, God, Your light which Dims the Stars
Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal
Breviary Lauds Hymn

Lord, God, Your light which dims the stars
Awakes all things,
And all that springs to life in You
Your glory sings.

Your peaceful presence, giving strength,
Is everywhere,
And fallen men may rise again
On wings of prayer.

You are the God whose mercy rests
On all You made,
You gave us Christ, whose love through death
Our ransom paid.

We praise You, Father, with Your Son
And Spirit blest,
In whom creation lives and moves,
And finds its rest.lord god your light which dims the stars - breviary hymn (wed 1) 21 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – ‘Will the Lord “find faith upon the earth” when He returns?

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:1–8 and World Mission Sunday

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.” … Luke 18:6

REFLECTION – “As He often does, in today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the immoral realities of our world as His point of departure.   Here, it is the corrupt judge, elsewhere, it was the servant who defrauds his master, the prodigal son, the foolish rich man, the glutton, the wicked vineyard owner.
Beginning with what is familiar, Jesus wants to move up to the laws of the Kingdom of God.   Here, as in the parable of the friend knocking at the door at midnight, the point of comparison is the persistence of an importunate but not unjust request.
If even the wicked … then all the more God, who is good. Jesus wants to make utterly clear to us – God wants men to ask Him, even to pester Him.   If God gives man freedom and goes so far as to enter into covenant with him, then He is not merely concerned about human freedom but has bound Himself in a covenant with His partner without giving up His divine freedom – God will always give the petitioner what is best for him, “the good” (Mt 7:11), “the Holy Spirit” (Lk 11:12).   Whoever prays, in the Spirit of Christ, will be listened to without exception (Jn 14:12-14)   And the Gospel adds, “without delay.” God does not hear our prayers at some later date.   He hears and immediately responds with whatever best corresponds to the request.   A request, however, presupposes faith, which is why the Gospel ends with something for us to mull over – will the Lord “find faith upon the earth” when He returns?   It is we, who are listening here and not just anyone, who are being asked this!” … Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)luke 18 6 and the lord said listen to what the unrighteous judge says - whoever prays in the spirit of christ - hans ur von balthasar 20 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God and Father, grant us the grace of Your Spirit and fill us with the light of understanding and love.   May we learn to truly pray and by our prayers to entreat You to bless us in Your goodness and lead us to true faith in Your unfailing love and mercy.   Grant that by the prayers of your Saints we may be strengthened and depend only on You.   Holy Mother, be our protection and our guide  . We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin mary mother of god - pray for us - 5 aug 2018.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for PRIESTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 20 October – Unite Me to Thyself

Our Morning Offering – 20 October – Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C and World Mission Sunday

Unite Me to Thyself
From In Sinu Jesu
(The Journal of a Priest at Prayer)
Slightly adapted

O my beloved Jesus
unite me to Thyself,
my body to Thy Body,
my blood to Thy Blood,
my soul to Thy Soul,
my heart to Thy Heart,
all that I am,
to all that Thou are,
so as to make me with Thyself, O Jesus,
one with Thou
offered to the glory of Thy Father,
out of love for Thy spouse, the Church …
for the sanctification of Thy priests,
the conversion of sinners,
the intentions of Pope Francis
and in sorrowful reparation
for our innumerable sins.
Amenunite me to thyself - in sinu jesus 29C 20 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 October – ‘If necessary, even to die for the truth.’

One Minute Reflection – 19 October – Saturday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 12:8-12 and The Memorial of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko (1947-1984) Priest and Martyr

“And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also, will acknowledge before the angels of God…” … Luke 12:8

REFLECTION  – “It seems to me that in the history of the Church, in the history of Christianity, there are many examples showing to what extent you have to defend the Truth.   You have to defend it to the end.   Jesus Christ sacrificed His life in order to announce His Divine Truth.   Likewise, the apostles sacrificed their lives.   Therefore, the role of the priest is to proclaim the Truth and suffer for the Truth…… If necessary, even to die for the truth.   Such examples are plenty in Christianity and from these examples, we should draw conclusions, for ourselves.” … Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko (1947-1984) Priest and Martyrluke 12 8 and i tell you everyone who acknowledges me - the role of the priest - bl jerzy 19 oct 2019

PRAYER – God of power and mercy, You gave Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, the grace to overcome the sufferings of his nation through the good of the Gospel and to face his own martyrdom with unfailing courage through Your love for him, grant us, who celebrate his victory, that the power of Your protecting hand may keep us unshaken in the face of our ancient enemy and all his hidden snares.   Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, pray for us! Through our Lord Jesus Christ, in union with our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.bl jerzy popiesluscko pray for us 19 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC TIME, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – An October Prayer

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – Saturday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday in October!

An October Prayer

Mother, at thy feet is kneeling
One who loves thee–it’s thy child
Who has sighed so oft’ to see thee,
Bless me, Mother, Mother mild.
And when storms are raging round me,
And when tempests hover near,
In thy own sweet arms enfold me,
Shield me, Mother, Mother dear.
Mother, when my Saviour calls me
From this world of sin and strife,
Clasp me upon thy spotless bosom,
Let me bid farewell to life.
Plead for me when Jesus judges,
Answer for me when He asks
How I’ve spent so many moments,
How performed so many tasks.
Tell Him I was weak and feeble,
Yes, that I so often strayed
From the thorny path of virtue
To the one with roses laid.
Yet, O Mother, tell my Jesus
That I loved Him fond and true
And, O Mother, dearest Mother,
Tell Him I belong to you.
Then He’ll place me (yes, I feel it)
Close to thee, O Mother dear,
Then I’ll praise and bless and thank thee
Thru eternity’s long years.
Amen

Catholic Telegraph Register, 4 October 1957an october prayer - 19 oct 2019 .jpg

 

Posted in CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC Quotes, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 October – “I too have decided … to write it down..”

One Minute Reflection – 18 October – The Feast of St Luke the Evangelist, Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, pray therefore, the Lord of the harvest, to send out labourers into his harvest.” … Luke 10:2

Saint Luke’s testimony – “I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately to write it down in an orderly sequence” (Luke 1:3)

REFLECTION – “Among all the Scriptures, even those of the New Testament, the Gospels have a special pre-eminence and rightly so, for they are the principal witness for the life and teaching of the incarnate Word, our Saviour.   The Church has always and everywhere, held and continues to hold, that the four Gospels are of apostolic origin.  For what the Apostles preached in fulfilment of the commission of Christ, afterwards, they themselves and apostolic men, under the inspiration of the divine Spirit, handed on to us in writing – the foundation of faith, namely, the fourfold Gospel, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Holy Mother Church has firmly and with absolute constancy, held and continues to hold, that the four Gospels just named, whose historical character the Church unhesitatingly asserts, faithfully hand on what Jesus Christ, while living among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation until the day He was taken up into heaven (Acts 1:1-2). Indeed, after the Ascension of the Lord the Apostles handed on to their hearers what He had said and done.   This they did with that clearer understanding which they enjoyed after they had been instructed by the glorious events of Christ’s life and taught by the light of the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:26).

The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels, selecting some things from the many which had been handed on by word of mouth or in writing, reducing some of them to a synthesis, explaining some things in view of the situation of their churches and preserving the form of proclamation but always, in such fashion, that they told us the honest truth about Jesus.   For their intention in writing, was that either from their own memory and recollections, or from the witness of those who “themselves from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word” we might know “the truth concerning those matters about which we have been instructed” (Lk 1, 1-4). … Vatican Council II – Dogmatic Constitution on Revelation “ Dei Verbum ” # 18-19luke 1 3 - i too have decided - luke 10 2 the harvest is plentiful 18 oct 2019 feast of st luke.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, You chose St Luke to reveal the mystery of Your love in his preaching and his writings.   Grant, we pray, that we may grow in love for the Holy Face of Christ, His words and His directions, revealed to us in the Gospels, in the example of your saints.   Today, on his feast, we especially look to St Luke, to guide, teach and pray for us.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.st-luke-pray-for-us-18-oct-2017-no-2.jpg

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 18 October – Holy and Learned, Great Saint Luke

Our Morning Offering – 18 October – The Feast of St Luke,

Holy and Learned, Great Saint Luke
Prayer/Hymn in Honour of St Luke
Morning Prayer from the Breviary

Holy and learned, great Saint Luke, we praise you,
Closely you followed in the steps of Jesus,
As supreme witness to his life and teaching
Shedding your life-blood.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
You left in writing, for all time to study
Stories unrivalled for their depth and beauty,
Christ’s love revealing.

Yours are the records which we read with pleasure
Of the beginning of the Church so fervent,
Under the impulse of the true and living
Spirit of Jesus.

Paul’s earnest helper, sharer in his travels,
Zealous as he was, with a heart as loving,
Make our souls also steadfast and devoted
To the Lord Jesus.

Tender physician, use your gift of healing,
Comfort our weakness with a faith unswerving,
So that rejoicing we may praise forever
God the Almighty.
Amenholy and learned great st luke - feast of st luke 18 oct 2019 hymnn prayer breviary.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRADITION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – Tradition stands, the Faith dies.

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – Thursday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:47–54 and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Father of the Church, Martyr

“Woe to you! for you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed.” … Luke 11:47

REFLECTION – ” The biggest sin of the Pharisees is that they persecute and even kill the messengers God has sent to purify and reform their religion.  They are so caught up in the rut of their traditions, that they cannot heed or tolerate the voice of the prophets. They stone the present prophets and build monuments to the ancient ones.
Often we too make the same mistakes.
We are keen in preserving the names of great people who lived among us.   We may even build monuments to their memory.   But we fail to imbibe and live by their spirit.   It is surprising how the creative spirit of a religious tradition can die in the hands of those who are faithfully seeking to preserve the tradition itself – the tradition stands, the faith dies.
That is what happened to the Pharisees of Jesus’ time and it is happening to us as well.” … Fr Joseph Thena SSPwoe to you scribes luke 11 47 - gods word fr joseph thena - tradition stands faith dies - 17 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, grant that I may believe what I have learned, never presuming to know better than the teachings of Holy Mother Church and that I may put into practice what I believe.   Let my commitment be like unto the Martyr, St Ignatius of Antioch, who went with joy to his horrific death, for the faith in Christ, Your Son, God with You and the Holy Spirit.   St Ignatius, pray for us, amen.st ignatius of antioch pray for us - 17 oct 2017.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 17 October – A Martyr’s Prayer, St Ignatius of Antioch

Our Morning Offering – 17 October – Thursday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Father of the Church, Martyr and St Francois Isidore Gagelin (1799-1833) Priest and Martyr

A Martyr’s Prayer
By St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107)
Father of the Church, Martyr

I am the wheat of God,
and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts,
that I may be found the pure bread of God.
I long after the Lord,
the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ.
Him I seek, who died for us and rose again.
I am eager to die for the sake of Christ.
My love has been crucified
and there is no fire in me that loves anything.
But there is living water springing up in me
and it says to me inwardly,
“Come to the Father”
Ameni am the wheat of god - st ignatius of antioch 17 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection- 16 October – “Woe to you Pharisees!”

One Minute Reflection- 16 October – Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 and the Memorial of St Marie Marguerite d’Youville (1701-1771)

“Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places.”…Luke 11:43woe-to-you-pharisees-luke-11-43-17-oct-2018.jpg

REFLECTION – “Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ.   So pray, that I may never fall into the trap, of impressing people, with clever speech but instead, I may learn, to speak with humility, desiring only to impress people with Christ Himself.”…St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Father of the Church, Martyrchristianity is not a matter of persuading people - st ignatius of antioch - 16 oct 2019

PRAYER – Lord Jesus Christ, You wondrously revealed all of the deep treasures of Your Heart to Your saints.   May their merits and example win us the grace to love You above all things and in all things so that we may make our abode in Your own Sacred Hea  rt. With You, for You and in You, may we assist and love our neigh  bour. Hear the prayers of St Marguerite d’Youville on our behalf dear Lord, we beg.   Through Christ our Lord, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God who live and reign forever, amen.st marguerite dyouville pray for us 16 oct 2019

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

Our Morning Offering – 16 October – The One Thing Necessary

Our Morning Offering – 16 October – Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Gerard Majella (1726-1755), Redemptorist Brother

The One Thing Necessary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
Founder of the Redemptorists

O my God,
help me to remember,
that time is short, eternity long.
What good is all the greatness of this world
at the hour of death?
To love You, my God
and save my soul is the one thing necessary.
Without You, there is no peace of mind or soul.
My God, I need fear only sin
and nothing else in this life,
for to lose You, my God, is to lose all.
O my God, help me to remember,
that I came into this world with nothing,
and shall take nothing from it when I die.
To gain You, I must leave all.
But in loving You,
I already have all good things,
the infinite riches of Christ and His Church in life,
Mary’s motherly protection and perpetual help
and the eternal dwelling place
Jesus has prepared for me.
Eternal Father, Jesus has promised
that whatever we ask
in His Name will be granted us.
In His Name, I pray,
give me a burning faith,
a joyful hope,
a holy love for You.
Grant me perseverance in doing Your will
and never let me be separated from You.
My God and my All,
make me a saint.
Amente one thing necessary st alphons liguori 16 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – Only God fills the soul and fills it wholly.

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:37–41 and the Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church “Doctor of Prayer”

And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness.”…Luke 11:39

REFLECTION – “If the world that seeks my God were to know, if those learned men who seek for God in science and endless discussion were to know, if people did but know where to find God, how many wars would be prevented, what peace there would be in the world, how many souls would be saved!   Unreasoning and stupid that you look for God where He is not!   Listen and be filled with awe – God is in our hearts, I know it.   God lives in the human heart when this heart lives withdrawn from all that is not Him, when this heart heeds God’s knock at its door (Rv 3,20) and, sweeping and cleaning all its rooms, makes itself ready to welcome Him who alone truly satisfies.

How sweet it is to live like this, with God in the heart.   What sublime peace to find oneself filled with God!…   What little trouble it is, rather it should be said, there is no trouble in doing what He wishes, since we love His will and even pain and suffering are His peace, since we suffer for love.   Only God fills the soul and fills it wholly.   Let scientists go on asking – Where is God?   He is where those clever ones, arrogant in their knowledge, cannot reach.” … Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938) – Spanish Trappist monk (Spiritual writings)luke 11 39 cleanse the outside of the cup - only god fills the soul st rafael arnaiz baron 15 oct 2019

PRAYER – Almighty God, our Father, You sent St Teresa of Jesus to be a witness in the Church to the way of perfection.   Sustain us by her spiritual doctrine and kindle in us, the longing for true holiness.   Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever.   May the intercession of St Teresa be a source of strength, amenst-teresa-of-jesus-pray-for-us-215-oct-2017.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 15 October – A Love Song

Our Morning Offering – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

A Love Song
By St Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Majestic sovereign, timeless wisdom,
Your kindness melts my hard, cold soul.
Handsome lover, selfless giver,
Your beauty fills my dull, sad eyes.
I am Yours, You made me.
I am Yours, You called me.
I am Yours, You saved me.
I am Yours, You loved me.
I will never leave Your presence.
Give me death, give me life.
Give me sickness, give me health.
Give me honour, give me shame.
Give me weakness, give me strength.
I will have whatever You give.
Amena love son by st thresa of avila - 15 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – ‘Let us beware of losing all hope…’

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – Monday of the Twenty Eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:29–32 and the Memorial of Blessed Roman Lysko (1914–1949) Priest and Martyr

“For they repented at the preaching of Jonah and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” … Luke 11:32

REFLECTION – “Let us beware of losing all hope but let us also avoid giving in too easily to carelessness…   Despair hinders those who have fallen, from getting up again and carelessness causes those who are standing, to fall…   If presumption casts us down from the heights of heaven, despair casts us into the infinite depths of evil, whereas a little hope is enough to hold us back…
This is how Nineveh was saved.   However, the divine judgement pronounced against the Ninevites was of a nature to throw them into confusion since it did not say:  “If you repent you will be saved” but simply:  “Three more days and Nineveh will be destroyed” (Jon 3:4).   Nevertheless, neither the Lord’s threat, nor the prophet’s preaching, nor even the severity of the judgement… caused their confidence to fail.   God wants us to draw a lesson, from this unconditional judgement that taught by this example, that we may resist despair as much as passivity…  Besides, divine good will does not only reveal itself in the forgiveness granted to the repentant Ninevites.. the respite granted them, attests likewise, to His unutterable goodness.   Do you imagine that three days would have been enough to wipe out so much wickedness?   God’s good will is breaking out from behind these words and, besides, isn’t it the principal worker of the whole city’s salvation?
Let this example keep us from despairing.   For the devil thinks of this form of weakness as his most successful weapon and, even when we sin, we could not give him greater pleasure than when we lose hope.” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Father & Doctorluke 11 32 for they repented at the preaching of jonah - despair hope - st john chrysostom 14 oct 2019

PRAYER – Eternal, almighty God and Father, teach us true sorrow and repentance.  Grant us the grace of trust and hope in Your unfailing love, that we may resist despair as we face the sin of the world and the wiles of the evil one.   As we walk always in the Light of Christ, Your Son, following His way, we may never fall into temptation.   May the intercession of Your saints and martyrs, be always an assistance to us all.   Mary, our Mother of merciful love and Blessed Roman Lysko, pray for us.   Through Christ our Lord and the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.merciful mother mary pray for us 14 oct 2019

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 14 October – The Grace of Thy Love

Our Morning Offering – 14 October – Monday of the Twenty Eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

The Grace of Thy Love
By Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O My God,
strengthen me with Thy strength,
console me with Thy everlasting peace,
soothe me with the beauty of Thy countenance,
enlighten me with Thy uncreated holiness.
Bathe me in Thyself
and give me to drink,
as far as mortal man may ask,
of the rivers of grace
which flow from the Father and the Son,
the grace of Thy consubstantial,
co-eternal Love.
Amenthe grace of they love - st john henry newman - 14 oct 2019

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 October – ‘I offer You these humble prayers…’

One Minute Reflection – 13 October – Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 17:11–19 and the Memorial of Blessed Alexandrina of Balazar

And he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. …Luke 17:16

REFLECTION – “O Heart of Jesus all love, I offer You these humble prayers for myself and for all those, who unite themselves with me, in spirit to adore You.
O holiest Heart of Jesus most lovely, I intend to renew and to offer to You, these acts of adoration and these prayers, for myself, a wretched sinner and for all those, who are associated with me in Your adoration, through all moments which I breath, even to the end of my life.   I recommend to You, O my Jesus, Holy Church, Your dear spouse and our true Mother, all just souls and all poor sinners, the afflicted, the dying and all mankind. Let not Your Blood be shed for them in vain.   Finally, deign to apply it in relief of the souls in Purgatory and of these in particular….” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)luke 17 16 and he fell on his face and thanked him - o holiest heart of jesus - st john henry newman 13 oct 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, open our hearts to Your Grace, that we may be filled with Your light and overflow with gratitude for Your merciful love.   May we love and adore and worship You in return.   Although we are sinners, our hearts long to thank You in total trust and humble thankfulness.   Grant that by the prayers of Blessed Alexandrina of Balazar, we may grow in holiness.   Through Your only Son, our Saviour and Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen._bl alesancdrina of balazar pray for us 13 oct 2019

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 13 October – O Good Jesu By St John Henry Newman

Our Morning Offering – 13 October – Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C and today, John Henry Newman will be Canonised

O Good Jesu
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification.
Body of Christ, be my salvation.
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins.
Water of Christ’s side, wash out my stains.
Passion of Christ, my comfort be.
O good Jesu, listen to me.
In Thy wounds, I fain would hide.
Ne’er to be parted, from Thy side.
Guard me, when my life shall fail me,
Bid me come to Thee above,
With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end,
Ameno good jesus - soul of christ - st john henry newman 13 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MISSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 October – ..’What the saints have understood and lived’

One Minute Reflection – 12 October – Saturday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:27–28 and the Memorial of Blessed Jan Beyzym SJ (1850–1912), “Apostle of the Lepers of Madasgascar”

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” … Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Jesus was speaking to the crowd.   Some of them did not understand and were debating and a woman said:  “Blessed is she who has been your mother and bore you!”   A woman who shouts that out, it’s marvellous, things like that!   Ordinary people in the authentic, how profound!   This is the moment when Jesus will say:  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”   He wants to move away from that family environment – today one would speak of one’s “circle”.   In mountainous districts or the countryside, family bonds are very close, they form a kind of little tribe.   Jesus distances himself from that.
Someone said to Him: “Your mother and your brothers are waiting outside — Who is my mother?   Who are my brothers?   Those who do the will of God” (cf. Lk 8:20-21) — He establishes a society that is transnatural, not founded on shared sensibilities, social conditions of class and origin.   No, it’s another thing altogether.   To this woman He will say:  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”   But the woman had listened to the word of God since she had said to Him:   “Blessed is she who has been your mother!” (Lk 8:19-21; 11:27-28).   It is not blame that Jesus directs at her, on the contrary, it is a confirmation, saying:   ‘Blessed are you for having understood that there is something greater than familial relationships, something which adds to familial relationships what they are capable of bearing of light when they are received but which are of another order.’
Well then!   See what has been proclaimed to us, what the saints have understood and which they have lived.” ... Cardinal Charles Journet (1891-1975) Theologian – Conferences given at Geneva between 1972 and 1974 on St. John’s gospel.luke 11 28 blessed rather are those - card charles journet - blessed are you for having understood 12 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – “O my God, whatever is nearer to me than You, things of this earth and things more naturally pleasing to me, will be sure to interrupt the sight of You, unless Your grace interfere. Keep You my eyes, my ears, my heart, from any such miserable tyranny. Keep my whole being fixed on You. Let me never lose sight of You and while I gaze on You, let my love of You grow more and more every day.” … Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890)   May we run the race in obedience and love of the Will of our God, as Blessed Jan Beyzym did, always seeking Your Face in those who are the least and whose prayers we beg.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl jan beyzym pray for us 12 oct 2019.jpg

raise my heart by bl john henry newman 4 sept 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – O Mother of Jesus and my Mother

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – Saturday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C – a Marian Saturday

O Mother of Jesus and my Mother
By Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O Mother of Jesus and my Mother,
let me dwell with you, cling to you
and love you with ever-increasing love.
I promise the honour,
love and trust of a child.
Give me a mother’s protection,
for I need your watchful care.
You know better than any other
the thoughts and desires of the Sacred Heart.
Keep constantly before my mind
the same thoughts,
the same desires,
that my heart may be filled with zeal
for the interests of the Sacred Heart
of your Divine Son.
Instil in me a love of all that is noble,
that I may no longer be easily turned to selfishness.
Help me, dearest Mother,
to acquire the virtues that God wants of me,
to forget myself always,
to work solely for Him,
without fear of sacrifice.
I shall always rely on your help
to be what Jesus wants me to be.
I am His; I am yours, my good Mother!
Give me each day your holy and maternal blessing
until my last evening on earth,
when your Immaculate Heart
will present me to the heart of Jesus in heaven,
there to love and bless you
and your divine Son for all eternity.
Ameno mother of jesus ad my mother - 12 oct 2019 john henry newman .jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – ‘What have You ever done to me but good?’

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – Friday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel Luke 11:15–26 and the Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you…Luke 11:20

REFLECTION – ” “The finger:   “It is by the finger of God that [Jesus] casts out demons.” If God’s law was written on tablets of stone “by the finger of God” (Ex 31,18), then the “letter from Christ” entrusted to the care of the apostles, is written “with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2Cor 3,3).   The hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” invokes the Holy Spirit as the “finger of the Father’s right hand.”…CCC 700but-if-it-is-by-the-finger-luke-11-20-the-finger-ccc700-12-oct-2018 and 11 oct 2019

“What things ought I render to Almighty God that He has made me what I am?   It is a matter of grace … I am what I am, not from any excellence or merit of my own but by the grace of God who has chosen me to believe.   Has He not visited me with over-abundant grace?   And was it not necessary for my hardened heart to receive more than other people? …
Lord You have poured on me Your grace.   You have been with me in my perplexities.  You have forgiven me my sins.   You have satisfied my reason.   You have made faith easy. You have given me Your saints, You show before me, day after day, Your own Passion – why should I leave You?   What have You ever done to me but good?” … Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)wht things ought I render to almighty god - john henry newman 11 oct 2019

PRAYER – Almighty Father, let Your light so penetrate our minds, that we may walk always in that light and follow Your Son, the Way, the Truth and the Life.   Fill us with understanding and may the Holy Spirit guide us in love.   Allow the intercession of St Pope John XXIII who followed Your light so faithfully be of help to us all.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-john-23-pray-for-us-11-oct-2017

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Every Day I Need You, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Friday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

Every Day I Need You, Lord
By St Pope John XXIII

Every day I need You, Lord
but today especially,
I need some extra strength
to face whatever is to come.
This day, more than any other day,
I need to feel You near me
to strengthen my courage
and to overcome any fear.
By myself, I cannot meet
the challenge of the hour.
We are frail human creatures
and we need a higher power
to sustain us in all that life may bring.
And so, dear Lord,
hold my trembling hand.
Be with me, Lord, this day
and stretch out,
Your powerful arm to help me.
May Your love be upon me
as I place all my hope in You.
Amenevery day I need you Lord - st john XXIII - 11 oct 2018

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 October – ‘You are ever listening for my voice.’

One Minute Reflection – 10 October – Thursday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Gospel: Luke 11:5–13 and the Memorial of Blessed Angela Truszkowska (1825-1899)

“For everyone who asks, receives and he who seeks, finds and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”… Luke 11:10luke 11 10 - for everyone who asks receives - 10 oct 2019

REFLECTION – “Yes, my Lord, You do desire that I should ask You, You are ever listening for my voice.   There is nothing I cannot get from You.   Oh, I confess my heinous neglect of this great privilege.   I am very guilty.   I have trifled with the highest of gifts – the power to move Omnipotence.   How slack I am, I in praying to You for my own needs! how little have I thought of the needs of others!   How little have I brought before You the needs of the world – of Your Church!   How little have I asked for graces in detail! and for aid in daily wants!   How little have I interceded for individuals!   How little have I accompanied actions and undertakings, in themselves good, with prayer for Your guidance and blessing!”…  Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)yes my lord you do desire - on prayer - luke 11 10 ask and you willl receive -10 oct 2019

PRAYER – Help us my Lord, to discern through prayer and meditation, what You truly want of us.   Then enable us to offer it to You and indeed to offer myself and all I have to You.   Teach us to listen that we might hear Your answers, teach us to wait in patience for that which we ask and to trust in Your answer and teach us to constantly knock at Your door in prayer.   May Blessed Angela Truszkowska, pray for Holy Mother Church, pray for all the members of the Mystical Body, pray for our sons and daughters and for us all, pray for me! Amenbl angela truszkowska pray for us 10 oct 2019

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

Our Morning Offering – 10 October – Unite Me to Your Sacred Heart

Our Morning Offering – 10 October – Thursday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Blessed Angela Truszkowska (1825-1899)

Unite Me to Your Sacred Heart
By Blessed Angela Truszkowska (1825-1899)

My Lord, You bid us to suffer,
therefore, my poor soul desires it.
I want to suffer, O Jesus
but with You,
to suffer but for the love of You,
to suffer but in silence and in solitude,
so that no-one would know
that I suffer, only You,
so that only You would hear the groanings of my soul
and only You would see my tears.
Ah! Teach me, O Lord,
to suffer in that way,
teach me to suffer without seeking any consolation,
to suffer without craving the sympathy of creatures,
to suffer without even
expecting the eternal joys of heaven.
Teach me to suffer,
not because suffering is the source of merit and glory
but because it unites us to You
and makes our hearts
like unto your Sacred Heart.
Amen

(The text was written on sheets of paper bound together with two works of St Alphonsus Ligouri.   Mother Angela gave this book to Sr Anna Bielska as a gift on the first anniversary of her profession, 8 December 1861.)unite me to your sacred heart - bl angel truszkowska 10 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – To My Father

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Wednesday of the Twenty Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:1–4 and the Memorial of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“Father, hallowed be thy name.”…Luke 11:2hallowed-be-thy-name-10-oct-2018.jpg

REFLECTION – “Thou art all-holy, yet I come before Thee.   I place myself, under Thy pure and piercing eyes which look me through and through and discern every trace and every motion of evil within me.   Why do I do so?
First of all, for this reason.   To whom should I go?   What can I do better?   Who is there in the whole world that can help me?   Who that will care for me, or pity me, or have any kind thought of me, if I cannot obtain it of Thee?   I know Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity but I know again, that Thou art all-merciful and that Thou so sincerely desires my salvation, that Thou has died for me.   Therefore, though I am in a great strait, I will rather fall into Thy hands, than into those of any creature ….
I have an instinct within me, which leads me to rise and go to my Father, to name the Name of His well-beloved Son and having named it, to place myself, unreservedly in His hands, saying “if Thou, Lord, will mark iniquity, Lord, who shall stand it?   For with Thee, there is merciful forgiveness.” … Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890) To My Fatheri have an instinct within me which leads me to rise and go to my father john henry newman 9 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.   Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.   Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.   And grant us Lord, our Father, that the prayers of Blessed John Henry Newman, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all our holy saints, may help us in our needs.   We make our prayer, through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.the lord's prayer - matthew 6 7-15 -  and 9 oct 2019no 2  20 feb 2018 (1).jpg

Posted in HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 9 October – Praise to the Holiest in the Height

Our Morning Offering – 9 October – Wednesday of the Twenty Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

 

Praise to the Holiest in the Height
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise:
In all His words most wonderful;
Most sure in all His ways.

O loving wisdom of our God,
When all was sin and shame,
He, the last Adam, to the fight
And to the rescue came.

O wisest love! that flesh and blood
Which did in Adam fail,
Should strive afresh against the foe,
Should strive and should prevail.

And that a higher gift than grace
Should flesh and blood refine,
God’s presence, and His very self
And essence all-divine.

O generous love! that He, who smote
In man for man the foe,
The double agony in man
For man should undergo.

And in the garden secretly,
And on the cross on high,
Should teach His brethren, and inspire
To suffer and to die.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise:
In all His words most wonderful;
Most sure in all His ways.Praise to the Holiest in the Height - bl john henry newman - 9 oct 2018

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Martha and Mary

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Goaspel: Luke 10:38–42 and the Memorial of Saint Simeon

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”…Luke 10:41-42

REFLECTION – ” Has not the desire of wealth so eaten into our hearts, that we think poverty the worst of ills, that we think the security of property the first of blessings, that we measure all things by mammon, that we not only labour for it ourselves but so involve in our own evil earnestness all around us, that they cannot keep from the pursuit of it though they would?   Does not the frame-work of society move forward on such a plan as to enlist into the service of the world all its members, almost whether they will or no?   Would not a man be thought unaspiring and unproductive, who cared not to push forward in pursuit of that which Scripture calls “the root of all evil,” the love of which it calls “covetousness which is idolatry,” and the possession of which it solemnly declares all but excludes a man from the kingdom of Heaven?   Alas! can this be denied?
And, therefore, of course, the entire system of tranquil devotion, holy meditation, freedom from worldly cares, which our Saviour praises in the case of Mary, is cast aside, misunderstood, or rather missed altogether, as much as the glorious sunshine by a blind man, slandered and ridiculed as something contemptible and vain.   Surely, no-one, who is candid, can doubt, that, were Mary now living, did she choose on principle that state of life in which Christ found her, were she content to remain at Jesus’ feet hearing His word and disengaged from this troublesome world, she would be blamed and pitied.   Careless men would gaze strangely and wise men compassionately, on such an one, as wasting her life and choosing a melancholy, cheerless portion.   Long ago was this the case.   Even in holy Martha, zealous as she was and true-hearted, even in her instance, we are reminded of the impatience and disdain with which those who are far different from her, the children of this world, regard such as dedicate themselves to God.   Long ago, even in her, we seem to witness, as in type, the rash, unchristian way in which this age disparages devotional services.”…Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890)martha-martha-luke-10-41-42-does-not-the-frame-work-of-society-bl-john-henry-newman-9-oct-2018 and 8 oct 2019.jpg 

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, as one family of man, give us the grace this day, to see Your Face in our neighbour and to seek all who need our help.   Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory and for our neighbour’s good and never cease to praise Your glory and beg the grace of Your love and mercy.   May the prayers of St Simeon and may Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.mary motber of god st simeon - presentation - mem of st simeon 8 oct 2019 pray for us.jpg