Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in ART DEI, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 6 November – Tis I – Be not Afraid!

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Our Morning Offering – 6 November – Wednesday of the Thirty  First week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Tis I – Be not Afraid!
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

WHEN I sink down in gloom or fear,
Hope blighted or delayed,
Thy whisper, Lord, my heart shall cheer,
“’Tis I – be not afraid!”

Or, startled at some sudden blow,
If fretful thoughts I feel,
“Fear not, it is but I!” shall flow,
As balm my wound to heal.

Nor will I quit Thy way, though foes
Some onward pass defend,
From each rough voice the watchword goes,
“Be not afraid!… a Friend!”

And O! when judgement’s trumpet clear
Awakes me from the grave,
Still in it’s echo may I hear,
“’Tis Christ! He comes to save.”tis I be not afraid - st john henry newman 6 nov 2019.jpg

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

One Minute Reflection – 5 November – ‘He sends them into the highways, because wisdom sings aloud in passages.’ – St Ambrose

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One Minute Reflection – 5 November – Tuesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 14:15–24 and the Memorial of St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

“‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame…”… Luke 14:21luke 14 21 - go out quickly into the streets and alleys - parable of the great banquet 5 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “He turned to the Gentiles from the careless scorn of the rich.   He invites both good and evil to enter in order to strengthen the good and change the disposition of the wicked for the better.   The saying that was read today is fulfilled, “Then wolves and lambs will feed together.”   He summons the poor, the maimed and the blind.   By this, he shows us, either that handicaps do not exclude us from the kingdom of heaven and whoever lacks the enticements of sinning rarely offends, or that the Lord’s mercy forgives the weakness of sinners.   Whoever glories in the Lord glories as one redeemed from reproach not by works but by faith.

He sends them into the highways, because wisdom sings aloud in passages.   He sends them to the streets, because he sent them to sinners, so that they should come from the broad paths to the narrow way that leads to life.   He sends them to the highways and hedges.   They, who are not busied with any desires for present things, hurry to the future on the path of goodwill.   Like a hedge that separates the wild from the cultivated and wards off the attacks of wild beasts, they can distinguish between good and evil and extend a rampart of faith against the temptations of spiritual wickedness.” … St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father & Doctor of the Church (Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 7)he sends them to the highways -luke 14 21 parable of the great banquet st ambrose 5 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God, to whom this world with all its goodness and beauty belongs, You give us life to joyfully follow Your commandments and to learn Your ways.   Guard our hearts, that we may always hear and accept Your invitation and race to attend Your banquet in honour of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.   Fill us with an active love to run our race in holiness and may the prayers of Your servant, St Guido Maria Conforti, be a help in our efforts.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st guido maria conforti pray for us 5 nov 2019

Posted in ON the SAINTS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – Saint Guido Maria Conforti:  Driven by the Gospel

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Our Morning Offering – 5 November – Saint Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

Prayer of the Church
The Church honours Saint Guido Maria Conforti

These prayers are composed based on certain characteristics of Saint Guido Maria Conforti and his life as Bishop and Founder.   From his writings and the witness of people who have come to know this great Bishop of the 20th century, we appreciate his gifts as follower of the Word, Good Shepherd, contemplative of the Cross, faithful disciple, founder of a missionary family, at the service of humanity, model of unity, discerner of the signs of the times, a person driven by the Gospel and a disciple of Jesus the missionary of the Father.

Saint Guido Maria Conforti:  Driven by the Gospel

O God, who through
the contemplation of the Cross,
imprinted on the heart
of Saint Guido Maria Conforti
a burning love for the proclamation
of the Gospel to all nations.
Grant that, through his intercession,
we too may be filled by the same love of Christ,
to constantly work for the salvation
of all our brothers and sisters.
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

More beautiful prayers here: http://www.guidoconforti.com/Resource/Res_PrayerChurch.htmst guido maria conforti driven by the gospel - 5 november 2019.jpg

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PURGATORY, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The HOLY FACE, The HOLY SOULS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 November – ‘O my Lord, what a day, a long day without ending …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 November – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), Gospel: John 6:37-40

‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ … John 6:34john 6 34 - come o blessed of my father 2 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Thomas came and touched Thy sacred wounds.   O will the day ever come when I shall be allowed actually and visibly to kiss them?   What a day will that be when I am thoroughly cleansed from all impurity and sin and am fit to draw near to my Incarnate God in His palace of light above! what a morning, when having done with all penal suffering, I see Thee for the first time with these very eyes of mine, I see Thy countenance, gaze upon Thy eyes and gracious lips without quailing and then kneel down with joy to kiss Thy feet and am welcomed into Thy arms.
O my only true Lover, the only Lover of my soul, Thee will I love now, that I may love Thee then.   What a day, a long day without ending, the day of eternity, when I shall be so unlike what I am now, when I feel in myself a body of death and am perplexed and distracted with ten thousand thoughts, anyone of which, would keep me from heaven.
O my Lord, what a day when I shall have done once for all with all sins, venial as well as mortal and shall stand perfect and acceptable in Thy sight, able to bear Thy presence, nothing shrinking from Thy eye, not shrinking from the pure scrutiny of Angels and Archangels, when I stand in the midst and they around me!” … Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)thomas came and touched thy sacred wounds - st john henry newman 2 nov 2019 holy souls.jpg

PRAYER-   Breviary Hymn – Psalter Week 3 –  It were my Soul’s Desire

It were my soul’s desire
To see the face of God;
It were my soul’s desire
To rest in His abode.

Grant, Lord, my soul’s desire,
Deep waves of cleansing sighs;
Grant, Lord, my soul’s desire
From earthly cares to rise.

It were my soul’s desire
To imitate my King,
It were my soul’s desire
His ceaseless praise to sing.

It were my soul’s desire
When heaven’s gate is won
To find my soul’s desire
Clear shining like the sun.

This still my soul’s desire
Whatever life afford,
To gain my soul’s desire
And see Thy face, O Lord.it-were-my-souls-desire-breviary-hymn-sat-psalter-week-3-18-aug-2018 and 2 nov 2019.jpg

 

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PURGATORY, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering – 2 November – O Most Gentle Heart of Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 2 November – Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

O Most Gentle Heart of Jesus
A Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

O most gentle Heart of Jesus,
ever present in the Blessed Sacrament,
ever consumed with burning love
for the poor captive souls in Purgatory,
have mercy on the souls
of Your departed servants.
Be not severe in Your judgements,
but let some drops of Your Precious Blood
fall upon the devouring flames.
And do You, O Merciful Saviour,
send Your holy angels to conduct them
to a place of refreshment, light and peace.
Amenprayer-for-the-holy-souls-o-most-gentle-heart-of-jesus-month-of-the-holy-souls-1-nov-2018 and 2019.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 November – ‘With all the Saints…’

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One Minute Reflection – 1 November – The Solemnity of All the Saints, Gospel: Matthew 5:1–12

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”…Matthew 5:12

REFLECTION – “But in the last day of the judgement of God, after we shall have risen again with our glorified bodies through the power of the Lord, these same shall be white and gleaming as snow shining clear in the sun, transparent as crystal…   And Christ our cantor and precentor, shall sing with His glorious sweet voice, an endless canticle of the praise and honour of His heavenly Father and we shall all sing the same, with glad heart and clear voice, eternally and without end.   The joy and glory of our souls, shall flow into our senses and through all our members and we shall look upon ourselves with eyes of glory, hearing and declaring and singing the praise of the Lord with unfailing voices.

Christ shall minister to us and show us His radiant Face and His glorious Body with all the marks of faithfulness and love therein impressed.   And we shall see all the glorious bodies clothed with all the many tokens of love won in the service of God since the beginning of the world…  And our living hearts shall flame with burning love for God and all His saints…

Christ in His human nature, shall rule the right-hand choir, for He is the loftiest and noblest being of all that has been made by God and to this choir belong all in whom He lives and who live in Him.   The other choir is that of the angels, for although they are of a more excellent nature, we have a higher gift in Jesus Christ, with Whom we are one. And on that account, Christ Jesus will be the High Priest between the choirs of angels and of men before the throne of the sovereign majesty of God.   And before His heavenly Father, God Almighty, He will offer and renew all sacrifices which have ever been offered by angels and by men and these same, shall be ceaselessly renewed and remain established in the glory of God.” … Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381) Canon Regular, “Doctor Divinus Ecstaticus” , Mystic, Spiritual Writer – The seven steps of the ladder of spiritual loverejoice and be glad - matthew 5 12 - christ shall minister to us bl jan van ruysbroec 1 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God, today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place.   May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love. Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, our trusted guide and loving mother and all you holy Saints of the Church Triumphant, pray for us!   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mother-mary-trusted-guide-pray-for-us-1-nov-2018and 2019

all saints in heaven pray for us 1 nov 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 October – “Do you not know that you are the temple of God ..”

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One Minute Reflection – 31 October – Thursday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time, Ywear C, Gospel: Luke 13:31–35 and The Memorial of St Wolfgang of Regensburg (c 934 –994)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem” ... Luke 13:34

REFLECTION – “Believers are valued according to the merits of their faith and not the place they live in.   And God’s true worshippers have no need of Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim to worship the Father because “God is spirit” and his worshippers should “worship him in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:21-23).   Now, “the Spirit breathes where he will” (Jn 3:8) and “the Lord’s is the earth and its fullness” (Ps 24[23]:1)…

The holy places of the Cross and Resurrection are only of use to those who carry their cross, rise with Christ daily and prove themselves worthy of living in such localities.   As for those who say: “The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord” (Jer 3:8), let them listen to the apostle’s words:  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells within you?” (1 Cor 3:16)…” … St Jerome (347-420) Father & Doctorluke 13 34 o jerusalem jerusalem - the holy places - st jerome 31 oct 2019

PRAYER – Shed Your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled.   Grant that the prayers of St Wolfgang of Regensburg, who always held Your Light up for others to see by, give us strength. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st wolfgang pray for us 31 oct 2019

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The TRANSFIGURATION

Our Morning Offering – 31 October – This is my Joy, to Follow my Saviour

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Our Morning Offering – 31 October – The Memorial of St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)

This is my Joy, to Follow my Saviour
By St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)

Jesus, love of my soul,
centre of my heart!
Why am I not more eager to endure pains
and tribulations for love of You,
when You, my God,
have suffered so many for me?
Come, then, every sort of trial in the world,
for this is my delight, to suffer for Jesus.
This is my joy, to follow my Saviour
and to find my consolation
with my Consoler on the Cross.
This is my happiness,
this my pleasure:
to live with Jesus,
to walk with Jesus,
to converse with Jesus,
to suffer with and for Him,
this is my treasure.
Amenthis is my joy to follow my saviour st alphonsus rodrigues 31 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 October – ‘Jesus is the door.’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 October – Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time, Year , Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

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

REFLECTION – “Jesus is the door.   It is a narrow door but always wide open to everyone. It is narrow not because it is oppressive but so as to prohibit the entry of pride which bloats us.   To go along this path, one must pass through a door.   But where is the door? What is it like?   Who is the door?   Jesus himself is the door (cf. Jn 10,9).   He himself says it, ‘I am the door’ in John’s Gospel.   He leads us in communion with the Father, where we find love, understanding and protection. …the-whole-of-our-life-must-pass-through-the-narrow-door-pope-francis-25-june-2019-and 30 oct 2019.1.jpg

… The door of God’s mercy is narrow but always wide open, wide open for everyone!   God has no favourites but always welcomes everyone, without distinction.   A door, that is narrow to restrict our pride and our fear.   Open because God welcomes us without distinction.   And the salvation that He gives us is an unceasing flow of mercy…which breaks down every barrier and opens up surprising perspectives of light and peace.   The narrow but always open door…” … Pope Francis 21 August 2016luke 13 24 strive to enter through the narrow door - jesusd is the door - pope francis 30 oct 2019

PRAYER – Shed Your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled.   Grant that the prayers of the Virgin Mary, merciful Mother, we ask help so that we seize the opportunities that the Lord gives us to cross the threshold of faith.   Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin merciful mother pray for us 30 oct 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 October – ‘It is Christ who grants such great strength to this yeast…’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 October – Tuesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 13:18-21

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.” … Luke 13:20luke 13 20 to what shall i compare the kingdom - it is like - leaven 29 oct 2019

REFLECTION – “Our Lord next puts forward the parable of the yeast.   “Just as yeast communicates its invisible force to the whole lump of dough, so will the force of the Gospel transform the whole world, by means of the apostles’ ministry…   Don’t ask me: ‘What can we twelve, miserable sinners do in face of the whole world?’   This is precisely the vast difference between cause and effect, between a handful of men before a crowd, which will demonstrate the stunning effect of your strength.   Isn’t it by mixing the yeast into the dough, by ‘hiding’ it as the Gospel says, that it transforms the whole lump?   In the same way, apostles of mine, it is by being mixed into the great mass of peoples that you will impregnate them with your spirit and win victory over your adversaries.   Even as it disappears into the mass, yeast does not lose its strength.   To the contrary, it changes the whole dough’s nature.   In the same way, your preaching will change all peoples.   Therefore, be full of confidence”…

It is Christ who grants such great strength to this yeast…   So don’t blame Him for the small number of His disciples – it is the strength of the message that is great…   A spark is enough to change a few sticks of dry wood into a blaze that will afterwards set even all the green wood at the edge on fire.” … St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) Father & Doctor of the Churchluke 13 20 - leaven - it is christ who is the leaven - st john chrysostom 29 oct 2019

PRAYER – True light of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, as You enlighten all men for their salvation, give us grace, we pray, to herald Your coming by preparing the ways of justice and of peace.   Help us Lord, that we may sprout and bear fruit, fitting to grow and be a home of comfort to our neighbour. By the prayers of St Narcissus of Jerusalem, who bore the seed of Your Word to many, may we too be heralds of Your Kingdom.   Through Jesus our Lord, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

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

Our Morning Offering – 30 October – You are the Giver of all Heavenly Gifts

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Our Morning Offering – 30 October – Wednesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

You are the Giver of all Heavenly Gifts
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

You are fire, enkindle in me Your love.
You are light, enlighten my mind
with the knowledge of eternal things.
You are the Dove, give me innocence of life.
You are the gentle Breeze,
disperse the storms of my passions.
You are the Tongue,
teach me how to bless You always.
You are the Cloud,
shelter me under the shadow of Your protection.
And lastly, You are the Giver of all heavenly gifts,
animate me,
I beseech You, with Your grace, sanctify me
with Your charity, enlighten me
with Your wisdom, adopt me by Your goodness as Your child
and save me in Your infinite mercy,
so that I may ever bless You, praise You and love You,
first during this life on earth,
and then in heaven for all eternity.
Amenyou are the give of all heavenly gifts - you are fire - st alphonsus liguori 30 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 29 October – O Holy Spirit, Soul of My Soul

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Our Morning Offering – 29 October – Tuesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Désiré Joseph Cardinal Mercier – (21 November 1851-23 January 1926) was Archbishop of Malines, Belgium from 1906 until his death.   Besides the heroic leadership he demonstrated during World War I, he hosted the famous Catholic-Anglican dialogue known as the ‘Malines Conversations’ and obtained the establishment of the liturgical feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, with its proper Mass and Office.
His spiritual mentor was Blessed Dom Columba Marmion.
Here, in his own words, is the daily practice he recommended:

“I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness.   Every day for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to the things of sense and your ears to all the noises of the world, in order to enter into yourself.   Then, in the sanctity of your baptised soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit), speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him:

O Holy Spirit, Soul of My Soul
By Désiré Joseph Cardinal Mercier (1851-1926)

O Holy Spirit,
Soul of my soul,
I adore You!
Enlighten me,
guide me,
strengthen me,
console me.
Tell me what I should do,
give me Your orders.
I promise to submit myself
to all that You desire of me
and to accept, all
that You permit to happen to me.
Just make me know Your Will.
Amen

If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials.   Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you strength to carry it and you will arrive at the Gate of Paradise, laden with merit.   This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.”

Cardinal Mercier was also a noted Thomist scholar and the founder of the higher Institue of Philosophy at Louvain University, as also, the Revue Neoscholastique. … (In Sinu Jesu, Monday 16 March 2009)o holy spirit soul of my soul - cardinal desire joseph mercier in sinu jesu 29 oct 2019.jpg

 

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 October – “The weakness of God is stronger than all men”

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One Minute Reflection – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs, Gospel: Luke 6:12-19

And when it was day, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostle … Luke 6:13luke 6 13 he called his disciples and chose twleve - 28 oct 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Saint Paul said:  “The weakness of God is stronger than all men” (1Cor 1:25).   It is clear from this too that the gospel is divine.   For whence did it strike twelve unlettered men to attempt such great enterprises, men who were living in marshes, or rivers, in desert places, who had never perhaps gone into a city or the public square? Whence did it strike them to array themselves against the whole world?   That they were cowardly and unmanly, he who has written about them shows, inasmuch as he does not even deprecate nor try to gloss over their failings.   This, in itself, is a powerful proof of the truth.   What then does this man say about them?   That after the innumerable miracles they had seen Christ work, when He was taken prisoner some fled, while the one who remained, although he was head over the rest, denied Him.

Here were men who failed to stand up to the Jews when Christ was alive.   Yet when He died and was buried, they arrayed themselves against the whole world…  Would they not have said to themselves:  “What is this?   He had not strength to save Himself, will He protect us?   He did not defend Himself when He was alive, will He reach out His hand to us, now He is dead?   When He was alive He did not conquer a single nation—shall we convince the whole world by speaking His name?”…   Hence it is clear that, if they had not seen Him risen and received this mighty proof of His power, they would never have risked such a gamble.” … St John Chrysostom (c.345-407) Priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church – Homily on the 1st letter to the Corinthians 4, 3here were men who failed to stand up to the jews - st john chrysostom feast of simon and jude 28 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, You taught us to call upon Your name, through the preaching of the Apostles.   Open our eyes each day, grant that we may see Jesus Your Son at our side, open our ears that we may hear His voice, open our mouths, that we may beg forgiveness and proclaim the good news, as we follow the way Your Son carved out for us.   At the intercession of Sts Simon and Jude, may Your Church continue to grow and to hope in Your love.   We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.sts simon and jude pray for us 28 oct 2019

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

Our Morning Offering – 28 October – One Joyful Hymn of Praise must Greet

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Our Morning Offering – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs

Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of Apostles.

One Joyful Hymn of Praise must Greet
Morning Hymn
On the Feast of Sts Simon and Jude
From the Breviary
The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK

One joyful hymn of praise must greet
Apostles whom we always find
Together in the Gospel’s page,
By faithful love and zeal combined.

To follow Christ in early youth
Was surely Simon’s joy and pride,
Before the Zealot would set forth
To preach His Name both far and wide.

Saint Jude, a kinsman of our Lord,
In heart and mind yet closer still,
Your words remain until this day
With hope and love our souls to fill.

As brothers both in life and death,
A martyr’s crown was your reward,
As shining witnesses to truth
And victims worthy of your Lord.

O gleaming stars in heaven’s light
Help us to tread our thorny way,
That with our faith alert and strong
We may attain to glory’s day.

Be praised the Father evermore,
The Holy Spirit and the Son,
May we rejoice before God’s throne
Eternally when life is done.
Amenone joyful hymn of praise must greet hymn for the feast of sts simon and jude 28 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

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One Minute Reflection – 27 October – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:9–14

‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ … Luke 18:13

REFLECTION – “The Gospel of the two men praying in the temple, the Pharisee and the tax collector, reveals to what kind of prayer penetrates to God.
We notice a difference even in their respective postures.   The one stands “with unbowed head” as if the temple belongs to him, while the other “keeps his distance,” as if he has crossed the threshold of a house in which he really does not belong.
The first one prays “to himself,” really, not even praying to God but reviewing for himself the list of his virtues assuming that, when God Himself notices them, He will respect them and marvel at them.   Moreover, this man catalogues his virtues as a means of setting himself off from “other men,” none of whom have attained his level of perfection. He is travelling the road of “self-discovery,” which is precisely the path of “loss of God.” The other man can only discover sin in himself, can only find himself devoid of God, which, as he pleads, “be merciful to me,” turns into an empty place for God to occupy.  No-one, whose ultimate goal is his own perfection, will ever find God.
Anyone who has the humility to permit God’s perfection to take effect in his emptiness – not by being passive but by working with the talent He gives him – will be considered a “justified” person in the sight of God.” … Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)luke 18 13 be merciful to me a sinner pharisee and tax collector - the first one prays to himself hans urs von blathasar 27 oct 2019 

PRAYER – Lord God, deepen our faith, strengthen our hope, enkindle our love and so that we may obtain what You promise, make us love what You command.   Mary, holy Mother, teach us complete humility and trust, help us to be a total fiat as you are.   We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.blessed virgin mother mary pray for us - 27 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 27 October – Adoro te Devote, latens Deitas!

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Our Morning Offering – 27 October – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Adoro te Devote, latens Deitas!
I Devoutly Adore You, hidden Deity
By St John Paul II (1920-2005)

We adore You, O wonderful Sacrament
of the presence of the One
who loved His own “to the end.”
We thank You, O Lord,
who edifies,
gathers together
and gives life to the Church.
O divine Eucharist, flame of Christ’s love
that burns on the altar of the world,
make the Church, comforted by You,
evermore caring, in wiping away,
the tears of the suffering
and in sustaining the efforts
of all who yearn for justice and peace.
And you, Mary, “Eucharistic” Woman
who offered your virginal womb
for the incarnation of the Word of God,
help us to live the Eucharistic Mystery
in the spirit of the “Magnificat.”
May our lives be a never-ending praise
of the Almighty who concealed Himself
beneath the humility of the Eucharistic signs.

Adoro te devote, latens Deitas. ..
Adoro te… adiuva me!

I Devoutly Adore You, hidden Deity
I Adore You, help me!adoro te devote latens deitas st john paul 27 oct 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 October – The fruitless tree

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One Minute Reflection – 26 October – Saturday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:  Luke 13:1-9 and the Memorial of Blessed Bonaventura of Potenza OFM Conv (1651-1711)

And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down, why should it use up the ground?’…Luke 13:7

REFLECTION – “The Lord also has something very fitting to say about a fruitless tree, “Look, it is now three years that I have been coming to it.   Finding no fruit on it, I will cut it down, to stop it blocking up my field.”   The gardener intercedes.   This tree is the human race.   The Lord visited this tree in the time of the patriarchs, as if for the first year.   He visited it in the time of the law and the prophets, as if for the second year.   Here we are now, with the gospel the third year has dawned.   Now it is as though it should have been cut down but the Merciful One intercedes with the Merciful One.   He wanted to show how merciful He was and so He stood up to Himself with a plea for mercy.   “Let us leave it,” he says, “this year too.   Let us dig a ditch around it.”   Manure is a sign of humility. “Let us apply a load of manure, perhaps it may bear fruit.”   Since it does bear fruit in one part and in another part does not bear fruit, its Lord will come and divide it.   What does that mean, “divide it”?   There are good people and bad people now in one company, as though constituting one body.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 254)luke-13-7-and-he-said-to-the-vinedresser-ST AUGUASTINE - 26 OCT 2019 THE LORD ALSO .jpg

PRAYER – Come to help us in our weakness, God of mercy, forgive the sins of Your people and as nothing we can do is worthy in Your sight, save us through the intercession of the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ.   May the prayers of all your saints and we entreat Your servant, Blessed Bonaventura of Potenza to add his prayers on our behalf.   We make our prayer through Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl bonaventura of potenza pray for us 26 oct 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Hail MARY!, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 26 October – Ave Maria, Amen

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Our Morning Offering – 26 October – Saturday of the Twenty-ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

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.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 October – ‘let us seize upon the grace that is by Christ’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 October – Friday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 12:54-59 and the Memorial of Bl Thaddeus McCarthy (c 1455–1492)

“As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge and the judge hand you over to the officer and the officer put you in prison.” … Luke 12:58

REFLECTION – “Now all of us, without exception, upon earth are guilty of offences, he who has a suit against us and accuses us, is the wicked Satan – for he is “the enemy and the exactor.”   While, therefore, we are in the way, that is, ere yet we have arrived at the termination of our life here, let us deliver ourselves from him, let us do away with the offences of which we have been guilty, let us close his mouth, let us seize upon the grace that is by Christ, which frees us from all debt and penalty and delivers us from fear and torment, lest, if our impurity be not cleansed away, we be carried before the judge and given over to the exactors, that is, the tormentors, from whose cruelty no man can escape, yea, rather, who will exact vengeance for every fault, whether it be great or small.

Far removed from this danger are those who search for the time of Christ’s corning and are not ignorant of His mystery but well know that the Word, though He be God, has shone forth upon the inhabitants of earth in likeness as one of us, that freeing them from all blame, He may bless with exceeding happiness those who believe in Him and acknowledge Him as God and the Son of God, by Whom and with Whom to God the Father be praise and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444), Father & Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Luke (1859) Sermons 89-98.luke 12 58 now as you go with your accuser - now all of us are guilty - st cyril of alex 25 ocvt 2919

PRAYER – Lord God, You fill us with Your grace and teach us true faith. Strengthen in our hearts that faith that no trials may quench the fire, that we may seek Your face in every moment and accept AND LIVE all of Your will. Send us Your Spirit to keep the fire blazing. May the humble love and intercession of Mary Mother of our faith, be our succour and may Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy intercede for us on our pilgrim way. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl thaddeus mccarthy pray for us 25 oct 2919

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

Our Morning Offering – 25 October – O Sacred Heart of Jesus by St John Henry Newman

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Our Morning Offering – 25 October – Friday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

O Sacred Heart of Jesus
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
living and quickening source of eternal life,
infinite treasure of the Divinity
and burning furnace of divine love.
You are my refuge and my sanctuary,
O my amiable Saviour.
Consume my heart with that burning fire
with which Your Heart is ever inflamed.
Pour down on my soul
those graces which flow from Your love
and let my heart be so united with Yours,
that our wills may be one
and mine in all things,
be conformed to Yours.
May Your divine will
be equally the standard
and rule of all my desires
and of all my actions.
Ameno sacred heart of jesus by st john henry newman 25 oct 2019

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

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – May I know You and Make You known

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Our Morning Offering – 24 October – Thursday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

May I know You
and Make You known
By St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)
Founder of the Claretian Missionaries

O my God and my Father,
may I know You
and make You known,
love You
and make You loved,
serve You
and make You served,
praise You
and make all creatures praise You.
Grant, my Father,
that all sinners be converted,
all the just persevere in grace
and all of us
attain to eternal glory.
Amenmay I know you and make you known - st anthony mary claret 24 oct 2019.jpg

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.”

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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

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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.’

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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…’

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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

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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?

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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

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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.’

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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

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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