Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – ‘He is true God…’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – Friday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 13:54–58 and The Memorial of St Eusebius of Vercelli (c 283-371)

Is not this the carpenter’s son?…And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.…Matthew 13:55,58

REFLECTION – “For if I do not understand the nature placed at my service, I discern Your goodness from the mere fact that it is there to serve me.   I perceive that I do not even understand myself but I wonder at You all the more…  You have given me intellect, life and human feeling, the source of so many joys, yet I do not begin to understand how I began to be…
So it is through failing to understand what surrounds me, that I grasp what You are and it is through perceiving what You are, that I come to adore You. That is why, in what concerns Your mysteries, my incomprehension, lessens not a bit my faith in Your omnipotence…  Your eternal Son’s birth exceeds even the idea of eternity, it is prior to the times everlasting.   Before any other thing that exists, He was Son proceeding from You, O God and Father.   He is true God…  You have never existed without Him… Before ever time was, You are the eternal Father of Your Sole Begotten One.”…St Hilary (315-368) Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Churchis-not-this-the-carpenters-son-matthew-13-5558-st-hilary-so-it-is-through-failing-to-understand-3-aug-2018.and 2 aug 2019jpg

PRAYER – “So long as I enjoy that breath of life granted to me by You, Holy Father, Almighty God, I will proclaim You as God eternal but also as Father eternal.   Never will I set myself up as judge of Your almighty power and mysteries, never will I set my limited understanding before the true appreciation of Your infinity, never will I claim You to have existed beforehand without Your Wisdom, Power and Word, God the Only-Begotten, my Lord Jesus Christ.   For even though human language is weak and imperfect when it speaks of You, this will not inhibit my mind, to the point of reducing my faith to silence, for lack of words, able to express the mystery of Your being…” (St Hilary)   Lord God, You hold out the light of Your Word to those who do not know You.   Strengthen in our hearts the faith You have given us, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit kindled within us  . Grant that the prayers of St Eusebius of Vercelli, may assist us to grow in love of You.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st eusebius of vercelli pray for us 2 aug 2019

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

Our Morning Offering – 2 August – Lord Jesus, Come and Reign!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 August – The Memorial of By St Peter Julian Eymard SSS (1811-1868) “Apostle of the Eucharist”

Lord Jesus, Come and Reign!
By St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)

O Yes, Lord Jesus,
come and reign!
Let my body
be Your temple,
my heart,
Your throne,
my will,
Your devoted servant,
let me be Yours forever,
living only in You
and for You!
Amenlord jesus come and reign - 2 aug 2019 by st peter julian eymard.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 August – “Thus it will be at the end of the age.”

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One Minute Reflection – 1 August – Thursday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 13:47–53 and the Memorial of St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

“Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” … Matthew 13:49-50matthew 13 49-50 thus it will be at the end of the age - 1 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “St Augustine and St Thomas define mortal sin to be a turning away from God – that is, the turning of one’s back upon God, leaving the Creator for the sake of the creature.
What punishment would that subject deserve who, while his king was giving him a command, contemptuously turned his back upon him to go and transgress his orders?
This is what the sinner does and this is punished in hell with the pain of loss,
that is, the loss of God, a punishment richly deserved by him who in this life turns his back upon his sovereign good.” … St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Churchst-augustine-and-st-thomas-define-mortal-sin-st-alphonsus-1-aug-2017.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, grant us this day the grace to live in Your light and follow your precepts. Desert us not in our temptations but grant us Your strength against the power of the evil one. May our deeds be ever true to Your commandments and our thoughts pleasing in Your sight. May the pattern and prayers of St Alphonsus be an inspiration on our way. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st alphonsus liguori pray for us - 1 august 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 1 August – Inflame our hearts with Your love

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 August – Thursday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

Prayer of Saint Alphonsus to the Holy Spirit

You made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the apostles
with a holy zeal.
Inflame our hearts with Your love
You are the spirit of goodness,
Give us the courage to confront evil
You are fire,
Set us ablaze with Your love
You are light,
Enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly important.
You are the dove,
Give us gentleness
You are a soothing breeze,
Bring calm to the storms that rage within us.
You are the tongue,
May our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the cloud,
Shelter us under the shadow of Your protection
O Holy Spirit,
melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us an earnest desire to please You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amenprayer to the holy spirit by st alphonsus liguori 1 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SACRAMENTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 July – Where your treasure is…

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One Minute Reflection – 31 July – Wednesday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46 and The Memorial of St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field” … Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Christ is the treasure store of all grace for He is “filled with grace and truth” (Jn 1:14) and angels and humans receive from His fullness.   He possesses the very source of fullness and, when He opens His hand, He fills all rational creatures with blessings.   But this treasure store of graces, is concealed beneath the veil of the sacrament of the altar.   Is it not true that “the Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field”? (Mt 13:44).   And is not the field, in this case, the sacrament of the body of Christ, gathered in the fields?   In this field we possess a hidden treasure because all kinds of graces are hidden there.   “The man who discovered it went away in his joy, sold all he possessed and bought it” (Mt 13:44).   Someone who knows the wealth of this sacrament willingly renounces all other activity, to freely give himself to participation and devotion towards this sacrament.   He knows he will gain possession of eternal life according to the words of the Lord:   “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (Jn 6:55).
The treasure of all glory exists in Christ.   All the glory, possessed by both angels and men, who are to be saved until the day of judgement, whether it be glory of body or glory of soul, is drawn from that store of treasure.   For that store is He, the one whose treasures go to great depths and who set the incomprehensible limits of His glory.   And so, He commands us to run to this treasure when He says:   “Gather up treasure for yourselves in heaven” (Mt 6:20).   This treasure is hidden beneath the veil of bread and wine that you might have the merit of faith.
So may the Lord be praised for His mercies since He represented His Body to us beforehand under the image of heavenly treasure!” … St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Doctor of the Churchmatthew 13 44 the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure - the treasure of all glory exists in christ st bonaventure 31 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God, grant that the example of Your saints may spur us on to perfection, so that we, who are celebrating the feast of St Ignatius, may follow him step-by-step in his way of life to reach You in heaven.   Grant us the grace, by his intercession, to find our treasure in Your divine Son, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.st-ignatius loyola -pray-for-us-2-31-july-2017 2018 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 31 July – Suscipe and then Teach us, Good Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 31 July – The Memorial of St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Suscipe
By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Take, Lord
and receive all my liberty,
my memory,
my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To You, Lord,
I return it.
Everything is Yours,
do with it what You will.
Give me only Your love
and Your grace,
that is enough for me.
Amen

Teach Us, Good Lord
By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve You as You deserve;
to give
and not to count the cost,
to fight
and not to heed the wounds,
to toil
and not to seek for rest,
to labour
and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing
that we are doing Your will.
Amen

suscipe - st ignatius loyola - 20 oct 2018

teach-us-good-lord-st-ignatius-loyola-31-july-2018 and 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TIME, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 July – “I will come to an end.   I will not remain forever.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 July – Tuesday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 13:36–43 and the Memorial of St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Father & Doctor of the Church

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.   He who has ears, let him hear.” … Matthew 13:43

REFLECTION – Christians of the first centuries said, “The world was created for the sake of the Church” (Hermas).   God created the world for the sake of communion with His divine life, a communion brought about by the “convocation” of men in Christ and this “convocation” (ecclesia) is the Church.   The Church is the goal of all things and God permitted such painful upheavals as the angels’ fall and man’s sin only as occasions and means for displaying all the power of His arm and the whole measure of the love He wanted to give the world:   “Just as God’s will is creation and is called “the world,” so His intention is the salvation of men and it is called “the Church” (St Clement of Alexandria).

The gathering together of the People of God, began, at the moment when sin destroyed the communion of men with God and that of men among themselves. the gathering together of the Church is, as it were, God’s reaction to the chaos provoked by sin.   This re-unification is achieved secretly in the heart of all peoples:  “In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable” to God (Acts 10,35).   The remote preparation for this gathering together of the People of God begins when He calls Abraham and promises that He will become the father of a great people (Gn 12,2).   Its immediate preparation begins with Israel’s election as the People of God (Ex 19,5).   By this election, Israel is to be the sign of the future gathering of all nations (Is 2,2)….

It was the Son’s task to accomplish the Father’s plan of salvation in the fullness of time. It’s accomplishment was the reason for His being sent… To fulfil the Father’s will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven on earth, the Church “is the Reign of Christ already present in mystery” (Vatican II, LG 3)…   “The Church . . . will receive its perfection only in the glory of heaven,” (LG 48) at the time of Christ’s glorious return…   Until that day, “the Church… longs for the full coming of the Kingdom… The Church and through her, the world, will not be perfected in glory without great trials.   Only then will “all the just from the time of Adam, ‘from Abel, the just one, to the last of the elect,’ be gathered together in the universal Church in the Father’s presence” (LG 2). … CCC #760-769matthew 13 43 then the righteous shall shine like the sun - it was the son's task ccc 760-766 30 july 2019.jpg

“This week, let’s ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom of time, the wisdom regarding the end, the wisdom of the resurrection, the wisdom of the eternal encounter with Jesus, that we are able to understand that this wisdom is in our faith.   It will be a day of joyful encounter with Jesus.   Let us pray that the Lord prepare us for this.   Let each one of us end this week thinking about the end – “I will come to an end.   I will not remain forever. How would I like to come to an end?”… Pope Francis (Santa Marta, 27 November 2018)matthew 13 43 then the righteous shall shine - this week let us ask - 30 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty Father, send forth Your Spirit, that we may be created and Thou shall renew the face of the earth.   O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.   Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.   St Peter Chrysologus, pray for us! st peter chrysologus pray for us.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 30 July – I submit myself to Your eternal plan

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 30 July – Tuesday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Traditional Morning Offering
for Unity with God’s Will

My God,
I do not know what may happen to me this day
but of one thing I am certain,
that nothing will happen
but what You have foreseen
and ordered from all eternity.
I submit myself to Your eternal plan
and accept it with a willing heart.
I unite myself
to the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, my Saviour,
In His name
and through His merits,
I ask of You, patience,
in all my trials and disappointments
and a total submission
to all that will happen to me
according to Your divine plan.
Amentraditional morning offering for unity with god's will 30 july 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 July – “Lord, I believe”

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One Minute Reflection – 29 July – Monday of the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Martha, Gospel: John 11:19–27

“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” … John 11:27

REFLECTION – “Christ went to raise Lazarus and the fame of that miracle was the immediate cause of His seizure and crucifixion (Jn 11,46)…   He felt that Lazarus was wakening to life at His own sacrifice, that He was descending into the grave which Lazarus left.   He felt that Lazarus was to live and He to die, the appearance of things was to be reversed, the feast was to be kept in Martha’s house (Jn 12,1f.) but the last passover of sorrow remained for Him.   And Jesus knew that this reverse was altogether voluntary with Him.   He had come down from His Father’s bosom to be an Atonement of blood for all sin and, thereby, to raise all believers from the grave, as He was then about to raise Lazarus and to raise them, not for a time, but for eternity…

Contemplating then the fullness of His purpose, while now going about a single act of mercy, He said to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die.”   Let us take to ourselves these comfortable thoughts, both in the contemplation of our own death, or upon the death of our friends.   Wherever faith in Christ is, there is Christ Himself.   He said to Martha, “Believe thou this?”   Wherever there is a heart to answer, “Lord, I believe,” there Christ is present.   There our Lord vouchsafes to stand, though unseen—whether over the bed of death or over the grave, whether we ourselves are sinking, or those who are dear to us.   Blessed be his name! nothing can rob us of this consolation, we will be as certain, through His grace, that He is standing over us in love, as though we saw Him.   We will not, after our experience of Lazarus’s history, doubt an instant that He is thoughtful about us and that he stands at our side.” … Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Cardinal, founder of the Oratory in England, theologian – Sermon “ The Tears of Christ at the Grave of Lazarus ” PPS, vol. 3, no.10john 11-27 yes lord i believe - st martha - he had come down - bl john henry newman 29 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty ever-living God, Your Son graciously came as a guest to the home of St Martha and was the friend of her family. Martha in her sorrow was moved to declare her total faith in Him, grant we pray, that in our trials and sorrows, we too may prove our love for You.   By her prayers give us grace to serve Christ faithfully in our brethren and bring us to Your home in heaven.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, amen.st-martha-pray-for-us-2-29 july 2017.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS

Our Morning Offering – 29 July – Lord God Look Down upon Us!

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Our Morning Offering – 29 July – Monday of the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Martha

Lord God Look Down upon Us!
(A Prayer for Workers)
By Pope Francis

Lord God look down upon us!
Look at this city, this island.
Look upon our families.
Lord, You were not without a job,
You were a carpenter,
You were happy.
Lord, we have no work.
The idols want to rob us of our dignity.
The unjust systems want to rob us of hope.
Lord, do not leave us on our own.
Help us to help each other;
so that we forget our selfishness a little
and feel in our heart the “we”,
the we of a people
who want to keep on going.
Lord Jesus, You were never out of work,
give us work and teach us to fight for work
and bless us all.
In the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
Amen

*Prayer to the Lord at the conclusion of the meeting with workers (Cagliari, 22 September 2013)LORD GOD LOOK DOWN UPON US BY POPE FRANCIS A PRAYER FOR WORK 29 JULY 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 July – ‘Before all else …’

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One Minute Reflection – 28 July – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:1–13 and the Memorial of St Pedro Poveda (1874-1936) Martyr

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

REFLECTION – “The attitude of prayer is one and the same for all but there are many kinds of prayer and many different prayers.   Some converse with God as with a friend and master, interceding with praise and petition not for themselves but for others.  Some strive for more (spiritual) riches and glory and for confidence in prayer.   Others ask for complete deliverance from their adversary.   Some beg to receive some kind of rank, others for complete forgiveness of debts.   Some ask to be released from prison, others for remission of accusations.
Before all else, let us list sincere thanksgiving, first on our prayer-card.   On the second line we should put confession and heartfelt contrition of soul.   Then let us present our petition to the King of all.   This is the best way of praying.” … St John Climacus (c 575-c.650) The Ladder of Divine Ascent 28, 6-7luke 11 10 for everyone who asks - befoe all else let us put sincere thanksgiving st john climacus 28 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-powerful and ever-living God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, chase away the night of sin and fill our minds with the glory of Your coming.    Take away our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, help us in our battle with sin and the devil.   By our prayers, Your holy sacraments and the strength of the Holy Spirit, may we be ever vigilant of the evil one.   By our baptism in Your Son, we are Your children, grant us Your protection.   Listen, to the prayers of Saint Pedro Poveda, as we ask for his intercession, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st pedro poveda pray for us 28 july 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 28 July – Make Your Dwelling in Me

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Our Morning Offering – 28 July – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Make Your Dwelling in Me
By St John Damascene (675-749)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Hold dominion over my heart, O Lord!
Keep it as Your inheritance.
Make Your dwelling in me,
along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Widen in me
the cords of Your tabernacle,
even the operations
of Your Most Holy Spirit.
For You are my God
and I will praise You,
together with the Eternal Father
and your quickening Spirit,
now, henceforth and forever.
Amenmake your dwelling in me - st john damascene - 28 july 2019 17 sun year C.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – ‘No-one who has land is free from care.’

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One Minute Reflection – 27 July – Saturday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: 13:24-30

“Let both grow together until the harvest and at harvest time, I will tell the reapers, gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned but gather the wheat into my barn.’”… Matthew 13:30

REFLECTION – “It is not only sheep who abide in the Church, nor do only clean birds fly there to and fro.   But amongst the grain other seed is sown, for “amidst the neat grain-fields, burrs and weeds and barren oats lord it in the land” (Virgil’s Georgics).   What is the farmhand to do?   Root up the darnel?   In that case the whole harvest is destroyed along with it!
Every day the farmer diligently drives away the birds by making a noise or by frightening them with scarecrows (…)   Nevertheless he suffers from the raids of nimble roes or the wantonness of wild asses, on the one hand, voles convey the grain to their underground barns, on the other, ants in a moving column ravage the crop.   This is how things are!   No-one who has land is free from care.
While the householder slept, the enemy sowed tares, when the servants hastened to go and root them up, the Master prevented them, reserving for Himself the separation of wheat and chaff. (…)   No-one, before the Day of Judgement, can take Christ’s winnowing fan in hand, no-one can pass judgement on another, whoever they might be.”… St Jerome (347-420) Priest, translator of the Bible, Father and Doctor of the Church – The dialogue against the Luciferians (SC 473, p 179-180)at harvest time i will tell the reapers - matthew 13 30 - not only sheep abide in the church st jerome 27 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-powerful and ever-living God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, chase away the night of sin and fill our minds with the glory of Your coming.   Take away our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, help us in our battle with sin and the devil.   By our prayers, Your holy sacraments and the strength of the Holy Spirit, may we be ever vigilant of the evil one.   Grant we pray, that the Blessed Virgin’s prayers, may protect us from all dangers.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl virgin mary mother of god pray for us 27 july 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 27 July – Shelter Me Under Your Mantle

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Our Morning Offering – 27 July – Saturday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – a “Marian Saturday”

Shelter Me Under Your Mantle
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to you who are the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the hope, the refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate you, great Queen
and I thank you for the many graces
you have bestowed upon me even unto this day,
in particular for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often served by my sins.
I love you, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve you willingly forever
and to do what I can,
to make you loved by others also.
I place in you all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as your servant
and shelter me under your mantle,
you who are the Mother of Mercy.
And since you are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From you I implore a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through you I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by your love for Almighty God,
I pray you to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until you shall see me safe in heaven,
there to bless you
and sing of your mercies through all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amenshelter me under your mantle - st alphonsus liguori - 27 july 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – ‘… Let us work our hearts…’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:18–23 and the Memorial of Sts Joachim and Anne

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty.”…Matthew 13:23

REFLECTION – “Indeed, you all know how land is cultivated.   First of all you pull out the weeds and throw away the stones, then you work the ground itself.   You do it again a second time, a third time and finally… you sow.   Oh, let it be like this in our souls!   First of all let us uproot the weeds, that is to say our evil thoughts, then take out the stones, in other words, all our malice and obstinacy.   Finally, let us work our hearts with the plough of the Gospel and the ploughshare of the cross.   Let us break it by repentance, turn over the soil with almsgiving and with charity, prepare it for the seed of Our Lord… that it may joyfully receive the seed of the divine word and bring forth fruit, not just thirty but sixty and a hundredfold.”...St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Monk & Bishop (Sermons to the people, no.6 passim ; SC 175)as-for-what-was-sown-matthew-11-23-st-caesarious-of-arles-finally-let-us-work-our-hearts-27-july-2018.jpg

PRAYER – O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of Your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayers of both, that we may work hard to deserve the grace You send us and thus attain the salvation You have promised to Your people.   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.   Sts Joachim and Anne, pray for us! Amensts joachim and anne pray for us 26 july 2019.jpg

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 26 July – It were my Soul’s Desire

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Our Morning Offering – 26 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

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 26 july 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” 

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One Minute Reflection – 25 July – Feast of St James, Apostle, Gospel: Matthew 20:20–28

Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking.   Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”   They said to him, “We can.”……Matthew 20:28matthew-20-28 - you do not know what you are asking, can you drink - st james 25 july 2017 and 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Christ laid down His life for us, so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1Jn 3,16)…   Jesus said to Peter: “When you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted but when you grow old …  someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go…” (Jn 21,18).   It was the Cross, the Passion, He promised him.   “Go even so far as to pasture my sheep, suffer for my sheep.” This is what a good bishop is to be like.   If he is not, he is no bishop…

Now listen to this other testimony.   Two of His disciples, the brothers John and James who were sons of Zebedee, were ambitious for the first place without consideration for the others…   Our Lord answered them:   “You do not know what you are asking”, for he added:   “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”   What cup is this if not that… of the Passion?…   And they, forgetting their weakness, immediately said:   “We can”.   Then He said to them:   “My cup you will indeed drink.   But to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father”…   In this way He gave proof of His humility for, in fact, everything the Father prepares is prepared, too, for the Son…   He came in humility – He, the Creator, was created amongst us,   He made us but He was made for us.   God before time began, man in time, He delivered man from time.   This great physician has come to heal our cancer… by His example, He has come to heal pride itself.he came in humility, he the creator - st augustine - 25 july 2019 .jpg

This is what we must give our attention to, in the Lord – let us consider His humility, drink the cup of His humility, clasp Him, contemplate Him.   How easy it is to have elevated thoughts, easy to take pleasure in honours, easy to give one’s ear to flatterers and people who praise us.   But to bear with insult, patiently undergo humiliation, pray for those who persecute us (Mt 5,39.44) – that is the Lord’s cup, that is the Lord’s feast.“… Saint Augustine (354-430) FathEr & Doctor of the Church – Sermon for the ordination of a bishop, Guelferbytanus no.32but to bear with insult, patiently undergo humiliation...st augustine-feast of st james 25 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty ever-living God, who consecrated the first fruits of Your Apostles by the blood of Saint James, grant, we pray, that Your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith and constantly sustained by his protection.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.   St James the Greater, Apostle of Christ, Pray for us!   Amenst-james-pray-for-us-25-july 2017 and 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 25 July – Christ-Bearers!

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Our Morning Offering – 25 July – The Memorial of St Christopher (died c 251)

The Christopher Prayer

Father, grant that we may be,
bearers of Christ Jesus, Your Son.
Allow us to fill with Your light
the world around us.
Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit
to carry out our mission
of living and following
the path of Jesus, our Lord.
Help us to understand,
that by Your grace
our gifts are Your blessings,
to be shared with others.
Fill us with Your Spirit of love
to give glory to You
in loving all
and preaching by our love.
Nourish in us the desire
to go forth
as the bearers of Your Son
fearless and gentle,
loving and merciful.
Make us true Christ bearers,
that in seeing us
only He is visible.
Amenthe-christopher-prayer-written-by-me-25-july-2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – ‘He came Himself … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 24 July  – Wednesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9 and the Memorial of St Charbel Makhluf (1828-1898)

“A sower went out to sow” … Matthew 13:3

REFLECTION – “Now if you ask me what Jesus Christ means by the sower who goes out early to sow seed in his field, my dear brethren, that sower is the good God Himself! He began His work for our salvation from the beginning of the world by sending His prophets to us before the coming of the Messiah to teach us what we had to do to be saved.   And, not satisfied with sending His servants, He came Himself, marked out for us the way we should take and came to preach His holy word.

Do you know what those people are like who aren’t sustained by that holy word or who abuse it?   They are like the sick without a doctor, like a traveller who has gone astray without a guide, like a poor man without means.   Let us rather say, my brethren, that it is altogether impossible to love God and please Him without being nourished by this divine word.   What is there that can draw us to attach ourselves to Him if not because we know Him?   And what enables us to know Him with all His perfections, beauty and love for us if not God’s word, which teaches us all He has done for us and the good things He is preparing for us in the life to come, if we try hard to please Him?” … St John-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Priest, Curé of Ars – Sermonsmatthew 13 3 a sower went out to sow - now if you ask me st john vianney 24 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy, almighty God, You sent Your prophets and then Your only Son to teach us and lead us to eternal life.   Remember Lord, Your solemn covenant, renewed and consecrated by the blood of the Lamb, so that Your people may obtain forgiveness for their sins and a continued growth in grace.   Send us Your Spirit, to enlighten our hearts and minds and grow in love for You and the Word made flesh.   Guide us in our understanding and living, by the Words of the Word.   Saint Charbel Makhluf intercede for us, that we may merit to be co-heirs of His Kingdom.   Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st-charbel-pray-for-us-24-july-2017, 2018 and 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 24 July – Lord God, Lift Me Up

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Our Morning Offering – 24 July – Wednesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Lord God, Lift Me Up
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
Amen

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – “To love what God loves…”

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One Minute Reflection – 23 July – Tuesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

“Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is my brother and sister and mother” … Matthew 12:50

REFLECTION – “To love what God loves is the logical thing for the one who is truly His lover, outside that wish, there are no desires of our own – or if there should be one, this is in conformity with His will, if this should not be so, then our will would not be united with His.   But if our will is really at one with His love, we shall want nothing that He does not want, we shall love nothing that He does not love and, having given ourselves up completely to His will, we shall not mind whatever He may send us, wherever He may place us.   And about everything that He may want of us, we shall not only feel unconcerned, we shall feel pleased.

I don’t know whether there’s any error in what I am saying. I submit myself to the one who understands about this.   I only say what I feel and that is, that I truly have no other wish than to love Him and everything else, I commend to Him.   May His will be done! Every day I become happier in my complete abandonment into His hands.”… St Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938) – Spanish Trappist monk – Spiritual writings 10/04/1938matthew 12 50 whoever does the will - but if our will - st rafael arnaiz baron 23 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Increase in us, O Lord, Your gift of faith, so that the praise we offer You, may ever yield it’s fruit from heaven.   Grant us the grace to love what You love and to spend our days in loving all that You lead us to.   May the prayers of Your angels and saints, offered on our behalf, be a consolation in our trials.  Holy Mother of God, pray for us, St Bridget of Sweden, Pray for us.   We make our prayer through Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.holy mother of god pray for us 23 july 2019

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 23 July – Gaelic Morning Offering

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Our Morning Offering – 23 July – Tuesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Gaelic Morning Offering

I am bending my knee
in the eye of the Father
who created me.
In the eye of the Son
who purchased me.
In the eye of the Spirit,
who cleansed me.
In friendship and affection.
Through Your own Annointed One, O God,
bestow upon us fulfilment of our need,
Love toward God,
the affection of God,
the smile of God,
the grace of God,
the fear of God
and the will of God,
to do in the world of the Three,
as angels and saints
do in heaven.
Each shade and light,
each day and night,
each time in kindness,
give us Your Spirit,
Amenno 4 gaelic morning offering - 23 july 2019 i am bending my knee.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 22 July – O Lord, Bless and Sanctify Us

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Our Morning Offering – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala

O Lord, Bless and Sanctify Us
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

O Lord,
bless those who bless You
and sanctify those who trust in You.
save Your people and bless their inheritance
and keep Your household, the Church,
under Your protection.
Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house,
reward them with glory through Your divine power
and do not forsake those who hope in You.
To the sick,
give Your aid, healing and comfort.
Keep safe all who travel by land or water.
Send us seasonable weather
and bless the fruits of the earth.
Keep peace in the world
and among all Your people.
Grant rest to the departed
and remember those
who have offered gifts to You.
Save those who are in any way
afflicted or distressed
and grant us all Your heavenly grace.
Ameno lord bless and sanctify us st john chrysostom - 22 july 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 July – “..One thing is needful.”

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One Minute Reflection – 21 July – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 10:38–42

“..One thing is needful.” … Luke 10:42

REFLECTION – “We must become aware that God dwells within us and do everything with Him, then we are never commonplace, even when performing the most ordinary tasks, for we do not live in these things, we go beyond them!   A supernatural soul never deals with secondary causes but with God alone.   Oh!   How it’s life is simplified, how it resembles the life of the blessed, how it is freed from self and from all things!  Everything for it is reduced to unity, to that “one thing necessary”, of which the Master spoke to Mary.   Then the soul is truly great, truly free, for it has “enclosed its will in God’s.” … St Elizabeth of the Trinity OCD (1880-1906) – The Greatness of our Vocation no. 8 (The Complete Works, vol. 1luke 10 42 one thing is needful - we must become aware - st elizabeth of the trinity 21 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – O my God teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You…You are my God and You are my All and I have never seen You.
You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You…
I have not yet done that for which I was made….
Teach me to seek You…I cannot seek You unless You teach me
or find You unless You show Yourself to me.
Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking.
Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You.
Amen
By St Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) Doctor of the Churchteach me to seek you - st anselm - 21 july 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 21 July – Dear Lord, I Approach You

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Our Morning Offering – 21 July – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Dear Lord, I Approach You
(Prayer before Holy Communion)
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Dear Lord,
with simplicity of heart,
in good and stable faith
and at Your command,
I approach You,
full of confidence and adoration,
truly believing that You are present
in this Sacrament, God and Man.
It is Your will that I receive You
and bind myself to You in love.
Most merciful Lord,
I beg of You that special grace,
that my soul may melt and overflow
with Your love,
never concerning myself again
with any other comfort but Your own.
Amendear-lord-i-approach-you-by-thomas-a-kempis-9dec2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – ‘..in his name will the Gentiles hope.’

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One Minute Reflection – 20 July – Saturday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:14–21

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased….
and in his name will the Gentiles hope.”…Matthew 12:18,21

REFLECTION – “My dear souls, let us recognise, I pray you, Christ’s infinite charity towards us, in the institution of this Sacrament of the Eucharist.   In order that our love be a spiritual love, He wills a new heart, a new love, a new spirit for us.   It is not with a carnal heart but with a spiritual one, that Christ has loved us with a gratuitous love, a supreme and most ardent love, by way of pure grace and charity.   Ah!   One needs to love Him back with one’s whole, whole, whole, living, living, living and true, true, true heart!!” …… St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) Apostolic Doctorbehold-my-servant-matthew-12-18-my-dear-souls-let-us-recognise-st-lawrence-of-brindisi-21-july-2018

PRAYER – Lord God, You bestowed on us all the ways of grace in Your Son, so that Your name might be glorified and souls be saved.   At the intercession of His Mother, whom He so lovingly gave us, grant that we may see what we have to do and, in Your mercy give us the strength to do it and the courage, love and charity to persevere.   Grant above all, that by her prayers we may love You above all and with all we are.   Mary, holy Mother of God, pray for us, through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.mary holy mother pray for us 20 july 2019

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 20 July – Hail Mary, Queen of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 20 July – Saturday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and a Marian Saturday

Hail Mary, Queen of Mercy
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Hail Mary, Queen of Mercy,
olive-branch of forgiveness,
through whom we receive
the medicine that heals our sickness,
the balsam of pardon.
Virgin Mother of the divine off-spring,
through your Son,
your only Child who stooped
to become the brother of humankind,
you are the true Mother of us all.
For the sake of His love,
take me, unworthy as I am,
into your motherly care.
Sustain, preserve
and enlighten my conversion.
Be for me, for all eternity,
my cherished mother,
tenderly caring for me
throughout my earthly life
and enfolding me in your arms,
at the hour of my death.
Amenhail mary queen of mercy - 20 july 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”

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One Minute Reflection – 19 July – Friday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8 and the Memorial fo St Macina the Younger

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice” … Matthew 12:7i desire mercy not sacrifice matthew 12 7 19 july 2019

REFLECTION – “I desire mercy”, namely the loyalty of a heart that recognises its own sins, that mends its ways and returns to be faithful to the covenant with God. “  And not sacrifice” – without a penitent heart, every religious action is ineffective! … Pope Francis (General Audience, 13 April 2016)i-desire-mercy-namely-the-loyalty-pope-francis-20-july-2018

PRAYER – Father and almighty God, You have given Your Son to redeem us with complete and absolute love and mercy.   He has taken our flesh and given Himself to us and extended endless mercy for all time.   He has taught us the path of love and mercy.  Grant, we pray, that our hearts may grieve and repent with true sorrow.   And may the prayers of St Macrina, assist us to extend mercy to all.   We make our prayer through the merits of His saving love and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, amen.st macrina the younger pray for us 19 july 2019

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Our Morning Offering – 19 July – O Good Shepherd

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Our Morning Offering – 19 July – Friday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time and the memorial of St Macina the Younger – sister of St Gregory of Nyssa

Below is an edited and simplified version 
of St Gregory’s famous
“To the Good Shepherd” prayer.

O Good Shepherd
By St Gregory Of Nyssa (c 335–395)
Father of the Church

O Good Shepherd,
Who carries the whole flock on Your shoulders,
Where are You pasturing Your flock?
Show me the place of peace,
lead me to the good grass that will nourish me,
call me by name so that I hear Your voice,
Answer me,
For You are the One my soul loves.
I call You ‘the One my soul loves’
because Your name is above every name
and above all understanding
and no one can utter or comprehend it.
How could I not love You,
when You loved me so much?
Even though I was stained dark with sin,
You laid down Your life for the sheep of Your flock.
A greater love cannot be imagined,
than exchanging Your life for my freedom!
Show me where You pasture Your flock,
so that I can find that saving pasture too,
and fill myself with the food of heaven
without which no-one can come to eternal life,
and run to the spring
and be filled with the drink of God.
You give it, as from a spring, to those who thirst –
water pouring from Your side,
water that is a spring welling up to eternal life.
If You lead me to pasture here,
You will make me lie down at noon,
sleeping at peace and taking my rest in light
unconquered by any shade.
For the noon has no darkness
and the sun stands far above the mountain peaks.
You bring Your flock to lie in this light,
You bring Your children to rest in You.
Show me how I should sleep
and how I should graze,
and where the path is to my noonday rest.
Do not let me fall away from Your flock
and become lost.
O Good shepherd,
Who carries the whole flock on Your shoulders.
Ameno good shepherd no 1 st gregory of nyssa 19 july 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “take my yoke upon you and learn from me” 

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One Minute Reflection – 19 July – Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves…” … Matthew 11:29matthew 11 29 take my yoke upon you 18 july 2019

REFLECTION – “You are to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”   You are not learning from me how to refashion the fabric of the world, nor to create all things visible and invisible, nor to work miracles and raise the dead.   Rather, you are simply learning of me: “that I am meek and lowly in heart.”   If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level.   If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height, you will begin with the lowest foundation.   This is humility.   However great the mass of the building you may wish to design or erect, the taller the building is to be, the deeper you will dig the foundation.   The building in the course of its erection, rises up high but he who digs its foundation, must first go down very low.   So then, you see even a building is low before it is high and the tower is raised, only after humiliation.”… St Augustine (354-430) Fater & Doctor (Sermon 69)if you wish to reach high then begin at the lowest level st augustine 18 july 2019

PRAYER – “Holy God, our Father, we turn to You in confidence as children and pray, give us meekness of heart, make us “poor in spirit” that we may recognise that we are not self-sufficient, that we are unable to build our lives on our own but need You, we need to encounter You, to listen to You, to speak to You.   Help us to understand that we need Your gift, Your wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, in order to do the Your will in our lives and thus to find rest in the hardships of our journey.”   Hear the prayers we request of St Simon of Lipnica dear Lord and holy God, which we pray through Christ, our Light, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen. … Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 7 December 2011st simon of lipnica pray for us 18 july 2019