Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – – 8 October – ‘If it neglects the grace …’

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One Minute Reflection – – 8 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Joel 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2; Psalm 9: 2-3, 6 & 8-9; Luke 11: 15-26

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came…” – Luke 11:24

REFLECTION – “The unclean spirit dwelt in us before we believed, before we came to Christ when our soul was still committing fornication against God and was with its lovers, the demons. Afterward it said, “I will return to my first husband,” and came to Christ, who “created” it from the beginning “in his image.” Necessarily the adulterous spirit gave up his place when it saw the legitimate husband.

Christ received us and our house has been “cleansed” from its former sins. It has been “furnished” with the furnishing of the Sacraments of the faithful, that they who have been initiated know. This house does not deserve to have Christ as its resident immediately, unless its life and conduct are so holy, pure and incapable of being defiled, that it deserves to be the “temple of God.” It should not still be a house but a temple in which God dwells. If it neglects the grace that was received and entangles itself in secular affairs, immediately, that unclean spirit returns and claims the vacant house for itself. “It brings with it seven other spirits more wicked,” so that it may not be able again to be expelled “and the last state of that kind of person is worse than the first.” It would be more tolerable that the soul would not have returned to its first husband once it became a prostitute, than having gone back after confession to her husband, to have become an adulteress again. There is no “fellowship,” as the Apostle says, “between the temple of God and idols,” no “agreement between Christ and Belial.” – Origen of Alexandria (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father (Homilies on Exodus, 8)

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, grant us the grace this day, to see Your Face. Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory, for the salvation of our souls through the light of faith and by the grace which You have given us. We beg the grace of Your love and mercy and the light of love You send with Your Holy Spirit. May the prayers of Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 8 October – Cast Upon Us a Look of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 8 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary”

Cast Upon Us a Look of Mercy
By Blessed Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

O Jesus!
Cast upon us a look of mercy,
turn Your Face towards each of us
as You did to Veronica,
not that we may see it,
with our bodily eyes,
for this we do not deserve
but turn Your Face towards our hearts,
so that, remembering You,
we may ever draw
from this Fountain of Strength,
the vigour necessary to sustain us,
in the combats of life.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, Our MORNING Offering, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Our Morning Offering – 7 October – Through Thee, to Us, our Saviour Came

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Our Morning Offering – 7 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and of Victory

Through Thee, to Us, our Saviour Came
To Our Lady of the Rosary
By St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)

Through thee, to us, our Saviour came,
Through thee, to Him, we fain would go.
Our lives are marred by wrong and shame,
Yet, confidence in thee we know.
The friendship thou dost give to all
Who love thy name, shall ever be
Assurance thou wilt hear our call,
Sweet Lady of the Rosary!

Thou art our Strength upon the way,
Our Morning Star, to cheer and guide;
Our Beacon Light to show the day,
And lead us to the Saviour’s Side;
A Comforter in ev’ry pain
We find, O Mother blest, in thee,
And seek we, never, thee in vain,
Fair Lady of the Rosary!

Thy praises, Mary, we would sing,
And all our faculties employ,
That unto thee our hearts might bring
A glory-crown of love and joy.
Bless thou each humble effort made
In thy regard and grant that we,
May by thy influence be swayed,
Our Lady of the Rosary!

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St JOSEPH, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Our Morning Offering – 6 October – Ad Te Beate Joseph

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Our Morning Offering – 6 October – Ad Te, Beate Joseph

In Catholic Time, Wednesdays are traditionally St Joseph’s day. Saint Joseph is known as the Prince and chief Patron of the Church. As the earthly Father of Jesus, he had a special role in protecting, providing for and instructing Jesus during His earthly life. Now that Christ is ascended into Heaven, St Joseph continues his fatherly guardianship of Christ’s body, the Church. He is a very powerful help to all of us.

Ad Te, Beate Joseph
To Thee, O Blessed Joseph
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ.
O most loving father,
ward off from us,
every contagion of error
and corrupting influence.
O our most mighty protector,
be propitious to us
and from heaven assist us
in our struggle with the power of darkness
and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus
from deadly peril,
so now protect God’s Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy
and from all adversity.
Shield, too, each one of us
by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example
and your aid, we may be able
to live piously,
to die holy
and to obtain eternal happiness in Heaven.
Amen

Pope Leo asked that this prayer be added to the end of the Holy Rosary during the Month of October.

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, HYMNS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PEACE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – To Christ, the Prince of Peace

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Our Morning Offering – 5 October

To Christ, the Prince of Peace
Trans Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

To Christ, the Prince of Peace,
And Son of God most high,
The Father of the world to come,
Sing we with holy joy.

Deep in His Heart, for us,
The wound of love He bore;
That love wherewith He still inflames
The hearts that Him adore.

O Jesu, victim blest,
What else but love divine
Could Thee constrain to open thus
That Sacred Heart of thine?

O fount of endless life,
O spring of water clear,
O flame celestial, cleansing all
Who unto Thee draw near!

Hide us in Thy dear heart,
For thither do we fly;
There seek Thy grace through life; in death
Thine immortality.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – ‘ … The weight by which Your Goodness, overcomes Your Justice. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 1: 1 – 2: 1-2, 11; Psalm Jonah 2: 3, 4, 5, 8; Luke 10: 25-37 The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

“But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds …” – Luke 10:33-34

REFLECTION – “ How good You are, O Divine Samaritan, to gather up this wounded world so sadly fallen along the way, trapped in such mire and so unworthy of Your Goodness!

The more wicked the world, the more Your Mercy shines forth: to be infinitely good to the good, is a thousand times less admirable, than to be infinitely good to souls, who, even though lavished with graces, are simply ungrateful, unfaithful, perverse. The more wicked we are, the more the marvel of Your infinite Mercy gleams and shines. This in itself, suffices to explain, the great good that sin produces on the earth and explains, why You permit it. It makes way for an incomparable greater good – the exercise and manifestation of Your divine Mercy. This divine attribute could not be put into practice without it; goodness could be exercised and shown without sin but failure is needed, if mercy is to be manifested. Ah! My Lord and God, how Good you are! How Merciful! Mercy is, so to speak, the overflow of Your Goodness and what is most passionate in Your Goodness, the weight by which Your Goodness overcomes Your Justice. How divinely good You are! (…)

Be kind to sinners, since God is so kind to us – pray for them, love them. … “Be merciful as our Father is merciful” (cf. Lk 6:36). God “prefers mercy to sacrifice” (cf. Mt 12:7).” – Bl Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara – (Meditations on the psalms 103, psalm 52)

PRAYER – All highest, glorious God,
cast Your light into the darkness of our hearts,
give us true faith, firm hope,
perfect charity and profound humility,
so that with wisdom,
courage and perception, O Lord,
we may do what is truly Your holy will.
Amen. – St Francis of Assisi

Posted in franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 4 October – Prayer to do the Will of God

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Our Morning Offering – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi OFM (c 1181–1226)

Prayer to do the Will of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
grant us in our misery,
the grace to do for You alone
what we know You want us to do
and always to desire, what pleases You.
Thus, inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow in the footprints of
Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
And, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity
and simple Unity
and are glorified God
all-powerful, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 October – O Jesus, Sweetest Love, Come Thou to Me

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Our Morning Offering – 3 October – The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O Jesus, Sweetest Love,
Come Thou to Me
1940 Fr Francis Xavier Lasance (1860–1946)

O JESUS, sweetest Love, come Thou to me.
Come down in all Thy beauty unto me.
Thou Who didst die for longing of me
And never, never more depart from me.
Free me, O beauteous God, from all but Thee;
Sever the chain that holds me back from Thee;
Call me, O tender Love, I cry to Thee;
Thou art my all! O bind me close to Thee.
O suffering Love, Who hast so loved me;
O patient Love, Who wearies not of me.
Thou alone O Love! Thou weary not of me!
Ah! Weary not till I am lost in Thee,
Nay, weary not, till I am found in Thee.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – ‘ … They help each of us … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 2 October – The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, Readings: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29; Psalm 69: 33-37; Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “For just as the Lord commands that unbelieving and treacherous persons who are a stumbling block to the body of the church should be cut off or plucked out, so He also warns us, not to despise any of the little children, that is, humble people in the faithful who simply and faithfully believe in the Son of God. For it is not right to despise anyone who believes in Christ. A believer is called, not only a servant of God but also a son, though the grace of adoption, to whom the Kingdom of Heaven and the company of the Angels is promised. And rightly the Lord adds, “For I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

How much grace the Lord has toward each one believing in Him, He Himself declares when He shows their Angels always beholding the face of the Father who is in Heaven. Great is the grace of the Angels toward all who believe in Christ. Finally, the Angels carry their prayers to heaven. Hence the word of Raphael to Tobias: “When you prayed along with your daughter-in-law Sara, I offered the memory of your prayer in the sight of God.” Around them there is also the strong guard of the Angels; they help each of us to be free from the traps of the enemy. For a human in his weakness could not be safe amid so many forceful attacks of that enemy, if he were not strengthened by the help of the Angels.” – St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died 407) Bishop of Aquileia, Contemporary of St Jerome, St John Chrysostom (Tractate on Matthew, 57)

PRAYER – Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits thee here.
Ever this day, be at my side,
to light, to guard, to rule, to guide.
Amen.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 2 October – My Oldest Friend

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Our Morning Offering – 2 October – The Memorial of the Guardian Angels

My Oldest Friend
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

My oldest friend, mine from the hour
When first I drew my breath,
My faithful friend, that shall be mine,
Unfailing, till my death….

Mine when I stand before the Judge,
And mine, if spared to stay
Within the golden furnace, till
My sin is burn’d away.

And mine, O Brother of my soul,
When my release shall come,
Thy gentle arms shall lift me then,
Thy wings shall waft me home.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 October – ‘ … O what great honour! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Baruch 1: 15-22; Psalms79: 1b-5, 8-9; Luke 10: 13-16 and the Memorial of St Bavo of Ghent (c 589–654

“He who hears you, hears me and he who rejects you, rejects me and he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me” – Luke 10:16

REFLECTION – “Consider the great authority He gave the holy Apostles, how He declared them praiseworthy,and how He decorated them with the highest honours. “He who hears you,” He says, “hears me and he that rejects you, rejects me and he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me.”
O what great honour!
What incomparable dignities!
O what a gift worthy of God!
Although men, the children of earth, He clothes them with a godlike glory.
He entrusts His Words to them, that they, who resist anything, or venture to reject them, may be condemned.
When they are rejected, He assures them that He Himself suffers this.
Then again, He shows that the guilt of this wickedness, as being committed against Himself, rises up to God the Father.
See with the eyes of the mind, how vast a height He raises the sin committed by men in rejecting the saints! What a wall He builds around them! How great security he contrives for them! He makes them such as must be feared and in every way plainly provides for their being uninjured!” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Known as ‘The Pillar o Faith,” Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Incarnation)(Commentary on Luke, Homily 63)

PRAYER – God, our Father, Your promised Your Kingdom to the little ones and the humble of heart. Give us grace to walk confidently in the way of St Bavo of Ghent, so that helped by their prayers, we may see Your eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

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

Our Morning Offering – 1 October – Rescue Our Life, Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 1 October – The Memorial of St Romanos the Melodist (c 490-c 556) Deacon, Hymnographer, Poet, Writer.

Rescue Our Life, Lord
By St Romanos the Melodist (c 490-c 556)

We implore You,
O All-Holy, Long-Suffering,
Life and Restoration,
Source of goodness,
look down from Heaven
and visit all those
who ever trust in You;
rescue our life, Lord,
from all constraint and affliction
and, in the faith of Truth,
guide us all,
at the prayers of Your
Immaculate Mother of God and Virgin,
Save Your world
and those in the world
and spare us all,
You Who, for us,
became Man without change,
only Lover of mankind.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The LAMB of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – ‘Be imitators of Me …’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 September – Readings: Nehemiah 8: 1-12; Psalm 19: 8-11; Luke 10: 1-12 – The Memorial of St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor

“Like lambs among wolves”– Luke 10:3

REFLECTION – “As He sent out disciples into His harvest – which had, in truth, been sown by the Father’s Word but, which required to be worked over, cultivated and carefully tended, if the birds were not to ravage the seed – Jesus said to them: “Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves”. … The Good Shepherd could not but fear wolves in His flock – these disciples were sent to spread grace abroad, not to become a prey.
But the Good Shepherd’s care prevented the wolves from doing anything against the lambs He sends out. He sends them that Isaiah’s prophecy might be fulfilled: “The wolf and the lamb shall graze alike” (Is 65:25) … And besides, were not the disciples who were sent out ordered not even to carry a staff? …

What our humble Lord laid down, His disciples also accomplished by practising humility.
For He sends them out to broadcast the faith, not by force but by their teaching; not by exerting force of will but by exalting the doctrine of humility.
And He thought it good to link patience to humility since, according to Peter’s testimony: “When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten” (1 Pt 2:23).

This amounts to saying: “Be imitators of Me – let go of your thirst for revenge; respond to the blows of pride, not by returning evil for evil but, with the patience that forgives. No-one should perform on their own account, what they reprehend in others, gentleness confronts the arrogant with far greater strength.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on St Luke’s Gospel, 7, 45.59).

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You endowed Saint Jerome with a deep reverence and understanding of Holy Scripture, which he loved with all his heart. Sustain us evermore with Your word and teach us by their precepts. Help us to follow each word which Jesus, Your Son, our Redeemer, uttered that we may find therein the source of life. May the prayers of St Jerome assist us in our love and faithfulness. We ask this through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, Amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 30 September – My Sorrowful Mother,Help Me to Bear My Crosses

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Our Morning Offering – 30 September – The last day of the Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Mother Mary

My Sorrowful Mother,
Help Me to Bear My Crosses
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

My sorrowful Mother,
by the merit of that grief
which you felt
at seeing your beloved Jesus
led to death,
obtain for me the grace
to bear with patience,
those crosses which God sends me.
I will be fortunate
if I also shall know how
to accompany you
with my cross until death.
You and Jesus,
both innocent,
have borne a heavy cross
and shall I,
a sinner who has merited hell,
refuse mine?
Immaculate Virgin,
I hope you will help me
to bear my crosses with patience.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – Angels and Archangels

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One Minute Reflection – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel, Readings: Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 or Apocalpyse 12: 7-12a; Psalm 138: 1-5; John 1: 47-51

“Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and it’s angels fought back …” … Apocalypse 12:7

REFLECTION – “That angels exist is attested by many pages of Holy Scripture … You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages
of lesser importance, are called angels and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance, are called Archangels. Hence it is, that not just any angel was sent to the Virgin Mary but that Gabriel the Archangel was sent – it was right that the proper one for this role should be of the highest rank of angels, since he was to announce the greatest news of all. …

Whenever a mighty deed is in question, Michael is assigned, so that by his actions and name, which means “Who is like God?”, it may be made known that no-one can do what God can do. So, in the case of our ancient enemy, who, in his pride wanted to be like God when he said: ‘I will ascend to heaven;,above the stars of God, I will set my throne on high; I will make myself like the Most High’ (Is 14:13): when he is shown to be condemned to eternal punishment at the end of the world, he is described, as about to do battle with Michael, as Saint John says : ‘War broke out with Michael the Archangel. The Dragon and its angels fought back but they did not prevail and it was thrown down to earth’ (cf. Rv 12:7-9).

Gabriel was sent to Mary, for Gabriel means ‘Strength of God‘. He came to announce Him who deigned to be lowly so as to wage war on the spiritual powers of the air. He who came as God of power and, as One strong in battle (Ps 24[23]:8) was to be announced by Gabriel, the strength of God. Finally, Raphael is interpreted as ‘Healing of God‘, since he wiped away the shadows of blindness from Tobias when he touched his eyes to cure him. The one who is sent to cure, was indeed worthy of the name .’Healing of God .”- St Gregory the Great (540-604) – Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on the Gospel, 34, 8-9).

PRAYER – Dear and Holy God, let us offer You all our daily struggles against sin and evil. Grant us the strength to resist all forms of idolatry, to seek only You and never to allow the material goods of this world to seduce us. Sustain us ever more with Your word and help us to find in it, the source of life. Grant that the angels who always minister to You in heaven may defend us during our life on earth and protect us from evil. Grant this, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 29 September – The St Michael Prayer

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Our Morning Offering – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael

The St Michael Prayer

St Michael, the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
Be our safeguard against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray,
And do thou,
O prince of the heavenly hosts,
By the power of God,
Cast into hell, Satan and all evil spirits
Who prowl throughout the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

You will know or even recall ,that when the Mass was only in Latin (1570-1969) after the High Mass, known in those days as the Summa (Latin for: The Greatest) the St Michael prayer was recited. This St Michael prayer was placed at the end of the Mass by Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) in the 1890’s as a result of a vision he saw concerning the dire state of the world in the 20th century!
The Church has always prayed to St Michael for protection against the evils of the devil.
Michael’s name means “Who is like God.” In Latin: “Quis ut Deus.” He can be found in the Book of The Prophet Daniel (Old Testament) Dn. 10:13; Dn. 10:21; Dn 12:1. In the New Testament he can be found in the Book of Revelation 12:7-9; Epistle of St Jude 1:9 and the Letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians (4:16).
St Thomas Aquinas (1214-1274) writes of him: “Michael is the Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit, Who at the end of the World will combat and destroy the antichrist, as he did Lucifer in the beginning.”
St Michael is invoked in sickness and most especially at the hour of our death, when
Satan makes his last and fiercest attack on our soul, seeking with cunning, craft, fears and despair to drag us into Hell with him.
Please, let us all restore St Michael to our hearts and pray to him for protection each day, after Holy Mass and after the Holy Rosary.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – ‘… A preparatory exercise in the matter. ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 28 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” Readings: Zechariah 8: 20-23; Psalm 87: 1b-7; Luke 9: 51-56

“… On the way they entered a Samaritan village … but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey, was Jerusalem.” . – Luke 9:53

REFLECTION – “It says, “When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” This means, that after He would endure His saving Passion for us, the time would come when He should ascend to heaven and dwell with God the Father, so He determined to go to Jerusalem. This is, I think, the meaning of his “set his face.”

It would be false to affirm, that our Saviour did not know what was about to happen because He knows all things. He knew, of course, that the Samaritans would not receive His messengers. There can be no doubt of this. Why then did He command them to go before Him? It was His custom to benefit diligently, the holy Apostles in every possible way and because of this, it was His practice, sometimes to test them…. On this occasion, He also tested them. He knew that the Samaritans would not receive those who went forward to announce that He would stay with them. He still permitted them to go, that this again might be a way of benefiting the holy Apostles.

What was the purpose of this occurrence? He was going up to Jerusalem, as the time of His passion was already drawing near. He was about to endure the scorn of the Jews. He was about to be destroyed by the scribes and Pharisees and to suffer those things that they inflicted upon Him when they went to accomplish all of violence and wicked boldness. He did not want them to be offended when they saw Him suffering. He also wanted them to be patient and not to complain greatly, although people would treat them rudely. He, so to speak, made the Samaritans’ hatred a preparatory exercise in the matter. They had not received the messengers.

For their benefit, He rebuked the disciples and gently restrained the sharpness of their wrath, not permitting them to grumble violently against those who sinned. He rather persuaded them to be patient and to cherish a mind that is unmovable by anything like this.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Known as ‘THE PILLAR OF FAITH”
Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the Incarnation) (Commentary on Luke, Homily 56)

PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul. Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can. May the example of Your saints, teach us how to love and serve You. Through their intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

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

Our Morning Offering – 28 September – Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 28 September – – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord
By St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Steer the ship of my life, Lord,
to Your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from
the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can see the right direction
in which I should go.
And give me the strength
and the courage
to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough
and the waves are high,
knowing that, through enduring hardship
and danger, in Your Name
we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The CHRIST CHILD, The DIVINE INFANT, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 September – Oh great God! Oh perfect Child!

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One Minute Reflection – 27 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Zechariah 8: 1-8; Psalm 102: 16-21, 29 and 22-23; Luke 9: 46-50

“Whoever receives this little child in my name, receives me” – Luke 9:48

REFLECTION – “As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you,” (Is 66:12-13). The mother embraces her children and we seek out our own mother, the Church. Anything weak and helpless, whose weakness needs supporting, is sweet and vulnerable and endearing: -God does not refuse His help to anything so young. Parents devote particular gentleness to their little ones; … in the same way, the Father of all creation gathers to Himself all who take refuge in Him, regenerates them by His Spirit and adopts them as His sons. He knows how gentle they are and they are the ones He loves, helps and protects;,that is why He calls them His little children, (cf. Jn 13:33).

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the mouth of Isaiah, applies the expression “child” to the Lord Himself: “For a child is born to us, a son is given us (…)” (Is. 9,5). Who is this Child, then? This newborn Infant in whose image we, too, are children? Through the same prophet, the Spirit describes His greatness: “Wonder-CounselLor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace,” (v. 6).

Oh great God! Oh perfect Child! The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son. How could the teaching this Child gives, not be irreproachable? It includes us all to guide us all, His children. He has stretched out His hands to us and we have placed in them all our faith. To this little Child, John the Baptist himself also gave testimony – “Behold,” he said, “the Lamb of God,” (Jn 1:29). Since Scripture has called children ‘lambs’, it has called “Lamb of God” the Word of God Who became man for us and Who wanted to become like us in all things, the Son of God Himself, the child of the Father. – St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Theologian, Father – (Paedagogus I, 21-24)

PRAYER – God our Father, Your rule is a rule of love, Your providence is full of mercy for Your people. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of the Word made flesh and His sorrowful Mother, grant the spirit of wisdom and understanding in Your Word, Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by the healing Word our repentant hearts may know our way to our eternal home and strive to attain eternal joy there with You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 27 September – Lord, Teach me How to Pray

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Our Morning Offering – 27 September – the Memorial of St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Lord, Teach me How to Pray
By St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Oh Lord,
You selected the poor
and simple people to be Your Apostles.
Look upon Your poor servant
kneeling before You now.
I recognise that I am simple and poor too.
Dear Lord, please teach me how to pray
as You taught Your disciples
upon their humble request.
If it pleases You in Your goodness
to grant me that grace,
I shall be able to pray well
and much better
than I could ever hope for
if left to my own efforts.
Lord, I trust that You will bless me
with the fulfilment of this request.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – “Give with assurance; I stand surety. … ”

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One Minute Reflection – 26 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Numbers 11: 25-29; Psalm 19: 8, 10- 14; James 5: 1-6; Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ … will surely not lose his reward” – Mark 9:41

REFLECTION – “Give of your earthly goods and receive eternal ones; give earth and receive heaven. But give to whom? … Hear Scripture telling you how you are to lend to the Lord Himself: “He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord” (Prv 19:17). God most certainly is in no need of you but another is in need; what you give to the one is received by another. For the poor has nothing with which to pay you back; he would like to but cannot find anything. The only thing he has is a kindly wish to pray for you. But when a poor man prays for you, it is as though he were to say to God: “Lord, I’ve received a loan; be my security.” From then on, if the poor man you do business with is insolvent, he has a sound guarantee, for God says to you: “Give with assurance; I stand surety. … It is I who will pay back, I who receive, I to whom you give.”

Do you really believe that God would say to you: “It is I who receive and to me that you give?” Yes, indeed, if Christ is God – and of that there is no question. For He said: “I was hungry and you gave me food.” And when asked: “When did we see you hungry?” wanting to prove that He is indeed surety for the poor, He answers on behalf of all His members, … declaring, “Whatever you did for the least of my disciples, you have done to me” (Mt 25:34 f.). – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Theologian, Father, Doctor of Grace. Sermon on Psalm 36

PRAYER – 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 and the Credo we profess, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled in us. May the intercession of the Mother of the Word made flesh and our Mother, grant us the grace of following the way of the Cross, to stand beneath it with our her, Ave Maria! We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 26 September – An Act of Consecration to the Holy Trinity

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Our Morning Offering – 26 September – Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Trinity.   This is entirely fitting as Sunday is the first day of the week and the day when we offer God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit our praise, adoration and thanksgiving.

An Act of Consecration to the Holy Trinity
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

I vow and consecrate to God
all that is in me:
my memory and my actions
to God the Father;
my understanding
and my words
to God the Son;
my will and my thoughts
to God the Holy Ghost;
my heart, my body,
my tongue, my senses
and all my sorrows
to the sacred Humanity of Jesus Christ,
“who was content to be betrayed
into the hands of wicked men
and to suffer the torment of the Cross..”
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – ‘… that we might be ‘sent away’ …’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 September – Readings: Zechariah 2: 5-9, 14-15a; Jeremiah 31: 10-12ab, 13; Luke 9: 43b-45

“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” – Luke 9:44

REFLECTION – “The mystery of the Passion may be seen also in another instance. According to the Mosaic law, two goats were offered. They were not different in any way from one another but they were alike in size and appearance. Of these, one was called “the lord,” and the other was called “sent-away.” When the lot was cast for the one called “lord,” it was sacrificed. The other one, was sent away from the sacrifice, and, therefore, had the name of “sent-away.” Who was signified by this? The Word, though He was God, was in our likeness and took the form of us sinners, as far as the nature of the flesh was concerned. The male or female goat was sacrificed for sins. Death was our desert, for we had fallen under the divine curse because of sin. When the Saviour of all undertook the responsibility, He transferred to Himself what was due to us and laid down His life, that we might be ‘sent away‘ from death and destruction.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Known as The Pillar of Faith – Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Luke, Homily 53)

PRAYER – Holy God, help me to amend my life constantly and be sincerely converted to You. Let me seek Your interests rather than my own and be ever more closely united with You. Send Your Spirit of understanding to enkindle our minds but most of all, fill us with Your grace of faith, that whether we understand or not, our love and obedience, is our only guide. Blessed Virgin Mother teach us to carry our crosses as you did in love and patience. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.

Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 25 September – Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen

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Our Morning Offering – 25 September – Mary’s Day and The Memorial of Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple OSB (1013–1054) the Author of the Salve Regina, the Veni Sancte Spiritus and the Alma Redemptoris Mater amongst others

Salve Regina
Hail Holy Queen
By Blessed Herman of Reichenau (1013–1054)

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry,
Poor banished children of Eve;
To thee do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy toward us;
And after this our exile,
Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

This line, below, by St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church

O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

℣ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
℟ that we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Almighty, everlasting God,
who by the co-operation of the Holy Spirit
didst prepare the body and soul
of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary
to become a dwelling-place fit for Thy Son,
grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration,
so by her fervent intercession,
we may be delivered from present evils
and from everlasting death.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – ‘… What would the ordinary run of mortals think? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 28 September – –“Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Haggai 2: 1-9; Psalm 43: 1-4; Luke 9: 18-22

“But whom do you say that I am?
Simon Peter answering, said:
The Christ of God.
… He commanded they should tell this to no man …” – Luke 9:20-21

REFLECTION – “Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no-one that he was the Messiah.” Why this order? So that, once all cause of scandal had been set aside, His Cross and Passion accomplished, every obstacle capable of preventing the crowd from believing in Him removed, an exact knowledge of Who He is, might be deeply and permanently engraved in their hearts. His power had not yet shone out in splendour.
Before the Apostles were to preach it, He waited until the evidence of the truth and authority of the facts, could confirm their testimony.

Because, it was one thing to be seeing Him now, multiplying miracles in Palestine and then, as the butt of persecution and torture – and the Cross was going to follow these miracles.
It was another thing to see Him worshiped, believed in by all the world, saved from the ill-treatment He had undergone before.
That is why He suggests they say nothing to anyone… If the Apostles, who had been witnesses of His miracles and had taken part in so many inexpressible Mysteries, had difficulty in accepting a single word about the Passion and Peter himself, amongst them, the head of them all (Mt 16,22), what would the ordinary run of mortals think?
After hearing that Jesus was the Son of God, what would they have thought to see Him dirtied by spitting and nailed to the Cross?
And this, too, before the coming of the Holy Spirit, when the reason for these Mysteries was not yet known?” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no.54, 1-3)

PRAYER – 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 and the Credo we profess, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled in us. May the intercession of all the Apostles, grant us the grace of following the way of the Cross, to stand beneath it with our afflicted Mother, the Mother of God, Ave Maria! We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Our Morning Offering – 24 September – Eternal God, our Refuge

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Our Morning Offering – 24 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Eternal God, our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)

Eternal God,
the Refuge and Help
of all Your children,
we praise You
for all You have given us,
for all You have done for us,
for all that You are to us.
In our weakness,
You are Strength,
in our darkness,
You are Light,
in our sorrow,
You are Comfort and Peace.
We cannot number Your Blessings,
we cannot declare Your Love
For all Your Blessings,
we bless You.
May we live, as in Your presence,
and love the things, that You love
and serve You in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – May We Love Only You

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Our Morning Offering – 23 September – The Memorial of Saint Adamnan of Iona (c 628-704) Relative of Saint Columban

May We Love Only You
By St Columban (543-615)

Loving Saviour,
be pleased to show Yourself to us who knock,
so that in knowing You,
we may love only You,
love You alone,
desire You alone,
contemplate only You, day and night
and always think of You.
Inspire in us the depth of love
that is fitting for You to receive as God.
So may Your love pervade our whole being,
possess us completely
and fill all our senses,
that we may know no other love
but love for You,
Who are everlasting.
May our love be so great,
that the many waters of sky, land and sea
cannot extinguish it in us –
many waters could not extinguish love.
May this saying love be fulfilled
in us also, at least in part,
by Your gift,
Jesus Christ, our Lord,
to whom be glory forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – How, otherwise, was it, that twelve unlettered men attempted things of this importance?!¬

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One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”- Readings: Ezra 9: 5-9; Tobit 13: 2-4, 7-8; Luke 9: 1-6

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. … Luke 9:1-2

REFLECTION – “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor 1:25). Yes, the Cross is a foolishness and weakness in appearance only … It was through unlearned men that the Cross brought conviction and drew the world to itself.
It spoke to men, not of chance things but of God and of piety in the truth, of the Gospel polity, of future judgement and it made uncouth and illiterate men, philosophers. This is how “the foolishness of God is wiser than man and His weakness stronger,” (1 Cor. 1:25).

How is it stronger? It is stronger in that it spread over the whole earth and seized all men by force and, whereas, thousands and thousands did their utmost, to stamp out the Name of the Crucified One, just the contrary came to pass. For this Name took root and was propagated all the more, whereas its enemies, were destroyed and consumed and, living men fighting a dead One, gained not a stroke. … For publicans and fishermen set up those very things, by the goodness of God, which philosophers and orators and despots and the whole world, vainly striving with all its might, could not even devise.… This was in Paul’s mind when he said: “the weakness of God is stronger than all men put together.”
How, otherwise, was it, that twelve unlettered men attempted things of this importance?! – St John Chrysostom 345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (4th Homily on 1 Corinthians)

PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul. Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can. May the example of suffering of our Blessed Mother Mary, teach us how to love and serve You. Through her intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – Lord, May Your Kingdom Come into My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 22 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Lord, May Your Kingdom Come into My Heart
By Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

Lord, may Your Kingdom come into my heart
to sanctify me, nourish me and purify me.
How insignificant is the passing moment,
to the eye without faith!
But how important each moment is,
to the eye enlightened by faith!
How can we deem insignificant anything,
which has been caused by You?
Every moment and every event is guided by You
and so, contains Your infinite greatness.
So, Lord, I glorify You
in everything that happens to me.
In whatever manner You make me live and die,
I am content.
Events please me for their own sake,
regardless of their consequences,
because Your action lies behind them.
Everything is heaven to me
because, all my moments,
manifest Your love.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “The third had, as it were, the face as of a man,”

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One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Readings: Ephesians 4: 1-7, 11-13; Psalm 19: 2-5; Matthew 9: 9-13

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” – Matthew 9:9

REFLECTION – “It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are. There are four zones of the world in which we live and four principal winds and the Church is scattered throughout all the world and her “pillar and ground” (1 Tm 3:15) is the Gospel and the Spirit of life; therefore, it is fitting that she should have four pillars, breathing out immortality on every side and vivifying us afresh. The Word, the Shaper of all things, Who sits upon the cherubim and upholds all things (Ps 79:2; Heb 1:3), Who was manifested to men, has given us the Gospel under four aspects but bound together by One Spirit. David says, when entreating this manifestation, “You that sit between the cherubim, shine forth.”(Ps 79:2) For the cherubim, too, were four-faced (Ez 1:6) and their faces were images of the dispensation of the Son of God.

For, as Scripture says, “The first living creature was like a lion,” (Rev 4:7) symbolising His effectual working, His leadership and royal power; “the second was like a calf,” signifying His sacrificial and priestly order but, “the third had, as it were, the face as of a man,” – an evident description of His coming as a human being; “the fourth was like a flying eagle,” pointing out the gift of the Spirit hovering with its wings over the Church. And, therefore, the Gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John, are in accord with these living things, among which Christ Jesus is seated. …

Such was the form of the living creatures, so was also the character of the Word of God Himself – the Word of God Himself conversed with the patriarchs before Moses, in accordance with His divinity and glory but, for those under the law, He instituted a priestly and liturgical service. Afterwards, being made Man for us, He sent the gift of the Spirit over all the earth, protecting us with His Wings (Ps 16:8). … These things being so, all who reject the form the Gospel has taken – that is, those who say the Gospels should be more or fewer in number – are futile, ignorant, and presumptuous.” – St Irenaeus of Lyons (c 130-c 202) Bishop, Theologian and Martyr – (Against Heresies c. Book III, 11, 8-9).

PRAYER – We thank You, heavenly Father,
for the witness of Your Apostle
and Evangelist, Matthew,
to the Gospel of Your Son, our Saviour
and we pray that, after his example,
we may with ready wills and hearts,
obey the calling of our Lord, to follow Him;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.