Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY

Thought for the Day – 8 January – The Apostolate of Suffering

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Thought for the Day – 8 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Apostolate of Suffering

The Agony in the Garden by Luca Giordono (1634-1705) Naples, Italy

“Suffering has a still further purpose.
Besides bearing the role of an apostolate in our own lives, it can also be an apostolate for others,
We can offer our sufferings and sorrows to God, not only for our own spiritual advancement but, also for the expiation of the sins of the human race, for our enemies, for the persecutors of the Church (especially those within the Church!) and for all the other suffering members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
In this way, we can accomplish great good and can acquire great merit before God.

As a result of our offering, who knows how many hearts, hardened in sin, or how many souls forgetful of Heaven, may be touched by the grace of God?
Let us suffer with Jesus.
He alone can ease our pain and make it meritorious.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/10/thought-for-the-day-10-january-the-apostolate-of-suffering/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/08/thought-for-the-day-8-january-the-apostolate-of-suffering/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, St PAUL!, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 7 January – The Problem of Suffering

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Thought for the Day – 7 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Problem of Suffering

“Jesus is the Head of the Mystical Body of the Church and we are its members.
We ought to suffer with submission and love, as He did.
Rebellion increases and aggravates the pain.
Resignation and love, on the other hand, lighten it, making it meritorious and even welcome.
It is a consolation to suffer with Jesus.
St Paul says: “I rejoice now in the sufferings I have for your sake and what is lacking of the sufferings of Christ, I fill up in my flesh, for His Body, which is the Church” (Col 1:24).
In other words, the Passion of Christ demands our submissive and joyful co-operation in suffering along with Jesus.

The Acts says of the Apostles, “So they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name of Jesus.” (Acts 5:41).

“So great is the reward which awaits me,” exclaims St Francis, “every suffering is pure joy to me!” He knew well, that the sorrows of this world are very tiny compared with the wonderful recompense which awaits us in Heaven.
“The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/07/thought-for-the-day-7-january-the-problem-of-suffering/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/07/thought-for-the-day-7-january-the-problem-of-suffering-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the POOR, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD

Thought for the Day – 6 January – The Epiphany

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Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Epiphany

“The Magi gave Jesus material gifts too, as symbols of their complete dedication to Him.
They gave Him gold because He was a King, incense because He was God and myrrh because, He was Man.
We often say that we love God and wish to serve and obey Him in all things.
But when we see that this entails sacrifice, we forget our promises.

We must ask ourselves if we are prepared to offer Jesus, gold, that is, to offer Him everything we possess, for the promotion of His glory, for the spread of His Kingdom and for the relief of His poor, to whom we ought always to see and love in them, Christ Himself.
We must examine ourselves thoroughly on this.
It is easy to find excuses for not giving to God and to His poor, in accordance with our means.

We should offer too, the incense of our adoration and unceasing prayer.
There can be no sanctity without prayer.
There can be no real Christians, without sanctity.

Finally, we must offer the myrrh of our mortification.
Mortification, as St Vincent de Paul has said, is the ABC of Christian perfection.
St Paul exhorts us to carry always, in ourselves, the mortification of Jesus.
If we are not mortified, we can never be holy and can never share the joy which the Magi experieced as they lay prostrate before the cradle of our Divine Redeemer.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/06/thought-for-the-day-6-january-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/06/thought-for-the-day-6-january-the-epiphany/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 5 January – Venial Sin

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Thought for the Day – 5 January– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Venial Sin

“There is another motive too, which obliges us to carefully avoid even commiting a venial sin.
The path of sin leads us down a smooth and slippery incline towards destruction.
Once we begin to descend, it is difficult to stop the momentum and scramble back up the smooth, slippery, steep incline.
Even to begin on this path, is a disaster.

“He who wastes the little he has, will be stripped bare” (Eccles 19:1).

“He who is faithful in a very little thing, is faithful also, in much and he who is unjust in a very little thing, is unjust also, in much” (Lk 16:10).

Whoever is faithful to God in little things, will receive from Him, the grace to remain faithful too, in greater things but a man who despises the lesser falls, rejects the Divine assistance and so, exposes himself to the danger of falling more seriously.

If we reflect on such dangers, we shall have a real fear of venial sin and shall be always on our guard against it.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/05/thought-for-the-day-5-january-venial-sin/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 4 January– SIN

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Thought for the Day – 4 January– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

SIN

“Now, let us turn the spotlight on ourselves and think of our past lives.
So many sins and abuses of God’s grace!
Such coldness and ingratitude!
Where has all this brought us?
Spiritually, sin has deprived us of God and of the supernatural life which His grace gives us.
Intellectually, it is an absurdity, a dishonour and a degradation.
Physically, it is an inversion of the right order and often means total ruin.

Let us humbly repent, therefore and make resolutions so firm that we shall be ready to face any sacrifice, even death, in order to put them into practice.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-sin/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/04/thought-for-the-day-4-january-sin/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 3 January– Making a Good Meditation

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Thought for the Day – 3 January– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Making a Good Meditation

“Alessandro Manzoni was once asked how he had managed to penetrate so deeply into the human mind.
Newman was asked how he had succeeded in discovering the law of universal gravity.
Manzoni’s reply was: “By thinking about it.”
Newman’s was: “By thinking intensely.”

Now, in our meditations, we must reveal ourselves to ourselves, which is a very difficult thing to do.
It is, nevertheless, supremely important because its purpose, is not literary or scientific but, is the eternal salvation of our souls!
The attaining of such a purpose, demands serious application on our part, as well as, earnest prayer that God will guide us, so that we may lead lives which will be in union with Him and directed towards their eternal goal, the enjoyment of the Beatific Vision of God!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/03/thought-for-the-day-3-january-making-a-good-meditation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/03/thought-for-the-day-3-january-making-a-good-meditation-2/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE

Thought for the Day – 2 January – The Necessity of Meditation in Silence

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Thought for the Day – 2 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Necessity of Meditation in Silence

“There are various ways of meditating.
Each one should choose whichever suits his own character and disposition.
It will always be necessary for him, at the outset, however, to place himself in the presence of God, asking Him for light and strength. Then, to reflect on certain truths, in an effort to apply them to his own particular circumstances and needs and finally, to make the necessary resolutions and beseech God to bless them and make them fruitful.

It is very useful, moreover, to recall to mind frequently, during the rest of the day, the resolutions which have been formed and to accompany these reflections, with short prayers, aspirations and acts of love for God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/02/thought-for-the-day-2-january-the-necessity-of-meditation-in-silence/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/02/thought-for-the-day-2-january-the-necessity-of-meditation-in-silence-2/

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 1 January – The New Year

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Thought for the Day – 1 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The New Year

“It is suggested in the Imitation of Christ that if we were to get rid of, at least, one habit of sin every year, we should soon be holy.
If we have not tried to do this in the past, let us do it in the future.
This year let us select the principal defect which we possess, the sin into which we are most accustomed to fall.
Let us seek to eradicate it with all the strength of our soul, assisted by the grace of God which will certainly not be denied us.
Let us request, for this purpose, the most powerful patronage of Mary, Most Holy.
Let us pass this day in close union with God and under the maternal mantle of our Heavenly Mother.

Finally, let us promise earnestly that all the days of the New Year, will follow the same pattern.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/01/meditations-with-antonio-cardinal-bacci-1-january-the-new-year/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/01/thought-for-the-day-1-january-the-new-year/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 31 December – The Last Day of the Year

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Thought for the Day – 31 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Last Day of the Year

“After he had spent a night fishing in the lake of Galilee without having caught anything, St Peter was ordered by Jesus, to cast his nets back into the sea.
“Master” the future Apostle replied, “the whole night through, we have toiled and have taken nothing but at Thy word, I will lower the nets.”
This act of perfect confidence in Our Lord, was soon rewarded, for when the fishermen lowered the nets, “they enclosed a great number of fishes” (Lk 5:5-6).

Perhaps we have toiled hard and made many sacrifices during the past year.
But have we worked with and for Jesus Christ?
We may have thought more of ourselves than of Jesus and, as a result, achieved little or nothing in the spiritual life.

The remedy is clear.
We must remain close to Jesus, working with Him, in Him and for Him.
Then, He will bless and strengthen the good resolutions which we are about to make.
The secret of perfection is to live in constant union with Jesus Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/31/thought-for-the-day-31-december-the-last-day-of-the-year/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/31/thought-for-the-day-30-december-the-last-day-of-the-year/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 30 December – Dissipation

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Thought for the Day – 30 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Dissipation

“If we forget God in our frantic search for creatures, God leaves us alone.
No longer do we experience His inspiration and the desire to be holy and to gain Heaven.
Our lives become mediocre.
We do not wish to fall into serious sin because we have not lost the fear of God and are still capable of remorse of conscience.
Our intellects and wills, however, have become entangled in worldly objects.
We rarely think of God because, we are preoccupied with worldly affairs.

What is to be the outcome of all this?
We cannot remain in this state very long.
Our spiritual life lacks the supernatural nourishment of grace, with the result that slowly but surely, we slip from dissipation into sin.
“With desolation is all the land made desolate,” laments the Holy Spirit, “because there is none that considereth in the heart” (Jer 12:11).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/30/thought-for-the-day-30-december-dissipation/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 29 December – Our Frequent Lapses

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Thought for the Day – 29 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Frequent Lapses

“The mercy of God, however, should not provide us with a reason for continuing to fall into sin.
On the contrary, it should be a motive for greater gratitude and love.
We cannot claim, that it is impossible for us to conquer temptation.
If we implore God’s grace and employ all the means of resistance at our disposal, temptation cannot overcome us.

How often in the past, when we prayed fervently and fought with determination, have we not successfully routed temptation?
Why can we not do the same again?
Then we shall have interior peace in this life and an everlasting reward in the next.
“God is faithful,” St Paul assures us, “and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength but, with the temptation, will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/29/thought-for-the-day-28-december-our-frequent-lapses/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 28 December – The Value of An Hour

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Thought for the Day – 28 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Value of An Hour

“This does not mean, of course, that we are obliged to spend all our hours engaged either in prayer or in penance, or in apostolic work.
God does not demand this much.
The bow which is extended too far will snap.
We do need rest, sleep and recreation.
But the most pleasant hours should be those which we dedicate to the love and service of God.

The hours, moreover, which we devote to our work, rest or enjoyments, should be spent in the presence of God.
From time to time, we should think of Him and speak to Him.
We should love also, to interweave our conversations, in a natural manner, with spiritual reflections, for the edification of our neighbour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/28/thought-for-the-day-28-december-the-value-of-an-hour/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 27 December – St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

“Both in his Gospel and in his letters, St John continually emphasises the virtue of charity.
He stresses the need for love of God and love of our neighbour, “God is love,” he says, “and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
According to St Jerome, when the Apostle John was almost a hundred years old and lacked the strength to speak for very long, he was accustomed to go, supported by his disciples, to gatherings of the faithful.
There he prepared, on every occasion, the same exhortation: “My children, love one another.”
His followers grew tired of this and finally asked him why he kept repeating the same phrase.
“Because that is God’s command,” je replied, “and if we do no more than obey it, that is sufficient!”

Let us meditate on his words and let us remember that our love for God is futile, unless it is accompanied by a practical love for our neighbour.
The love of God cannot be separated, from the love of our fellow-men.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/27/thought-for-the-day-26-december-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/27/thought-for-the-day-26-december-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 26 December – St Stephen, the First Martyr

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Thought for the Day – 26 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Stephen, the First Martyr

“Let us endeavour too, like St Stephen, to suffer, pray and work for the conversion of our fellowmen, so many of whom are wandering in the darkness of error or struggling in the clutches of vice.
Let us try, by our sufferings, prayers and good example, to draw down God;s grace on our unhappy brothers.
If we succeed, we shall share in the merits of their good actions and we shall have ensured our own everlasting salvation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/26/thought-for-the-day-26-december-st-stephen-the-first-martyr/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/26/thought-for-the-day-26-december-st-stephen-the-first-martyr-2/

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 25 December – The Feast of the Nativity

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Thought for the Day – 25 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Feast of the Nativity

“The first people to pay homage to Jesus Christ, are not men of exalted rank but humble shepherds.
They come to offer their poor gifts but, above all else, they offer Him their simple and innocent hearts.

We also should approach the manger with humility and simplicity.
Foremost among the gifts which we offer, should be the renunciation of sin, a firm resolution to resist our lower inclinations and a great love for Him, Who has loved us so much.
There are no more pleasing gifts which we could offer Jesus Christ on His Birthday.
Let us go now to Him!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/25/thought-for-the-day-25-december-the-feast-of-the-nativity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/25/thought-for-the-day-25-december-the-feast-of-the-nativity-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The DIVINE INFANT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 23 December – What Jesus Wants From Us

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Thought for the Day – 23 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena VIII
What Jesus Wants From Us

“Unless you turn and become like little children,” the Infant Jess says to us, “you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:2).
He wishes us to be humble, simple and innocent, like children.
As we grow older, unfortunately, many of us become proud, complicated and vain.
We lose the honest candour of childhood

Worldly pretentiousness cannot possibly appeal to Jesus, since He, Who is truly great, chose to become a tiny Infant.
He wishes us to renounce the self-important airs and the intricate methods which we employ, in order to conceal the truth, to disguise our lack of virtue and to assume the appearances of learning and of authority, regardless of the fact that the highest achievement of which we are capable, is to be humble, the most necessary knowledge of all, is to know Jesus Crucified and the best kind of authority, is the ability to control our passions and to subject ourselves to the will of God.

It is, in this sense, that we must become little children before God and before man.
Then Jesus Christ will love us and will grant us His favours.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/23/thought-for-the-day-23-december-what-jesus-wants-from-us-2/

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 22 December – Prayer and Dedication

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Thought for the Day – 22 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena VII
Prayer and Dedication

“Men are normally judged by their actions and by the degree of external success which they have achieved.
God, however, judges them by their intentions and by their internal dispositions.
It is futile and may even be dangerous, to accomplish great thins and to attract the attention and applause of men, unless we have first of all, learned the lesson which the Infant Jesus teaches us in the manger.

In other words, we must be humble and must seek God rather than ourselves, in all our thoughts, desires and actions.
If our actions are to be genuinely pleasing to God, however, they must originate in an interior life of dedication to God and of complete harmony with His will.
If this is lacking, everything is lacking!
Without this interior life of grace and love, we are “as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1) and our actions are valueless in the sight of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/22/thought-for-the-day-22-december-a-christmas-novena-vii-prayer-and-dedication/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 21 December – The Silence of the Divine Infant

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Thought for the Day – 21 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena VI
The Silence of the Divine Infant

“Evil always attracts a great deal of attention, whereas goodness operates in silence.
The reason why evil creates such a stir, is that it is the work of pride and of ambition.
It wants to be seen and to be applauded.
Goodness, good works, is done for God.
It does not seek the world’s applause but, only the approval of God.
When an enterprise sets out to look for publicity, there is reason to fear that it does not come from God but is prompted by human motives.
As a result, it will prove sterile!

If we sincerely desire to please God, we shall work in silence.

We shall not aim at our own worldly interests but, shall seek our own spiritual good and that of our fellowmen.
If it is God’s will. our good work may shine also before men but let us remember that this is for the glory of God and in order to give good example to our neighbour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/21/thought-for-the-day-21-december-2/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 20 December – The Swaddling Clothes of the Divine Infant

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Thought for the Day – 20 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Christmas Novena V
The Swaddling Clothes of the Divine Infant

“The swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus are, moreover, a symbol of the love which should bind us to Him.
If we are not capable of loving Jesus, are we capable of love at all?
Perhaps we love wealth, honour and pleasure?
Some day, however, we shall have to leave all our wealth behind.
Worldly honour and glory are also fleeting and can never satisfy us, while earthly pleasures leave behind a sense of emptiness and disgust.

Jesus Christ alone, can satisfy our hearts, for He alone, has words of everlasting life!
“Lord,” let us say with St Peter, “to whom shall we go? Thou hast words of everlasting life” (Jn 6:69).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/20/thought-for-the-day-20-december-the-swaddling-clothes-of-the-divine-infant-2/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on SIN, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 19 December – The First Hours in the Childhood of Jesus Christ

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Thought for the Day – 19 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena IV
The First Hours of the
Childhood of Jesus Christ

“Through life’s long journey we have often had occasion to shed tears,
We have wept for sheer physical pain or moral suffering.
Sometimes perhaps, we have wept for joy, for such joy as the world can give.
On other occasions, jealousy, hatred or caprice, may have moved us to tears.
But have we ever wept like Mary Magdalen, or St Augustine, for the sins which we have committed?

If the Infant Jesus wept for our sins, why should not we weep tears of repentance for them?
If the tears which we shed for weak, human reasons are not inspired, in any way, by sentiments of faith, love or reparation, they fail to relieve our anguish or to gain everlasting merit for us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/19/thought-for-the-day-19-december-2/

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The DIVINE INFANT

Thought for the Day – 18 December – The Cradle of the Divine Infant Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 18 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena III
The Cradle of the Divine Infant Jesus

“Perhaps I still preserve a strong attachment to sin and fall badly from time to time.
What is the main motivating power in my life?
Perhaps, I am motivated by self-interest and am attracted by pleasure, ease and worldly glory.
How little I have learned from the example of Our Lord in the manger.

Let us remember, that the man who looks only for worldly success, cannot find Heaven!
He will wind up bitter and disillusioned, whereas the man who seeks Jesus Christ, will eventually enjoy the peace and happiness which God alone can give.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/18/thought-for-the-day-18-december-a-christmas-novena-the-cradle-of-the-divine-infant-jesus/

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 17 December – Preparation for the Nativity

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Thought for the Day – 17 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena II
Preparation for the Nativity

“The better to celebrate this Mystery of the Word of God made Man for love of us, it is necesary to make some preparation.
Then, we shall be able to derive real spiritual benefit from the Feast of the Nativity.

We can prepare our minds for the celebration of this great Mystery, by meditation on te Infinite Goodness of God, Who was so moved by compassion for our misery that He came down from Heaven and became an Infant, whimpering on a bed of straw in a manger.
He offered His first sufferings for our sake, even as He later offered Himself on the Cross, as a Victim for our redemption.
This meditation should elicit from us, an act of profound humility.
If God so abased Himself, how can such sinful and ungrateful creatures, as we are, carry ourselves proudly and boastfully in the presence of God and of men?

This humble act of adoration on the part of our intellect, should be accompanied by an act of heartfelt love.
If we do not love Jesus, whom else are we capable of loving?
He alone is worthy of all ou affections; only He can satisfy the desires our our hearts!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/17/thought-for-the-day-17-december-a-christmas-novena-ii-preparation-for-the-nativity/

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 16 December – The Cave of Bethlehem

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Thought for the Day – 16 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena
The Cave of Bethlehem

“Jesus had another reason for electing to be born in the wretched cave at Bethlehem.
He desired to begin His earthly life with a striking lesson in humility.
Since this virtue is the basis of the spiritual life, it was the first which He wished to teach us.
He taught it indeed from the very beginning, long before He taught it in word, when He said: “Learn fro me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
Not only did He, the Omnipotent and Infinite God, become a little child but, He was born in such poverty that He had not even a house in which to shelter, nor a cradle in which to lie.
This should be an eloquent lesson for us, who are always thinking of our own comfort and of worldly appearances.

Let us go, in spirit, to the Stable in Bethlehem and bow before this Mystery of Love.
Let us promise Jesus to return His love as ardently and as sincerely as we are able!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/16/thought-for-the-day-16-december-the-cave-of-bethlehem-2/

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The BEATITUDES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 10 December – Holy Purity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 10 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Holy Purity

Since Mary excelled so much in this virtue and had so great a love for it, she will obtain for us from God, the grace necessary for us to preserve it, as long as we pray humbly to her, especially in times of temptation.

Let us remember, that at Baptism, we became members of the Mystical Body of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit (Cf 1 Cor 6:15-20).
We are obliged to avoid defiling this temple and making the Mystical Body of Christ a dwelling-place for the devil!
It is not true to say, that this is an impossible fight.
We know, from our own experience, that we can win.
We have often battled with, or fled from occasions of sin.
We have prayed and made sacrifices, in order to avoid sin and, with the help of God and the protection of the Blessed Virgin, we have won!
After our victory, we have felt elated and have experienced that peace, which only God’s grace can bestow.
If we have succeeded so many times, why cannot we do the same always?
There is no need to be afraid.
If we do all that we can, God’s grace will do the rest.
“I can do all things in Him, Who strengthens me,” Phil 4:12) says St Paul.
“God is faithful,” he writes elsewhere “and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength but, with the temptation, will also give you a way out, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).

If we remain pure, we shall see God.
We shall see Him in the work of His creation in this world and we shall see and enjoy Him forever in Heaven.
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Our Desires

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Thought for the Day – 9 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Desires

“Our desires may be vain or culpable or meritorious.
It is useless to long for the impossible or to base our desires on motives contrary to Christian resignation.
Happiness cannot be found on earth, so it is futile to look for it here.
It is much better to suppress these vain desires and to convert them into a longing for God and for our own perfection.

Some desires are blameworthy, for they spring from an immoderate attachment to worldly things, such as wealth or honours or even sin.
These desires are always sinful and can be seriously so, when they are deliberately directed towards e3vil objects.

Finally, however, there are desires which are good and reasonable.
Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed earnestly to His heavenly Father, to take away from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of the Passion.
But He added immediatel, “Yet not my will but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42).
When He was hanging from the Cross on Calvary, feeling crushed beneath the weight of our sins and utterly abandoned, He cried out in an agony of yearning: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46).
Nevertheless, He accepted with perfect self-surrender and obedience, all His sufferings, even His mysterious abandonment by His heavenly Father.

The Saints followed the example of Jesus.
Their lives were as full of longing, as they were of suffering.
But just as they offered their sufferings to God with generous hearts, so they offered Him their desires as prayer of supplication.
The Prophet David, yearned for mercy and forgiveness and his longing was expressed for all times, in the Psalm, “Miserere.”
St Teresa longed to suffer and to die for the love of Jesus.
When St Paul was labouring and praying for the salvation of his fellowmen, he desires “to depart ad to be with Christ, a lot by far the better” (Cf Phil 1:23).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/21/thought-for-the-day-21-april-our-desires/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 8 December – The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 8 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

“Let us remember that Mary was not only preserved free from sin and endowed with every supernatural gift but, she never, in her whole life, committed the slightest fault and, she advanced daily in holiness.
It is true that we do not possess the privileges accorded to the Blessed Virgin but, we have, nevertheless, received many favours from God and continue daily to receive them!

Let us promise, therefore, that we shall not be unworthy children of so great a Mother.
Let us promise to remain free from the slightest taint of sin, in order to please God and our Blessed Mother.

Let us promise, finally, to make daily progress towards that level of sanctity which God requires of us, in the particular state in which He has placed us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/08/thought-for-the-day-8-december-the-immaculate-conception/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/08/thought-for-the-day-8-december-the-immaculate-conception-2/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION

Thought for the Day – 7 December – Fasting and Abstinence

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 7 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Fasting and Abstinence

“Nowadays, fast and abstinence, takes the form of precepts of the Church which binds us under pain of mortal sin.
Before, they were commanded by the Church, however, they had been commanded by God.
God made the first law of this kind when He ordered Adam to obstain from the forbidden fruit.
Moses made particular laws of fast and abstinence for the Jewish people.
He also fasted himself, as did the Prophet Elias.
“My knees totter from my fasting, writes King David, “and my flesh is wasted of its substance.” (Ps 108:24).
“Prayer is good with fasting and alms,” (Tob 12:8) says Tobias.
Jesus fasted for forty days as an example to us and He waqrned us that the devil can be conquered only by prayer and fasting (Mt 17:20).
In a more general way, He warned us that: “Unless you repent, you will all perish” (Lk 13:5).
One of the means of doing penance most often recommended in Sacred Scripture, is fasting and abstinence.

Why, you may ask, should Our Lord and the Church, command us to mortify ourselves in regard to food?
There are powerful reasons.
It is an act of obedience to God, our absolute Master, Who does not demand anything of us, save for our own welfare.
Secondly, it is an act of reparation for our sins.
In the third place, it enables us to subdue our carnal impulses and in this way, makes us more obedient to the law of God.

A man who cannot mortify his appetite for food, will certainly not be able to resist the temptations of the flesh.
There is a connection between all these things.
If we cannot subordinate our bodily appetites to our spiritual faculties and to the Divine law, we shall not be able to raise ourselves from the level of an animal existence, to contact with God, through prayer and the practice of virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 6 December – The Word of God

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Thought for the Day – 6 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Word of God

“We should hold the word of God in reverence and listen attentively to it.
“He who hears you, hears Me” Jesus told His Apostles, “and he who rejects you, rejects Me” (Lk 10:16).
The man who preaches the word of God, maybe imperfect and ill-trained but, we should not judge his message by his personal qualities, abilities and oratorical skills.
We should focus our attention on the word of God and treasure that.
God often employs weak and imperfect instruments and even unworthy ones, in order to accomplish His work, so that we may hear His word with humility and seek Him, rather than men.
If we seek men, we shall find men but, if we seek God, we shall find God and His eternal Truth and Goodness.

We should listen humbly to God’s word and should remember that we have great need of it.
Even if we are well instructed and feel that we are more learned than the preacher, it is still necessary for us to be attentive to the living word of God, so that it may transform us and make us holy.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/13/thought-for-the-day-12-december-the-word-of-god/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 December – Peace of Soul

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Thought for the Day – 5 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Peace of Soul

“True peace consists in doing the will of God constantly and, with love.
When God gives us consolation and joy, we thank Him for His Infinite Goodness towards us.
When He sends us suffering and privation, we bless and thank Him nonetheless.
Let us recall the example of Job.
When he had lost his children, his health and all his possessions and, was derided by his wife and distrusted by his friends, he exclaimed in a spirit of resignation: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).

All this may seem too difficult to us but, it is only on these conditions that we can obtain interior peace.
By surrendering our will entirely to God, in all the circumstances of our lives, we can raise ourselves above all the sorrows and vain desires of this earthly existence and, we will find in God, a lasting peace and tranquillity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/12/thought-for-the-day-12-december-peace-of-soul/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRAMENTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 4 December – The Use and Abuse of the Sacraments

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Thought for the Day – 4 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Use and Abuse of the Sacraments

“In His great love and mercy, Jesus Christ has given us all the other Sacraments as well as Baptism.
This long chain of spiritual favours links the stages of our progress, from the cradle to the grave, sustaining and sanctifying us on the way.
Although His goodness is Infinite, God could not do any more for us.
He has endowed us through the Sacrament of Baptism, with supernatural life; He has given us the light and strength of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation; He has granted us forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance; power over His Real and His Mystical Body, in the Sacrament of Holy Orders and, a reflection of Divine Love, in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
At the close of our lives, He will heal the scars of sin and comfort our weary hearts, by means of Extreme Unction.
But, He has also bestowed on us, a gift, infinitely greater than all these, for He has given us Himself, in the Blessed Eucharist.

How can we remain cold and indifferent in the presence of so much goodness and generosity?
We have all the means necessary for salvation.
It will be disastrous for us, if we fail to cherish them and, if we neglect to repay such great love, with all the love of our poor hearts and with a determined effort to be good and holy.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/11/thought-for-the-day-11-december-the-use-and-abuse-of-the-sacraments/