Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 15 February – The Order of the Day

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Thought for the Day – 15 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Order of the Day

“Besides organising our day on the basis of a timetable, it is wise to work out, in advance, the way in which we shall behave during the different hours.
It is easy to be taken by surprise, carried away by events and, as a result, to waste time or do things badly.
We should make up our minds as to how we should behave in the presence of God and in the presence of men.

Concerning our relations with God, the best resolution is, to begin the day by prayer and, if possible, a visit to the Church.
Our ideal will be to hear Mass and receive Holy Communion.
During the day, especially in moments of trial, we shall raise our minds and hearts to God by means of short aspirations.
We shall live in the presence of God; we shall live in His life.

We shall end the day by making a visit, however brief, to the Blessed Sacrament and by saying our evening prayer.
When we are going to sleep, we shall say certain prayers and remember the presence of God.

This is a day in the life of a good Catholic.
How many can say that they spend their day like this?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/15/thought-for-the-day-15-february-the-order-of-the-day/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The HEART, The SIGN of the CROSS

Thought for the Day – 14 February – The Early Hours of the Day

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Thought for the Day – 14 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Early Hours of the Day

“Unfortunately, there are many who never give the slightest thought to God when they rise in the morning.
Or perhaps they think that a quick mechanical Sign of the Cross satisfies all their religious obligations.

A good Catholic could not behave in this fashion.
He kneels to say his morning prayers and raises his mind and heart to God in acts of thanksgiving, reparation and love.
Only in this way, can he begin the day with peace and confidence, knowing that during it, he will have continual need of God’s assistance.

If hitherto you have not behaved like this, make up your mind to begin everyday in future, by offering yourself to God, along with all your work, plans and worries.
This offering will be a wonderful spiritual advantage throughout the day.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/14/thought-for-the-day-14-february-the-early-hours-of-the-day/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 13 February – The Causes of Discontent

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Thought for the Day – 13 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Causes of Discontent

“There are a few people in the world, who are always content.
They walk lightly upon the earth, for their minds are already with God in Heaven and their hearts are united to Him.

Have they any anxieties or disappointments?
They have and they feel them deeply.
But, sorrow can make them bow their heads only for a moment and then, they raise them cheerfully again.
They understand that they are suffering for God, even as they live and work only for Him.
Therefore, their reaction to every sorrow or humiliation, is always the same:
“Deo Gratias!”
If God wants it this way, I must be satisfied too.
May His Holy Will be done in all things.

These people are the Saints who are never lacking in the Church.
The Apostles rejoiced in the insults and ill-treatment they received from the Sanhedrin, “They departed from the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).

Do we desire to possess also, the only kind of contentment it is possible to have on earth?
Let us do our best to become holy.
That is the only way open to us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/13/thought-for-the-day-13-february-the-causes-of-discontent/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 12 February – SELF-LOVE

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Thought for the Day – 12 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

SELF-LOVE

“Self-love dies three days after ourselves,” St Francis de Sales was accustomed to remark.
What he meant was that it is very difficult to think and act only for God, without our own ego raising its head and stealing some of His glory.
It is difficult to be humble in the presence of God.
But, it is more difficult still,to be humble before men.

When anyone genuflects in front of the Altar and begins to pray in the presence of God, it is not too difficult for him to bow his head and recognise his own weakness and dependance.
But it is different among other men.
In the presence of men, we are easily tempted to display ourselves and our endowments.
We feel displeased when we are not noticed, not praised.

Let us steer clear of the esteem of men.
Humility is the foundation of every virtue.
If we are not humble, we can never become holy!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 11 February – The Love of Our Neighbour

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Thought for the Day – 11 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Love of Our Neighbour

“But who really loves his neighbour as if he were himself?
Only the Saints.
Jesus loved us, not only as much as He loved Himself but much more than this because He gave His life and His own Precious Blood for salvation.
The Saints who lived the life of Christ and followed His example, saw Jesus in all their fellowmen.
Therefore, they loved them as themselves and even more than themselves.
One could cite thousands of instances of heroic charity in the lives of the Saints.
The example of St Paul will suffice, however.
He said that his life was so much the life of Christ, that it was not he himself, who was living any longer but Christ in him. (Rom 9:3).

Do we possess this sincere and active love of our neighbour?
Let us examine ourselves in this regard.
Let us remember that if we are lacking in this charity towards our brothers in Jesus, we are not genuine Christians!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/11/thought-for-the-day-11-february-the-love-of-our-neighbour/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 10 February – The Love of God

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

The Love of God

“We must love God, not only as our Creator and Lord but also, as our Redeemer and Saviour.
God’s goodness in having created us, is immense.
Being infinite, He had no need of us.
He created us, in order to give us a participation in His infinite power, wisdom and beauty.

The goodness of God in having become man and shedding His Blood for our salvation, however, is such a tremendous Mystery that only the infinite Love of God for us, could provide any kind of an explanation.
But this infinite Love demands equal love on our part.
Obviously, it cannot be equal, since we are poor, limited creatures.
So we should love God as the Gospel says, above all things and with the whole strength of our souls.
“We have come to know and have believed, the love that God has in our behalf .” (1 Jn 4:16), says St John.
We must believe firmly and completely, to the point of charity.
Charity works miracles.
It has worked miracles in the Saints.
It will do the same for us in our spiritual life and in our eternal apostolic work.

There is only one thing necessary and that one thing is for us to have this ardent charity, which is the bond of perfection (Col 3:14).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/10/thought-for-the-day-10-february-the-love-of-god/
PART TWO HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/09/thought-for-the-day-9-february-the-love-of-god/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Use of Creatures

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

The Use of Creatures

“The Saints understood clearly what our attitudes to creatures should be.
Created things should be a reflection of eternal beauty whicb entices us to love God, the Source and Origen of all things.
They should form a ladder, which makes it easy for us to ascend towards God and to achieve unity with Him.
But is this what creatures really mean to us?
Or do they, more often than not, lead us away from God?
Perhaps we are held up too frequently by our love for creatures and tend to forget God.
The passing loveliness of this earth causes us to forget the everlasting beauty for which we are destined.
Worse still, the use of creatures may divert us from God altogether and cause us to disobey His law.

Let us examine ourselves thoroughly on this point.
Let us see if it is necessary to alter the direction of our thoughts and desires and to purify our hearts, in such a way, that we shall think, love and act for God Alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/09/thought-for-the-day-9-february-the-use-of-creatures/

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Thought for the Day – 8 February – Doing Everything for the Love of God

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

Doing Everything
for the Love of God

“In one of his letters, Luther wrote that he was so busy that he had no time to read his Breviary, nor to offer Holy Mass.
There is no doubt that it was this estrangement from prayer and from the love of God, which caused him to finish up as he did.
Our work must be based on charity and the interior life, so that we may be always united with God.
Otherwise, every action of ours, no matter how good it may appear, is sterile and valueless in the sight of God.

Today also, there are many people busily engaged in apostolic work but they have no interior life nourished by charity.
This is what is known as the heresy of action.

Everything we do is useless and even harmful, if our external activity is not accompanied by a flourishing interior life, enriched by divine grace.
St Gregory the Great paraphrases the words of the Gospel as follows: “Our Lord says: If anyone loves Me, let him keep my commandments. Love is proved by action. This is why St John (1 Jn 2:4) says, that the man who claims to love God and does not keep His commandments, is a liar. We love God sincerely if we keep His commandments and avoid the immoderate pleasures of our age.
Anyone who surrenders without reserve to the unlawful desires of this world, certainly does not love God because, he is acting contrary to His will.” (Homil 30 in Ev).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/08/thought-for-the-day-8-february-doing-everything-for-the-love-of-god/
PART TWO HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/05/thought-for-the-day-5-february-doing-everything-for-the-love-of-god/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Religion and Action

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

Religion and Action

“Anyone who fails to correspond with the grace of God, is not living the life of Jesus.
Without the life of Jesus, he is a dead limb, a withered branch cut away from the vine.
It is not enough to say “Lord, Lord!” in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven but, it is necessary to do the will of our Heavenly Father (Cf Mt 7:21).
The grace of God must produce an abundant harvest of good works, no matter what sacrifices this may cost us.
Otherwise, God’s gift would have been bestowed in vain and, before the Supreme Judge one day, would be a reason for a terrible retribution, instead of a reward.
Let us think seriously about this.
Has the spirit of religion become reduced to an empty form of belief and ritual action, or are we really living what we believe?
Meditate with attention to these words of St James: “What will it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but does not have works? Can the faith save him? And if a brother or a sister be naked and in want of daily food and, one of you say to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for the body, what does it profit? So faith too, unless it has works, is dead in itself” (Js 2:14-17).

Even the devil believes but he is damned forever (Cf Js 2:18).
“Religion pure and undefiled before God the Father is this – to give aid to orphans and widows in their tribulation and to keep oneself unspotted from this world!” (Js 1:27).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/07/thought-for-the-day-7-february-religion-and-action/

Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on ZEAL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Religion and Devotion

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

Religion and Devotion

“Religion, should not be a cold, mehcanical practice of obedience to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Deep spiritual devotion and supernatural charity are necessary, as well as religion.
In other words, religion should not be merely external but, should spring from the mind and heart, this is devotion, which is the spirit of religion.
“Devotion,” wites Aquinas, “seems to be the determination to give one’s self readily to the service of God” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 1).
But this determination should be loving and effective because, as St Thomas also observes, “charity generates devotion” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 2).

St Francis de Sales analysed and expanded these ideas.
“True and living devotion,” he writes, “presupposes the love of God – indeed, it really is a true love of God… but a love… which has reached that height of perfection at which it not only causes us to act but, to act zealously, frequently and promptly…” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Bk I, C 1).
He continues: “Since devotion consists in an unique degree of charity, it not only makes us prompt, active and zealous in the observance of all the divine commands but, incites us, furthermore, to perform readily and lovingly, as many good works as we can… even if they are only recommended or suggested” (Ibid).
From this solid and sincere devotion flows, that taste for divine things, that inner gentleness and peace of spirit which the Saints enjoyed, even in the midst of sorrow and disillusionment.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and heart, that God wants most of all.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 5 February – IDLENESS

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

IDLENESS

“Idleness is forbidden by God because work is His commandment.
He had already told Adam and his successors: “In the sweat of your brow, you shall eat bread” (Gen 3:19).

St Paul warns us: “If any man will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thess 3L10).
This is a universal law which embraces people of all classes and circumstances.
God commands everyone to work.
Therefore, anybody who disobeys this law without reason, sins against God.
Those who lead leisurely inactive lives should meditate seriously on this law of God.
The fact that they possess large fortunes does not excuse them from this divine law.
They must engage in some work, either menial or manual.
It may be for themselves or it may be for their needy brothers who live in want or in illness and cannot fend for themselves.
We are all brothers in Jesus.
It is not right that one brother should live in poverty and wretchedness, while another idly enjoys a life of plenty and of pleasure.

Anyone who loves God is never idle, says St Jerome.
The love of God works wonderful things, if it does not, it cannot be called love.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/05/thought-for-the-day-5-february-idleness/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 4 February – Ora et labora” – Work and Sanctity

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

“Ora et labora” – Work and Sanctity

“Everything we do, whether we are working with our hands or with our minds, can and should be made holy by offering it to God.
The peasant who toils in the heart of the sun or in the hardship of winter, to wring a living from the hard soil, the workman who strikes the anvil with his hammer, or who extracts coal from the bowels of the earth, or who controls some complicate piece of machinery in order to produce the press, electricity or other services for men – all these can and should raise their minds frequently in adoration and thanksgiving to God, the Creator and Giver of every good.

In the same way, those who are engaged in intellectual work, dedicated to the study of the different branches of knowledge, human and divine, should remember that light comes from Heaven, not from the earth.
They should, therefore, ask in their prayers for God’s help.
Science without God is cold and soulless.
It can do more harm than good.
It fills the soul with pride and dries up the heart.
It can lead, as experience has shown us, to the destruction, instead of the wellbeing, of the human race.
Students and scientists must be investigators of the mysteries of God, as well as those, of the universe.
Only in God will they find an answer to the problems of the spirit.

There are some who work with both their minds and hearts.
These include priests, teachers, doctors, good sisters sacrificing their lives in the hospitals, the mothers of families and many others.
Their work will be especially fruitful, if it is united in a spirit of faith and charity with their prayers.
Doing all for love of God, becomes love!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/04/thought-for-the-day-4-february-ora-et-labora-work-and-sanctity/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Thought for the Day – 3 February – Work

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

WORK

“God created man master of the world.
He commanded him to populate it and to rule it (Cf Gen 1:28).
He placed him in an earthly paradise, “to till it and to keep it” (Gen 2:15).

As long as man remained in the state of innocence, however, work was a pleasure.
It gave him the joy of collaborating with God in the work of creation.
Today, work is still a pleasure.
By working, we co-operate with God because, it was His intention, tbat the resources of the earth should be explored by human industry and intelligence and should benefit both the individual and society.
Work is a noble occupation because it involves co-operation with God’s work of creation and conservation.
If anyone tries to deprive it of its lofty human character and to reduce it to the level of mere toil, regarding it as nothing more than an instrument of production or a handy system of exchange, he is debasing the worker and robbing him of all spiritual incentive.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Thought for the Day – 2 February – The Purification of Our Lady

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

The Purification of Our Lady

“In the Gospel narrative of St Luke (Cf 2:22-31), another character also appears.
He intrudes upon the scene without any apparent right to be there but, he had been inspired by God.
This is the old and saintly Simeon.
He was not a priest.
He was an upright man, careful in the observance of the law, who was waiting longingly for the coming of the promises Redeemer.
The Holy Spirit dwelt in him and had revealed, that he would not die until he had seen the Saviour.
He was inspired to go to the Temple, where he saw Jesus.
He took Him in his arms and was overcome with joy.
Then he blessed God and declared that he was now prepared to accept death, as he had been able to see and embrace the Saviour, as God had promised.
“Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace” (Lk 2:29).
It was a beautiful way to meet death, to be able to hold Jesus close to his heart and see his long life of hope and expectation rewarded by the loving embrace of his Lord.

Let us try and live like Simeon, with our minds and hearts turned towards Jesus.
Let us think chiefly of Him, love Him, above everything else and work only for Him.
Then our death will be as beautiful as his.
In fact, we shall be even more fortunate, for we can go further than receiving Jesus into our arms.
We shall be able to receive Him into out hearts.
He will be at hand to give us the supernatural strength which we shall need on our great journey into eternity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE;
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/02/thought-for-the-day-2-february-the-purification-of-our-lady/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/02/thought-for-the-day-2-february-the-purification-of-our-lady-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 1 February – “Unless You Turn and Become Like Little Children, You Will Not Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

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

“Unless You Turn and Become
Like Little Children,
You Will Not Enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven”

“At the beginning of their ministry, before they had been strengthened and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were as ambitious as most other men.
One day, the mother of John and James, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and asked Him, if her two sons could have precedence over the other Apostles and sit on the highest thrones in His Kingdom, one at His right hand and the other at His left.
Jesus disapproved of this desire to predominate. “Whoever wishes to become great among you,” He said, “shall be your servant and, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; even as the Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:26-28).

On another occasion, the Apostles came to Jesus and asked Him, which of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus’ only answer was to call a little child and to place him in the centre of the group.
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.   Whoever, therefore, humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3-4).

This is the lofty teaching of the Gospel.
If we wish to be great and pleasing in the eyes of God, we must be unimportant in our own regard and in our relations with men.
The Gospel involves an overthrow of human values.
Anyone who makes himself insignificant, will become great.
Anyone who tries to make himself out to be a great man, becomes of little account in the eyes of God.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Cf Js 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
If we wish to please the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the first thing we must do, is become as little children.
In other words, we shall have to suppress our ambition and vanity and destroy our self-love, so that, the Sacred Heart may fill our hearts with the love of God alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUTH

Thought for the Day – 31 January – Humility

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

Humility

“Humility is, in fact, truth.
Many think that it is a menial fiction, or a pious congregation and that only a few can really achieve it.

In other words, we must disregard ourselves.
We must be content to be unknown and unesteemed.
This might seem to be contrary to, or at least, superior to human nature but it is based on the simple naked truth.
What have we that is not a gift of God?
All that we have in the natural and supernatural order, we have received from God: “What hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast receive it, why dost thou boast as if thou hast not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7).

Our defects and sins are the only things which are really our own!
So we have a double motive for humility.
Everything good about us is a gift from God.
Only our sins belong to us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/21/thought-for-the-day-21-january-humility/

Posted in DANTE ALIGHIERI!, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 30 January – True Peace

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

True Peace

“When He came into the world, Jesus proclaimed peace.
The Angels hovering over His humble manger, sang songs of glory to God on high and of peace to men of goodwill on earth.
During His earthly pilgrimage, He often spoke of peace.
When He forgave sinners their faults, He said to each of them, “Go in peace” and “sin no more” (Lk 7:50; 8:48; Jn 8:11).
When He was leaving this earth, He bequeathed His peace to His Apostles, as if it were a sacred heirloom: “Peace I leave with you, My peace, I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27).
We can see, from these words, that the peace of Jesus, is not the same as worldly peace.

The Church, in its liturgy, implores from God, that peace which the world cannot give.
When the world speaks of peace, it means, normally, the external public peace which flows from respect for the law and for the established regime.
This is peace, there is no doubt about that.
It is necessary and is a gift from God.
But, it is not enough.
We need the inner peace of soul of which we have already spoken, for it is the only true and solid foundation for external peace.
Without this peace of soul, external peace is uncertain and fleeting.

We have said, that true peace is based on three things: Right order, harmony and liberty.
But, in order to obtain full and perfect peace, still one more thing is necessary – complete and loving abandonment to the will of God.
The beginning of real peace and holiness, lies in doing the will of God in every detail.
The perfection of peace and holiness, is to do the will of God in everything, purely from love for Him.

Dante expresses this profound idea when he decries the peace of the blessed in Heaven, now unshakeable in their joyful compliance with the divine will.”

“E la sua volontate e nostra pace:
Ella E quel mare, al qual tutto si move
cio ch’ella crea E che natura face.”

“His Will is our repose:
He is the ocean, into which everything flows,
which He has created in the universe.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/01/thought-for-the-day-1-february-true-peace/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 28 January – How to Guard Holy Purity

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

How to Guard Holy Purity

“Because it is so difficult to preserve the angelic purity of the soul. it is absolutely essential to make good use of the measures favoured for this purpose, by the masters of the spiritual life.
The first of these is prayer – the spirit of prayer will keep us close to God.
If our minds and hearts are united to God in the performance of every action, we will never allow ourselves to be separated from Him by impurity.
This spirit of prayer must be based on humility and the consciousness of our continual need of God and, must be kept alive, by love for Him.

The second measure is, to avoid the occasions of sin.
“Sensuality is best conquered by flight.” St Thomas Aquinas advises us (Summa Theologiae I-II, q 35).
“He who loves danger will perish in it” (Ecclus 3:25).
Battles like this, said St Francis de Sales, are won by the soldiers who retreat.
As soon as an impure thought or image intrudes itself, drive it away as if a serpent were attacking you.
It is fatal to allow the thought or image to gain ground, for at this stage, victory becomes extremely difficult!

Thirdly, it often helps to occupy the mind and imagination immediately with things in which we are interested.
The greatest danger of all in these moments of temptation is idleness.

So let us examine our conscience now and we shall perceive, that everytime we have fallen in any way, it was always because we did not put into practice, the remedies suggested.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/30/thought-for-the-day-30-january-how-to-guard-holy-purity/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 27 January – Blessed are the Clean of Heart

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

Blessed are the Clean of Heart

“There is a purity of heart and chastity, which is an obligation for everybody, even for those who are married or preparing for marriage.

Everybody is obliged to avoid any act of impurity, insofar as it is opposed to his own particular state, to the natural law and to the Divine law.
Do not think that this degree of chastity is any easier than the first.
Sometimes, the obligations it imposes, are even more difficult than those of absolute virginity.

There is only one remedy for impurity.
It is the practice of virtue, to the point of sacrifice.
Only a man who is ready, with the help of God, to make any sacrifice can preserve purity of heart.
It is a difficult struggle but only those who win, can see God.
Our Lord has said: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).
Only the clean of heart will be able to see and enjoy Him forever in Heaven and, by means of His grace, will be able to see Him, in a less perfect manner, on earth.
St Thomas Aquinas says, that mental blindness is the main effect of impurity (Summa Theologiae II-II q 55, a 6).
This is because, anyone who gives himself up to impurity, loses all spiritual enlightenment and easily loses his faith, as well!
He no longer sees God and he does not believe anymore because his heart is steeped in the mire of impurity.
“The sensual man does not perceive the things that are of the Spirit of God, for it is foolishness to him and he cannot understand …” (1 Cor 2:14).
He is like the blind mole which creates its own dark little underground world and cannot see the sky anymore.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/29/thought-for-the-day-29-january-blessed-are-the-clean-of-heart/

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 26 January – Blessed are the Merciful

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

Blessed are the Merciful

“Some day, each one of us will stand before the Judgement Seat of God and will have to render an account of all our actions.
Are we anxious that God will be merciful to us at that crucial moment?
Let us be forgiving and charitable towards others now.
It is clear from the words of the Gospel, that we shall be pardoned or condemned, largely in accordance with the measure of our mercifulness and charity.
God will show mercy towards us as we show mercy towards others.
In fact, the Eternal Judge will say to the good “Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirst and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; naked and you covered me; sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”
Then He will turn to the wicked and deliver this terrible sentence: “Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you did not give me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink’ I was a stranger and you did not take me in; naked and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison and you did not visit me … Amen I say to you, as long as you did me not do it for one of these least ones, you did not do it for me” (Mt 25:34-46),

These are terrifying words.
They should persuade us to express charity towards all who are suffering in any way whatsoever!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/28/thought-for-the-day-28-january-blessed-are-the-merciful/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES

Thought for the Day – 25 January – The Rich

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

The Rich

“Wealth is a gift from God.
Therefore, it is good, like everything else which comes from God.
Worldly wealth, as St Thomas Aquinas says, can be an instrument of virtue.
But, it is good only insofar, as it leads to holiness.
If it interferes with the practice of virtue, it is evil (Summa Contra Gentiles, Bk III, 134).

God created the wealth of the earth, not for a few but, for all mankind.
All men have the right, therefore, to draw their means of subsistence from the earth.
If any individual with large private possessions, however lawfully acquired, battles against this right to live, he commits a grave sin.
This could happen either because a man is lacking in justice or in charity.
Both justice and charity are commanded by God, however and, it matters very little, whether a man goes to Hell because he has offended against justice or because he has offended against charity.
Hell is Hell, in either case!

Let us examine ourselves and see if we are lacking in either of the virtues.
It is certain that there would not be so much misery and want in the world, if the Gospel teaching on the virtues of justice and charity had ever really triumphed.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/27/thought-for-the-day-27-january-the-rich/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 24 January – Following Jesus, the Divine Model

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Thought for the Day – 24 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Following Jesus, the Divine Model

“Jesus is the Divine Model, Whom we ought to follow and imitate.
In Him, the virtues possess both the infinite splendour of the Divinity and the gentle appeal of glorified Humanity.
Jesus does not dazzle us with His brightness but kindly invites us to love and follow Him.
“Learn from me” He says, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29).
After He has indicated humility, meekness and interior peace, as the foundations of the spiritual life, He invites us to take up the yoke of His law and assures us, that we shall find it light (Mt 11).

If we follow Jesus, even though we are bowed with Him, beneath the weight of the Cross, we shall experience, even in this life, a reflection of the peace and joy which will be our reward in Heaven.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/24/thought-for-the-day-24-january-following-jesus/
PART TWO HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/11/thought-for-the-day-11-july-following-jesus/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 23 January – Mediocrity

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

Mediocrity

“Mediocrity in the spiritual life, inevitably paves the way for sin.
Indifference at prayer, listlessness in practising charity and habitual neglect of our duties in life, lead firstly, to deliberate venial sin and finally, to mortal sin.
If we are not generous with Jesus, Jesus will CEASE to be generous with us!
He will NO LONGER shower us with His grace.
Deprived of this heavenly dew, our souls will grow dry, shrivelled and incapable of producing fruits worthy of eternal life.

Let us get rid of any tendency towards lassitude.
Let us revive the divine charity in ourselves.
Let us make firmer resolutions and pray more fervently, that the grace of God will make us capable of greater effort.
TIME IS SHORT – DO NOT DELAY!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE;
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/25/thought-for-the-day-25-january-mediocrity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/25/thought-for-the-day-25-january-mediocrity-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 22 January – Carrying our Cross

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

Carrying our Cross

“When we have renounced ourselves in order to do the will of God in every detail, we must embrace our cross everyday.
We must carry it with resignation and love, in the footsteps of Jesus.
Each of us has his cross.
It might be, ill health or financial distress.
It might be, some person whom we feel to be intolerable and with whom we hve to live.
It might be, humiliation or calumny.
It might be, some temptation, which we find hard to fight and which is continually causing us to fall.
It might be, all of these things together.
Whatever it is, it is our cross.

To rebel, would be to make things far worse.
Our cross would only become heavier and more unbearable.
Jesus tells us to embrace it, as He did.
He tells us to bow beneath it’s weight and follow Him.
If we accept His invitation, at once our cross will seem lighter.
A man who is in love, does not feel fatigue.
We must carry our cross out of love of God and in the hope of a heavenly reward.
Then we can say with St Francis de Sales – “Suffering passes but the experience of having suffered for the love God remains.”
We shall understand how true were Our Lord’s words – “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).

The cross, which we accept, from the hands of Jesus and out of love for Him, is a sweet burden.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 21 January – Self-Denial

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

Self-Denial

“Let us examine carefully what is meant by this self-denial.
It makes two main demands on us.
Firstly, we must renounce all those lower impulses and desires, which besiege the soul (1 Peter 2:11).
This means, that we have to control and discipline our passions.
Since original sin has corrupted our nature, these passions must be restrained and conquered and then, directed towards good objects.
Our passions must be changed into virtues.
This is a hard task to accomplish for which we must employ, both natural and supernatural means.

But, we cannot stop at this task.
The second requirement will cost us even more!
We must renounce our own ego, our own will.
How can we do this?
We must no longer desire whatever is pleasing to us but whatever is pleasing to God.
Our will must cease, as it were, to belong to us, in order to become the will of God.
Is it the will of God, that we should be sick, or poor, or humiliated?
Thank God for it.
Does He desire to give us consolations or honours or success?
Thank Him for this too.
Desire nothing else but what He desires.
We are no longer ourselves.
Our will is completely absorbed in the will of God.
This is not a degradation of human nature – it is a sublimation.
Self-renunciation makes it possible for God to live and act in us.
Anyone who reaches this goal can say with St Paul: “It is now no longer I who live but Christ lives in me!” (Gal 2:20).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/22/thought-for-the-day-22-january-self-denial/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 20 January – Blessed are the Poor

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

Blessed are the Poor

“Detachment from riches implies, the obligation of using them, as a means of reaching eternal life and in accordance with the principles of justice and charity.
This is a positive command of God, which nobody can ignore without falling into sin to a greater or lesser extent.
But over and beyond this general rule, there is an evangelical counsel to which only the privileged few are called in their search for perfection.
This evangelical counsel says to us: “If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come, follow me” (N 19:21; Mk 10:21; Lk 12:33, 18:22).

If we have received this great call to evangelical perfection, we must listen to it and follow Jesus promptly and generously.
But even if our vocation does not lie in that direction, let us take care not to become too attached to the passing things of this world.
Our hearts were not made for them but, for God alone!

Remember the striking words of St Paul: “Brethren, the time is short; it remains that those who have wives, be as if they had none and, those who weep, as though not weeping and those who rejoice, as though not rejoicing and those who buy, as though not possessing and those who use the world, as though not using it, for this world, as we see it, is passing away” (1 Cor 7:29-31).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/26/thought-for-the-day-26-january-blessed-are-the-poor/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 19 January – Humility

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

Humility

“Humility is the most difficult of all the virtues because, it requires us to deny ourselves.
Jesus warns us, that anyone who wishes to follow Him, must deny himself. “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself” (Mt 16:24).

Humility is necessary if we wish to go straight to Jesus, Who was the first to humble Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross (Phil 2:8).
The Imitation of Christ contains some profound remarks upon this subject. “Seldom do we find anyone, so spiritual, as to be stripped of all things… If a man gives his whole substance, still it is nothing.   And if he do great penance, it is but little. And if he attain to all knowledge, he is far off still.    And if he have great virtue and very fervent devotions, there is still much wanting to him, namely, the one thing which is supremely necessary for him.   What is that?   That having left all things else, he leave also himself and wholly go out of himself and retain nothing of self-love.” (Bk II, c.2:4).

When he has done all this, remember, he has only given God all that he received from Him.
He has given nothing which was really his.
He has only fulfilled an obligation of restitution.
When he has arrived at this stage of humility, therefore, he should repeat the words of Jesus.   “When you have done everything that was commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants, we have done what it was our duty to do’” (Lk 17:10).

This is genuine humility, as preached in the Gospel.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS

Thought for the Day – 18 January – The Veneration and Imitation of the Saints

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

The Veneration and Imitation
of the Saints

“The worship of the Saints, is an act of veneration (dulia), not of adoration (latria), which can be given only to God.
It is wrong to imagine, as many Protestants do, that by praying to and venerating the Saints, we subtract something from the homage we owe to God.
The veneration of the Saints and the adoration of God are entirely distinct activities.
Moreover, the Saints are the faithful servants of God and intercede with Him on our behalf.
By venerating and invoking them. we honour the Giver of all holiness.

If anyone, on the other hand, were to disregard the worship of God, in favour of devotion to the Saints, he would be making a serious mistake.
A person who goes into a Church and rushes over to a Statue of the Blessed Virgin or of one of the Saints, without giving a thought to the Living and Eeal Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist, is developing false and sentimental piety!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/18/thought-for-the-day-18-january-the-veneration-and-imitation-of-the-saints/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, INGRATITUDE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 17 January – The Vicissitudes of Life

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

The Vicissitudes of Life

“There are three kinds of trials which we have to expect:

(a) Suffering in the guise of illness or accidents.

(b) The insults, lack of understanding and ingratitude of our fellowmen.

(c) Temptations and allurements of sin.

We must make a spiritual preparation at the beginning of everyday and surrender ourselves with filial confidence into the hands of God.
Sorrows, illness and misfortune may come.
Let us offer ourselves to God in our morning prayer.
Like Jesus and with Jesus, let us bow beneath the cross, which is laid upon us.

Perhaps men will insult us and misunderstand us.
Let us accept all this with resignation and love for God and our neighbour, whoever he may be.
In this, we shall be like our Divine Redeemer, Who, when He was nailed to the Cross, not only forgave but prayed to His Eternal Father, for those who had Crucified Him.

The enchantment of sin may disturb the peace and purity of our soul.
In this matter especially, we must prepare to resist, from the very beginning of the day.
We must intercede with God, fervently renew our resolutions and turn our attention, when necessary, to other worthwhile thoughts and activities.
Let us never panic but place our trust in God.
He will enable us to conquer!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/17/thought-for-the-day-17-january-the-vicissitudes-of-life/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Thought for the Day – 16 January – The Help of God

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

The Help of God

“There are several passages in Sacred Scripture which emphasise clearly and effectively, our utter weakness and dependence on God.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves,” says St Paul, “to think anything, as from ourselves but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Cor 3:5).

Jesus warns us, that without Him, we can do nothing: “Without me, you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).
He uses the allegory of the vine and the branches as an illustration of this.
I am the vine, He says and you are the branches.
So it is necessary for you to remain united to me and I to you.
In the same way as a branch that does not live on, in the vine, can yield no fruit of itself, so you can do nothing, if you do not live on in Me.
If anyone does not remain united to Me, he will be like a withered branch which is thrown into the fire to be burned (Jn 15),

We must remain united to Jesus, therefore, if we wish to do anything good and to merit everlasting life.
Otherwise, the supernatural life of grace will not be transmitted to us.
If Jesus is not there, death comes into our souls.
Let us remain close to our Divine Redeemer.
If we continue to live in Him, He will give us everything we ask, as He has promised: “If you abide in me and, if my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done to you” (Jn 15:7).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci