Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PAPAL DECREE, papal ENCYCLICALS, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on VICE, THE ASSUMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” –The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

“In their sermons and speeches
on the Feast day of the Assumption of the Mother of God,
the holy Fathers and the Great Doctors of the Church,
were speaking of something which the faithful already knew
and accepted – all they did, was to bring it out into the open,
to explain its meaning and substance in other terms.
Above all, they made it most clear,
that this Feast commemorated, not merely the fact
that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not experience bodily decay
but also, her triumph over death
and her heavenly glory,
following the example of her only Son, Jesus Christ.”

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
From the Apostolic Constitution
“Munificentissimus Deus”
Defining the DOGMA of the Assumption
1 November 1950

“Jesus willed, however, that the Immaculate body
of His Mother would remain intact.
It was only her great love
and intense desire of being reunited with her Son,
which gradually consumed her mortal life.
Her ever-increasing love for God,
broke the bonds of her mortal frame
until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord.
If only our death could be the same!”

“Humility is the Mother of all the virtues,
even as pride is the source of all the vices.
If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph,
we must, first of all, share in her humility.
The glorious Assumption of Mary
contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 14 August – “Holy Mary”

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

“Holy Mary”

“The Angel’s greeting was completed later by the salutation of St Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth saw the Blessed Virgin coming to visit her, she cried out in humble veneratin:  “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” (Lk 1:42).

In the first part of the Hail Mary, then, we pay her the words of the Gospel, the highest tributes ever accorded to any human creature, proclaiming her to be full of grace, blessed among women and Mother of the Redeemer.
The second part which was later added by the Church,  (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church), is a heartfelt supplication addressed to Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.”
It would be difficult to find a more touching plea.
We ask our heavenly Mother to intercede for us now – because we have such great need of her assistance in this vale of tears and temptations.
May she be always by our side, to shelter us beneath her mantle!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HOPE, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 13 August – “Mary, Our Hope”

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

“Mary, Our Hope”

“These expressions of confidence in Mary’s powerful intercession, should not lead us astray, however.
They hold good with absolute certainty, only for those who have true devotion to Mary.
Even if they are sinners, such clients of Mary, must have at least the good intention of changing their lives and never offending God again.
Sin and sincere devotion to Our Lady, cannot co-exist!
“Relinquish every intention of sinning.” St Gregory VII wrote to the Princess Matilde, “and you will find Mary more eager to help you than any earthly mother” (Lib 1, Ep 47).

We should ask, furthermore, for spiritual favours first of all.
Later we can ask for temporal favours, if they are to our spiritual advantage.

Finally, if we are to have a true devotion to Mary, we must love and imitate her. as well as pray to her.
Anyone who sincerely tries to do all this, is certain of salvation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St PAUL!

Thought for the Day – 12 August – Faith and Charity

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

Faith and Charity

“Faith is a wonderful thing.
As has been said, it is a supernatural gift from God which we should keep alive by prayer.
Faith alone is not enough, however.
It is the foundation, on which we must build the structure of our Christian life.
It is especially necessary for it to be united to the flame of charity.
“Without love,” says St Augustine, “there is only the faith which the devil has” (De Caritate 10) because, as St James explains, “the devil also believes and trembles” (Js 2:19).
We, however, should believe and love.
We must combine faith with charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
Our faith should be active.
As St Paul says, it should work under the influence of charity (Gal 5:6).
Without charity and good works, faith is a lifeless thing.

If we really believe, we should love God above all things, even more than we love ourselves and, we should be ready to make any sacrifice for Him, even the sacrifice of our lives.

Faith should induce us to think constantly of God and charity should urge us to do everytig for His sake, rather than for any lesser purpose.
If we lack this kind of charity, we cannot claim to be sincere Christians.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE

Thought for the Day – 11 August – How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

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

How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

“It is useful to consider the ways in which we can develop a constant and effective awareness of the Presence of God.
The first way in which we can do this, is by cultivating a lively faith, which will help us to see God everywhere.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord?” (Jer 23:24).

This kind of faith should deepen our sense of God’s Presence and inspire in us sentiments of love and gratitude, which will guide us in all our actions.
We cannot expect that we shall be able to remain in a state of constant contemplation of God, for this is the privilege enjoyed by the blessed in Heaven, for whom faith has been replaced by the Beatific Vision.
We must be satisfied with exciting in ourselves, as often as possible, the active awareness of God’s Presence.
This should be a quiet and peaceful process, not involving undue mental effort or anxiety.

We should be able to attend quite naturally to our work and other obligations and, we should be helped and consoled in this, by directing our thoughts to God from time to time, in order to offer ourselves to Him.
This can easily be done by means of frequent ejaculatory prayer, by renewing, at regular intervals, our intention of doing everything for the love of God and by being prepared to endure, in complete acceptance of the Divine Will, all the hardships and trials of the day.
Whenever it is possible, moreover, we should escape from the care and confusion of the world into a quiet Church.
Here we can kneel in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist and express, in intimate prayer, our love for Him and our desire to serve Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, Lady POVERTY, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on the POOR, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 10 August– The Blessedness of the Poor

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

The Blessedness of the Poor

“We have established the principle that wealth is, in itself, good and is a gift from God but that, “it is good, insofar, as it leads us towards virtue and evil, insofar, as it leads us towards vice” (Summa Contra Gentiles III 134).
We must now insist, once more, on the necessity of remaining detached from worldly goods and of concentrating our attention primarily on God.
It is an unfortunate fact that only too often, wealth is a spiritual obstacle, for it diverts our attention away from Heaven and towards worldly objects.
If this happens, some of its worse results can be the worship of money, the destruction of high ideals, indifference to the poverty of others, the vain and selfish search for happiness on this earth and complete spiritual blindness.
This is why it is more difficult for the rich man than for the poor man, to save his soul.

“If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to the poor” (Mt 19:21).
This is an evangelical counsel which we may have neither the courage, nor the vocation to pursue.
At least, however, let us seek to purify ourselves of all attachments to wealth.
If we have riches, moreover, let us do our best to use them as instruments of virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 9 August – “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

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

“Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

“In the second part of the Lord’s Prayer, we ask the universal Father, on behalf of ourselves and of our brethren, for all things necessary for soul and body.
Since we have already paid homage to God, our Creator and our Redeemer and, have prayed for the triumph of His Kingdom and for the accomplishment of His Will in Heaven and on earth, Our Lord does not forbid us to think now of ourselves and to pray for our own needs.
“Give us this day our daily bread,” we ask, intending to pray, both for our spiritual and material requirements.

We should not delude ourselves into imagining that it is we who produce the fruits of the earth.
A grain of wheat dies beneath the soil but God has infused into it, a mysterious force as a result of which, in dying, it generates new life.

The moisture of the soil, the warmth of the air and the light of the sun combine to develop this mysterious life-force, which produces the green stalk and then the flaxen ear of corn which provides us with bread.
It is God Who has given this vital power to this tiny seed, as well as to all the other seeds of the soil.
It is He Who has endowed the soil with the nutritive elements from which the seeds draw life and it is He, Who sends the dew, the rain and the sunshine, which cause the flowers to blossom and the plants to bear fruit.

We should ask God humbly, therefore, to “give us this day our daily bread.”
Our own labours would be futile without the intervention of the all-powerful Creator.
We are capable, neither of producing, nor of destroying a single atom nor a single seedling.
Without God, we are incapable of achieving anything, either inthe natural or in the supernatural order.
Therefore, we must ask Him to provide us with what we need.
He is supremely good and loves us very much.
His Providence will not leave us in want, even if we are often obliged to work with all our energy, in co-operation with Him to procure the necessaries of life.
The birds have no granary, yet they manage to find enough seed to keep them alive because God is watching over them.
How could we suppose, that He will not look after us, if we turn to Him with trust and perseverance?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 8 August – The Search for God

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

The Search for God

“All men are looking for God, whether they are aware of it or not.
They are discontented and cannot understand why.
They do not realise, that the real source of their discontent, is that they have not found God and God alone can make men happy.
The Blessed Virgin had to put up with many sorrows but, she never had to bear the pain which afflicts the rest of us, to a greater or a lesser degree, the pain of separation from God.
Even when she lost the Child Jesus, she still possessed God in her soul, for she had surrendered herself completely to Him.
Throughout her life, she remained united to God in joy and in sorrow.
God’s will was her will, His desires were her desires.

If we wish to be worthy sons of Mary, we must imitate her in this.
Let us consider the nature of our most intimate thoughts and desires.
How often we forget God!
How little we really think of Him.
We are absorbed in so many other affairs, that we forget Him, Who should be the centre of our plans.
We are too fond of ourselves and of our own comfort and interests.
As a result, we forget Him, to Whom we owe everything and Who should be the final goal of our lives.
Our hearts are very small.
If we fill them with worldly desires, there is no room for God.
But God should be the absolute master of our souls.

Let us empty ourselves of useless worldly preoccupations and make room for spiritual aims.
Let us make room for God.
Like Mary, let God be our only preoccupation,
If we look for Him in everything, we shall find Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god/

Posted in "Follow Me", MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PATIENCE

Thought for the Day – 7 August – Mary’s Patience

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

Mary’s Patience

“Holy Mary, Mother of Sorrows, obtain for me the spirit of loving patience which made you the Queen of Martyrs.
Help me to carry, with resignation, the cross which God has given me.
Help me to walk like you in the footsteps of Jesus, until I reach my Calvary, so that I may join Him and you, in the glory of Heaven. Amen,”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/10/thought-for-the-day-10-may-marys-patience/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/10/thought-for-the-day-10-may-marys-patience-2/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 6 August – The Cardinal Virtues of Mary

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

The Cardinal Virtues of Mary

“Let us compare ourselves with Mary and consider how far we have succeeded in acquiring these virtues.
If we are to possess fully, the Cardinal virtue of JUSTICE, we must direct all our thoughts, desires and actions, towards God.
Since everything comes from God, we should offer everything back to Him.
If we fail to do this, we are guilty of injustice towards God.
We take something which belongs to Him, for ourselves,
We must also be just to our neighbour.
It is not enough to be charitable only because there can be no charity, unless, it is founded on justice.
This justice should characterise our thoughts and judgements, as well as our words and actions.

Have we the Virtue of PRUDENCE?
Prudence demands constant self-control.
How often do we lose control over ourselves and say things which we ought not to say, or do things, which we ought not to do?
Prudence is a splendid virtue, which can be obtained by the grace of God, by living a life of union with Him.
It necessitates constant vigilance over our faculties and passions, in order to ensure, that nothing will interfere with our rational conduct and with our observance of the commandments of God.

Interior TEMPERANCE, is simply the result of prudence, insofar, as it obliges us to master ourselves and to abstain from everything which could upset the proper order of our faculties, in relation to one another and to God.
If we are inwardly temperate, we shall show external temperance in our words and deeds.
We shall abstain, in other words, from everything suggested by our lower nature, which is contrary to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
This means, we shall observe among other things, the Church’s laws of fasting and abstinence.
We shall keep away from dangerous amusements and from anything else which could be harmful to ourselves or to our neighbour.

Finally, we must imitate the FORTITUDE of Mary.
We must be brave in the face of temptation to sin, in suffering and in all the diffculties of life.
Looking always towards Heaven, our true home, we shall find at last, the peace and happiness, which have no end.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THEOLOGICAL

Thought for the Day – 5 August – The Theological Virtues of Our Lady

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

The Theological Virtues of Our Lady

“We also possess the Catholic Faith, or at any rate, believe that we possess it, for we often recite the Creed and were received, at Baptism, into the family of the Catholic Church.

But is our faith alive?
When a man is living his faith, he has a constant realisation of the Presence of God, Who has created him, maintains him in existence, has redeemed him, loves him and commands him to do good.
Otherwise, our faith is dead, for as St James writes, “faith, without works, is dead” (Js 2:26).
If our faith is not living, neither is our hope nor our charity.

Let us examine ourselves thoroughly.
Perhaps we do not think about God enough and, as a result our faith is weak.
Perhaps we place all our hope in earthly things and look for these passing pleasures, which cannot satisfy or hearts.
Perhaps we love ourselves and our possessions too much and have too little love for God, our only real good.
It maybe that we are constantly seeking our own interests and ease and are lacking in sincere and active charity towards our neighbour, when he is in need, even though he is our brother in Jesus Christ and we should love him as ourselves.
If this is the way matters stand, we are not genuine Catholics, for we have not the three theological virtues, which should form the basis of our lives.
Neither are we sincere sons of Mary, who possessed these three virtues in an outstanding manner.
Let us examine ourselves with a view to forming a few good and earnest resolutions.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/08/thought-for-the-day-8-may-the-theological-virtues-of-our-lady/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 4 August – The Presence of God

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

The Presence of God

“In times of temptation, it is especially necessary for us to place ourselves in the presence of God.
We are courting disaster, if we do not raise our minds and hearts to God to implore His help, when temptation assails us.
Like the Apostles on the lake of Genesareth, when their frail boat was battered by the storm tossed waves and was in danger of being wrecked, let us cry out with the same faith and confidence, when we are assaulted by the devil: “Lord save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25).
God knows our weakness and will certainly have mercy on us.

Let us not lose courage if He seems to be slow in granting His enlightenment and His grace and leaves us prey to the onslaughts of our passions.
Like the Canaanite woman in tbe Gospel, let us continue to pray with constancy and with faith and the merciful God will take pity on us at last.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/30/thought-for-the-day-30-march-the-presence-of-god/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HOLY GHOST

Thought for the Day – 3 August – The Human Soul 

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

The Human Soul 

The human body is one of the most wonderful creations of God.
Unlike the bodies of most animals, it does not bend, towards the earth but stands up, towards the sky, in the direction of our true heavenly fatherland.
It communicates with creation outside it, by means of the five senses.
It has contact with other bodies too, as a way of making use of them, when the opportunity arises, by means of the sense of touch.
It has the sense of taste, to distinguish between different flavours and to act as a guide to it’s sustenance.
The sense of smell, enables it to experience perfumes and to avoid unhealthy odours.
By means of hearing and speech, it can communicate with other people, understand their ideas and express it’s own, as well as, listen to the wonderful music of creation.
Lastly, there is sight, the most astounding of the senses, which helps us o see in earthly objects, an enchanting reflection of the eternal Beauty of God.
The scientist is lost in admiration at the perfection of the human body and if his science is also wisdom, he should exclaim:  ‘This is the hand of God!’

Nevertheless, in comparison with the greatness of the human soul, the perfections of the body are quite insignificant.
The soul is like a breath of the Divine Spirit and a ray of the Divine Wisdom.
It is a simple, spiritual and immortal being, which bears in itself, the Image of God.
Unlike the body, it is not tied to this earth but can soar high above it, by means of it’s faculty of thought.
It can investigate the secrets of God’s own nature and is also capable of immense love.
We should indeed be grateful to God for His Infinite Goodness.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 August – The Intercession of Our Lady

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

The Intercession of Our Lady

“Holy Mary, my loving Mother, hear my supplications and obtain for me, from your Divine Son, all the graces of which I am in need.
Obtain for me, more of all the grace to become holy.
Grant that I may do always and in all circumstances, whatever Jesus tells me to do.
Grant that my will may be in harmony with His most Holy Will and, that my actions may be in accordance with His Divine Commandments,
Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 1 August – The Virginal Purity of Mary

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

The Virginal Purity of Mary

“Purity is the most beautiful of virtues.

It is a virtue which is admired by God and by men, even by the most corrupt.
It is often said, that it makes us like the Angels but in fact, looking at it in a particular way, it makes us superior to the Angels.
Since they have no bodies, the angels cannot sin against purity, while we have to fight many battles and overcome many temptations, in order to preserve our chastity.
Jesus had a very special love for this virtue.
He chose to be born of a Virgin and, He showed a particular affection for St John, who was a dedicated celibate.
On one occasion, He placed His Hands on the head of a little child and said: “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven “(Mt:18.3)

Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as fragile as it is beautiful.
It can be lost in a single moment of weakness.
We must love this virtue as Mary loved it.
We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, even the most heroic, rather than lose it.
Worldly charm and beauty attract us and the devil works hard to control our imagination and our affections.
On account of the disturbance of original sin, the flesh is like a terrible weight retarding our spiritual advancement.
Sometimes it seems as if it is irresistibly drawing us towards the abyss of impurity.
But we need not be dragged down, if we are prepared to fly from the occasions of sin and to pray to God and to our heavenly Mother for her intercession.
We must always act at once, for there is no time to dally.
It is fatal to remain inactive and to allow temptation to make its way into our soul.
This kind of battle, said St Francis de Sales, is won only by soldiers who flee.
We must fly from the occasions of sin, no matter what sacrifice this entails.
Jesus has warned us, that it is better to enter Heaven without a hand or a foot, than to be cast into hell.

We know the remedies – instant flight, heroic sacrifice and constant prayer.
We can leave the rest to the grace of God and to the maternal protection of Mary.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Thought for the Day – 31 July – Entrusting Ourselves to God

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

Entrusting Ourselves to God

“Sometimes the cross seems too heavy.
Physical or moral sufferings may give rise to a feeling of rebellion, or temptations may grow so strong that I feel overwhelmed and unable to experiece the supernatural influence of God’s grace.

At such times, I should remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Mt 11:28).

If I leave myself entirely in God’s hands, my cross will become lighter.
My worries and woes, will be easier to bear and, I shall not be excessively elated by worldly pleasures.

All the Saints had perfect TRUST in God.
Therefore, they were always content.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One of ‘Entrusting Ourselves to God’ here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/16/thought-for-the-day-16-july-entrusting-ourselves-to-god/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SIN, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 29 July – Why God Created Us

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

Why God Created Us

“We should ask the reason for everything which comes from the Hand of God.
Have you ever seriously considered WHY you are in this world?
It is certainly not for the sake of this passing earthly existence, for the sake of earning your living, or enjoying yourself.
You know well, that the passing pleasures of this life do not satisfy the human heart and cannot be the final goal of life.
Each one of us has a thirst for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect.
God alone can satisfy this thirst.
Just as we are created by God, so we are created for Him.
Just as we came from God, so we are gradually travelling back towards Him, for He is the final goal of our earthly journey.
We should meditate on this great truth which we were first taught in the Catechism, namely, that we were created to know, love and serve God on this earth and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.
Let us not allow ourselves to be dazzled by earthly beauty.
God alone is the eternal beauty which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/26/thought-for-the-day-26-march-why-god-created-us/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 28 July – The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

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

The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

“Everyday, in the lives of the Saints, was a continual act of love of God.
This was how they became holy.
They loved God intensely all the time.
They loved Him above all things.
Everything which they thought, desired or did, was directed to Him.
Their entire lives were consecrated to Him.

We should all desire to be holy, if we do, we must love God with our whole heart, strength and will.
Not until then, will every action of ours become meritorious.
Holiness is born of the love of God.
Without the love of God, everything is futile and useless; our conversation is so much idle chatter;  our desires are empty dreams which excite us for a while and then dissolve like bubbles of soap;  our actions are unprofitable and our enterprises are not aimed at a true objective;  our achievements can inflate us for a time but they will leave us disillusioned at the hour of death.

The love of God is necessary for us.
He alone is entirely worthy of our affection.
Other loves are passing but, this love is eternal.
Other loves confuse and trouble us but, the love of God gives us peace of soul.
Other loves weaken and vanish with time but, the love of God is the source of all holiness in this life and of eternal happiness in the next.
Why, then, do we not forget our worldly preoccupations?
Let us give our hearts to God forever and we shall be in possession of the one true happiness which never fades.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 July – How We Should Pray

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

How We Should Pray

“When Jesus asked us to pray, He promised to answer our prayers.
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).
“If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,” (Jn 16:23).
God cannot break His promises.
Why, then, do our prayers often seem to remain unanswered?
There are several reasons but the main one is that which is pointed out by St James.
“You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss” (Js 4:3).
Some people say a few prayers with their lips only but without any real faith or confidence that they will be answered.
Jesus told the heartbroken father who begged Him to free his son from an evil spirit: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:22).
Then He healed the unfortunate boy.
It is necessary to have complete confidence if we wish our prayers to be answered.

Other people ask for worldly favours without ever giving a thought to their spiritual welfare.
But Jesus taught us to act otherwise.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be given unto you besides” (Mt 6:33).
There are those who look for favours, such as bodily health or riches which, if they obtained them, could lead to their spiritual destruction.

Sometimes God delays His answer in order to test our faith and perseverance.
It is important that we should pray with a right intention, with faith and perseverance and, with resignation to God’s Will.
We must realise clearly, God will grant us whatever is best for us, at the most suitable moment! Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 25 July – Our Martyrdom

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

Our Martyrdom

“St Ambrose describes virtue, as a slow martyrdom.
In this sense, we must all be Martyrs.
There is only one difference.
The Martyrs of the Church shed their blood and gave up their lives for Jesus, within one hour or one day and gained their reward immediately.
Our Martyrdom, on the other hand, will be prolonged.
It will last all our lives and will end only when we accept death with resignation from the hands of God.
Ours is the Martyrdom of virtue.
Let us clearly understand, that solid Christian virtue is a slow and continual Martyrdom which will only end with death.
It is not a flower which springs up spontaneously in the garden of the soul.
It is like a seed which is thrown on the damp earth and must die there slowly, so that it can generate young shoots which will produce the ears of corn.
“Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But, if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (Jn 12:24-25).
It is necessary, then, to descend into the mire of humility and to remain there until we die.
Only after we have died to ourselves, shall we rise again in God (Cf ibid).
After the death of our lower instincts and vices, we shall find a new life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

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

Prayer as a Necessary Means
of Salvation

“St Augustine calls prayer “the key to Heaven.”
We should acknowledge the Infinite Goodness of God in giving us such an easy means of salvation, for when He gave us prayer, He gave us the key to His Kingdom of Heaven.
He invites us earnestly, to pray.
“Ask and it shall be given you;  seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (C. Mt 7:7, Lk 11:9).
“If you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you” (Cf Jn 16:23)
“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” (Cf Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38).

When Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Apostles became tired and sleepy.
He rebuked them gently and asked them for the second time to pray, that they might not yield to temptation.
He makes this request of us also.
We grow weary and apathetic as the Apostles did, while the devil is busy with his evil suggestions and the dangers of the world surround us.
We have constant need of the grace of God to prevent us from falling.
Let us pray fervently and bear in mind the advice of St Alphonsus:  “If you give up praying, you will certainly be damned!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 23 July – The Duties of Our State

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

The Duties of Our State

“Everyone finds himself in a certain position in life.
He may be there, either through force of circumstances, or, through somebody else’s desire, or through some secret inspiration from God,
In any case, each of us is in a certain place and God, either wills it or permits it.
We should not complain about our state in life.
No matter what that state is, we can either be saved or damned for all eternity.
In any position, we can do a great deal of good or a great deal of evil, according to the way in which we co-operate with the grace of God.
We should not envy the positions of others.
This would be unjust because, it would be tantamount to questioning the arrangements of Providence, which gives everyone the graces necessary, in his particular state.
It would also be injurious, insofar, as we should be worried and disturbed, instead of working peacefully and earnestly, in the place assigned to us by God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on The SOUL

Thought for the Day – 22 July – Fervour and Tepidity – There is NO MIDDLE WAY!

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

Fervour and Tepidity

“The ONLY choice in the life of a Catholic is between fervour and sin!
The tepid or negligent soul cannot remain in the grace of God long and, when God’s grace is removed, it means the death of the soul.

The spiritual life resembles a steep hill.
A man cannot stay still.
He must keep going upwards or begin to slip downwards.
Whoever struggles on, up the hill is approaching perfection and Heaven; whoever slips backwards, is approaching sin, a dead soul and Hell.

There is NO MIDDLE WAY!
Those who are lukewarm are an object of DISGUST to their Creator, Who casts them away from Himself – “Because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot,” the Holy Ghost says, “I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth” (Apoc 3:16).

So, it is not enough to be mediocre Catholic.
The half-hearted and indifferent are already travelling along the slippery path of sin and are on the waiting list for hell!
It is dangerous for anyone to remain thoughtlessly in this state of spiritual ineptitude.
A man who never thinks of his own salvation, is suffering from a serious illness.
He is running a very great risk of eternal damnation.
He has one foot in Hell here on this earth!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE

Thought for the Day – 21 July – The Examination of Conscience

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

The Examination of Conscience

“Pope St Pius X holds great authority for a Christian.
In his Exhortatio ad Clerum, he strongly recommends the Examination of Conscience, especially at the close of the day.
This Examination, he says, is necessary for Priests but it is no less necessary for the laity.
He recalls the apt words of St Augustine:
“Judge your own conscience.
Demand an account from it.
Dig deep and rend it apart.
Discover all the evil thoughts and intentions of the day … and punish yourself for them!” (Expos in Ps 4 n 8).
He also quotes the equally relevant words of St Bernard:
“Be a searching inquirer into your own integrity of life; examine your conduct everyday.
See how much you have advanced, or, how much you have fallen back …
Learn to know yourself. …
Place all your faults before your eyes.
Stand before yourself, as if it were before someone else and you will find reason to weep over yourself!” (Meditat Cap 5 de quotidiano sui ipsius examine).

The Saintly Pontiff concludes his inspiring address as follows: “Experience has proven that anyone who makes a strict examination of his thoughts, words and actions, is more firmly resolved to hate and avoid what is evil and wholeheartedly to love what is good” (Acta Pii X, IV p257).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-examination-of-conscience/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 19 July – Progress in the Love of God

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

Progress in the Love of God

“The entire Christian system is based on the love of God.
This, is “the greatest and first commandment” (Mt 22:38) of Jesus, from which the second commandment, to love our neighbour, naturally flows.
A man who does not observe this first commandment is not a Christian, whereas a man who endeavours to increase, everyday, his love for God, is a saint.
There are may grades of ascent in this love but, the basic step is indicated in the words of our Divine Master:  “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is is who loves me” (Jn 14:15,21).

The love of God should not consist of an empty and ineffective sentimentality but, should comprise a sincere determinations to please God by carrying out His will, without reserve and by becoming more closely united to Him, by the help of His holy grace.
Progress in the love of God is divided by the masters of the spiritual lfe into three stages:
(1) the period of purification;
(2) the period of illuminations and;
(3) the period of union with God.
We may have advanced no farther than the first stage because there is still so much to be purified in our souls.
Nevertheless, let us ask God’s grace, to help us to begin this work immediately!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, St PAUL!, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 18 July – The Love of Our Neighbour

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Thought for the Day – 18 July – 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 MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JEALOUSY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 17 July – The Humility of Mary

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Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) on the Feast of the Humility of Mary

The Humility of Mary

“Unfortunately, we often look for our share of glory on earth.
We wish to appear to others, not only at our true value but much more than we are really worth.
We imagine that the gifts and qualities which God has given us, belong to ourselves, whereas they are entirely His.

We like to put on a good appearance to win praise and renown – in other words, we wish to have our reward upon this earth.
We should remember, however, that if we look for our reward now, we shall not have it in Heaven.

God sees when our motives in doing good are distorted and, when we appear before His Judgement Throne, He will say to us: “You have received your reward” (Cf Mt 6:2).

Let us be humble like Mary.
Let us make God’s glory, rather than our own satisfaction, the object of our actions.
It will sometimes happen that men will misunderstand us, perhaps even insult us.
We are not forbidden to defend ourselves and explain our position.
We may not have the heroic virtue of St Francis de Sales, who remained silent when he was caluminated.
But we should not be too disturbed by lack of understanding or slander, nor should we be too elated by flattery.
Only one thing should count with us and that is, the testimony of a good conscience before God.
Everything else is passing and futile.

Our humility will be tested by the inevitable opposition, sometimes jealous and malicious, which we shall experience on the part of other men.
On these occasions, we shall see if we are really meek and humble of heart, like Jesus and our Blessed Mother.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/07/thought-for-the-day-7-may-the-humility-of-mary/

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 16 July – The Intercession of Our Lady

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

The Intercession of Our Lady

“Our Lady’s intercession is very powerful with God.
St Bernard tells us that it is the Will of God, that everything comes to us through her holy hands (Sermo in Nativ BMV no 7).
He assures us, that Mary is the Mediatrix through whom we receive all favours from God (In Assump. BMV sermo 2, no 2).
Her power of intercession is the result of her divine and human Motherhood.
Because she is the Mother of God, Jesus refuses her nothing;  because she is our mother, she loves us dearly and is eager to obtain from God, the spiritual favours, for which we ask.
For this reason, we should approach her with complete confidence.
St Bernard also writes:  “If anyone feels that he is overwhelmed by the tempests of this world and cannot keep an even course, let him raise his eyes towards Mary, let him remember Mary and call upon her…. In danger and in doubt, let him remember and call upon her.   Let the thought of Mary never leave his mind;  let her name never be far from his lips and from his heart …” (Super Miss. Homil 2, no 17).
In all our necessities, we should have confident recourse to our heavenly Mother.
Let us remember, however, that if we wish to be true sons of Mary and to be sure of being heard by her, we should ask especially, for spiritual graces.
Afterwards, we may ask, with equal confidence but, with resignation to God’s Will, for temporal favours, provided they will not stand in the way of our eternal salvation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Thought for the Day – 15 July – Carrying our Cross

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

Carrying our Cross

“We also read in the Imitation of Christ: “No man has so heartfelt a sense of the Passion of Christ, as he whose lot it has been, to suffer like things.” (Imitation of Christ, Bk II, Ch 12)
If you carry your cross willingly, it will lead you to your longed for destination, where suffering ends and everlasting joy begins.
If you carry it unwillingly, the weight will become unbearable and you will have to bear it in any case!
If you fling away the cross which you are carrying, immediately, an even heavier one will be laid upon you!
Look upon them as wonderful consolations because, the sufferings of this life cannot be regarded as the measure of that glory which will be ours in Heaven … (Rom 8:18).
We are fortunate and greatly blessed, if we deserve to suffer a little, for the Name of Jesus …
Only when we begin to die ourselves, can we begin to live in God.
Nothing is more acceptable to God and more helpful for us in this world, than to suffer willingly for love of Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on TRUTH

Thought for the Day – 14 July – Humility

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

Humility

“Humility is, in fact, truth.
Many think 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 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!”

“As “pride is the beginning of all sin,”
(Eccl. 10:15)
so humility is the foundation of all virtue.
Learn to be really humble and not,
as the hypocrite, humble merely in appearance.”

St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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