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Posted in The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 20 March – The Apprehension of Jesus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 20 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Thursday after the Second Sunday in Lent
The Apprehension of Jesus

Read St John xviii:2-11
(Posted at the end)

+1. When Judas had given to his Master the traitor’s kiss, Our Lord, knowing that His hour was come, boldly advanced to meet His enemies and told them that He was Jesus of Nazareth. At this word, they recoiled backward and fell to the ground. If this was the result of Our Lord’s presenting Himself to them in His humiliation and abasement, what will be the terror and the dread of sinners, when He comes again in all His glory?
O my God, grant that I may have no sin upon my soul no debt still to pay when I appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ!

+2. The soldiers then advanced to seize Jesus. St Peter, with impetuous courage and loyalty, draws his sword and attackrf the servants of the high -priest and in the affray, cuts off the ear of one of them. But Our Lord rebukes him and bids him put his sword back into the scabbard. His loyalty was natural, not supernatural and it did not endure long in the face of danger.
Natural motives, however good, will not serve the cause of God.

+3. When Our Lord was in the hands of His enemies, all the Apostles forsook Him and fled. Not one was found to remain by His side in His abandonment. It was the Will of God that He should suffer alone.
“I looked about and there was none to help; I sought and there was none to give aid.”
Christ then suffered alone and He can sympathise with that loneliness in suffering which adds so much to its bitterness.

[2]There were together Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, nd the sons of Zebedee and two others disciples. [3] Simon Peter saith to them: I go fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth and entered into the ship and that night. they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet, the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus ,therefore, said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

[6] He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you shall find. They cast, therefore and now, they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. [7] That disciple, therefore, whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea. [8] But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land but, as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes. [9] As soon then, as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying and a fish laid thereon and bread. [10] Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught.
[11] Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken. [John 21:2-11]

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph’s Sixth Joy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

19th Day – St Joseph’s Sixth Joy
The Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth

+1. When St Joseph found, dangers still threatening the safety of Jesus in the south of Palestine, he at once continued the journey towards Galilee. He was fertile in resource and when one plan failed. another, with God’s assistance, was soon destined to take its place.
Here too he teaches me a lesson. If I meet with reverses I am discouraged and inclined to relinquish the task, instead of cheerfully looking out for some fresh means of serving God and accomplishing the work He has entrusted to me.

+2. St Joseph, under God’s direction, journeyed on, to the Town of Nazareth, where he had formerly lived and there, he re-enters the poor little cottage humble and lowly, where he and his holy spouse had formerly dwelt. This, a secret voice told him, is to be his home.
How joyfully he took possession of it! Now his wanderings were over and he was to spend the rest of his days in peace in the tranquil home God had prepared for him.

+3. Yet how poor it was! The Town of Nazareth was so despised, men did not think it possible that anything great or good, could come from thence. Was this to be the home of the Son of God? Yes! and St Joseph rejoiced in the low esteem of Nazareth because, it seemed to him, an arrangement quite according to God’s designs that Jesus, should dwell there and the name of Nazarene, should cling to Him, as a name of contempt.
Why have I not more of his spirit? I am too fond of show and display and all that the world thirks much of.

Posted in LENT- 2025, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 19 March – The Betrayal

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 19 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Wednesday after the Second Sunday in Lent
The Betrayal

Read St Matthew xxvi:47-50

[47] As He yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him, a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. [48] And he, whobetrayed Him, gave them a sign, saying: ‘Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He, hold Him fast.’ [49] And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: ‘Hail, Rabbi.’ And he kissed Him. [50] And Jesus said to him: ‘Friend, whereto art thou come?’ Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and held Him. [Matthew 26:47-50]

+1. As soon as Jesus had, for the third time, roused the Apostles from their slumber, the tramp of approaching soldiery is heard and presently, a band is seen escorted by the Pharisees and ancients and headed by one, who acts as their guide. Who is it who has pointed out Christ to His foes. Alas! it is none other than the traitor Judas, one of the chosen twelve, who had lived for three years in familiar intercourse with Jesus, listened to His Words of grace, seen His acts of love and mercy.
If Judas fell so low, I too am in continual danger. How
awful a thing it would be if I too were to turn traitor to Jesus!

+2. Our Lord does not shrink away from Judas as we do from those who we think have treated us ill. On the contrary, He advances to meet him with words of friendship, in spite of the deadly wrong He received.
How is it we are so unforgiving, so slow to make friendly advances, so ready to wrap ourselves in our offended dignity? It is because we are so unkind and selfish, so petty, so mean and stingy, so unlike Jesus!

+3. Jesus still loved Judas, sought to win Judas, strove by words of gentle remonstrance to bring him to a sense of his wickedness before it was too late.
“Friend , whereto art thou come?”
He calls this miserable wretch His friend. Jesus meant what He said; for He is the friend of sinners, even the greatest . He then is my Friend, so why should I ever fear!?

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, St JOSEPH, The FLIGHT into EQYPT

Thought for the Day – 18 March – St Joseph’s Sixth Sorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

18th Day – St Joseph’s Sixth Sorrow
Finding that Archelaus reigned in Judæa

+1. When the appointed time was come , St Joseph received the joyful news – the Holy Family could at length return from their place of exile. An Angel appeared to him by night and informed him that Herod was dead and he might safely return into the land of Israel. But when he arrived there, he found the tyrant had been succeeded by his son,
Archelaus and that Judæa, over which he held sway, was, therefore, no safe abode for Jesus and Mary. What a bitter disappointment it must have been!

+2. It seems as if St Joseph had been deceived by Almighty God. He was encouraged to return and now, he found the place of the dead king was occupied by a son, who was not much better than his father Yet, no thought of discontent was harboured in St Joseph’s heart, not the faintest murmur of complaint escaped his lips. His was the true obedience – blind, confiding, unreasoning, uncomplaining obedience
to the Will of God.
Can I say the same of myself?

+3. Observe St Joseph’s prudence. He might have said that the command to return was a guarantee of safety, from Almighty God.
In spite of this, he took the most extreme natural precautions, going far away from the place of danger. He knew that God requires us to use all natural means to gain our ends and, if we neglect them, we cannot reasonably trust to the supernatural intervention of God on our behalf.

Posted in QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 18 March – The Sequel to the Sacred Agony

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 18 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Tuesday after the Second Sunday in Lert
The Sequel to the Sacred Agony

Read St Mark xiv:41-42

[41] And He cometh the third time and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. It is enough – the hour is come, behold, the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42] Rise, let us go. Behold, he who wilt betray Me is at hand. [Mark 14:41-42]

+1. At length, Our Lord’s mental agony in the Garden was over. He had accepted the Chalice which His heavenly Father had given Him to drink. Now ,He is no longer sad and downcast but, He returns to His Apostles full of vigour and courage. He encounters His Passion almost with eagerness. This is always the result of a perfect submission to the Will of God and absolute confidence in Him!
God will always give us the courage to meet every trial and when the time comes, He will impart the strength and energy and light-heartedness which make it easy to face the suffering.

+2. Yet this change had another cause.
It was won by prayer, or, rather, Our Lord, as our Divine
Example, imparted for our sakes to His human nature, grace, such as earnest prayer alone can obtain from God. This is the secret of all spiritual victories; all are won by persevering prayer! Prayer changes the poor, timid, frightened, shrinking soul, into one brave and strong and ready to do great things for God.
Without prayer,we are sure to fail. Am I earnest in prayer?

+3. We observe too, it was not merely prayer but repeated prayer – the same words over and over again, the same entreaty to be spared, joined to the same act of resignation. We sometimes say we cannot pray but at least, we can repeat over and over again, some prayer for mercy and for aid. Our repetitions will be not vain repetitions but will bring certain relief from Him Who encourages us to importunity in prayer.

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 17 March – St Joseph’s Fifth Joy.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 17 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

17th Day – St Joseph’s Fifth Joy.
Seeing the Idols of Egypt Fall to the Ground

+1. When the Holy Family had crossed the desert and arrived at the place of their abode in Egypt, tradition records a miracle. The idols in the temples are said to have fallen prostrate on the very night of their arrival.
The news filled Joseph’s heart with joy. The one thought of Joseph’s life was to further the influence of Jesus. His one joy was to see Jesus vanquish His enemies and gather to Himself men of goodwill.

+2. This joy in the power of the Son of God, was a recompense for the sorrow he felt, at His apparent helplessness when he was commanded to carry the God-Child to Egypt. Then it seemed as if He were utterly feeble against His enemies but now, the Omnipotence of His Divinity manifests itself by unmistakable signs.
So it is with those who trust in God under difficult circumstances. It seems as if He were unable or unwilling to save them but He will reward their patient confidence, by some glorious surprise they had not even ventured to hope for.

+3. Christ’s task is always to destroy idols.
In my heart there are many idols – sloth, sensuality, selfishness, impatience, anger, neglect of religious duties, unkindness to others, self-love, disobedience and worst of all, pride! If Jesus is to dwell within me, these idols must be overthrown and pride above all. It is a difficult task, as long as they hold sway within my heart.
O good St Joseph, bring Jesus and His love and cast these hateful itruders which Jesus hates, out of my heart.

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 17 March – The Consolations of the Sacred Agony

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 17 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Monday after the Second Sunday in Lent
The Consolations of the Sacred Agony

Read St Luke xxii:40-46

[40] And when He was come to the place, He said to them: Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
[41] And He was withdrawn away from them, a stone’s cast and kneeling down, He prayed, [42] Saying – Father, if Thou wilt, remove this chalice from Me but yet, not My Will but Thine be done. [43] And there appeared to Him an Angel from Heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony, He prayed the longer. [44] And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. [45] And when He rose up from prayer and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow.
[46] And he said to them: Why sleep you? arise, pray, lest you enter into temptation. [Luke 22:40-46]

+I. No words can tell, no human heart can conceive, the intensity of the Sacred Agony of Jesus.
It would have crushed His very Life, had He not, by means of His Divinity, supported His Sacred Humanity and so enabled it, to suffer more. See Him pale, haggard, scarcely to be recognised in His abasement and His terror! See the sweat of Blood pouring from His Sacred Limbs!
Can this be the well-beloved Son of God?
My God, make me more contrite at the thought that I have taken part in bringing Thee to this great horror!

+2. But He was not without consolation in His Agony. An Angel was sent to comfort Him, to present before His vision, the innumerable company of the Saints won by His Precious Blood.
He saw their joy and happiness to be won by His Sacred Passion, by the labour of His Soul and seeing it, He was satisfied to bear it all.
O pure unselfish joy! O joy surpassing all other joys!
The joy of seeing others happy was the promised reward which supported Jesus in His Agony.

+3. But He had a still greater and stronger support than this.
He beheld the honour and glory which would accrue to His Eternal Father.
He saw that all the glory God would reap from His Works, would be as nothing in comparison to this greatest Work, to be wrought by His Eternal Son and seeing this, He was satisfied and more than satisfied.
In the beginning of the Book, it is written of Him:
“Behold, I come to do Thy Will, O my God. I am content to do it.“”
Have I the glory of God at heart as the first and foremost motive of my actions?

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The FLIGHT into EQYPT

Thought for the Day – 16 March – St Joseph’s Fifth Sorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 16 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

16th Day – St Joseph’s Fifth Sorrow
The Flight into Egypt

+I. One night, as Joseph slept, a vision came before his eyes. He saw an Angel who bade him rise and take the Child Jesus and HisMother and fly into Egypt. Without a moment’s delay, he rose quickly, called Our Lady, put together what was necessary for the journey and started ere dawn appeared, in the sky. His heart was torn with sorrow but, like a true son of obedience, he hesitated not for a single moment but accepted all, as coming from God.

+2. Long and perilous was the journey, many were the sufferings of the Holy Family. Perils in the desert perils from the robbers who beset the road, perils from the wild beasts, perils from exposure to the sun by day and to the cold by night. Sorrowful indeed was St Joseph’s heart, as he trudged on day-by-day, leading the ass upon which Our Lady rode. S orrowful not for his own sake but because of the anxiety he felt for the safety of the precious treasure committed to him. Sorrowful at the thought of all they were suffering and would suffer, during their exile.

+3. At last, they arrived at the destination God had fixed for them and here, St Joseph earned a scanty livelihood day-by-day, by his trade as a carpenter. How uncongenial was all around them! They were among those who knew not the true God, among their old oppressors in Egypt, among idolaters and pagans. No murmur ever escaped St Joseph’s lips; he was willing to wait in Egypt, as long as God pleased.
Do I submit with blind obedience to all God commands through my superiors or the arrangement of His Providence, without murmuring or complaining?

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Francis de Sales, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 March – ‘ … May we be moulded to His Image …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 16 March – The Second Sunday of Lent

“This is My beloved Son;
in Whom I Am well pleased,
listen to Him.”

Matthew 17:5

“Let us listen to the holy Voice of God
which summons us from on high,
from the holy mountain top.
There, we must hasten – I make bold to say –
like Jesus, Who is our leader
and has gone before us into Heaven.
There, with Him, may the eyes of our mind
shine with His Light and the features of our soul
be made new; may we be transfigured with Him
and moulded to His image,
ever becoming divine,
being transformed in an ever greater degree of glory.”

St Anastasius Sinaita (Died 6th Century)
Priest and Abbot

“At His Transfiguration
Christ showed His disciples,
the splendour of His Beauty,
to which He will shape and colour,
those who are His :
‘He will reform our lowness
configured to the Body of His Glory.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

“Aspire to God with short
but frequent outpourings of the heart,
admire His bounty,
invoke His aid,
cast yourself in spirit at the foot of His Cross,
adore His goodness,
treat with Him of your salvation,
give Him your whole soul –
a thousand times in the day.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LENT- 2025, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 16 March – The Assitance Given the Saints, in the Sacred Agony

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 16 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The Second Sunday in Lent
The Assitance Given the Saints, in the Sacred Agony

Read St.Matthew xxvi:40–44

40] And He cometh to His disciples and findeth them asleep and He saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with Me?
[41] Watch ye and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh weak. [42] Again the second time, He went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away but I must drink it, Thy Will be done. [43] And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] And leaving them, He went again and He prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. [Matthew 26:40-44]

+1. Our Blessed Lord was not satisfied with taking upon Himself the sins of the world; in His Divine Mercy and compassion, He added to this, a further Sacrifice of Himself. He took upon Himself too, all the sufferings of the just and especially, all His Saints and Martyrs would have to suffer for His Sake. He endured beforehand, the thousand forms of agony to which they would be subjected for His Sake. Not only would He, in His Love and Mercy, redeem them but He bore their infirmities and carried their sorrows.
What sufficient thanksgiving can we give Him for His unbounded Goodness?

+2. This it is which enabled the Martyrs to despise their torments and made the Apostles rejoice to suffer shame for His Sake. This it is which makes tolerable, anguish which otherwise would be intolerable; for, if it be borne patiently for love of Christ, He has already, in Himself, if not exhausted its bitterness, at least taken the bulk of it, onto Himself. Every pang, every struggle, every throb of agony which should fall to the lot of His servants until the end of the world, He made His Own, for their relief.

+3. For this reason, we are taught to unite our sufferings with those of Our Lord; for, what else does this mean, except that He desires to share them with us? In point of fact, the more we do this, the more we bear our troubles with a supernatural motive, the lighter they will become, or rather, the greater will be our power and willingness, to bear them.
I will be more resigned, more patient, for Christ’s sake. To Him, I will offer all my sufferings and unite them to His.

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 15 March – St Joseph’s Fourth Joy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 15 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

15th Day – St Joseph’s Fourth Joy

+1. As our blessed Lord was consoled during His Sacred Agony by a vision of the fruits of His Passion, in the happiness of the countless multitude of the redeemed, so too, St Joseph was comforted in his sorrow for the coming sufferings of Jesus and Mary, by the knowledge of the reconciliation to God, of souls without number. This would be their recompense The knowledge of the Work which Jesus was to accomplish in enabling millions to arise from their sins, filled Joseph’s heart with sweetness and delight.
It is one of the marks of love for God, when we rejoice in the spiritual good of others, beyond all else.
Can I say that it is my greatest joy to hear of the advancing
spiritual welfare of those with whom I am concerned?

+2. St Joseph was himself, to have no direct part in the Divine Work of expiation, Jesus was to accomplish it and Mary was to have her share, as far as mortals could. Did Joseph rejoice the less because others were to do the work? Not a whit; he desired simply that God’s glory and man’s good should be advanced.
How different am I, who am often jealous of others where I fail and take little interest in any good work save that with which I am personally concerned!

+3. St Joseph’s joy at the fruit of the sufferings of Jesus and Mary, quite overpowered his sorrow at the fact, of their having to suffer. He estimated things at their true value and, although he grieved at the thought that God and His Mother were to suffer, yet he counted it a privilege for Christ as Man, to suffer that, as Man, He might receive he plentiful and overflowing reward which God gives to those who suffer for Him.

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on SIN, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 15 March – The Aggravations of the Sacred Agony

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 15 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Saturday of the First Week in Lent
The Aggravations of the Sacred Agony

Read St Mark xiv:32-42
(Posted at the end)

+1. If it is difficult to suffer, it is far more difficult to suffer willingly for those who show no gratitude in return for what we endure for them!.
But most difficult, nay, impossible, save to One Who is Himself Divine, or else shares the Divine Charity of the Son of God, to suffer for those who requite our love, with hatred, our sufferings with bitter mockery the favours we win for them by outrages and insults! It was this which crushed to the earth, the Son of God.
Alas! how ungrateful I am to Him!

+2. During His Sacred Agony, He took upon Himself, the sins of the whole world. Not in a general way but individually, so that each and every sin, from the first sin of Adam to the last that shall be committed on the eve of the Judgement, was present before Him and, not only present but each added its own pain. The great black cloud which passed before His soul contained each sin of each individual man, woman and child and Christ suffered for each!
What a frightful thing it must be to deliberately commit even the least sin, if thereby, we add fresh pain to the agony of Jesus!

+3. It was in this way that “He was made sin for us,” i.e. He identified Himself with sin as far as it was possible for the Immaculate Lamb of God. He took upon Himself, all the effects of sin except those which necessarily belong to him who is guilty of the act of sin. All the darkness, all the gloom , the despondency, the loss of God, the feeling of hopelessness, the terrors which arise from sin, inundated His Sacred Soul.

32] And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And He saith to His disciples: Sit you here, while I pray. [33] And He taketh Peter and James and John with Him and He began to fear and to be heavy. [34] And He saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here and watch. [35] And when He was gone forward a little, He fell flat on the ground and He prayed, that if it might be, the hour might pass from Him.

[36] And He saith: Abba, Father, all things are possible to Thee, remove this chalice from Me but not what I will but what Thou wilt. [37] And He cometh and findeth them sleeping. And He saith to Peter: Simon, sleepest thou? couldst thou not watch one hour? [38] Watch ye and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. [39] And going away again, He prayed, saying the same words. [40] And when He returned, He found them again asleep, (for their eyes were heavy) and they knew not what to answer Him.

[41] And He cometh the third time and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. It is enough, the hour is come – behold the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42] Rise up, let us go. Behold, he that will betray Me is at hand. [Mark 14:32-42]

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 14 March – St Joseph’s Fourth Sorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 14 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

14th Day – St Joseph’s Fourth Sorrow
The Prophecy of Simeon

+1. When the aged Simeon took the Infant Jesus into his arms
and gave thanks to God for he had, at length seen the salvation of Israel, we are told, he blessed the little group before him. But it was a strange benediction. The Glory of Israel, the Light to lighten the Gentiles, was to be set for the fall of many of His people. St Joseph could scarce believe his ears at the unexpected words. Was this to be the result of the Incarnation of the Son of God?
We little know the sorrows which God may have in store for us, the sudden blow which may unexpectedly fall upon our head!

+2. This was not all. Another clause in the strange blessing, declared that the spotless Lamb of God should be a Sign Who should be contradicted. What could there be in Him which should rouse ill-will, or opposition, or contradiction?
Had He not come to be the Saviour of mankind? Were not His lips to be full of grace from the first day on which He began to speak?
St Joseph accepted, with resignation, the heart-breaking news.

+3. It was not only Jesus Who was to suffer. Mary’s heart was to be pierced through with a sword. Her life was to be one continual sorrow. She was to suffer with the sufferings of Jesus. The tender, compassionate heart of Joseph was filled with fresh sorrow at the prospect of the anguish which was to overtake his holy spouse.
To sorrow with the sorrow of others, assuages their grief.
It is this which will win for us a share in the joy which St Joseph has in Heaven.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, St Francis de Sales, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 March – “Do you wish to be made whole?”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 March – Ember Friday, First Week of Lent – Ezekiel 18:20-28, John 5:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Do you wish to be made whole?”

John 5:6

“O Heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry
as Thou did for the prodigal son,
for I, too, am throwing myself at Thy feet
and crying aloud as he cried:
“Father, I have sinned!”
Do not reject me,
Thy unworthy child, O my Saviour
but cause Thy Angels
to rejoice too, on my behalf,
O God of goodness Thou,
Who desires that all should be saved.”

St Romanos Melodios (c490-c 556)
Monk, Composer of hymns, Poet

“When it is dark,
we do not see how dusty and dirty
our house is.
Only when the place
is flooded with sunlight,
do we realise its awful condition.
So, we need the light of God’s grace
to show us the real state of our soul
and to induce us
to clean up our hearts!”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, The WILL of GOD

Lenten Meditations – 14 March – The Sacred Agony in the Garden

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 14 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Friday of the First Week in Lent
The Sacred Agony in the Garden

Read St Matthew xxvi: 30-40
(Posted at the end)

+I. During the Agony in the Garden, Our Lord anticipated all the coming agony of His Passion. He allowed His human soul to feel, in all its intensity, each detail of the unspeakable suffering which was now close at hand. Hitherto, it had indeed been distinctly present to Him but now, it seemed to take possession of His whole soul Now, it was a mortal horror, resulting from a clear, vivid realisation of all He had
to endure – for those who would not believe and love Him!
When darkness invades our souls, we should remember that none is like the deep, black darkness which spread over Jesus’ Sacred Soul.

+2. What relief did Jesus seek, in this agonising terror? The relief of prayer. He knew that, in all desolation and distress, the best plan, indeed the only plan! is to throw ourselves upon the mercy of God. There is no imperfection in asking to be delivered from something which we can scarcely endure,
whether present agony or the anticipation of it. For Christ would not have prayed: “My Father, if it be possible let this chalice pass from Me!”
In our darkest hours, we can at least repeat these Sacred Words spoken as a pattern for us!

+3. Yet. we must remember the conclusion of the prayer, the act of resignation which leaves all in the hands of God. “Not as I will but as Thou wilt!”
These words spoken from our hearts, will always give us strength to bear that which seems unbearable and will take the bitterness out of our pains.

[30] And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet. [31] Then Jesus said to them: All you shall be scandalised in Me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed. [32] But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. [33] And Peter answering, said to Him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalised. [34] Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. [35] Peter saith to Him: Yea, though I should die with Thee, I will not deny Thee. And in like manner said all the disciples.

[36] Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani and He said to His disciples: Sit you here, until I go yonder and pray. [37] And taking with Him, Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. [38] Then He saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death, stay you here and watch with Me. [39] And going a little further, He fell upon His Face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt. [40] And He cometh to His disciples and findeth them asleep and He saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with Me? [Matthew 26:30-40]

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY NAME

Thought for the Day – 13 March – St Joseph’s Third Joy

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Thought for the Day – 13 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

13th Day – St Joseph’s Third Joy
Hearing the Name of Jesus

+1. Before Our Lord was born, an Angel had given St Joseph instructions to Name Him JESUS.
It was St. Joseph not Our Lady, who was first to pronounce the Name of the Son of God.
The jurisdiction he thus exercised was a declaration of his authority. When God brought the Animals to Adam to be
named, He thus declared him their master. So too, when He gave to Joseph the office of naming the Infant in his arms, He declared him the constituted ruler of his God . O wondrous privilege! What must have been the sanctity of one, to whom such an office was assigned!

+2. The Name St Joseph gave to his Infant Son was Jesus , the Saviour – not Emmanuel, or Christ.
Christ is the official Name of the Son of God, in virtue of His human nature; He was anointed as Man with the Holy Ghost. Emmanuel, or God with us, proclaims His Divinity but Jesus, or Saviour, declares His human nature and Divine personality, at the same time. As Our Saviour, He must be both God and Man – man to pay the price of our Redemption, God –,that the price maybe one that will satisfy the Eternal Father.

+3. What must have been the sweetness which filled St Joseph’s heart as he first breathed that Sacred Name! If to others it was as honey in their mouth, to St Joseph, it was as nectar and ambrosia, containing in itself, all possible sweetness.
None save the holy Mother felt such joy as St Joseph did, in pronouncing the Holy Name.
Yet how little I love it and relish it!
How seldom I repeat it and with what coldness and indifference! My Jesus, mercy! May I love Thee ever more and more!

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – Faith, Humility, Perseverance and Grace

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – Thursday of the First Week in Lent – Ezechiel 18:1-9, Matthew 15:21-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Then Jesus answering, said to her:
O woman, great is thy faith!
be it done to thee as thou desire
and her daughter was cured from that hour.”

Matthew 15:28

“I implore you to live with me and,
by believing, to run with me;
let us long for our Heavenly Country,
let us sigh for our Heavenly Home,
let us truly feel that here, we are strangers.
What shall we then see?
Let the Gospel tell us:
In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
You will come to the fountain,
with whose dew you have already been sprinkled.
Instead of the ray of Light
which was sent through slanting
and winding ways, into the heart of your darkness,
you will see the Light Itself,
in all its purity and brightness.
It is to see and experience this Light
that you are now being cleansed. …
It has been good for us to share
the common Light,
good to have enjoyed ourselves,
good to have been glad together.
When we part from one another,
let us not depart from Him!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“When the sister of St Thomas Aquinas
asked him how to become holy,
he replied that it needed only one thing –
a firm act of the will,
for God will certainly supply
the necessary grace.
The grace of God is the principal weapon
upon which we must depend
in order to gain our victory.
We should pray for it humbly and perseveringly.
There will be victors and losers
in the battle for Heaven,
as well as in earthly contests.
We must make sure,
that we are on the winning side!
For this purpose, we should combine
fervent and constant prayer
with generous co-operation
with the grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in LENT- 2025, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 13 March – On the Road to Gethsemane

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 13 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Thursday of the First Week in Lent
On the Road to Gethsemane

Read St Mark xiv:26-34

[26] And when they had said a hymn, they went forth to the Mount of Olives. [27] And Jesus saith to them: You will all be scandalised in my regard this night; for it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be dispersed. [28] But after, I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. [29] But Peter saith to him: Although all shall be scandalised in Thee, yet not I. [30] And Jesus saith to him: Amen I say to thee, today, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shall deny Me thrice.

[31] But he spoke the more vehemently: Although I should die together with Thee, I will not deny Thee. And in like manner too, said they all. [32] And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And He saith to his disciples: Sit you here, while I pray. [33] And He taketh Peter and James and John with Him and He began to fear and to be heavy. [34] And He saith to them: My Soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here and watch. [Mark 14:26-34]

+1. After singing one of the paschal hymns, Our Lord and His Apostles went forth to the Garden of Gethsemane. On the way a strange sorrow spread over the countenance of Jesus. His unfailing cheerfulness forsook Him. His disciples wondered at the sudden change. It was the shadow of His Sacred Passion which fell upon Him, the beginning of the black darkness which was to envelop His Sacred Heart.
When the shadow of desolation falls on me, may I remember Thee, O Lord, thus downcast on the road to Gethsemane!

+2. In mournful words Our Lord addresses the Apostles : “You will all be scandalised in My regard this night. You will all fly like cowards when the danger comes. One of you will betray Me, another will deny Me thrice, all will forsake Me.”
How this thought pierced the sensitive Heart of Jesus, with anguish! of all who, for three years, had been His chosen friends and companions, who had seen His miracles and listened to His Divine Words not one would be found faithful.
My God, how often have I been found unfaithful to Thee!

+3. At length, Our Lord’s bitter sorrow breaks out in words still more mournful:
“My soul is sorrowful even unto death.”
The darkness which was gathering around Him, was even then like the darkness of death. He began to fear and to be very heavy. He could hardly endure the misery which began to fall on Him.
Pray for sympathy with Jesus and the power of appreciating the Divine Love, even just a little, which undertook all this for your sake!

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 12 March – St Joseph’s Third Sorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

12th Day – St Joseph’s Third Sorrow
The Shedding of Jesus ‘ Blood at His Circumcision

+I. On the eighth day after the birth of a Jewish boy-child, the ceremony of circumcision took place, according to God’s Covenant with Abraham.
Was this cleansing rite to be performed in the case of the Son of God? Yes, He had come to suffer and to shed His Precious Blood for us and, on the very octave of His Birth, Mary and Joseph had to recognise that God, laid on Him, the iniquity of us all.

+2. It was St Joseph who had to be the minister of the Sacred rite. He had to be the reluctant and sorrowful cause of those tears of the Infant Jesus. What was St Joseph thinking of?
We may at least conjecture that he was lamenting over the evil of sin that he was recognising,in the pain which he was inflicting, one of the most terrible consequences of sin that, he was praying to his foster-Son and his God, to forgive those sinners for whom He was shedding His Precious Blood.

+3. Nearby, Mary was bathed in tears of anguish.
Now, for the first time, Jesus was enduring the cruel smart which was to be His Life-long lot at the hands of His own creatures.
If only she could bear the pain for Him!
How the sight of His tears pierced her heart!
All this St Joseph witnessed and his sorrow at the bitter sufferings of Jesus was intensified by his sorrow, at Mary’s bitter grief.
If Joseph thus sorrowed, how much more should I, who have so constantly, added to the pangs suffered by the Son of God, by my sins!

Posted in Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, The WILL of GOD

Lenten Meditations – 12 March – Jesus’ Farewell Discourse

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 12 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Wednesday of the First Week in Lent
Jesus’ Farewell Discourse

Read St John xiv:1-3, 27-31
(Posted at the end)

+1. Our Lord’s farewell to His Apostles begins and ends with words of encouragement. He knew the importance of courage and confidence and, without these, they would never do great things for God. He knew too, how liable all men are to be discouraged and cast down when troubles and trials arise; how difficult it is to struggle on, when all seems dark around one.
To us too, as to the Twelve, He says – “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
Why do not we believe more in Christ, trust Him more, appeal more to Him in times of darkness?
He will always have a word of comfort for us.
“Let not your heart be troubled. I go to prepare a place for you.”

+2. Amid all the troubles Our Lord foretells to His Apostles, He promises them one gift which will enable them to rise above all their difficulties and all their sorrows. He promises to leave His Peace with them. What gift is there which is like this in the world? If we are at peace, we can bid defiance to all our foes; if we are not at peace, we might be lords of the universe, yet, we should be miserable. No wonder we pray in Holy Mass, “Dona nobis pacem – Give us peace.”

+3. The peace Our Lord promises, is His Peace :
“My Peace I give unto you.”
What sort of peace is this?
It is the peace He enjoyed all through His Life – the peace of perfect union of His Will with God’s. If we are thus united to God by perfect resignation, we too shall have unalterable and eternal peace

1] Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father’s House there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you because, I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I shall go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself that where I Am, you also may be. [John 14:1-3]

[27] Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [28] You have heard that I said to you: I go away and I come unto you. If you loved Me, you would indeed be glad because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. [29] And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. [30] I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh and in Me he hath not any thing.
[31] But that the world may know that I love the Father and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I: Arise, let us go hence. [John 14:27-31]

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on PURITY, St JOSEPH, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 11 March – St Joseph’s Second Joy: The Birth of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 11 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

11th Day – St Joseph’s Second Joy: The Birth of Jesus

+1. Although St Joseph knew, the time of Our Lady’s delivery was drawing near, yet the birth of Jesus came upon him as a joyful surprise.
He anticipated the lot of his Foster-Son.
“He came to His own and His own received Him not.”
The reward of Joseph’s purity, chastity, patience, submission, gentleness and sorrow, was the visible Presence of the Son of God, the privilege of being the first of all the sons of men, to behold Him.
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God,” was literally fulfilled for the first time in the person of St Joseph.

+2. It was but fitting that the coming of Christ Jesus into the world should be surrounded by celestial wonders. A choir of Angels sang angelic melodies and a brightness, dazzling beyond the brightness of the sun, illumined the cave and settled around the new -born Infant and His Virgin Mother. St Joseph saw the Holy Child and the sight was Heaven begun on earth!
What was all the preceding sorrow compared with the unspeakable joy of that happy moment?

+3. Joseph was recalled to earthly things by hearing voices outside the cave and seeing a group of shepherds coming to adore the newborn King. It was not a dream then but a happy reality. God was really come to dwell among men and was born in that humble cave. What mattered it if it was bare and poor and rough? How much happier to be there, sitting on the hard cold ground, poor and despised of men, than to be lounging on perfumed couches, in the Palace of Herod! Where Jesus is, there is happiness!
What are outward things if we enjoy His Peace!

Posted in QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 11 March –The Institution of the Blessed Eucharist

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 11 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Tuesday of the 1st Week in Lent
The Institution of the Blessed Eucharist

Read St Luke xxii:19-20

[19] And taking bread, He gave thanks and broke it and gave to them, saying: This is My Body which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of Me. [20] In like manner, the chalice too, after He had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in My Blood which shall be shed for you. [Luke 22:19-20]

+1. St Paul tells us with pointed emphasis, it was on the very night in which He was betrayed that Our Lord instituted the Mystery of mysteries, the Sacrament of His Love. It was worthy of His Divine generosity to choose the occasion when He was to be outraged, insulted, betrayed, scourged and Crucified, to create this wondrous Sacrament of Love. To forgive, is always generous but what shall we say of the generosity of One, Who not only forgives the most horrible insults and cruelty but chooses, the very day on which He is to suffer them, for giving to His enemies, a gift compared with which all other gifts are small and insignificant – a gift ,
too which is none other than Himself!?

+2. What is the primary end of the institution of the Blessed Eucharist?
Our Lord Himself tells us in the words:
“Do this in commemoration of Me.”
It is for the sake of putting us in mind of His Sacred Passion that He gives Himself to us that we, His brethren, for whom He Died, may not forget Him. He Loved us so dearly, He still Loves us, so dearly – He cannot bear to be absent from our thoughts and, for this end, He created this means of representing His Passion to us, as long as the world should last.

+3. But the Blessed Eucharist is more than a commemoration of the Sacrifice on the Cross. It is the same Sacrifice continued, the same Priest, the same Victim, only the manner of offering changed. Christ is still slain each time Holy Mass is said; the Oblation on the Cross is an eternal Oblation for the sins of the whole world! [Hence, not an iota of the Holy Mass can ever be changed!]

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, MOTHER of GOD, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 10 March – St Joseph’s Second Sorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 10 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

10th Day – St Joseph’s Second Sorrow

+1. When St Joseph started from his home at Nazareth to repair to Bethlehem, according to the Emperor’s command, he had every reason to expect he would be well received. His early youth had been spent there and he must have been known to many of the inhabitants. But, when he arrived there, a sad shock awaited him. No room in the caravansary or guesthouse. No room in any of the houses where he applied for admission. Everywhere, a refusal. No room for him; no room for his spotless spouse.
It is always painful to meet with a cold reception among those, who we expect will welcome us.

+2. It was not for his own sake, Joseph grieved.
He was accustomed to being ill-treated. He had learned to welcome it for God’s Sake. But to witness the distress caused to his holy spouse, ah, this was difficult!
It is far more painful to witness suffering in those we love than to feel it ourselves. Could Joseph do nothing to find shelter for Mary in her delicate and critical condition? Every resource had failed him; he could only pray and wait.

+3. At last, a thought occurred to him. He remembered a cave where some animals were kept; small, low, dirty, unfit. for human habitation but here, at least, she would be safe from the perishing cold, here they could remain in peace.
How could he propose it to her?
Was this the sort of treatment to be accorded to the Mother of God?
Yes, it must be so and Joseph submitted to the holy Will of God.

Posted in QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 10 March – The Washing of the Feet

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 10 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Monday of the First Week in Lent
The Washing of the Feet

Read St John xiii:2-20
[Posting at the end]

+1. When the paschal supper was finished, Our Lord rose from table, laid aside His upper garment and girding Himself with a towel, He filled a basin with water and went from one to another of the Apostles, washing with His Ssacred Hands the feet of each.
This act was intended to teach us the happiness of performing menial services for those around us. To wait upon others, especially on our inferiors, for Christ’s Sake, is far more honourable, than to be waited upon by them; to make ourselves the servants of others, is far more noble than to be served by them.
Is this the principle on which I act?

+2. In this act were combined, the two virtues which are most prominent in Our Lord’s Life on earth – charity and humility.
Charity takes a pleasure in everything which promotes the happiness or the comfort of our fellowmen because they are the brethren of Christ.
Humility takes a pleasure in whatever puts us in an inferior
position, in one to which no worldly honour or dignity attaches but rather, contempt and humiliation.
How sadly wanting I am in these virtues! I dislike charity if it costs me anything and I positively hate to be humbled, to be
despised by men.

+3. Yet Christ’s words are true the disciple is not greater than His Master.
If our Divine Master was glorious in the sight of the Angels
as He stooped to wash the Apostles ‘ feet, our road to glory must be, by stooping, by ministering in all humility, to others. We never can be as great as our Master. We must take care lest our selfishness and pride, place us in direct contrast with the Son of God.

John 13:2-20

[2] And when supper was ended, (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him,) [3] Knowing that the Father had given Him all things into His Hands and that, He came from God and goeth to God; [4] He riseth from supper and layeth aside His garments and having taken a towel, girded Himself. [5] After that, He putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.

[6] He cometh, therefore, to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to Him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet? [7] Jesus answered and said to him: What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter. [8] Peter saith to Him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with Me. [9] Simon Peter saith to hHm: Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head. [10] Jesus saith to him: He that is washed, needeth not but to wash his feet but is clean wholly. And you are clean but not all.

[11] For he knew. who he was that would betray him, therefore. he said: You are not all clean. [12] Then, after He had washed their feet and taken His garments, being sat down again, He said to them: Know you what I have done to you? [13] You call Me Master,and Lord and you say well, for so I Am. [14] If then I, betoo, ought to wash one another’s feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

[16] Amen, amen I say to you: The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither is the Apostle greater than He Who sent him. [17] If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them. [18] I speak not of you all, I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled – He who eateth bread with Me, shall lift up his heel against Me. [19] At present I tell you, before it come to pass that, when it shall come to pass, you may believe that I Am He. [20] Amen, amen I say to you, he who receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth Me and he who receiveth Me, receiveth Him Whp sent Me. [John 13:2-20]

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, St JOSEPH, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 March –St Joseph’s First Joy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 9 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

9th Day – St Joseph’s First Joy

+1. Joseph in his sad perplexity, had for some time prayed and thought and thought and prayed again. Externally, his conduct gave no sign of the anguish of his soul. But all the same, Mary must have been conscious of the thoughts which were passing in her dear spouse’s mind and, although God had given her no leave to speak, she prayed continually that He would make known to Joseph, what had taken place in her. God could not refuse to listen to His handmaid’s
prayer.

+2. One night, as Joseph slept, an Angel appeared.
“Fear not,” he said “to take to thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is conceived in Mary’s womb, is of the Holy Ghost.”
That Child is Divine, nay, is Himself God. Thou art appointed to be His Guardian and protector. Thou shalt call His Name Jesus; thou shalt be the foster-father of thy God, as thou art the true husband of His Mother.
Thus it is, God intervenes to dispel the fears of His servants who watch and pray, who patiently abide God’s time and seek only His Will.

+3. What intense joy and lightness of heart fill the soul of Joseph at the Angel’s words! His bewildered perplexity was changed into peace and gladness. He was to be the consort of the Mother of God; nay more, he was to have the rights of a father over the Son of God; he was to have the unspeakable privilege of dwelling with God Incarnate!
O happy Joseph! Thy obedience and patience indeed received, a rich reward.

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 9 March – Jesus’ Desire for His Sufferings

Posted on by AnaStpaul

With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The First Sunday in Lent
Jesus’ Desire for His Sufferings

Read St Luke xii:49-50

[49] I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I but that, it be kindled? [50] And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized and how am I straitened, until it be accomplished? [Luke 12:49-50]

+1. How are we to account for Christ’s desire to suffer? Human nature shrinks from suffering and dreads it and none of the sons of men, was ever as sensitive as He, or had sufferings to look forward to, in any way comparable to His. Yet, in spite of this, Christ longed for His sufferings.
O wondrous Love which not only suffered for us but longed for the time when His Passion should come!

+2. Was it the suffering in itself for which Christ longed? Impossible! It was for the result of that suffering, for the joy which was set before Him that He endured the Cross and despised the shame. Even Christ could not work without the prospect of some reward.
So we should encourage ourselves with the thought of the glorious recompence God will give to all who suffer for Him and, who unite their sufferings to the Sacred Sufferings of the Son of God.

+3. But what sort of reward was that, to which the Son of God looked forward?
It was no selfish reward. It was the pure, unselfish joy of seeing others happy, of knowing that, by all He was to endure, millions of mankind would be freed from the eternal misery of hell and raised to the eternal and unspeakable joy of the Beatific Vision. He knew it was by sufferings, graces would be won for others. This lesson too, the Saints learned from their Master.
How have I learned it? Do I recognise the necessity, the dignity, the happiness, of suffering

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 8 March – St Joseph’s First Sorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 8 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

8th Day – St Joseph’s First Sorrow

+1. St Joseph’s life had, from the beginning, been one of many trials and much suffering but all were mere trifles compared with the dark cloud of sorrow which fell upon him, after Mary returned from the house of Elizabeth.
He could not help seeing that she was about to become a mother. What could this mean? How could it be explained consistently with her spotless purity?
St Joseph ventured not, to pass any judgement.
Here he is our model slow in believing that which had the appearance of evil, anxious to find a favourable explanation.

+2. What explanation could he find?
That she had grievously sinned, was a thought, not only abhorrent to him but utterly impossible, in view of Mary’s transparent purity and exalted virtue.
Away with so horrible a thought!
Could the human paternity have been without any fault on her part? Equally impossible – God would have protected His hand -maid.
Was her condition a miracle wrought by God? Such a miracle was without example since the world began. Joseph was utterly perplexed. All was dark and black – he could only wait and pray. O wise resolve!

+3. But it was necessary to take action. In any case, he could not keep her with him. She must be sent back to her kin. How could he live without her? How could he expose her to disgrace? To put her to open shame was out of the question, he must send her away privately. This
was his duty and he would do it. It would break his heart to lose her but he must do his duty without thought of self.
Here , too , S. Joseph is a model for our imitation.

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The LAMB of GOD, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 8 March – The Eating of the Paschal Lamb

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 8 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The First Saturday in Lent
The Eating of the Paschal Lamb

Read St Luke xxii:14-18

[14] And when the hour was come, He sat down and the twelve Apostles with him. [15] And He said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
[16] For I say to you, that from this time, I will not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. [17] And having taken the chalice, He gave thanks and said: Take and divide it among youselves. [18] For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God come. [Luke 22:14-18]

Our Blessed Lord , before He suffered , celebrated the Jewish rite which, above all the rest, foreshadowed His own sacred sufferings. The paschal lamb was an exact type of Himself, the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world.

+1. The paschal lamb was the means employed by Almighty God to deliver His people from Egypt. It was the sprinkling of its blood on the door-posts which caused the avenging Angel to pass by and leave the inmates unharmed.
So the Blood of Jesus Christ sprinkled on our souls, in the Sacraments and when we make an Act of Contrition, saves us from the vengeance which would otherwise fall upon us.
O Jesus! sprinkle me with One Drop of Thy Precious Blood and I shall be free from sin.

+2. The paschal lamb had to be drained of the last drop of its blood.
So the Lamb of God, shed the last drop of His Precious Blood for us. He was not satisfied with merely giving His Life for us but, He must needs endure all the intense agony, the burning thirst which came of this draining of His whole body for love of us.
How can I ever thank Him as I ought?

+3. The lamb suffers uncomplainingly.
It never murmurs against its lot, or struggles against those who lead it here and there; unlike the filthy swine which grunt and grumbles at every attempt to control them. None was ever so submissive as the Lamb of God.
“Lo, I come to do Thy Will, O my God.
I am content to do it.”
Can I echo these words?

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 7 March – The Visitation

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 7 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

7th Day – The Visitation

+1. The visit of Mary to her cousin St Elizabeth took place a short time after the Annunciation . It had been suggested to her by the Angel’s message, telling her that Elizabeth was to bear a son.
St Joseph knew nothing of this, yet, he raised no objection to the journey. He had already conceived such a reverence for his spotless spouse that it was enough for him that she entertained a wish. He knew that she never acted on impulse, or without a due cause and so, when Mary asked his leave to visit her cousin, he at once consented.
So we too, should consult, as far as possible, the wishes of others, especially our spouses, seeking to conform our will to others in the spirit of charity.

+2. St Joseph would not allow his young wife to journey alone. He went with her as her escort. What a happiness to him to wait upon her! How tenderly he watches over her
How thoughtfully he sees to all her wants!
Men often idealise those they love but there was no need to idealise Mary. She was an ideal in herself. And when he approached her, Joseph somehow felt that he was drawing near to God and that God dwelt in her ,in some other way than by His graces and gifts.

+3. Arriving at their journey’s end, St Joseph, in his humility, saw to their material needs and did not hear the words of Elizabeth saluting Mary as the Mother of God and announcing the joy of her unborn babe at His Presence.
St Joseph was ignorant and remained in ignorance of the Mystery of the Incarnation. He had to wait – this was to be the law of his life as it is, of the lives of all who are very dear to God.

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, The WORD

Lenten Meditations – 7 March – The Supper in Simon’s House

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 7 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The First Friday in Lent
The Supper in Simon’s House

Read St Mark xiv:3-11

[3] And when He was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper and was at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard and breaking the alabaster box, she poured it out upon His Head. [4] Now, there were some that had indignation within themselves and said: Why was this waste of the ointment made? [5] For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
[6] But Jesus said: Let her alone, why do you molest her? She hath wrought a good work upon Me. [7] For the poor you have always with you and whensoever you will, you may do them good but Me, you have not always. [8] She hath done what she could, she is come beforehand to anoint My Body for burial. [9] Amen, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached, in the whole world that also, which she hath done, shall be told for a memorial of her. [10] And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them.
[11] Who hearing it were glad and they promised him, they would give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him. [Mark 14:3-11]

+1. The supper in Simon’s house was remarkable for St Mary Magdalene’s act of devotion to our Divine Lord.
She brought an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard and poured it on His head as He sat at table.
Her gift was very pleasing to Our Lord for three reasons:
(a ) she gave of her bes ;
(b) she gave out of pure love;
(c) she gave in the presence of the assembled guests, fearlessly and knowing men would ridicule and blame her. Are the gifts I give to God marked by generosity, supernatural love, with an absence of seeking all human respect?

+2. Some of those present, instigated by Judas, began to criticise what they regarded as wasteful. They had indignation within themselves and showed it in words. They veiled their grumbling under show of charity to the poor. This was very displeasing to Jesus. He hates the spirit which finds fault and criticises and condemns and, all the more, when it hides itself under the cloak of virtue.
Yet is not this spirit strong in me?

+3. Notice the gratitude of Jesus. A little box of ointment poured on His head earns for the donor a commemoration of her gift wherever the Gospel shall be preached in the whole world .
And not only this – it obtains for her too, many graces on earth and great glory in Heaven.
There is no-one who is as grateful as Jesus Christ! no-one who will reward with such Divine generosity, everything done for love of Him! Nothing will be forgotten nothing is too small to be noticed and richly recompensed by Him!