Category: OPEN HOUSE…Conversations with…

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 23 March – The Christian Formation of Character

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

The Christian Formation of Character

“When Jesus offered Himself as our Divine Model, He used these words, “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
Humility and gentleness are essential attributes of the Christian character.
Whoever does not succeed in acquiring them is bulding upon sand!
He will be a torment to others as well as to himself.
Jesus indicates this also, for after He has said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” He adds, “and you will find rest for your souls” (Ibid).
In other words, He tells us, that it is only on this condition that we shall find spiritual peace.
When we have modelled our character on His humility and gentleness, we shall be inflamed with the love of God and of our neighbour.
Only then shall we have succeeded in acquiring a character which is genuinely and deeply Christian.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/23/thought-for-the-day-23-march-the-christian-formation-of-character/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/02/thought-for-the-day-23-march-the-christian-formation-of-character-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE

Thought for the Day – 22 March – Our Temperament

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

Our Temperament

“There is a theory that it is impossible to form character because, our character is and always will be, what nature has given us.
“Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret” ( “You cast out nature with a pitchfork but only until such time, as it comes back again”) (Horace, Epistles 1 10:24).
Montaigne and Rousseau extended this idea of Horace, to the extent of holding, that it would be evil as well as superfluous, to attempt to shape character, which should be what nature intended it to be.
Although there is some little truth in this opinion, fundamentally, it is false.
It is true that nature cannot be suppressed but, it can be shaped and improved by a sound and well-directed education.
Our natural temperament can be compared to an uncultivated field, covered with weeds and bushes, or to a horse which is still untamed and unaccustomed to labour.
It abounds in hidden energies and unregulated instincts; it is dangerous to leave it to itself.
It would become as Dante puts it, “a large forest, wild and rough” (Inferno 1:5).

So, it is necessary for character to be formed under the guidance of a good teacher and subject to the wisdom and grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/22/thought-for-the-day-22-march-our-temperament/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 21 March – The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

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

The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

“As has been said, love must be active and effective, as well as coming from the heart.
This is still not sufficient, however.
Love tends towards an intimate union with the person loved and does not rest, until this union is achieved.
This is the unity of love.
The Saints reached this high level of charity.
They lived in God and were permanently united to God, as if theyt formed part of His Being.
“It is now, no longer I that live,” exclaimed St Paul, “but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

If only we could succeed in achieving such a complete and lasting union with God, any sacrifice would seem easy and we should certainly grow in sanctity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/24/thought-for-the-day-24-march-the-power-of-gods-love-in-the-christian-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/21/thought-for-the-day-24-march/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 March – Charitable Works

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

Charitable Works

“When Jesus was asked, what was the first commandment, He replied: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than this” (Mk 12:30-31).
As St Augustine says, the love of God and the love of neighbour are two branches of the same tree, the tree of charity.
“If anyone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother,” St John warns us, “he is a liar” (1 Jn 4:20).

We must prove our love for God by showing charity towards our neighbour.
All men are our brothers in Jesus Christ, Who has redeemed us by His Precious Blood.
Our Lord has said that He will regard as done for Himself, anything which we do for the least of our brethren (Mt 25:10).

Like the Saints, we should see Jesus Himself living in the poor and the suffering.
The Saints gave Him everything they had, not only their possessions but also their toil and their love.

Think how much those missionaries do who leave everything in order to go to foreign lands and win souls for Christ.
Think of the charitable work of the sisters and nurses in the hospitals, asylums and orphanages.
What are we doing?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/21/thought-for-the-day-21-march-charitable-works/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 20 March – “Whoever does not gatherwith me, scatters.” – Luke 11:23

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 March – The Third Sunday of Lent – Ephesians 5:1-9, Luke 11:14-28

“Whoever does not gather
with me, scatters.”

Luke 11:23

“We recognise a tree by its fruit
and we ought to be able to recognise
a Christian by his action.
The fruit of faith
should be evident in our lives,
for being a Christian,
is more than making
sound professions of faith.
It should reveal itself
in practical and visible ways.
Indeed, it is better to keep quiet
about our beliefs
and live them out,
than to talk eloquently
about what we believe
but fail, to live by it.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
Father of the Church

The waters have risen
and severe storms are upon us
but we do not fear drowning,
for we stand firmly upon a rock.
Let the sea rage,
it cannot break the rock.”
Let the waves rise,
they cannot sink the Boat of Jesus.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Without the Way, there is no going,
Without the Truth, there is no knowing,
Without the Life, there is no living.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

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

St Joseph

“Let us turn to St Joseph in times of necessity.
He is very powerful because his blessed Spouse will refuse him nothing and the Son of God loves him with the love which a son has for a father.
He worked for Jesus and Mary all his life and endured hardship, danger and exile for their sake.
He loved them as nobody else in the world ever loved them.

It is impossible, that he could be denied the favours for which he asks and which we should request him to obtain for us.

Let us go to him trustingly but, let us remember, that the surest way of being heard by him, is to imitate his wonderful virtues, especially his humility, his spirit of prayer, his purity and his calm desire always, to do God’s will.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 18 March – Privation

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

Privation

“Not only did the Saints accept necessary privation with loving submission to God’s will but they imposed voluntary mortifications on themselves.
Some of them were rich and gave everything they had to the poor.
Some were in positions of esteem and honour and went away to look for humiliation and obscurity.
Many scourged themselves, slept on hard boards or upon the bare ground, wore chains or hairshirts upon their bodies and did without food, in order to give it to the poor.

They imitated Jesus in these things.
He also chose to be poor and fasted for forty days in the desert.
He was mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns and burdened with a heavy cross.
When He was dying for us upon that cross, He asked for a drop of water to slake His thirst and was given vinegar and gall instead.
We have great lessons to learn from the privations and sufferings of Jesus and of the Saints.

If,we are not heroic enough to go in search of voluntary want and suffering, we should at least accept fully, the necessary privations and sorrows of this life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/18/thought-for-the-day-18-march-privation/

Posted in Holy Name PRAYERS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 18 March – O Sweet Name of Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 18 March – Friday of the Second week of Lent

O Sweet Name of Jesus
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names
in Heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men and of Angels in Heaven,
on earth and in hell bends.
You are the Way of the just,
the Glory of the Saints,
the Hope of those in need,
the Balm of the sick,
the Love of the devout
and the Consolation
of those that suffer.
O, Jesus, be to me a help and a protector
so that Your Name may be blessed for all times.
Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 16 March – The Spirit of Prayer

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

The Spirit of Prayer

“The spirit of prayer is the spirit of the love of God and this should inspire all our vocal prayers.
Flowery petitions are no use if our minds and hearts are turned away from God.
God wants our hearts.
This is why He complained that “this people honours Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me” (Nt 15:8, Mk 7:6).

Remember the apt expression of St Augustine: “To pray is to love. Whoever loves God well, prays a great deal. A man who is lacking in love, prays very little. A man who does not love God at all, never prays, or if he does, he recites coldly, the usual formulae and disregards Christ’s warning: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God! (Mt 4:7).”

Let us pray often but let our prayers be sincere acts of the love of God, coming from the heart.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/14/thought-for-the-day-14-march-the-spirit-of-prayer/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/15/thought-for-the-day-15-february-the-spirit-of-prayer/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on STRENGTH

Thought for the Day – 13 March – PRAYER

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

PRAYER

“The Saints loved to pray.
Prayer was the source of their strength and consolation.
They prayed with enthusiasm and for as long as they were able.
They would have liked to spend their lives in intimate conversation with Jesus.
They loved God so much, that they lived and worked only for Him.
For this reason, they regarded prayer as a pleasure.
The hours of prayer passed like seconds because love does not feel the passing of time, nor does it notice discomfort.

Our Lord gave us an example of this in His own life.
When He prayed to His Heavenly Father, “He continued all night in prayer to God” (Lk 6:12).
In spite of the fact that He was God, He gave Himself in prayer to His Heavenly Father before He worked any of His miracles and in Gethsemane, before He went to His Passion.

It must be the same with us.
A man who does not love prayer, does not love God.
If anyone works without praying, his work is useless.
We should feel the need to pray, just as much as we feel the need of God’s assistance.
The happiest hours of our lives, should be those which we spend in prayer.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-prayer/

Posted in BAPTISM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, SACRAMENTS

Thought for the Day – 11 March – The Growth of Jesus

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

The Growth of Jesus

“It is impossible to stand still in life.
This is true, whether we are speaking of the natural or of the supernatural order of life..
Life is motion and activity; there can be no cessation.
In the natural order, life begins in the womb and passes through the various stages of infancy, adolescence, maturity and old age.

The supernatural life begins in Baptism, matures in Confirmation and is made entirely holy in the Eucharistic union with Jesus
But, if this life begins to fail, the result can be everlasting ruin.
It is true that in His infrinite goodness, Jesus has provided the Sacrament of Penance for those who fall and extinguish in themselves, the supernatural life of grace.
The Sacrament of Penance, has been instituted for their salvation.

At the hour of death moreover, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction heals the soul of sin and soothes the worn-out body with a refreshing ray of the spiritual life.

But woe betide those who abuse God’s gifts!
If anyone repeatedly rejects His favours and appears, instead of advancing in goodness, to be sliding backwards into ruin, he will be engulfed in the languor of spiritual death!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/11/thought-for-the-day-11-march-the-growth-of-jesus/

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

Thought for the Day – 10 March – The Hidden Life of Jesus

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

The Hidden Life of Jesus

“Jesus chose to be an ordinary workman.
He had power over the Angels of Heaven, over the sun and stars of the firmament, over the waves of the ocean and over all the elements,
By a single act of His Divine Will , He could multiply loaves and change water into wine.
Yet, He elected to earn His living by the sweat of His brow.
In His times, the artisan was held in low esteem and was very often a slave.
Manual labour was regarded as sordid and undignified.
Christ wished to sanctify manual work by His own toil.
He wished to teach men that, in the eyes of God, the hoe is as valuable as the pen.
There is no difference between driving a plough and wielding a sceptre, as long as a man is fulfilling his duty for the love of God.
The only thing in this regard which is displeasing to God, is laziness and inactivity.
Anyone who leads an idle life at the expense of others, is breaking God’s law, which commands everyone to work.

Let us follow the example of Jesus the Worker.
Let us avoid idleness, which is the father of vices and is opposed to the command of God (Cf Gen 3:19; 2 Thess 3:10).
Let no-one claim that there is no need for him to work because he has enough money to last him all his life.
There was far less need for Jesus to work in order to live, yet He chose to work as an ordinary labourer.
If we do not have to work for our own sakes, let us reflect on how much need there is to work for others and for the glory of God.
If justice does not compel us, charity does.
It makes very little difference whether a man goes to hell for lack of justice or for lack of charity!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/10/thought-for-the-day-10-march-the-hidden-life-of-jesus/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, POETRY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Persevere

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 March –Thursday of the First Week of Lent – Ezechiel 18:1-9, Matthew 15:21-28

“You are rewarded,
not according to your work,
or your time
but according to the measure
of your love.”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“Then steer your ship with steady arm,
Trust Me and rest your soul.
Your little boat I’ll keep from harm,
I’ll guide it toward its goal. …
Be therefore, steadfast, calm and true,
Your God is at your side.
Through storm and night
He’ll see you through
With conscience as your guide.”

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross OCD.(1891-1942
Edith Stein
“At the Helm”

“I think He intends to try you
like gold in the crucible,
so as to number you
amongst His most faithful servants.
Therefore, you must lovingly embrace
all occasions of suffering,
considering them
as precious tokens of His love.
To suffer in silence
and without complaint,
is what He asks of you.”

“Go courageously to God,
along the way He has traced out for you,
steadfastly embracing the means
He offers you.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

“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 GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior)

Thought for the Day – 9 March – The Human Soul

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

The Human Soul

“Consider that you have only one soul, which belongs entirely to God and has Heaven for its true home.
God has given you two hands, two feet, two ears and two eyes but, He has given you only one soul.
What a disaster, if you should lose it, for you would then be damned forever!
When God made you to be free, He placed your fate in your own hands.
“When God, in the beginning, created man, He made him subject to his own free choice” (Ecclus 15:14).
Remember that the salvation of your soul is the most necessary work which you have to do!
It is more precious to you than gold or silver.
“More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit, than coral” (Ecclus 30:15).
All our attention should be devoted to keeping our soul free from sin and endowing it with every virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WISDOM

Thought for the Day – 8 March – Knowledge and Goodness

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

Knowledge and Goodness

“The supremacy of goodness over knowledge, has to be admitted in practice, as well as in theory.
It is useless and even harmful, for us to be courageous, if we not also good.
Very often, knowledge is like a weapon in the hands of a child.
If the child is naughty or careless, he can do a great deal of damage with his weapon.
Before everything else, we must be good.
We must have that Christian goodness which embraces all the virtues and culminates in the love of God and of our neighbour.
Once we have acquired this goodness, science will benefit by it.
It will become a powerful means of enlightenment, rather than of destruction.
It will no longer be mere knowledge; it will be wisdom.
In will teach us how to live and show us our proper destination.
In short, it will become an instrument of virtue, which will contribute enormously to the welfare of the human race.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/14/thought-for-the-day-14-july-knowledge-and-goodness/

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 7 March – ST THOMAS AQUINAS

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

ST THOMAS AQUINAS

“It is generally recognised that St Thomas Aquinas was a great Philosopher and Theologian.
The Cartesian Philosopher, Jourdain , said of him, that no other man had come so near to being infallible!
The eclectic Philosopher, Cousin, referred to the Summa Theologiae, as one of the greatest masterpieces of human genius.
Dante celebrated in immortal verse, this wonderful synthesis of thought.
When he Canonised St Thomas, John XXII declared that “every article he wrote was a miracle!”

One might say that St Thomas Aquinas was raised up by God, for he gathered together, the whole of human knowledge up to his own time and interpreted it in the new light of Christianity.
He ordered it into a complete compact body of philosophical and theological doctrine, to serve as an impregnable defence against the errors of his own and later times.

In spite of his greatness, however, Thomas of Aquin, was a very humble man.
There is a good deal of truth in Pascal’s remark that a little knowledge makes the mind proud but real wisdom makes it humble.

We cannot all imitate the knowledge of St Thomas Aquinas but we should all imitate his humility.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 6 March – CONSCIENCE

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

CONSCIENCE

“There is such a thing also, as a scrupulous conscience.
Some people live in continual anxiety and torment.
They see sin everywhere and believe it is impossible to avoid it.
In spite of the clear directions of their confessor, they postpone receiving Holy Communion because they feel unworthy.
They say their prayers over and over again because they feel that they are saying them badly.
They become a burden to themselves and to others.
They never stop worrying and waste their own valuable time, as well as that of their confessor.
The spirit of Jesus, however, is a spirit of peace, forgiveness and truth.
He is infinitely good and merciful and wants us to have complete confidence in Him and in the ministers of His Church, which He founded as a sure guide for our salvation and spiritual happiness.

People who are troubled by a scrupulous conscience should go to a good confessor or Spiritual Director and strictly obey his instructions.
The only cure for scrupulosity is absolute obedience.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/28/thought-for-the-day-28-march-conscience/

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HEART, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 6 March – Temptation

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 March – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Cor.inthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-1

“Temptations to sin are sure to come
but woe to the person through whom they occur!
It would be better for him,
if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea,
than for him to cause
one of these little ones to sin…”

Luke 17:1-2

“He says that these temptations must come.
Is this then because God, who governs all,
forces people to their commission of sin?
Away with the thought!
Nothing that is evil comes from Him.
He is the fountain of all virtue.
Why then must this happen?
They clearly happen because of our infirmity,
for all of us stumble in many things,
as it is written.
Nevertheless, He says, that there will be woe
to the person who lays the stumbling blocks
in the way.
He does not leave indifference in these things
without rebuke but restrains it by fear of punishment. He still commands us to bear with patience ” those who cause sins to happen.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor

“A man must fight long and bravely
against himself before he learns
to master himself fully
and to direct all his affections toward God. ”
… The devil does not sleep,
nor is the flesh yet dead,
therefore, you must never cease
your preparation for battle
because, on the right and on the left
are enemies who never rest.”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

“When you gossip about a person it means
that you have removed the person from your heart.
But be aware, when you remove a man from your heart,
Jesus also goes away from your heart with that man.”

St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 5 March – Mortification and Penance

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

Mortification and Penance

“There are many simple acts of mortification which we can all do for our spiritual welfare.
For example, we can remain silent when there is no need to speak; we can deprive ourselves of dainties at table and we can act humbly, when oyer pride is hurt or patiently when we think we have been offended.
These are easy ways in which men of goodwill can practise mortification.

But, there are times when we must be ready, like the Martyrs and the Saints, to make heroic sacrifices, rather than offend God.
When we are tempted, for example, we must be determined, even to die, rather than fall into sin.
Let us think about this, strengthen our resolutions and praying for the grace of total commitment to our Crucified Saviour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/25/thought-for-the-day-25-march-mortification-and-penance/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-mortification-and-penanc/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 March – How We Should Pray

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

How We Should Pray

“We must pray with deep humility.
Once again we find, that the Man-God Jesus, has given us an example.
In Gethsemane He fell prostate on the ground and begged that, if it were possible, the bitter chalice might be taken away from Him.
Immediately He added. with full submission to the will of His Heavenly Father – “Yet, not my will but thine be done” (Lk 22:42).
Let us remember, moreover, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.
The former appeared to be full of virtue but he was proud and was rejected.
The latter, recognised in all humility, that he was a poor sinner and he was exalted.
“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11).
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Js 4:6).
“The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest, until t reaches its goal” (Ecclus 35:17).

When we kneel down to pray, therefore, we should make an Act of Humility.
We are poor beggars, as St Augustine puts it, before the throne of God.
Let us pray with confidence in God’s goodness but also with a proper realisation of our own helplessness.
Then God will take pity on us.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/16/thought-for-the-day-16-march-how-we-should-pray/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 3 March – The Obedience of Jesus

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

The Obedience of Jesus

“Obedience is an universal rule, without which, there could be no harmony in the world.
All creatures and all creation, obey the laws of nature laid down by their Creator.
The sun rises in the east, moves along its accustomed path everyday and every season and sets in the west.
The stars never leave the order arranged for them by the Hand of God.
The waves of the sea toss about when disturbed by the strength of the wind but, they fall back again without ever crossing the boundaries which God has set for them.

Man alone dares to rebel against his Creator and against those who represent God on earth.
Man alone dares to repeat the blasphemous cry of Satan: “I will not serve!”

Remember the example which Jesus has given us.
Although He is God, the Lord and Master of Heaven and earth, He condescends to obey Mary and Joseph, two creatures incapable of achieving anything without Him.
He “was subject to them” (Lk 2:51).

Let us learn from Him how to obey willingly and humbly, “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Mt 11:29).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/09/thought-for-the-day-9-march-the-obedience-of-jesus/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 3 March – Lord, I am not worthy

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 March – The First Thursday of Lent – Isias 38:1-6, Matthew 8:5-13

“The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy
to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word
and my servant will be healed.”

Matthew 8:8

“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…”

Matthew 11:29

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12

“For the Master of humility,
both by word and example,
sat down also, in the house
of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon
and although He sat down in his house,
there was no place in his heart.
For in his heart.
the Son of Man could not lay His head.”

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

“Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved.
They cannot say with the prophet:
See, God comes to my aid;
the Lord is the helper of my soul.
But anyone who makes himself humble,
like a little child,
is greater in the kingdom of heaven.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor if the Church

“ … If you die with Him,
you shall also likewise
live with Him.
If you are His companion in punishment,
so shall you be in glory.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

“Humility is not just about self-mistrust
but about the entrusting of ourselves to God.
Distrusting ourselves and our own strength
produces trust in God
and from that trust,
generosity of soul is born.”

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

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 2 March – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

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

Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

“The man who prays, will be saved, the man who does not pray, will be damned!”
This reflection occurs in much the same words in the writings St Teresa, of St Alphonsus and of other masters of the spiritual life.
There is no suggestion that prayer ALONE, without sincerity of purpose, the Sacraments and good works, is sufficient for salvation.
What is meant, is that anyone, who does not pray, cannot possibly be saved, except by a miracle because, God, does not normally give His grace to anyone, who does ot ask for it!
Even though the soul has grown indifferent and submerged in sin, if it does not abandon the habit of praying, it will sooner or later, be overcome by remorse and will turn again to God.
St John Chrysostom teaches us, that it is impossible for anyone, who prays fervently and consta\ntly, to fall and remain in serious sin.

Let us pray, therefore.
Let prayer be our constant support in every situation and in every action.
If we remain close to God, we are assured of salvation.
As long as we remain united to Our Lord, His grace will pervade our souls.
But, if we sever this bond of prayer with God, we shall be alone and helpless and shall fall into sin.
This has been the sad experience of many before us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/15/thought-for-the-day-15-march-prayer-as-a-necessary-means-of-salvation/

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS

Thought for the Day – 1 March– The Apostolate of Prayer

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

The Apostolate of Prayer

“Everybody cannot be an Apostle in the strict sense of the word.
Not everyone can dedicate his whole life to the expansion of God’s Kingdom upon earth and to the conversion of pagans, heretics and sinners.
Everyone can, however, do a little in this cause.
Perhaps you cannot leave your family as the missionaries do and travel to distant lands to extend the Kingdom of God.
Perhaps you cannot enter a Convent or dedicate yourself to God as a Priest or a Religious because you have not received this high vocation from God.
We know, however, that each one of us has some responsibility for his neighbour and must help him whenever possible.
“Go surety for your neighbour according to your means ” (Eccles 29:20).

Now, the ‘Apostleship of Prayer’ offers everybody a simple way of doing exactly this.
Its object is to promote the glory of God and the salvation of souls, especially by means of prayer in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Besides prayer, we must offer the actions and sufferings of each day.
Let us decide to become one, with all the faithful, in offering the prayers and actions and sufferings of each day to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of His Mother Mary.

We shall certainly receive showers of graces, both for ourselves and for the salvation of the souls of our neighbours.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE

Thought for the Day – 28 February – The Examination of Conscience

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

The Examination of Conscience

“Remember the key to wisdom: “Know yourself.”
These words were written in Greek in golden letters on the pediment of the temple of the Delphic Apollo.
They were the basic rule of the moral doctrine of Socrates and other philosophers.
But, if we are to know ourselves well, we must examine ourselves thoroughly.
We must place ourselves before ourselves without any concealment or deception and judge ourselves fairly and severely.

The examination of conscience is recommended, not only by spiritual writers of the Church but, also by pagan philosophers.
Seneca’s famous words in this regard are worth meditating – “Anger will disappear or subside,” he says, “when you know that you have to present yourself for judgement everyday.
Is there any finer custom than this daily examination of conscience?
What peace follows from this examination of ourselves!
How tranquil, wise and free the mind becomes, whether it has been praised or reproved, when it has acted as its own secret investigator and critic and has examined its own behaviour.
I use this exercise and put myself on trial everyday.
When the lights are out and silence has fallen … I look back over the entire day and review my words and actions.
I hide nothing from myself I omit nothing.
Why should I be afraid of any of my errors, when I can say to myself: ‘Take care not to do this again – this time I forgive you!” (De Ira III, 36).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 27 February – Let us begin anew

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 February – Quinquagesima Sunday – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 18:31-43

“Open wide your door
to the One who comes.
Open your soul,
throw open the depths of your heart
to see the riches of simplicity,
the treasures of peace,
the sweetness of grace.
Open your heart and run to meet
the Sun of eternal Light
that illuminates all men.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“He who calls us, came here below,
to give us the means of getting there.
He chose the wood
that would enable us to cross the sea –
indeed, no-one can cross the ocean of this world,
who is not borne by the Cross of Christ.
Even the blind can cling to this Cross.
If you can’t see where you are going very well,
don’t let go of it, it will guide you by itself. ”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of the Church

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

St Romanos Melodios (c 490-c 556)
Monk, Composer of hymns, Poet

“Each day then, we ought to renew our resolutions
and arouse ourselves to fervour,
as though it were the first day
of our turning back to God.
We ought to say: “Help me, O Lord God,
in my good resolution
and in Your holy service.
Grant me now, this very day,
to begin perfectly,
for thus far I have done nothing.”
… Just men depend on the grace of God
rather than on their own wisdom
in keeping their resolutions.
In Him they confide every undertaking …”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 25 February – Fervour and Tepidity

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

Fervour and Tepidity

“The ONLY choice in the life of a Catholic is between fervour and sin!
The tepid or negligent soul cannot remain long in the grace of God 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 us 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 Spirit 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 spiritude 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 MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 24 February – Avarice and Ambition

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

Avarice and Ambition

“Although the Gospel stresses so much, the necessity of being detached from the things of the world and of striving after the things of Heaven, it is a sad fact, that from the early days of the Church up to the present time, greed for money and desire for honour, have always been there to do great harm to the faithful.
In his first letter St Peter exhorted Priests to guide and look after their flocks “not for the sake of base gain but eagerly; not yet as lording it over your charges but becoming, from the heart, a pattern to the flock.”(1 Peter 5:3).
He went onto urge the faithful to be humble, obedient and detached from the desires of the world.
He told them to entrust their cares to God, their Protector.

Let us examine how well we follow this counsel and resolve to correct any deficiencies in our behaviour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-avarice-and-ambition/

Posted in ACT of PERFECT CONTRITION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 23 February – The Sacrament of Penance

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

The Sacrament of Penance

“We should confess our sins humbly and sincerely.
We are obliged to confess at least all the mortal sins which we have committed after Baptism and have never included in a previous good confession.
We should prepare for the Sacrament by making a careful examination of conscience in the presence of God.
When we kneel before our Confessor, we should remember that, even though he is only a man like ourselves, he is the representative of God.
We should confess at least our mortal sins in a clear and exact manner.
Whenever possible, we should confess deliberate venial sins in order to be sure of obtaining forgiveness for them.

It is very necessary to be sincerely sorry for our sins and to be firmly resolved never to commit them again, with the help of divine grace.

Perfect contrition, which stems from a pure and disinterested act of love for God, is not necessary.
Attrition is sufficient, that is, imperfect sorrow which springs from a lower supernatural motive, such as the fear of hell, the hideousness of sin, insofar, as it is an offence against God, or the loss of eternal happiness.

Let us examine ourselves to ensure that we fulfil all the ncessary conditions in our Convession.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-the-sacrament-of-penance/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, STATIONS of the CROSS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 22 February – Why Should It Happen to Me?

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

Why Should It Happen to Me?

“When Jesus had been scourged and crowned with thorns, He was forced to set out towrds the execution-ground on Calvary, carrying the heavy wooden Cross.
On the way, He met a Cyrenean named Simon, who was probably returning from his work in the fields outsdie the city.
The Jews had realised, that Jesus had lost so much blood, that He was unable to bear the weight any longer.
They felt no compassion for Him but they were anxious to save their victim for the final punishment.
With this in mind, they compelled Simon to carry Jesus’ Cross.
The Cyrenean could have said: “Why pick on me? I am tired and must get home …”
But his eyes met the tired gaze of Our Saviour.
He saw that He was covered with wounds and streaming blood.
Simon was deeply moved and willingly lifted the Cross which he carried to the place of execution (Cf Mt 27:32; Mk 15:21; Lk 23:26).

Picture Jesus, suffering and bleeding on the road to Calvary and Simon removing the Cross from the shoulders of Our Saviour and transferring it to his own.
How can we ever again rebel and complain, when we meet with inconvenience or sorrow?!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/22/thought-for-the-day-22-february-why-should-it-happen-to-me/