Category: The WILL of GOD

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on WISDOM, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – Let us Pray!

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

St Anne, through her constant prayer,
received, the Mother of God
and then, became the Grandmother of God!

“Let my prayer come
like incense before Thee, O Lord.”

Psalm 140:2

“Exercise your soul!
Use keeps metal brighter
but disuse produces rust.
… So “No-one lights a candle
and puts it under a bushel
but upon a candlestick
that it may give light.”
For of what use is wisdom, if it fails
to make those who hear it wise?”

St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215)
Father of the Church

“God accepts our desires as though
they were of great value.
He longs ardently for us
to desire to and love Him.
He accepts our petitions for benefits,
as though we were doing Him a favour.
His joy in giving,
is greater than ours in receiving.
So let us not be apathetic in our asking,
nor set too narrow bounds to our requests;
nor ask for frivolous things
unworthy of God’s greatness.”

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Arm yourself with prayer
instead of a sword;
be clothed with humility
instead of fine raiment.”

St Dominic OP (1170-1221)

“In prayer, the soul cleanses itself from sin,
charity is nourished,
faith is strengthened,
hope made secure;
the spirit rejoices,
the soul grows tender
and the heart is purified,
truth discovers itself,
temptation is overcome,
sadness takes to flight,
the senses are renewed,
failing virtue is made strong,
tepidity disappears,
the rust of sin is rubbed away.
In it are brought forth,
lively flashes of heavenly desires
and in these fires,
burns the flame of Divine love.
Great are the excellences of prayer,
great its privileges.
The heavens open before it
and unveil therein, their secrets
and to it, are the ears of God ever attentive.”

A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer
Download the book, “A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer”

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

“When you pray, let it be your intention
to will God’s Will alone and not your own,
as well in asking as in obtaining that is,
pray because God Wills you to pray
and desire to be heard, insofar and, no farther,
than He Wills. Your intention, in short,
should be to unite your will to the Will of God
and not to draw His Will to yours.
And this because, your will, being infected
and ruined by self-love, often errs
and knows not what to ask but the Divine Will,
being always united to ineffable goodness,
can never err.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – ‘ … When we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all …’

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One Minute Reflection – 17 July– “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Feast of The Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary – St Alexius –1 Timothy 6:6-12, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,
for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “WE MUST POSSESS a continual and imperturbable equanimity, amid the great variety of human occurrences and although, all things change around us, remain immovable, with our eyes fixed on God alone.
And, although, all things, I will not merely say around us but even within us, should turn topsy-turvy; whether our souls be joyful or sorrowful, in peace or in trouble, in light or in darkness, in temptation or in repose, in happiness or in disgust, although the sun scorch, or the dew refresh – we should always keep our will fixed on the good pleasure of God, as its sole and supreme object.

It is true that we require great confidence to abandon ourselves, without any reserve, to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all.
But, if we reserve anything which we are unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us, as if He would say: “You think yourselves sufficiently wise to manage that affair without Me – you can do so and see what will come of it!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis( Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness both of mind and body and, by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness.ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, BAPTISM, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – ‘ … She kept God’s Truth in her mind, … carrying His Body in her womb. … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the womb which bore Thee … But He said, rather, blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it. ” – Luke 11:27-28

REFLECTION – “Stretching out His Hand over His disciples, the Lord Christ declared: ‘Here are My mother and My brothers; anyone who does the Will of My Father Who sent Me, is My brother and sister and My mother.’ I would urge you to ponder these words. Did the Virgin Mary, who believed by faith and conceived by faith, who was the chosen one from whom our Saviour was born among men, who was created by Christ before Christ was created in her — did she not do the Will of the Father? Indeed the blessed Mary certainly did the Father’s Will and so, it was for her, a greater thing to have been Christ’s disciple than to have been His Mother and, she was more blessed, in her discipleship, than in her motherhood. Hers was the happiness, of first bearing in her womb, Him Whom she would obey as her Master.

Now listen and see if the words of Scripture do not agree with what I have said. The Lord was passing by and crowds were following Him. His miracles gave proof of Divine Power and a woman cried out: ‘Blessed is the womb which bore Thee,’ blessed is that womb! But the Lord, not wishing people to seek happiness in a purely physical relationship, replied: ,’More blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.‘ Mary heard God’s Word and kept it and so, she is blessed. She kept God’s Truth in her mind, a nobler thing than carrying His Body in her womb. The Truth and the Body were both Christ — He was kept in Mary’s mind, insofar as He is Truth, He was carried in her womb, insofar as He is Man but what is kept in the mind, is of a higher order, than what is carried in the womb.

The Virgin Mary is both holy and blessed and yet, the Church is greater than she. Mary is a part of the Church, a member of the Church, a holy, an eminent — the most eminent — member but still, only a member of the entire Body. The Body, undoubtedly is greater than she, one of its members. This Body has the Lord for its Head and Head and Body together, make up the whole Christ. In other words, our Head is Divine — our Head is God.

Now, beloved, give me your whole attention, for you also are members of Christ; you too are the Body of Christ. Consider how you, yourselves, can be among those of whom the Lord said: ‘Here are My mother and My brothers.’ Do you wonder how you can be the mother of Christ? He himself said: ‘Whoever hears and fulfils the Will of My Father in Heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.’ As for our being the brothers and sisters of Christ, we can understand this because, although there is only one inheritance and Christ is the Only Son, His mercy would not allow Him to remain alone. It was His wish that we too should be heirs of the Father and co-heirs with Himself.

Now having said that all of you are brothers of Christ, shall I not dare to call you His mother? Much less would I dare to deny His own words. Tell me how Mary became the mother of Christ, if it was not by giving birth to the members of Christ? You, to whom I am speaking, are the members of Christ. Of whom were you born? “Of Mother Church,” I hear the reply of your hearts. You became sons of this mother at your Baptism, you came to birth then, as members of Christ. Now you, in your turn, must draw to the Font of Baptism, as many as you possibly can. You became sons when you were born there yourselves and now, by bringing others to birth in the same way, you have it in your power to become the mothers of Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (An excerpt from Sermon 25).

PRAYER – O God, Who honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of the most blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Thy Mother, graciously grant, that we, who this day honour her commemoration with solemn rites, defended by her care, may be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness.Through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 12 July – The Third Fruit of Patience: – Joy

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

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month
Today is the Last Meditation

The Third Fruit of Patience: – Joy

  1. ‘As it were, sorrowing yet always rejoicing.‘ (2 Cor 6 : 10) This is St Paul’s description of the ministers of Christ, labouring for the salvation of souls. What is true of them, is true of all faithful servants of God. On the surface ,apparent misery but down in the depths of the soul, intense joy. Of this joy, St Paul says: ‘I am filled with comfort and exceedingly abound with joy. in all our tribulation. (2 Cor 7 : 4)
    What is it that works this charm? Patience!. Patient endurance, humble submission to the Will of God, resignation to His Providence.
  2. How is it that out of sorrow, joy can come?
    The reason is that if we are living for God and in dependence upon Him and seeking to promote His glory, then, although in the natural order we may be crushed down with pain and suffering, we shall be full of joy by reason of the supernatural gladness which God bestows upon us. ‘Your joy,‘ says our Lord to His Apostles, ‘no man shall take from you.’ (St John 16 : 22)
    Have I any experience of this joy? If so, I shall thank God for it; if not, I must wait patiently and see whether there may not be some hindrance to it, on my part.
  3. Whence comes this joy?
    From Heaven. This is why it surpasses all earthly joy and makes earthly sufferings sweet. It is the first faint reflection of the Light of Heaven, amid the clouds and darkness of earth – the first foretaste of the joy into which the just will be welcomed by their Lord at the Gate of Heaven.
    If one drop of it sweetens all bitterness on earth and makes all sufferings light, what must be the intensity of joy which will inebriate all those who have here endured tribulation and suffering for Christ’s sake?
Posted in GOD ALONE!, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SELF-DISTRUST, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 10 July – The First Fruit of Patience: – Peace

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

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month

The First Fruit of Patience: – Peace

  1. We all long after peace; we are anxious, not for inactivity, nor indeed that we should have nothing against which to fight but, for the absence of that conflict within us which is the source of all our misery. It is the struggle, in our own hearts, between two opposing forces of duty and inclination, which troubles and disturbs us. I
    f this struggle is to cease, one of these two forces must be crushed. It is the process of crushing our corrupt inclinations which we dread. We have not the necessary courage, although we know that the only way to peace is to mortify our members which are upon the earth.
    This is the story of my troubles, I have not conquered my lower nature and my self-will!
  2. How is the victory to be gained and peace restored to our hearts?
    It is impossible without suffering. Nothing else has the power to break our proud wills and make us put our stubborn necks beneath the yoke.
    We speak of those who have suffered, as having a chastened look and it always attracts us. There is in suffering a sort of supernatural force which ought to commend it to us, or at least, to reconcile us to it. If I have to suffer, I will think of this and console myself with knowing that God will bring peace and happiness out of it.
  3. But, it is not all suffering which has this wholesome effect but only suffering borne with patience.
    If we are impatient, rebellious, unresigned – our suffering maybe an occasion of fresh trouble, rather than of peace. I must accept it from the Hand of God, if it is to bring with it that quiet tranquillity which I have never yet attained as I fight. I must bow my head and place myself in God’s Hands to suffer, as He pleases, whatever He pleases, as long as He pleases. This is the only road to solid peace!
Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, St JOSEPH, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day –10 July – ‘ … Let God steer us where He will.’

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Quote/s of the Day –10 July – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 12:46-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For whoever does
the Will of My Father in Heaven,
is My brother and My sister
and My mother.”

Matthew 12:50

“Unfurl the sails
and let God steer us
where He will.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“No-one will have any other desire in Heaven
than what God wills and the desire of one,
will be the desire of all and the desire of all
and of each one, will also be the desire of God.”

St Anselm (1033-1109)
Archbishop of Canterbury

“Strive to be faithful
to that which God has called you.”

St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540) Virgin

“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 (1881-1971)

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One Minute Reflection – 10 July – For whoever does the Will of My Father in heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother. – Matthew 12:50

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One Minute Reflection – 10 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Rufina and St Secunda of Rome (3rd Century) Virgin Martyrs – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 12:46-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.” – Matthew 12:50

REFLECTION – “I beg you to listen to what the Lord had to say when He stretched out His hand towards His disciples: “Here are My mother and My brethren” and, “whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.” Are we to take it from this that the Virgin Mary did not do the will of the Father, she who by faith believed, by faith conceived; she who was chosen to bring forth salvation on our behalf and who, was by Christ created that Christ in her, might be created? Indeed and indeed, she did the Father’s will and it is a greater thing for Mary that she was Christ’s disciple, than that she was His Mother. It is a happier thing to be His disciple, than to be His Mother. Blessed then is Mary, who bore her Lord in her body, before she gave Him birth…

Mary is holy. Mary is blessed. Yet the Church is greater than she is. What reason do I bring? Mary is part of the Church. She is a holy member of the Church; she is THE holy member; she is the member above all member hut, she is still one member of the whole body… Brothers, listen very closely – you are members of Christ’s body and you are the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27). And this is how you are what He said: “Here are My mother and My brothers.” But how does this prove you are Christ’s mother? He goes on: “Whoever hears and whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is My brother and My sister and My mother.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 25 on Saint Matthew).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who know how courageously Thy holy Martyrs have confessed the faith, may experience their goodness as they intercede for us with Thee.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 6 July – The Patience of Jesus Christ

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Thought for the Day – 6 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month

The Patience of Jesus Christ

As in all other virtues, so in patience, Jesus Chris is our Teacher and Example. None ever sufferer as He did and, therefore, none had to exercise such patience as He exercised.

  1. How patient He was with those who reviled and abused Him! Never one indignant word, never one angry look, nothing but sweetness and kindness. ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.‘ Oh, when shall I be able to imitate the patience of Jesus! when shall I approach, even at a distance, the Divine Model, Whom I profess to imitate!
  2. How patient He was with His Apostles! How their roughness, selfishness, stupidity, must have jarred upon Him! They misunderstood His word they quarrelled among themselves, His predictions respecting the Passion fell upon deaf ears, they all forsook Him in time of danger yet, He never was ruffled by the faintest breath of anger or impatience. He Who was the Infinite God put up with their inconstancy, selfishness, ambition.
    Once more, how far am I from the gentleness and patience of the Son of God!
  3. In the midst of physical agony such as none other ever tasted, how patient He was! Nothing save a gentle moaning expressive of the agony He was enduring, escaped His lips when the scourges lacerated His Sacred Body and when the nails were driven through His hands and feet. He endured that which even He could not have borne had He not been God and used His Divinity to enable Him to suffer more. Yet, He was always submissive to the Will of God, always taking a sort of strange joy in His acutest agony because, He knew, the rich reward at hand, the long-lived seed, who through Him, would be redeemed from the wrath of God and endless misery.
Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – ‘ … When we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all …’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 July– “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Within the Octave of Sts Peter and Paul – Acts 5:12-16, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,
for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “WE MUST POSSESS a continual and imperturbable equanimity, amid the great variety of human occurrences and although, all things change around us, remain immovable, with our eyes fixed on God alone.
And, although, all things, I will not merely say around us but even within us, should turn topsy-turvy; whether our souls be joyful or sorrowful, in peace or in trouble, in light or in darkness, in temptation or in repose, in happiness or in disgust, although the sun scorch, or the dew refresh – we should always keep our will fixed on the good pleasure of God, as its sole and supreme object.

It is true that we require great confidence to abandon ourselves, without any reserve, to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all.
But, if we reserve anything which we are unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us, as if He would say: “You think yourselves sufficiently wise to manage that affair without Me – you can do so and see what will come of it!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis( Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).

PRAYER – God, Who hast consecrated this day to the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, give Thy Church a precept to follow them in all things. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in HUMILITY-Fr Richard Clarke, PURGATORY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 July – Humility under Trials

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Thought for the Day – 2 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

HUMILITY
Meditations for a Month

Humility under Trials

When God lays His heavy Hand upon us, we have an excellent opportunity of exercising the virtue of humility and of making great progress in it. There is nothing like a good knockdown blow, for teaching us our own nothingness and for schooling us in submission to God.
If we take the chastisement well and do not allow ourselves to rebel against the Will of God but rather make it an occasion for humbling ourselves the more in His sight, we shall acquire more grace from God and advance more in perfection in a day, than in months of prosperity and spiritual consolation.
How do I bear the trials God sends — well, or ill?

When the time of darkness is upon us and the gloom seems almost intolerable, there is no harm in praying for release from our misery or that God may avert some threatened blow but, the petition must always be accompanied by an act of humility,
“Not my will, but Thine be done!”
If we are patient, God will certainly send us speedy relief; just when we least expect it, peace will be restored to our souls.

Those trials are intended by God to cleanse our souls and to root out the pride which still lurks there, unnoticed by us.
The best prayer for us to offer under them and indeed, at all times and at all seasons, is to cry out to God,
“Humble me, O God and I shall be humbled. Burn out of me now, in this life, all that displeases Thee that I may not have to endure the burning of the life to come!”
Happy are those who in all trouble can offer this prayer!

Posted in GOD ALONE!, PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SELF-DISTRUST, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 June – The Source of Job’s Patience

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Thought for the Day – 27 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month

The Source of Job’s Patience

  1. How was it that Job was able to bear his manifold calamities,with patience?
    It was not that he did not feel them acutely, or that he wrapped himself in a mantle of self-reliant pride. It was simply due to his great subservience to the Will of God.
    His motto was: ‘As it hath pleased the Lord, so let it be done.‘
    He was quite satisfied with whatever was the Divine good pleasure, and so, whatever happened, he could say from his heart ‘Blessed be the Name of the Lord,‘ he could thank God fo    r it, however great the pain and misery resulting to himself.
  2. There was a further secret of Job’s patience.
    He placed his hopes of happiness in the future, not the present: ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth, I know that in my flesh, I shall see God.’
    When man thus realises the love of Jesus, and is able to say. ‘my Redeeme’ (as St Paul said, ‘He loved me and gave Himself for me’) he has, amid all his troubles, a source of consolation which never can dry up. He is able to look to the joyful day of the resurrection.
    In my trials, I must thus look to Jesus and think of the reward to come which shall richly compensate for all present pain.
  3. Job was not only perfectly resigned but, ready for fresh sufferings, if it were God’s Will and, if no rebellion in his heart should follow from the additional calamities.
    ‘Let this be my comfort that afflicting me, He spare not and that I may not contradict the words of the Holy One.’
    Is this my spirit? Have I the generosity to pray for more sufferings and more humiliations? At least I will pray that God may send me, whatever He sees will cleanse me from sin and help me to love Him more and more.
Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, GOD the FATHER, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 21 June – Eternal Father, I Offer unto Thee By St Margaret Mary Alacogue

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Our Morning Offering – 21 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” –

Eternal Father, I Offer unto Thee
By St Margaret Mary Alacogue (1647-1690)
Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Eternal Father, I offer unto Thee
the infinite satisfaction which Jesus
rendered to Thy Justice, on behalf of sinners,
upon the tree of the Cross
and I pray that, Thou wouldst make the merits
of His Precious Blood available to all guilty souls
to whom sin has brought death.
May they rise again to the life of grace
and glorify Thee forever.

Eternal Father,
I offer Thee the fervent devotion
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in satisfaction
for the lukewarmness and cowardice
of Thy chosen people, imploring Thee,
by the burning Love which made Him suffer death
that it may please Thee,
to rekindle their hearts,
now so lukewarm in Thy service
and to set them on fire with Thine Love
that they may love Thee forever.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee
the submission of Jesus to Thy Will
and I ask of Thee, through His merits,
the fullness of all grace
and the accomplishment of all Thine Holy Will.
Blessed be God!
Amen.

Posted in PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 17 June – Patience during Bereavement

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

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month

Patience during Bereavement

  1. Pure human love, especially the love of father and mother for their children, is one of the most beautiful things in the natural order.
    It interweaves itself with our very nature.
    Husband and wife, brother and sister and above all, the children who are in a special sense our own, are a part of ourselves; they are our own by birth, our own-by constant association, our own by a thousand ties of love.
    Oh, how sorrowful it is to lose one of our little circle, to see the empty place, to miss their looks of love, the sweet sound of their voice.
    Then indeed we have need of patience and must beg that we may not grieve like those who have no hope but, may humbly bow our necks under God’s chastising Hand.
  2. Patience! how are we to obtain it under the crushing blow? How are we to recognise the love of God in thus taking away the light of our eyes from us? It is indeed difficult and, for a time, the absorbing grief may overpower us. But we can always pray, we can always make an act of resignation, we can always say: ‘Not as I will but as Thou wilt!’
    It is the Lord, let Him do what is good in His sight.
    Has this been my conduct when one whom I dearly loved was taken from me?
  3. There are many motives of consolation when friends and dear ones fade away or die. If they died in their innocence, how we, ought to rejoice when we think of them with Christ in Heaven! If they had sinned and done penance, we ought to rejoice that God gave them the grace of dying a good death. We can always console ourselves by praying for them. We can make their departure a reason for living a better and a holier life that we may not fail to meet them again before the Throne of God.
    All this I will do more henceforward.
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, INDULGENCES, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 16 June – O Jesus, Mary’s Son!

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Our Morning Offering – 16 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

O Good Jesus, Make Me
Live in Thee and for Thee
By Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922)

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
O fount of every good!
I adore Thee, I love Thee
and sincerely repenting of my sins
I present to Thee my poor heart.
Give it back to me
humble, patient,
pure and in everything,
conformed to Thy wishes.
Make me, O good Jesus,
live in Thee and for Thee.
Protect me in dangers,
comfort me in afflictions,
grant me health of body,
succour in my temporal needs,
Thy blessing in all my works
and the grace of a holy death.
Amen

Posted in QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – St Angelica de Merici

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

“Reflect that in reality
you have a greater need to serve [the poor],
than they have of your service.”

“Strive to be faithful
to that which God has called you.”

“Consider that, the devil does not sleep
but seeks our ruin, in a thousand ways.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/01/quote-s-of-the-day-1-june-st-angelica-de-merici/

St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540) Virgin

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

St Bede became known as “Venerable Bede or Bede the Venerable” (Latin: Beda Venerabilis) by the 9th Century because of his great devotion and holiness but this was not linked to consideration for sainthood. According to a legend, the epithet was miraculously supplied by Angels. It was first utilised in connection with St Bede, where he was grouped with others, who were called “venerable,” at two Ecclesiastical Councils, held at Aachen in 816 and 836. Paul the Deacon (c 720-c 796) Italian Monk, Writer, Historian, then referred to him as Venerable consistently. By the 11th and 12th Centuries, the title had become commonplace and it is rarely omitted today.

“The soul glorifies the Lord,
when it consecrates all its inner powers
on praising and serving God
and when, by its submission
to the Divine commands,
it proves that it never loses sight
of His Power and Majesty.
The spirit rejoices in God, its Saviour,
when it places all its joy
in the remembrance of its Creator,
from Whom it hopes for eternal salvation.”

“I was no longer the centre of my life
and, therefore, I could see God in everything!”

“Unfurl the sails
and let God steer us
where He will.”

“Purgatorial fire will be more intolerable
than all the torments which can be felt
or conceived in this life.”

“Be Thou our Joy and Strong Defence,
Who art our future Recompense.
Alleluia, alleluia.
So shall the Light that springs from Thee
Be ours through all eternity.
Alleluia, Alleluia.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/05/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-may-st-bede-the-venerable-2/

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to THE HOLY GHOST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 24 May – A Prayer for Guidance by St Bede

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Our Morning Offering – 24 May – Pentecost Friday

Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart
A Prayer for Guidance
By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

ALMIGHTY God,
open Thou my heart
and enlighten me with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
to see those things which are well-pleasing to Thy will.
Direct my thoughts and understanding
to those things which it is proper to meditate upon
and to take in hand;
in such fashion, as by fitting character
and deeds, I might be found worthy
of the eternal joy of heavenly life.
Direct my acts to Thy commandments,
that I might, by labour
so unbrokenly study to bring them to fulfilment,
as to attain to an everlasting reward.
Amen

Posted in DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 May – Concerning Sensible Devotion and Dryness (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 5 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

Final Remarks on Prayer and the Combat
LIX: … Concerning Sensible Devotion and Dryness
(Part One)

“SENSIBLE DEVOTION is sometimes produced by dispositions of our nature, sometimes by artifices of the devil and sometimes, by an influx of grace.
You may discern its origin in a particular case by studying the effects – for, if no amendment follows, you may well suspect the devil or your own infirm nature to be at the bottom of such devotion, particularly if it be accompanied by much consolation, complacency, or by any measure of self-esteem.

When, therefore, your heart rejoices in exultation and spiritual delight, be not over solicitous to trace their origins but, at the same time, attribute no particular significance to them and, beware of inflating your opinion of self.
Rather, be ever mindful of your own nothingness and breaking asunder the fetters of earthly attachments – and even spiritual attractions – attach yourself to God alone, seeking always to obey the least dictate of His Divine Will.
This method of conduct will change the very nature of the consolation you experience and, although it should first arise from a defective source, it will later prove most beneficial.

Dryness, or spiritual aridity, proceeds from the following causes:

– From the Devil, who strives with satanic vigour to make us become negligent, to lead us from the path of perfection and, plunge us anew into the vanities of the world.
– From ourselves, through our own faults, negligences and earthly attachments.
– From the Divine grace infused into our souls by the Holy Spirit, not only to wean us away from all that is not of God, or tending to
Him but also, that we may learn, from experience, that all things
come from Him.
Other reasons for such spiritual aridity are:
– to teach us to esteem His gifts more highly in the future
– and show more humility and care, in preserving them,
– and to unite us more closely to His Divine Majesty, by an entire renunciation of self, complete to the exclusion of spiritual comforts.
– For, if our affections are centred on spiritual consolation that heart, which Our Lord would keep wholly for Himself, is divided!

The last reason to be assigned for such dryness maybe the joy God derives from seeing us fight with all our strength, utilising all His grace to best effect.

When, therefore, you find yourself oppressed with dryness and distaste for spiritual things, ascertain whether or no, it is to be attributed to any fault of your own and, if so, amend it instantly, not so much with a view to regaining that sensible enjoyment but, in order to banish everything which is the least displeasing to God.
If, however, after careful scrutiny, you can discover no such fault, be not concerned about recovering your sensible fervour, rather exert yourself to the acquisition of that perfect devotion which consists in perfect conformity to the Will of God.
However barren and insipid your usual exercises may seem, be resolute
and persevering in your execution of them, drinking cheerfully
the bitter cup the heavenly Father has presented to you.

And if, besides this dryness which makes you almost insensible to heavenly things, you labour under an oppressive cloud of spiritual darkness which makes you fearful and ignorant of which way to turn, be not discouraged!
Let nothing separate you from the Cross of Christ and disdain all human consolation, vain and wretched as it is.

Be careful, moreover, not to divulge this affliction to anyone but your spiritual director, to whom it should be revealed not with a view to any alleviation but in order, to learn how to bear it in perfect resignation to the Divine Will.
DO NOT offer your Communions, prayers, or other devout exercises that you may be set free of your cross but that, you may receive strength to exalt that cross forever to the honour and glory of Jesus Crucified!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 May – Concerning Thanksgiving

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Thought for the Day – 2 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LVII: … Concerning Thanksgiving

“Since all the good we have, or all the good we do, is of God and from God, we are bound, in justice, to render Him thanks for every good action done, or every victory won in the battle against self.
And, what is more, we are obliged to render thanksgiving for all blessings, general or particular, which we have received from His bounteous Hand.

To do this in a becoming manner, let us consider the end because of which, He has heaped upon us the abundance of His blessings; for from such considerations, we come to learn how God would be thanked.
And, as His principal design, in all His beneficence, is primarily His own honour and the dedication of souls to His Divine service, let everyone reflect within his hearts:
“What power, wisdom and goodness has God displayed in bestowing
this grace and blessing upon me!”

Then considering the incapacity of finite man, to merit unaided, an Infinite favour – or even man’s utter ingratitude which makes him unworthy of such a blessing – we should say, in deep humility:
“Is it possible, O Lord that Thou shouldst love sinful man, the most abject of creatures?
How boundless is a love which grants a multitude of blessings, to him, who deserves it so little!?
May Thy Holy Name be blessed now and forever!”

And finally, as such a multitude of blessings requires no more acknowledgment from man, than that he love his gracious Benefactor, let him thank and love God from the bottom of his heart, resolving to obey completely, the dictates of God’s Holy Will.

The concluding step consists in the entire offering of self to God, as
suggested in the following chapter.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PURITY, St JOSEPH, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 April – St Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 April – The Octave Day of the Patronage of St Joseph

“Saint Joseph was the just man:
by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct – a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

“I cannot call to mind
that I have ever asked him,
at any time for anything,
which he has not granted
and I am filled with amazement
when I consider the great favours
which God has given me,
through this blessed Saint;
the dangers from which he has delivered me,
both of body and of soul!”

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

“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.”

“This holy Patriarch was as resigned
to the poverty of the manger
and the discomforts of exile,
as he was grateful to God for the wonderful gifts
and joys which he had been granted.
He knew that God could have solved,
by a single act of His Divine Will,
all the problems which he encountered throughout life.
But he never asked for such a favour.
His only desire was to do God’s Will perfectly.
Let this be our desire too and let us never cease
to ask God for this grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 April – St Anselm

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 April – St Anselm (1033-1109) ArchBishop of Canterbury, Confessor, Magnificent and Marian Doctor of the Church

“No-one will have any other desire in Heaven
than what God wills and the desire of one,
will be the desire of all and the desire of all
and of each one, will also be the desire of God.”

O Lord Our God, Grant Us Grace
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Archbishop of Canterbury
Doctor of the Church

O Lord our God,
grant us grace to desire Thee
with our whole heart;
that, so desiring, we may seek
and, seeking, find Thee
and so finding Thee,
may love Thee
and loving Thee,
may hate those sins
from which Thou hast redeemed us.
Amen.

A Prayer for All in Need
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Archbishop of Canterbury
Doctor of the Church

O Lord,
we bring before Thee,
the distress and dangers
of peoples and nations,
the pleas of the imprisoned
and the captive,
the sorrows of the grief-stricken,
the needs of the refugee,
the impotence of the weak,
the weariness of the despondent
and the diminishments of the aging.
O Lord, stay close to them all.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/21/quote-s-of-the-day-21-april-st-anselm-2/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Lady POVERTY, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on WISDOM, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 April– ‘… God gave him his most glorious Son to care for …’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Within the Octave of the Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph – Genesis 49:22-26; Luke 3:21-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the son of Joseph … ” – Luke 3:23

REFLECTION – “How faithful in humility was the great Saint we are celebrating! That cannot be said in all its perfection for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived, all the days of his life – a poverty and lowliness beneath which. he kept hidden and concealed, his great virtues and dignity! … Truly, I am free of doubt that the Angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest Child in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment, so as to feed the little Boy and the Mother entrusted to him.

There is no doubt at all that St Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts with which God had favoured him? And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him his most glorious Son to care for … the universal Prince of Heaven and earth … Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined … he went to his own Country and Town of Bethlehem and none but he was turned away from all those inns … Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes; he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor … and he submits to it with love and, not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Conferences No 20)

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose Thy blessed servant Joseph to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant that now that he is in heaven with Thee, we ,who on earth, do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be assisted by the succour of his prayers to Thee on our behalf. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect)

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – The Patronage of St Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph Confessoris

“We also should have recourse to St Joseph
in our spiritual and bodily necessities.
St Joseph had to endure a great deal
in order to provide for the wants of the Holy Family
and to protect them from the many dangers
which threatened them.
For this reason, he is especially attentive
to requests of any kind, as long as they are made
with a lively faith and submission to the Will of God.”

“St Joseph is the Universal Patron of the Church.
We, who are loved children of the Church
should invoke his special intercession,
therefore, for the triumph and expansion
of the Kingdom of God upon earth.
… If we are loyal sons of the Church,
we should pray that She may triumph.
We should ask for the special intercession
of St Joseph, Her Heavenly Patron.”

“We shall come to the end of our lives too,
perhaps sooner than we imagine.
Let us ask the Holy Patriarch
for the favour of a happy death.
Let us ask him to ensure that Jesus and Mary
will help us too, when we are leaving this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-saint-joseph/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 April – On Prayer (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 11 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

The Fourth Weapon of the Spiritual Combat
XLIV: … On Prayer (Part Two)

“3. When you pray, let it be your intention to will God’s Will alone and not your own, as well in asking as in obtaining that is, pray because God Wills you to pray and desire to be heard, insofar and, no farther, than He Wills. Your intention, in short, should be to unite your will to the Will of God and not to draw His Will to yours.
And this because ,your will, being infected and ruined by self-love, often errs and knows not what to ask but the Divine Will, being always united to ineffable goodness, can never err.
The Will of God is, therefore, the rule and ruler of all other wills and, it deserves and Wills to be followed and obeyed by all.
Ask, therefore, always such things as are conformable to God’s Will and, if you be in doubt whether anything be so or not, ask it on the condition of its being according to the Will of God.
And those things, (such as all virtues) which you certainly know to be agreeable to Him, ask rather, in order to serve and please Him thereby, than for any other motive, how spiritual so-ever.

  1. Be careful when you go to prayer to adorn yourself with works corresponding to your petitions and, after you have prayed, labour more earnestly still, to fit yourself for the grace and virtue you desire to obtain.
    For the exercise of prayer must be so continually accompanied by the exercise of self-discipline that the one may involve the other; otherwise, to pray for a virtue and take no trouble to obtain it, would be rather to tempt God than to serve Him!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-on-prayer-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The LAMB of GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – Take God for your Spouse and Friend …

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Ferial Day – Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10; John 20:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My Lord and my God.”

John 20:28

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I Am meek and humble of heart
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For My yoke is easy and My burden light.”

Matthew 11:29-30

“If we wish to make any progress
in the service of God,
we must begin everyday of our life,
with new eagerness.
We must keep ourselves,
in the presence of God,
as much as possible
and have no other view or end,
in all our actions
but the Divine honour.”

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

“Take God for your Spouse and Friend
and walk with Him continually
and you will not sin and will learn to love
and the things you must do
will work out prosperously for you.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

“You will begin to taste, even in this life,
a foretaste of eternal life,
for the principal beatitude of the soul in Heaven,
is to be confirmed forever in the Will of the Father.
Thus, it tastes the divine sweetness.
But it will never taste it in Heaven,
if it is not clothed with it on earth,
where we are pilgrims and travellers.
When it is clothed with it, it tastes God
by grace in its troubles; its memory will be full
of the Blood of the Lamb without blemish;
its mind will be opened and contemplate
the ineffable love that God has made known
in the Wisdom of His Son and the love it finds,
in the Holy Spirit’s goodness, casts out self-love
and love for created things, to love only God.
So do not be afraid … but suffer with joy,
so as to conform yourself to the Will of God.””

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ON the SAINTS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY NAME, The RESURRECTION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – “My Lord and my God.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20. 19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My Lord and my God.”

John 20:28

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanations is possible.”

“If then, you are looking for the way
by which you should go,
take Christ, for He, Himself, is the Way.”

Grant Me Grace,
O Merciful God
Prayer of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus & Doctor Communis
which he was accustomed to recite everyday
before the image of Christ.

Grant me grace,
O merciful God,
to desire ardently
all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise
and glory of Thy Name.
Amen

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

“Keep yourself faithfully
in the presence of God;
avoid hurry and anxiety,
for there are no greater obstacles
to our progress in perfection.
Have an unlimited confidence
in His mercy and goodness.”

“Our greatest fault is, that
we wish to serve God in our way,
not in His way — according to our will,
not according to His will….
To be truly a Saint, it is necessary
to be one according to the will of God.”

“Alas, how the faith of Jesus’ Apostles
is shaken after His Crucifixion!
Assembled in a room with closed doors,
they are filled with fear.
Then Jesus enters, stands in their midst
and greets them: ‘Peace be with you.’ …
Without the presence of our Saviour,
they felt timid and lacked strength.
Such is the case when one is without God.
They were afraid.
Like a ship tossed in a storm without a pilot,
such was this poor boat.
Our Lord appears to His disciples
to bring relief to their fear.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 6 April– We Must Never Wish to be Delivered from theTrials we are Patiently Enduring

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Thought for the Day – 6 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XLI: … We Must Never Wish to be Delivered from the
Trials we are Patiently Enduring

“When you shall find yourself in any painful position and bearing it patiently, take heed lest the devil or your own self-love persuade you to desire deliverance from it; for you may thereby, incur two great evils.

+++ Firstly – If this desire should not rob you at once of the virtue of patience, it would at least gradually dispose you to impatience.
+++ Secondly – Your patience would become defective and would be rewarded by God only according to the duration of the suffering; whereas, if you had not desired to be freed from it but had committed yourself wholly to His Divine goodness, your sufferings, although but of an hour’s duration, or even less, would have been accepted by your Lord as an enduring service.

In this, then and in all things, make it your unvarying rule, to keep your wishes so far removed from every other object that they may tend simply to their true and only end, the Will of God.
For thus, will they be ever right and true and, in any cross, or accident which may occur, you will be not only tranquil but content because, as nothing can happen without the Supreme Will, by willing the same, you will come, at all times, both to will all that happens and to possess all that you desire!

This must not be understood either of our own sins or those of others, for God Wills not these but, it applies to every chastisement arising from them, or from any other cause, although it be so keen and searching, as to reach the very bottom of the heart and, to wither the very roots of the natural life; a cross wherewith God is sometimes pleased to favour His nearest and dearest friends.

And, what I say of the patience which you are bound to practice on all occasions, is to be understood of that portion of any trouble, which still remains, after we have used all lawful means of relief and which, it is the Will of God that we should endure.

And, in the use of these means, we should be guided by the Will and disposal of God, Who has appointed them to be used, not to please ourselves but because He so Wills; nor as loving or desiring deliverance from suffering beyond what is required for His service and by His Will!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – [He] hath called you out of darkness …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Easter Saturday – 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 20:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“[He] hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous Light … ”

1 Peter 2:9

“Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27

“In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33

“Who will be crowned without having fought?
Who will go to rest if he is not tired
(cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?
Who will gather the fruits of life
without having planted virtues in his soul?
Cultivate them, prepare the earth
with the greatest care,
take trouble over it, sweat over it,
children, God’s workers,
imitators of the Angels,
competitors with incorporeal beings,
lights for those who are in the world
(cf. Phil 2:15)!”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

“Lord, help me to live this day,
quietly, easily.
To lean upon Thy great strength,
trustfully, restfully.
To wait for the unfolding of Thy will,
patiently, serenely.
To meet others,
peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow,
confidently, courageously.”

St Frances of Assisi (c1181-1226)

“Let nothing perturb you,
nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.”

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of Prayer

“Let us think only
of spending the present
day well.
Then, when tomorrow
shall have come,
it will be called
TODAY
and then, we will think
about it.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 April– Esteem All Opportunities of Fighting for the Acquisition of Virtue (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 2 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXVIII: … Esteem All Opportunities of
Fighting for the Acquisition of Virtue (Part Two)

“The other consideration (of which we have already spoken) is, that all events which befall us come from God, for our good, in order that we may derive fruit therefrom.

And although, as we have said before, some of these occasions, such as our own defects, or those of others, cannot be said to be of God, Who wills not sin, yet they are from Him, inasmuch as He permits them and though able to hinder them, hinders them not.
But all the sorrows and afflictions which come upon us, either by our own fault or the malice of others, are both from God and of God because He concurs in them and that, which He would not have us do, as being full of a deformity beyond measure hateful to His most pure eyes, He would yet have us suffer, for our greater advancement in holiness, or for some other wise reason unknown to us.

Seeing, then, that it is most assuredly our Lord’s will that we should suffer willingly, any Cross which may come upon us, either from others or from our own evil deeds, to say, as many do in excuse for their impatience that God wills not evil but abhors it, is a vain pretext, whereby to cover our own faults and avoid the Cross which He wills us to bear.

Nay, I will say further, that supposing all other circumstances the same, our Lord is more pleased with our patient endurance of trials which come upon us from the wickedness of men, especially of those, whom we have served and benefited, than with our endurance of other grievous annoyances.
And this because, our proud nature is, for the most part, more humbled by the former than by the latter and also because, by willingly enduring them, we do above measure, please and magnify our God, co-operating with Him in that, wherein His ineffable goodness and omnipotence shine forth most brightly, namely, in extracting from the deadly poison of malice and wickedness, the sweet and precious fruit of holiness and virtue!

No sooner, therefore, does our Lord perceive in us an earnest desire to attempt and persevere in so glorious an undertaking, than He prepares a chalice of strongest temptation and strongest trial, for us, that we may drink it at the appointed hour and we, recognising therein His love and our own good, should receive it willingly and blindly, confidently and promptly drinking it to the very dregs, as a medicine compounded by a Hand which cannot err; of ingredients the more profitable to the soul, in proportion to their intrinsic bitterness!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/01/thought-for-the-day-1-april-esteem-all-opportunities-of-fighting-for-the-acquisition-of-virtue-part-one/

Posted in HOLY WEEK, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 26 March – Jesus in Gethsemane

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

Jesus in Gethsemane

“In His sadness and loneliness, Jesus is comforted by an Angel.
It is true that, being God, He was in no need of being consoled by Angels.
Moreover, He had willingly allowed Himself to be offered as a Victim of Expiation for our sins.
“He was offered because it was His own will” (Is 53:7).
But, He wished to be an example to us in this matter too.

If we trustingly abandon ourselves to God’s will in moments of temptation and of sorrow, we shall receive comfort from our Angel too.
How many times have we experienced this mysterious consolation in our souls?
When we have bowed our heads in suffering and have offered ourselves as pure victims to God, we have felt an inner light and peace which only Divine grace can give.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-jesus-in-gethsemane/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/11/thought-for-the-day-11-april-jesus-in-gethsemane/