The WORD – Page 101

ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SACRAMENTS, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – “Speaking of: Temptation”

Posted on July 27, 2019July 27, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – Saturday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: 13:24-30

“Speaking of: Temptation”

‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?
How then has it weeds?’

Matthew 13:27

“As we do battle and fight, in the contest of faith,
God, His angels and Christ Himself, watch us.
How exalted is the glory,
how great the joy of engaging in a contest with God presiding,
of receiving a crown,
with Christ as judge.”

St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church

“The dragon sits by the side of the road,
watching those who pass.
Beware lest he devour you.
We go to the Father of Souls
but it is necessary to pass by the dragon.”

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“So let us not be afraid of temptations.
Rather, let us glory in them saying:
“When I am weak, then am I strong.”
[2 Cor. 12:10]”

St Ambrose (339-397 AD)
Doctor of the Church

“He could have kept the devil from Himself
but if He were not tempted,
He could not teach you
how to triumph over temptation.”

Saint Augustine (354-430)
Bishop and Great Western Father
and Doctor of the Church

“Three things are absolutely
necessary against temptation –
prayer to enlighten us,
the sacraments to strengthen us
and vigilance to preserve us.
Happy are souls that are tempted!
It is when the devil discerns
that a soul is tending towards
union with God
that he redoubles his rage!”

St John Marie Vianney (1786-1859)

“God will never permit anything,
to happen to us, that is not for our greater good.”

“The storms that are raging around you,
will turn out to be for God’s glory,
your own merit
and the good of many souls.”

“We have close to us, an angelic spirit,
who never leaves us for an instant,
from the cradle to the grave,
who guides and protects us,
like a friend or a brother.”

St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – ‘No-one who has land is free from care.’

Posted on July 27, 2019July 27, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – Saturday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: 13:24-30

“Let both grow together until the harvest and at harvest time, I will tell the reapers, gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned but gather the wheat into my barn.’”… Matthew 13:30

REFLECTION – “It is not only sheep who abide in the Church, nor do only clean birds fly there to and fro. But amongst the grain other seed is sown, for “amidst the neat grain-fields, burrs and weeds and barren oats lord it in the land” (Virgil’s Georgics). What is the farmhand to do? Root up the darnel? In that case the whole harvest is destroyed along with it!
Every day the farmer diligently drives away the birds by making a noise or by frightening them with scarecrows (…) Nevertheless he suffers from the raids of nimble roes or the wantonness of wild asses, on the one hand, voles convey the grain to their underground barns, on the other, ants in a moving column ravage the crop. This is how things are! No-one who has land is free from care.
While the householder slept, the enemy sowed tares, when the servants hastened to go and root them up, the Master prevented them, reserving for Himself the separation of wheat and chaff. (…) No-one, before the Day of Judgement, can take Christ’s winnowing fan in hand, no-one can pass judgement on another, whoever they might be.”… St Jerome (347-420) Priest, translator of the Bible, Father and Doctor of the Church – The dialogue against the Luciferians (SC 473, p 179-180)

PRAYER – All-powerful and ever-living God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, chase away the night of sin and fill our minds with the glory of Your coming. Take away our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, help us in our battle with sin and the devil. By our prayers, Your holy sacraments and the strength of the Holy Spirit, may we be ever vigilant of the evil one. Grant we pray, that the Blessed Virgin’s prayers, may protect us from all dangers. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. bl virgin mary mother of god pray for us 27 july 2019.jpg

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on EDUCATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – The Parable of the Sower”

Posted on July 26, 2019July 26, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:18–23 – “The Parable of the Sower”

“As for what was sown on good soil,
this is he who hears the word and understands it.
he indeed bears fruit and yields,
in one case a hundredfold,
in another sixty and in another thirty.”

Matthew 13:23

“Store up in your minds, the Lord’s words
which you receive, through your ears,
for the Word of the Lord, is the nourishment of the mind …
Be careful, that the seed received
through your ears,
remains in your heart.”

Saint Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Forty Gospel Homilies

“Cultivate your vineyard together with Jesus.
To you the task of removing stones
and pulling up brambles.
To Jesus, that of sowing, planting,
cultivating and watering.
But even in your work, it is still He who acts.
Because, without Christ,
you could do nothing at all.”

St Pio of Pietralcina “Padre Pio” (1887-1968)

Letter 3: 579

FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – ‘… Let us work our hearts…’

Posted on July 26, 2019July 26, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:18–23 and the Memorial of Sts Joachim and Anne

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty.”…Matthew 13:23

REFLECTION – “Indeed, you all know how land is cultivated. First of all you pull out the weeds and throw away the stones, then you work the ground itself. You do it again a second time, a third time and finally… you sow. Oh, let it be like this in our souls! First of all let us uproot the weeds, that is to say our evil thoughts, then take out the stones, in other words, all our malice and obstinacy. Finally, let us work our hearts with the plough of the Gospel and the ploughshare of the cross. Let us break it by repentance, turn over the soil with almsgiving and with charity, prepare it for the seed of Our Lord… that it may joyfully receive the seed of the divine word and bring forth fruit, not just thirty but sixty and a hundredfold.”...St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Monk & Bishop (Sermons to the people, no.6 passim ; SC 175) as-for-what-was-sown-matthew-11-23-st-caesarious-of-arles-finally-let-us-work-our-hearts-27-july-2018.jpg

PRAYER – O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of Your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayers of both, that we may work hard to deserve the grace You send us and thus attain the salvation You have promised to Your people. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Sts Joachim and Anne, pray for us! Amen sts joachim and anne pray for us 26 july 2019.jpg

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”

Posted on July 25, 2019July 25, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – Feast of St James, Apostle, Gospel: Matthew 20:20–28

Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.”……Matthew 20:28 matthew-20-28 - you do not know what you are asking, can you drink - st james 25 july 2017 and 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Christ laid down His life for us, so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1Jn 3,16)… Jesus said to Peter: “When you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted but when you grow old … someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go…” (Jn 21,18). It was the Cross, the Passion, He promised him. “Go even so far as to pasture my sheep, suffer for my sheep.” This is what a good bishop is to be like. If he is not, he is no bishop…

Now listen to this other testimony. Two of His disciples, the brothers John and James who were sons of Zebedee, were ambitious for the first place without consideration for the others… Our Lord answered them: “You do not know what you are asking”, for he added: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” What cup is this if not that… of the Passion?… And they, forgetting their weakness, immediately said: “We can”. Then He said to them: “My cup you will indeed drink. But to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father”… In this way He gave proof of His humility for, in fact, everything the Father prepares is prepared, too, for the Son… He came in humility – He, the Creator, was created amongst us, He made us but He was made for us. God before time began, man in time, He delivered man from time. This great physician has come to heal our cancer… by His example, He has come to heal pride itself.

This is what we must give our attention to, in the Lord – let us consider His humility, drink the cup of His humility, clasp Him, contemplate Him. How easy it is to have elevated thoughts, easy to take pleasure in honours, easy to give one’s ear to flatterers and people who praise us. But to bear with insult, patiently undergo humiliation, pray for those who persecute us (Mt 5,39.44) – that is the Lord’s cup, that is the Lord’s feast.“… Saint Augustine (354-430) FathEr & Doctor of the Church – Sermon for the ordination of a bishop, Guelferbytanus no.32

PRAYER – Almighty ever-living God, who consecrated the first fruits of Your Apostles by the blood of Saint James, grant, we pray, that Your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith and constantly sustained by his protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. St James the Greater, Apostle of Christ, Pray for us! Amen st-james-pray-for-us-25-july 2017 and 2019.jpg

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – “A sower went out to sow”

Posted on July 24, 2019July 24, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – Wednesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

“A sower went out to sow”

Matthew 13:3

“Jesus invites us today to look inside ourselves –
to give thanks for our good soil
and to tend the soil that is not yet good.
Let us ask ourselves if our heart is open
to welcome the seed of the Word of God with faith.
Let us ask ourselves if our rocks of laziness
are still numerous and large,
let us identify our thorns of vice
and call them by name.
Let us find the courage to reclaim the soil,
to effect a conversion of our heart,
bringing to the Lord in Confession
and in prayer, our rocks and our thorns.”

Pope Francis

(Angelus, 16 July 2017)

MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – ‘He came Himself … ‘

Posted on July 24, 2019August 4, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – Wednesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9 and the Memorial of St Charbel Makhluf (1828-1898)

“A sower went out to sow” … Matthew 13:3

REFLECTION – “Now if you ask me what Jesus Christ means by the sower who goes out early to sow seed in his field, my dear brethren, that sower is the good God Himself! He began His work for our salvation from the beginning of the world by sending His prophets to us before the coming of the Messiah to teach us what we had to do to be saved. And, not satisfied with sending His servants, He came Himself, marked out for us the way we should take and came to preach His holy word.

Do you know what those people are like who aren’t sustained by that holy word or who abuse it? They are like the sick without a doctor, like a traveller who has gone astray without a guide, like a poor man without means. Let us rather say, my brethren, that it is altogether impossible to love God and please Him without being nourished by this divine word. What is there that can draw us to attach ourselves to Him if not because we know Him? And what enables us to know Him with all His perfections, beauty and love for us if not God’s word, which teaches us all He has done for us and the good things He is preparing for us in the life to come, if we try hard to please Him?” … St John-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Priest, Curé of Ars – Sermons

PRAYER – Holy, almighty God, You sent Your prophets and then Your only Son to teach us and lead us to eternal life. Remember Lord, Your solemn covenant, renewed and consecrated by the blood of the Lamb, so that Your people may obtain forgiveness for their sins and a continued growth in grace. Send us Your Spirit, to enlighten our hearts and minds and grow in love for You and the Word made flesh. Guide us in our understanding and living, by the Words of the Word. Saint Charbel Makhluf intercede for us, that we may merit to be co-heirs of His Kingdom. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen. st-charbel-pray-for-us-24-july-2017, 2018 and 2019.jpg

CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – ‘…whoever does the will of my Father in heaven…’

Posted on July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – Tuesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50 and the Memorial of St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven,
is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:50

“His mother is the whole Church,
since it is she, who, by God’s grace,
gives birth to Christ’s members,
that is to say, those who are faithful to Him.
Again, His mother is every holy soul,
who does the Father’s will
and whose fruitful charity
is made known in those,
to whom she gives birth for Him,
“until he has been formed in them”
(cf Gal 4:19).

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor

“O Lord, make haste and illumine the night.
Say to my soul, that nothing happens,
without You permitting it
and that nothing of what You permit,
is without comfort.”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

“It is a matter of real sorrow when God has given us strength to break stronger fetters, those of vanity and sin, that we neglect our own progress and the attainment of such great blessings, because we will not detach ourselves from trifles.
Not only do we not advance, we fall back.
For it is well known, that on the spiritual road, not to go on, overcoming self, is to go backwards and not to increase our gain, is to lose.
As wood can never be transformed into fire, if one necessary degree of heat is missing, so the soul, that has even one imperfection, can never be perfectly transformed in God.”

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

MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – “To love what God loves…”

Posted on July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – Tuesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

“Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is my brother and sister and mother” … Matthew 12:50

REFLECTION – “To love what God loves is the logical thing for the one who is truly His lover, outside that wish, there are no desires of our own – or if there should be one, this is in conformity with His will, if this should not be so, then our will would not be united with His. But if our will is really at one with His love, we shall want nothing that He does not want, we shall love nothing that He does not love and, having given ourselves up completely to His will, we shall not mind whatever He may send us, wherever He may place us. And about everything that He may want of us, we shall not only feel unconcerned, we shall feel pleased.

I don’t know whether there’s any error in what I am saying. I submit myself to the one who understands about this. I only say what I feel and that is, that I truly have no other wish than to love Him and everything else, I commend to Him. May His will be done! Every day I become happier in my complete abandonment into His hands.”… St Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938) – Spanish Trappist monk – Spiritual writings 10/04/1938 matthew 12 50 whoever does the will - but if our will - st rafael arnaiz baron 23 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Increase in us, O Lord, Your gift of faith, so that the praise we offer You, may ever yield it’s fruit from heaven. Grant us the grace to love what You love and to spend our days in loving all that You lead us to. May the prayers of Your angels and saints, offered on our behalf, be a consolation in our trials. Holy Mother of God, pray for us, St Bridget of Sweden, Pray for us. We make our prayer through Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen. holy mother of god pray for us 23 july 2019

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – ‘He knows us by name…’

Posted on July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you,
I have called you by name, you are mine”

Isaiah 43:1

“Mary –
the revolution of her life,
the revolution destined
to transform the existence
of every man and woman,
begins with a name
that echoes in the garden
of the empty tomb…”

“…She discovers,
the most shocking event
in human history,
when finally,
He calls her by name!”

“He knows us by name,
He watches over us,
He waits for us,
He forgives us,
He is patient with us.”

“Rise,
cease your tears,
because I have come
to free you!”

“At the time of tears
and abandonment,
she hears the Risen Jesus
who calls us by name
and, with a heart full of joy,
goes to announce –
I have seen the Lord!”

Pope Francis

17 May 2017

DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – “Rabboni!”

Posted on July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala – Readings: Song of Solomon 3:1-4, Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9, John 20:1-2, 11-18

“Jesus said to her: Mary! She turned and said to him… Teacher!”… John 20:16

REFLECTION – “The true lover’s delight is centred on his beloved, that is why St Paul treated everything else as “refuse” compared with the high privilege of knowing his Saviour (Phil 3,8). That is why the bride in the Song of Songs thinks only of her beloved: “All mine, my true love and I all his… Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” (2,16; 3,3)…

That illustrious lover, Mary Magdalene, encountered angels at the tomb, surely they addressed her angelically (gently, I mean), anxious to allay her sorrow. Utterly disconsolate as she was, however, she could take no comfort from their kindly greeting, their shining garments, their heavenly bearing, or the wondrous beauty of their features; still weeping, “They have carried away my Lord,” she said, “and I cannot tell where they have taken him.” Turning round, she saw her sweet Saviour but he looked like a gardener, so she was not interested. Loving thoughts of her Master’s death filled her heart, what need had she of flowers, of gardeners? Cross, nails and thorns occupied her thoughts; she was looking for her crucified lover. “If it is you, sir,” she said to the gardener, “if it is you who have carried off my beloved Lord’s body, tell me quickly where you have put him, and I will take him away.”

But no sooner did He breathe her name than her grief dissolved into delight – “Rabboni!” she said, “Master!”… To magnify her royal lover still further, the soul must have eyes only for Him, in other words, with an ever-growing, anxiously eager attentiveness. the soul must study all the details of His beauty, His perfections, must keep on discovering motives for finding ever-increasing gratification in the ineffable Beauty with which it is in love.” … St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) – Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church Treatise on the love of God, 5, 7

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ made Mary of Magdala the first herald of Easter joy. Grant that, following her example and helped by her prayers, we may, in this life, proclaim the living Christ and come to see Him reigning with You in glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 July – “..One thing is needful.”

Posted on July 21, 2019July 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 July – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 10:38–42

“..One thing is needful.” … Luke 10:42

REFLECTION – “We must become aware that God dwells within us and do everything with Him, then we are never commonplace, even when performing the most ordinary tasks, for we do not live in these things, we go beyond them! A supernatural soul never deals with secondary causes but with God alone. Oh! How it’s life is simplified, how it resembles the life of the blessed, how it is freed from self and from all things! Everything for it is reduced to unity, to that “one thing necessary”, of which the Master spoke to Mary. Then the soul is truly great, truly free, for it has “enclosed its will in God’s.” … St Elizabeth of the Trinity OCD (1880-1906) – The Greatness of our Vocation no. 8 (The Complete Works, vol. 1 luke 10 42 one thing is needful - we must become aware - st elizabeth of the trinity 21 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – O my God teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You…You are my God and You are my All and I have never seen You.
You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You…
I have not yet done that for which I was made….
Teach me to seek You…I cannot seek You unless You teach me
or find You unless You show Yourself to me.
Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking.
Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You.
Amen
By St Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – ‘..in his name will the Gentiles hope.’

Posted on July 20, 2019July 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – Saturday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:14–21

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased….
and in his name will the Gentiles hope.”…Matthew 12:18,21

REFLECTION – “My dear souls, let us recognise, I pray you, Christ’s infinite charity towards us, in the institution of this Sacrament of the Eucharist. In order that our love be a spiritual love, He wills a new heart, a new love, a new spirit for us. It is not with a carnal heart but with a spiritual one, that Christ has loved us with a gratuitous love, a supreme and most ardent love, by way of pure grace and charity. Ah! One needs to love Him back with one’s whole, whole, whole, living, living, living and true, true, true heart!!” …… St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) Apostolic Doctor behold-my-servant-matthew-12-18-my-dear-souls-let-us-recognise-st-lawrence-of-brindisi-21-july-2018

PRAYER – Lord God, You bestowed on us all the ways of grace in Your Son, so that Your name might be glorified and souls be saved. At the intercession of His Mother, whom He so lovingly gave us, grant that we may see what we have to do and, in Your mercy give us the strength to do it and the courage, love and charity to persevere. Grant above all, that by her prayers we may love You above all and with all we are. Mary, holy Mother of God, pray for us, through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. mary holy mother pray for us 20 july 2019

FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 19 July – ‘You whom my soul loves’

Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 July – Friday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the memorial of St Macrina the Younger – sister of St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–395) Father of the Church

The Full Prayer as paraphrased in our Morning Offering today – This excerpt from St Gregory of Nyssa’s commentary on the Song of Songs (Cap. 2: PG 44, 802), using the imagery of Psalm 23, appeals to the Lord Jesus Christ for the promised green pastures, restful waters and noonday rest that is the final, eternal destination of those who love God and walk in His ways. It is used in the Roman Catholic Office of readings for Thursday in the 33rd week in ordinary time with the corresponding biblical reading taken from Zechariah 11:4-12:8.

St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–395)

Father of the Church

A Prayer to the Good Shepherd

Where are You pasturing Your flock, O good Shepherd, who carry the whole flock on Your shoulders? (For the whole of human nature is one sheep and You have lifted it onto Your shoulders). Show me the place of peace, lead me to the good grass that will nourish me, call me by name so that I, Your sheep, hear Your voice and by Your speech give me eternal life. Answer me, You whom my soul loves.

I give You the name ‘You whom my soul loves’ because Your name is above every name and above all understanding and there is no rational nature that can utter it or comprehend it. Therefore, Your name, by which Your goodness is known, is simply the love my soul has for You. How could I not love You, when You loved me so much, even though I was black, that You laid down Your life for the sheep of Your flock? A greater love cannot be imagined, than exchanging Your life for my salvation.

Show me then (my soul says) where You pasture your flock, so that I can find that saving pasture too and fill myself, with the food of heaven, without which no-one can come to eternal life and run to the spring and fill myself with the drink of God. You give it, as from a spring, to those who thirst – water pouring from Your side cut open by the lance, water that, to whoever drinks it, is a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

If You lead me to pasture here, You will make me lie down at noon, sleeping at peace and taking my rest in light unstained by any shade. For the noon has no shade and the sun stands far above the mountain peaks. You bring Your flock to lie in this light, when You bring Your children to rest with You in Your bed. But no-one can be judged worthy of this noonday rest who is not a child of light and a child of the day. Whoever has separated himself equally from the shadows of evening and morning, from where evil begins and evil ends, at noon he will lie down and the sun of righteousness will shine on him.

Show me, then (my soul says), how I should sleep and how I should graze and where the path is to my noonday rest. Do not let me fall away from Your flock because of ignorance and find myself one of a flock of sheep that are not Yours.

Thus my soul spoke, when she was anxious about the beauty that God’s care had given her and wanted to know how she could keep this good fortune forever.

Amen

“I give them eternal life”

John 10:27 john 10 27 - i give them eternal life - 12 may 2019 good shepherd sunday.jpg

CATHOLIC Quotes, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – Pope Francis

Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – Friday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice” … Matthew 12:7

”If our heart is closed,
if our heart is made of stone,
then the stones will end up
in our hands and, then,
we will be ready
to throw them at someone.”

“Think of your own history when you pray
and there you will find much mercy.
This will also increase your awareness
that the Lord is ever mindful of you,
He never forgets you.
So it makes sense to ask Him,
to shed light on the smallest details of your life,
for He sees them all.”

Gaudete et Exsultate

“Christianity is not an ideal to follow,
a philosophy to adhere to,
or a moral to be applied
but is an encounter with Jesus Christ,
that makes us recognise,
in the flesh of brothers and sisters,
His very presence.”

June 2018

“So let me ask you:
Are there moments when you place yourself quietly i
n the Lord’s presence, when you calmly spend time
with Him, when you bask in His gaze?
Do you let His fire inflame your heart?
Unless you let Him warm you, more and more,
with His love and tenderness,
you will not catch fire.
How will you then be able to,
set the hearts of others on fire,
by your words and witness?”

General audience, 13 April 2016

Pope Francis

MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”

Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – Friday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8 and the Memorial fo St Macina the Younger

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice” … Matthew 12:7 i desire mercy not sacrifice matthew 12 7 19 july 2019

REFLECTION – “I desire mercy”, namely the loyalty of a heart that recognises its own sins, that mends its ways and returns to be faithful to the covenant with God. “ And not sacrifice” – without a penitent heart, every religious action is ineffective! … Pope Francis (General Audience, 13 April 2016) i-desire-mercy-namely-the-loyalty-pope-francis-20-july-2018

PRAYER – Father and almighty God, You have given Your Son to redeem us with complete and absolute love and mercy. He has taken our flesh and given Himself to us and extended endless mercy for all time. He has taught us the path of love and mercy. Grant, we pray, that our hearts may grieve and repent with true sorrow. And may the prayers of St Macrina, assist us to extend mercy to all. We make our prayer through the merits of His saving love and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, amen. st macrina the younger pray for us 19 july 2019

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 18 July – The Light Burden of the Law of Christ…St Jerome

Posted on July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 July – Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”…Matthew 11:29-30

The Light Burden of the Law of Christ

Saint Jerome (347-420)

Priest, Translator of the Bible,

Father & Doctor of the Church

“Bear one another’s burdens and so you will fulfil the law of Christ.” Sin is a burden as the psalmist attests when he says: “My sins weigh heavy upon me.” But the Lord has carried this burden for us, teaching us, by His example what we ourselves should do. For it is He who bore the burden of our sins. He was stricken for our sake (cf Is 53:8) and invites those who are weighed down by the heavy burden of the Law and of their sins to carry the easy burden of virtue, saying: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”(Mt 11:30).

Therefore, whoever holds out a hand to the person who begs for support, not despairing of a neighbour’s salvation, who weeps with those who weep, is weak with those who are weak and who regards other’s sins as though they were his own – such a one, fulfils through charity, the law of Christ. What is this law of Christ? “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another” (Jn 13:34). What is the law of the Son of God? “Love one another as I have loved you.” How has the Son of God loved us? No one has greater love than this, “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”(Jn 15:13).

Someone who shows no clemency, who is not clothed with the bowels of mercy and tears, no matter what sort of student he is in spirituality, such a one does not fulfil the law of Christ.

Someone who comes to the assistance of the poor weighed down by the burden of destitution and makes friends with dishonest wealth (Lk 16:9), such a one shoulders the needs of his neighbour. This is the one to whom Jesus will say after the general resurrection: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink” (Mt 25:34-35). but-the-lord-has-carried-this-burden-for-us-teaching-us-by-his-example-st-jerome-19-july-2018

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 18 July – The Word, Jesus Christ!

Posted on July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 18 July – Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29-30

“Jesus asks us to go to Him,
for He is true Wisdom,
to Him who is
“gentle and lowly in heart.”
He offers us “his yoke”,
the way of the wisdom of the Gospel,
which is neither,
a doctrine to be learned,
nor an ethical system
but rather a Person to follow –
He Himself, the Only Begotten Son,
in perfect communion with the Father.”

Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience, 7 December 2011

“The WORD
is not a bible verse
BUT living flesh and blood,
Jesus Christ!

Fr Enrico V Parry

the word is not a bible verse - fr enrico 9 may 2019.jpg

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “take my yoke upon you and learn from me”

Posted on July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves…” … Matthew 11:29 matthew 11 29 take my yoke upon you 18 july 2019

REFLECTION – “You are to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” You are not learning from me how to refashion the fabric of the world, nor to create all things visible and invisible, nor to work miracles and raise the dead. Rather, you are simply learning of me: “that I am meek and lowly in heart.” If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level. If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height, you will begin with the lowest foundation. This is humility. However great the mass of the building you may wish to design or erect, the taller the building is to be, the deeper you will dig the foundation. The building in the course of its erection, rises up high but he who digs its foundation, must first go down very low. So then, you see even a building is low before it is high and the tower is raised, only after humiliation.”… St Augustine (354-430) Fater & Doctor (Sermon 69) if you wish to reach high then begin at the lowest level st augustine 18 july 2019

PRAYER – “Holy God, our Father, we turn to You in confidence as children and pray, give us meekness of heart, make us “poor in spirit” that we may recognise that we are not self-sufficient, that we are unable to build our lives on our own but need You, we need to encounter You, to listen to You, to speak to You. Help us to understand that we need Your gift, Your wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, in order to do the Your will in our lives and thus to find rest in the hardships of our journey.” Hear the prayers we request of St Simon of Lipnica dear Lord and holy God, which we pray through Christ, our Light, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen. … Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 7 December 2011

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 July – Childlike

Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 17 July – Wednesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, C – Today’s Gospel Matthew 11:25-27.

“You have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned,
you have revealed them,
to the childlike”

Matthew 11:25

“He will provide
the way and the means,
such as you
could never have imagined.”

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

“Love to be unknown.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“The two kinds of people
that go around,
seeing the world
as absolutely fascinating,
are children and saints.”

“God has a plan
to get to you
but how many people
have a plan,
to get to God?”

Father Mike Schmitz

MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – ‘…the necessary condition…’

Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – Wednesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, C – Today’s Gospel Matthew 11:25-27.

“You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them, to the childlike”…Matthew 11:25

REFLECTION – “Thus, children are in and of themselves, a treasure for humanity and also for the Church, for they constantly evoke that necessary condition for entering the Kingdom of God – that of not considering ourselves self-sufficient but in need of help, of love, of forgiveness.”…Pope Francis (General Audience, 18 March 2015) matthew 11 25 you have hidden these things - thus children are - pope francis 17 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your Providence, You rule us. Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service and childlike trust in You. Grant that we may always follow behind Your Son and grasp His hand, to lead us to You. Hear the prayers of St Alexius of Rome, who trusted completely in You alone in childlike simplicity. Through Jesus Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen. st alexius of rome pray for us 17 july 2019.jpg

CATHOLIC Quotes, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “The final judgement is already in progress…”

Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – Tuesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 11:20–24 and the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

“But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you.”…Matthew 11:24 matthew 11 24 - but i tell you it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment - 16 july 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “The final judgement is already in progress, it begins now over the course of our lives. Thus judgement is pronounced at every moment of life, as it sums up our faith in the salvation which is present and active in Christ, or of our unbelief, whereby we close in upon ourselves. But if we close ourselves to the love of Jesus, we condemn ourselves. Salvation is, to open oneself to Jesus, it is He who saves us.”…Pope Francis – General Audience, 11 December 2013

PRAYER – Almighty God, to whom this world with all its goodness and beauty belongs, give us grace joyfully to begin this day in Your name and to fill it, with an active love for You and for our neighbour. Grant us the grace to repent of our sins, to turn to the Cross of Your Son and to beg Him in His great love and suffering to forgive us again! “May the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, accompany you on your daily journey towards the Mountain of God.” (Pope Francis) Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your mother! Mary, Holy Mother, intercede for us in our weakness and help us to turn our backs on sin and look only at the face of Christ. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. our lady of mount carmel - pray for us.2.jpg

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 July -‘… but not more than you love your God!’

Posted on July 15, 2019July 14, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 July – Monday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1 and The Memorial of St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Doctor of the Church and Bl Anne-Marie Javouhey (1779-1851)

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…” … Matthew 10:37

REFLECTION – “It is to those who are on fire with love or, rather, those He wants to set on fire with this love, that our Saviour addresses these words. For our Saviour has not done away with but regulated, the love we owe to parents, spouse, children. He did not say: “Those who love them” but “Those who love them more than me”… Love your father but love the Lord even more, love him who brought you into the world but love yet more he who gave you being. It was your father who brought you into the world but it was not he who created you, since he did not know, when he bred you, who you would be or what you would become. It was your father who fed you but he is not the origin of the food that staunched your hunger. Finally, your father must die if you are to inherit his goods but you will share the inheritance God intends for you, while living with him eternally.

So love your father but not more than you love your God, love your mother but love still more the Church who has begotten you into eternal life… Indeed, if you owe such gratitude to those who begot you for mortality, what kind of love do you owe to those who begot you for eternity? Love your spouse, love your children as God does, to lead them to serve God together with you and then, when you are reunited, you will not be afraid of being separated. Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…

Take up your cross and follow the Lord. Your Saviour Himself, wholly God as He was in the flesh, clothed with your flesh, He, too, showed human feelings when He said – “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me,” (Mt 26:39)… The servant’s nature with which He clothed Himself for your sake caused His human voice, the voice of His flesh, to be heard. He took your voice so as to express your weakness and give you His strength… and to show you, whose will to prefer.”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 344, #2-3 matthew 10 37 whoever lovs father or mother - so love your father but not more - st augustine 15 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Grant we pray, that we may grow in faith and love daily, by the intercession of Saint Bonaventure and Blessed Anne-Marie Javouhey (1779-1851) and may be a light of love, to all around us, as they were. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st bonaventure pray for us 15 july 2019

bl anne-marie javouhey pray for us 15 july 2019

QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – Eye has not seen….

Posted on July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 10:25–37 and the Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614) “The Giant of Charity” and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680) “Lily of the Mohawks”

Eye has not seen,
ear has not heard,
nor has it so much as dawned on man
what God has prepared
for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

“The happiness to which I aspire
is greater than anything on earth.
Therefore, I regard with extreme joy,
whatever pains and sufferings
may befall me here.”

St Camillus de Lellis

“Jesus, I love You.”

St Kateri Tekakwitha

MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “Go and do likewise.”

Posted on July 14, 2019July 13, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 10:25–37 and the memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614) “The Giant of Charity” and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680) “Lily of the Mohawks”

“Go and do likewise.”... Luke 10:37 luke 10 37 go and do likewise - 14 july 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “In choosing these two Words addressed by God to His people and by putting them together, Jesus taught once and for all that love for God and love for neighbour are inseparable; moreover, they sustain one another. Even if set in a sequence, they are two sides of a single coin – experienced together they are a believer’s strength!

To love God is to live of Him and for Him, for what He is and for what He does. Our God is unmitigated giving, He is unlimited forgiveness, He is a relationship that promotes and fosters.

Therefore, to love God means to invest our energies each day to be His assistants in the unmitigated service of our neighbour, in trying to forgive without limitations and in cultivating relationships of communion and fraternity. It is not a matter of pre-selecting my neighbour – this is not Christian but it is about having eyes to see and a heart to want what is good for him or her. Today’s Gospel passage invites us all to be projected not only toward the needs of our poorest brothers and sisters but above all to be attentive to their need for fraternal closeness, for a meaning to life and for tenderness.”… Pope Francis (ANGELUS Sunday, 4 November 2018) therefore, to love god means - pope francis - good samaritan 14 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Grant we pray, that we may grow in faith and love for You and our neighbour daily, by the intercession of Saints Camillus and Kateri, may learn the gentleness and tenderness of love, to all around us. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st-camillus-de-lellis-pray-for-us-14-july-2017

st kateri tekakwitha pray for us 14 july 2019

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – ‘Even the hairs of your head…’

Posted on July 13, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 10:24–33

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
And not one of them will fall to the ground,
without your Father’s will.
But even the hairs of your head,
are all numbered.”

Matthew 10:29-30

“Do not say,
this happened by chance,
while this came to be of itself.”
In all that exists’
there is nothing disorderly,
nothing indefinite,
nothing without purpose,
nothing by chance …
How many hairs are on your head?
God will not forget one of them.
Do you see how nothing,
even the smallest thing,
escapes the gaze of God?”

Saint Basil the Great (329-379)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“We must offer ourselves to God,
like a clean, smooth canvas
and not worry ourselves,
about what God
may choose to paint on it
but at each moment,
feel only the stroke of His brush.”

Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade SJ (1675-1751)

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – ‘I will acknowledge before my Father…’

Posted on July 13, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 10:24–33 and the Memorial of Blessed Carlos Rodriguez Santiago

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father, who is in heaven…”… Matthew 10:32 matthew 10 32 - so everyone who acknowledges me 13 july 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “You can be a witness to Christ every day. You were tempted by the spirit of impurity but… you considered that chastity of spirit and body should not be soiled – you are a martyr or, in other words, a witness to Christ… You were tempted by the spirit of pride but, seeing the poor and needy, you were seized by tender compassion and preferred humility to arrogance – you are a witness to Christ. Better still – you have not given your witness in word alone but in deed as well.
What is the surest kind of witness? “Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came among us in the flesh” (cf. 1Jn 4,2) and who keeps the commands of the Gospel… How many there are each day of these hidden martyrs of Christ who confess the Lord Jesus! The apostle Paul knew that kind of martyrdom and witness of faith rendered to Christ, he who said: “Our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience” (2Cor 1,12). For how many people have made a confession of faith exteriorly but denied it interiorly!… So be faithful and courageous in interior persecutions so that you may also win the victory in exterior persecutions. There are “kings and rulers,” judges of formidable power, in the persecutions within, likewise. You have an example of these in the temptations undergone by our Lord (Mt 4,1ff.)”… St Ambrose (340-397) Father & Doctor of the Church -Sermon 20 on Psalm 118 what is the surest kind of witness - st ambrose - 13 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Come to help us in our weakness, God of mercy, forgive the sins of Your people and as nothing we can do is worthy in Your sight, save us through the intercession of the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Listen too to the prayers of a fellow pilgrim Blessed Carlos, who has, by his love for You and passion to proclaim Christ Your Son, reached his eternal destination with You. We make our prayer through Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. bl-mother-of-our-lord-pray-for-us-27-oct-2018

bl carlos santiago pray for us 13 july 2019

SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 12 July – “Seek always the Face of the Lord”

Posted on July 12, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 July – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 10:16–23 and The Memorial of John Gualbert (c 985-1073) “The Merciful Knight”

St John Gualbert’s monastic vocation began on Good Friday in a decisive encounter with Jesus Crucified. Saint John Gualbert points to the Cross as the source of all forgiveness and reconciliation, giving peace to those who dwell in the shadow of its branches. “They shall return,” says Hosea, “and dwell beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden” (Hos 14:7). the merciful knight painted in honour of st john gualbert 12 july 2019.jpg

The Benedictine lectionary offers proper readings today: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; and Matthew 5:43-48. The lesson taken from Leviticus, speaks powerfully: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbour, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord” (Lev 19:17-18). The Benedictus Antiphon proposed for today is another stroke of liturgical genius: “Save us, Lord, from our enemies, and from the hands of all who hate us, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk 1:71, 79).

The Face of Christ
The Word of God compels us always to seek the Face of the crucified, risen and ascended Christ. One cannot look at the Face of Christ and harbour resentment in one’s heart. One cannot look at the Face of Christ and refuse to look at one’s brother. One cannot look at the Face of Christ with compassion and then refuse a look of mercy to one who waits for it.

Ask Saint John Gualbert, today, to obtain for us, the grace to seek always the Face of Jesus Crucified – His Eucharistic Face, His Face hidden in the Scriptures, His Face depicted in holy images — yes — but also His Face in one another. One who refuses to meet the gaze of Our Lord will never come to know the secrets of His Sacred Heart. Quaerite faciem Domini semper. “Seek always the face of the Lord” (Ps 104:4b).

St John Gualbert, Pray for Us!

DOCTRINE, SAINT of the DAY, The SOCIAL TEACHING of the Church, The WORD

Quote of the Day – 12 July – Sheep amidst the wolves

Posted on July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 12 July – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 10:16–23 and The Memorial of Sts Louis & Zelie Martin – Parents of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves,
so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Matthew 10:16

“They live in the world, that is,
in each and in all
of the secular professions and occupations.
They live in the ordinary circumstances
of family and social life,
from which, the very web, of their existence is woven.
They are called there by God,
that by exercising their proper function
and led by the spirit of the Gospel,
they may work for the sanctification of the world,
from within as a leaven.”

Lumen Gentium 31

MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – Standing firm?

Posted on July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 10:16–23 and the Memorial of St John Gualbert (c 985-1073)

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves,
so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”...Matthew 10:16

REFLECTION – “As Jesus gave His disciples authority to offer valuable services of health, freedom and life, who should they have to face opposition? The point is, that these good services are not ends in themselves but manifestations of what Jesus came to establish, namely, the Kingdom of heaven. These services are also the doorway for stirring in people an interest in Jesus, eventually leading them to faith in Him.
So what’s so jarring about the Kingdom of heaven that it provokes persecution? Since the Kingdom of heaven, ushered in by Jesus, challenges the values of those opposed to it’s values, Jesus anticipates His own rejection and forewarns His disciples to expect persecution, hatred and rejection in His name, even though they will be offering valuable services.
As His disciple, am I willing to continue my services in His name, by standing firm for His cause of establishing God’s reign?”…Fr Isaac SDB

PRAYER – Lord God, grant us restless hearts, hearts which seek Your Face. Keep us from the blindness of heart which sees only the surface of things. Give us the simplicity and purity which allow us to recognise Your presence in the world. When we are not able to accomplish great things, grant us the courage which is born of humility and goodness. Impress Your Face on our hearts. May we encounter You along the way and show Your image to the world. Grant, we pray that the prayers of St John Gualbert may assist in being courageous and merciful to all. Through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st john gualbert pray for us 12 july 2019

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“Speaking of: Temptation”

Matthew 13:27

St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258) Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Father & Doctor of the Church

St Ambrose (339-397 AD) Doctor of the Church

Saint Augustine (354-430) Bishop and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

St John Marie Vianney (1786-1859)

St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

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Matthew 13:23

Saint Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father & Doctor of the Church

St Pio of Pietralcina “Padre Pio” (1887-1968)

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Matthew 13:3

Pope Francis

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Matthew 12:50

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

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

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Isaiah 43:1

Pope Francis

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St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–395)

Father of the Church

A Prayer to the Good Shepherd

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Pope Francis

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The Light Burden of the Law of Christ

Saint Jerome (347-420)

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Matthew 11:29-30

Pope Benedict XVI

Fr Enrico V Parry

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Matthew 11:25

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

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

Father Mike Schmitz

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1 Corinthians 2:9

St Camillus de Lellis

St Kateri Tekakwitha

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Matthew 10:29-30

Saint Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Church

Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade SJ (1675-1751)

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St John Gualbert, Pray for Us!

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Matthew 10:16

Lumen Gentium 31

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St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father & Doctor of the Church

St Ambrose (339-397 AD)
Doctor of the Church

Saint Augustine (354-430)
Bishop and Great Western Father
and Doctor of the Church

Saint Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father & Doctor of the Church

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

Saint Basil the Great (329-379)
Father & Doctor of the Church