Category: The WORD

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on MERCY, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 26 March

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Lenten Reflection – 26 March – Tuesday of the Third week of Lent, Year C – Gospel: Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Psalm 25:4-9, Matthew 18:21-35TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK 26 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Do not let us be put to shame,
but deal with us in Your kindness and great mercy.

Azariah asks God to remember His mercies.
He places his complete trust in God.
These days, we place our lives in God’s hands,
and we let God forgive us.

The challenge of the Gospel is to forgive
as we have been forgiven.
How often we are so very much harder on others
than our God is on us!
An important Lenten examination of conscience.

“So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:35

“Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” …Matthew 18:33

“What is human mercy like?   It makes you concerned for the hardship of the poor. What is divine mercy like?   It forgives sinners…

In this world God is cold and hungry in all the poor, as He Himself said (Mt 25:40)… What sort of people are we?   When God gives, we want to receive, when He asks, we refuse to give?   When a poor man is hungry, Christ is in need, as He said Himself:  “I was hungry and you gave me no food” (v. 42).   Take care not to despise the hardship of the poor, if you would hope, without fear, to have your sins forgiven…

What He receives on earth He returns in heaven.

I put you this question, dearly beloved – what is it you want, what is it you are looking for, when you come to church?   What indeed if not mercy?   Show mercy on earth and you will receive mercy in heaven.   A poor man is begging from you and you are begging from God, he asks for a scrap, you ask for eternal life… And so when you come to church give whatever alms you can to the poor in accordance with your means.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

Sermon 25

matthew 18 35 should you not have pitty - what sort of people are we - st caesarius of arles 26 march 2019.jpg

Closing Prayer:
God of infinite love,
I thank You for this reminder of Your love
and Your call that we be more patient,
gentle and compassionate with others.
Here in the middle of Lent,
I turn to You to beg for Your help.
Please soften my heart.
Help me to let go of judging others.
I ask You this, through Christ our Lord.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 March – Tuesday of the Third week of Lent, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 18:21–35

“I forgave you all that debt because you besought me and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”…Matthew 18:32-33

REFLECTION – “We must wash one another’s feet in the mutual daily service of love.   But we must also wash one another’s feet, in the sense, that we must forgive one another ever anew.   The debt for which the Lord has pardoned us is always infinitely greater than all the debts that others can owe us….not to allow resentment toward others to become a poison in the depths of the soul.   It urges us to purify our memory constantly, forgiving one another whole-heartedly, washing one another’s feet, to be able to go to God’s banquet together.”…Pope Benedict XVI (Holy Thursday homily 20 March 2008)matthew 18 32-33 i forgave you all the debt - the debt for which the lord has pardoned us pope benedict - 26 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God, we thank You for Your endless mercy.   We are sinners but trust in Your merciful forgiveness when we turn to You in sorrow.   Open our hearts, make them forgiving to our brother, teach us Your mercy.   May Mary, Mother of Sorrow, pray for us.   We make our prayer through our forgiving Saviour, who even to those who killed Him, turned to them in love and mercy and asked You for their forgiveness.   In union with the Holy Spirit, one God, for all eternity, amen.our lady mother of sorrows pray for us 26 march 2019

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The INCARNATION, The WORD

Lenten Thoughts – 25 March – Here we are, the servants of the Lord

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Lenten Thoughts – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Mary’s Fiat, must be our Fiat

Mary’s fiat– her faithful “Here am I,” which does not replace her perplexity at her conception of God made human but overcomes it– is an announcement in itself.   In fact, her announcement, is the most important one of today’s Gospel reading.   Let it be our announcement, too, then, for it is appropriate at all times and at any time.   And now, our brief, prayerful, announcement:  “Here [are we], the servant[s] of the Lord, let it be done to [us] according to your word.”

I delight to do thy will, O my God,
thy law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8mary's fiat must be our fiat 25 march 2019 annunciation

“God Himself is the one Who takes the initiative and chooses to enter, as He did with Mary, into our homes, our daily struggles, filled with anxiety and with desires.   And it is within our cities, in our schools and universities, our squares and hospitals, that the most beautiful announcement we can hear is made:  “Rejoice, the Lord is with you”.    A joy that generates life, that generates hope, that is made flesh in the way we look to the future, in the attitude with which we look at others.   A joy that becomes solidarity, hospitality, mercy towards all.”

Pope Francis – Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord, 25 March 2017

Three times daily, at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, we pray the Angelus.   It is still accompanied by the ringing of a bell (the Angelus bell) in some places such as Vatican City and parts of Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Ireland.   The Regina Coeli prayer (which may also be sung as a hymn) replaces the Angelus during the Easter season.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.the angelus

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT 2019, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 March – Pope Benedict reflects

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.”...Luke 1:38luke 1 38 - let what you have said be done to me - 18dec2018 ourladyofexpectation

REFLECTION – “The icon of the Annunciation, more than any other, helps us to see clearly how everything in the Church goes back to that mystery of Mary’s acceptance of the divine Word, by which, through the action of the Holy Spirit, the Covenant between God and humanity was perfectly sealed. Everything in the Church, every institution and ministry, including that of Peter and his Successors, is “included” under the Virgin’s mantle, within the grace-filled horizon of her “yes” to God’s will. This link with Mary naturally evokes a strong affective resonance in all of us but first of all it has an objective value….
Everything in this world will pass away.   In eternity only Love will remain.   For this reason, … taking the opportunity offered by this favourable time of Lent, let us commit ourselves to ensure that everything in our personal lives and in the ecclesial activity in which we are engaged is inspired by charity and leads to charity.   In this respect too, we are enlightened by the mystery that we are celebrating today.
Indeed, the first thing that Mary did after receiving the Angel’s message was to go “in haste” to the house of her cousin Elizabeth in order to be of service to her (cf. Lk 1: 39). The Virgin’s initiative was one of genuine charity, it was humble and courageous, motivated by faith in God’s Word and the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit.   Those who love, forget about themselves and place themselves at the service of their neighbour.   Here we have the image and model of the Church!”…Pope Benedict XVI – Excerpt- Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Saint Peter’s Square, Saturday, 25 March 2006everything in this world will pass away - pope benedict XVI - 25 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Shape us in the likeness of the Divine nature of our Redeemer, whom we believe to be true God and true man, since it was Your will, Lord God, that He, Your Word, should take to Himself, our human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.the-nicest-word-servant-of-god-guy-pierre-de-fontgalland-24-feb-2018-no-2.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 24 March – “…A full and perfect patience”

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Lenten Reflection – 24 March – The Third Sunday of Lent, Year C

Readings:
Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9 (Different Readings apply for the Scrutinies Mass)

Daily Meditation:
Form a new heart within.

“And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure, And if it bears fruit next year, well and good and if not, you can cut it down.”...Luke 13:8-9The third sunday - year C 24 march 2019.jpg

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

The good of patience, 6, 7-8

“This, beloved brethren, Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, did not teach by words only but he also fulfilled by His deeds… In the very hour of His passion and cross… what violent abuses He listened to with patience and what shameful insults He endured!   He was even covered with the spittle of His revilers when but a short time before, He had cured the eyes of the blind man with His own spittle(Jn 9:6)… He who now crowns the martyrs with eternal garlands was Himself crowned with thorns, He who now gives true palms to the victors was beaten in the face with hostile palms; he who clothes all others with the garment of immortality was stripped of His earthly garments, He who has given us the food of heaven was fed with gall, He who has offered us the cup of salvation was given vinegar to drink.   He the innocent, the just man, nay rather, Innocence itself and Justice itself, is counted among criminals and Truth is concealed by false testimonies.  He who is to judge is judged and the Word of God, silent, is led to the cross.   And although the stars are confounded at the crucifixion of the Lord, the elements are disturbed and the earth trembles… yet He does not speak, nor is He moved, nor does He proclaim His majesty, even during the suffering itself.   He endures all things even to the end with constant perseverance so that in Christ, a full and perfect patience may find its realisation.

And even after such sufferings He still receives His murderers if they are converted and come to Him and, with a patience instrumental in saving man, this kind Master closes His Church to no-one.   He not only receives and pardons those adversaries, those blasphemers, those persistent enemies of His name, provided they do penance for their offence and acknowledge the crime committed but He admits them to the reward of the kingdom of heaven.   What can be called more patient, what more kind? Even he who shed the blood of Christ is given life by the blood of Christ.   Such is the wonderful patience of Christ.   And unless it were so wonderful, the Church would not have had Paul, the great Apostle.”

he not only receives and pardons - st cyprian - 24 march 2019 3rdsunlentyearc.jpg

This Sunday brings us closer to the font of renewing our baptismal commitment.
It is also the first of three Scrutinies for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

We are deeply aware that there is a struggle going on in us.
We turn to God, that we might not become discouraged.
We rely on God’s compassion and love for us.
We acknowledge who we are
– sinners who experience the consequences of our selfishness –
but we know we are loved and we desire to be filled with hope.

We go into this week renewed in our desire to continue our
prayer, fasting and generosity toward others.

Bless the Lord, O my soul
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…
Psalm 103:1-4

Closing Prayer:
Loving Father,
So many times I turn away from You
and always You welcome me back.
Your mercy and love gives me confidence
Thank You for the invitation to share, fast and pray
so that You can form a new heart within me.
Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses
leads me to ask for mercy
and await with great hope the Easter joy You share with us.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 March – The invincible patience of Jesus! 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 March – The Third Sunday of Lent, Year C, Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and I find none.   And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure.”...Luke 13:7-8

REFLECTION – “Jesus invites us to change our heart, to make a radical about-face on the path of our lives, to abandon compromises with evil — and this is something we all do, hypocrisy…. I think that nearly all of us has a little hypocrisy — in order to decidedly take up the path of the Gospel.   But again there is the temptation to justify ourselves.   What should we convert from?   Aren’t we basically good people?   Unfortunately, each of us strongly resembles the tree that, over many years, has repeatedly shown that it’s infertile.   But, fortunately for us, Jesus is like a farmer who, with limitless patience, still obtains a concession for the fruitless vine.   The invincible patience of Jesus!   Have you thought about the patience of God?   Have you ever thought as well of His limitless concern for sinners?   How it should lead us to impatience with ourselves!   It’s never too late to convert, never.   God’s patience awaits us until the last moment.   It’s never too late to convert but it is urgent.   Now is the time!   Let us begin today.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 28 February 2016luke 13 7 the fruitless fig tree - unfortunately each of us - pope francis 24 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord our God, Your Son so loved the world that He gave Himself up to death for our sake.   Strengthen us by Your grace and give us a heart willing to live by that same love.   We know His excuses for us and His broken heart at our neglect and sin, make us like unto Him O Father, that we might be holy and come to see His Face.   May the prayers of the angels, saints and the Blessed Virgin be of assistance to us.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, amen.ave-maria-pray-for-us-28-sept-2018 and 24 march 2019 no 2.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, LENT 2019, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 23 March – “Who is a God like you”

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Lenten Reflection – 23 March – Saturday of the Second Week of Lent, Year C

The Readings
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Luke 15:1-3,11-32

“Who is a God like you, who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but instead delights in mercy …” …Micah 7:18

“For what was it Jesus’ detractors said?   “No man can forgive sins but God alone.” Inasmuch then, as they themselves laid down this definition, they themselves introduced the rule, they themselves declared the law.   He then proceeded to entangle them by means of their own words. “You have confessed,” he says in effect, “that forgiveness of sins is an attribute of God alone; my equality therefore is unquestionable.”   And it is not these men only who declare this but also the prophet Micah, who said, “Who is a God like you?” and then indicating his special attribute he adds, “pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctorluke 15 31-32 sat of the second week lent - 23 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
We must celebrate and rejoice.

The Saturdays of Lent have a wonderful spirit.
Our lesson today takes us to the parable of the two sons:
– one who is ungrateful and leaves but returns, and
– one who will not accept the forgiveness
the father lavishes on the other.

Let us too think of this Father, Our God, who is so taken for granted by all of us! and let us say, Our Father, who art in Heaven…………

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons”...Luke 15:11

“In the parable there is another son, the older one, he too needs to discover the mercy of the father.   The poor father!   One son went away and the other was never close to him!”

Pope Francis – General Audience, 11 May 2016in the parable - pope francis 23 march 2019 the poor father.jpg

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…

Psalm 103:1–4

Closing Prayer:

God of infinite love,
You shower me with limitless gifts in my life.
In my every thought and action today
guide me to the bright and loving light of Your kingdom.
Help me to be aware of
the many ways You allow me
to share in Your life so intimately today.
Thank You for the gifts You have placed in my life.
Let me be grateful every moment of this day.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amenthe lord's prayer - matthew 6 7-15 - lenten reflection 20 feb 2018 (1).jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

Lenten Thoughts – 22 March – “Now is the accepted time, now the day of salvation.”

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Lenten Thoughts – 22 March – Friday of the Second week of Lent, Year C

“Now is the accepted time, now the day of salvation.”

“These are thoughts, I need hardly say, especially suited to this season.
From the earliest times down to this day, these weeks before Easter have been set apart every year, for the particular remembrance and confession of our sins.   From the first age downward, not a year has passed but Christians have been exhorted to reflect how far they have let go their birthright, as a preparation for their claiming the blessing.   At Christmas we are born again with Christ, at Easter we keep the Eucharistic Feast.

In Lent, by penance, we join the two great sacraments together.   Are you, my brethren, prepared to say,—is there any single Christian alive who will dare to profess—that he has not in greater or less degree, sinned against God’s free mercies as bestowed on him, in Baptism without, or rather against his deserts?   Who will say that he has so improved his birthright that the blessing is his fit reward, without either sin to confess, or wrath to deprecate?

See, then, the Church offers you this season for the purpose. “Now is the accepted time, now the day of salvation.”

Now it is that, God being your helper, you are to attempt to throw off from you the heavy burden of past transgression, to reconcile yourselves to Him who has once already imparted to you His atoning merits and you have profaned them.”

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)at christmas we are born again - bl john henry newman - fri2ndweeklent 22 march 2019.jpg

Posted in CATECHESIS, LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 21 March- The rich man and Lazarus

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Lenten Reflection – 21 March – Thursday of the Second week of Lent, Year C

“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple
and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus…”
Luke 16:19–20Luke 16 19–20 rich man and lazarus turs2ndweeklent-21march2019.jpg

St Peter Chrysologus (400-450)
Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church

Sermon 122, On the rich man and Lazarus

“Abraham was very rich,” Scripture tells us (Gn 13:2)… My brethren, Abraham wasn’t rich for himself but for the poor, rather than keeping hold of his fortune, he intended to share it…This man, who was himself a stranger, did not hesitate to do all he could so that the stranger might not feel himself to be a stranger.   Living in a tent, he was unable to let a passer-by remain without shelter.   Perpetual traveller, he unfailingly welcomed the travellers who came his way…  Far from taking his ease in God’s bounty, he knew himself called to spread it abroad, he used it to protect the oppressed, set prisoners free, even to snatch those about to die from their fate (Gn 14:14)…  Abraham did not sit but remained standing before the stranger he had received.   He was not his guest’s host but made himself his servant.   Forgetting that he was master in his own home, he himself brought the food and, concerned that it should be carefully prepared, called on his wife.   Where he himself was concerned he relied entirely on his servants, but for the stranger he had received he thought it barely enough to entrust it to his wife’s skill.
What more could I say, my brothers?   It was so perfect a consideration… that drew God himself to Abraham’s home and compelled him to become his guest.   Thus the very one who would later claim to be welcomed in the person of the poor and the stranger, came to Abraham, rest for the poor, refuge of strangers.   “I was hungry,” he said, “and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35).
And again, we read in the Gospel:  “When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.”   Isn’t it only right, brethren, that Abraham should welcome all the saints even into his own rest and should exercise, even in the blessedness of heaven, his service of hospitality?…  Doubtless, he could not have considered himself wholly happy unless, even in glory, he was able to continue to practice his ministry of sharing.”

Daily Meditation:
Bring us back to you.

The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is our lesson today.
We beg to be open to the workings of the Spirit,
that we might not settle for the consolations of this life alone.

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers
but his delight is in the law of the Lord
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

LOVE OF OUR NEIGHBOUR

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

“All of our religion is but a false religion and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone, for the good and for the bad, for the poor people as well as for the rich, for all those who do us harm as much as for those who do us good.
No, my dear brethren, there is no virtue which will let us know better whether we are the children or God than charity.
The obligation we have to love our neighbour is so important, that Jesus Christ put it into a Commandment, which He placed immediately after that by which He commands us to love Him with all our hearts.   He tells us that all the law and the prophets are included in this commandment to love our neighbour.   Yes, my dear brethren, we must regard this obligation as the most universal, the most necessary and the most essential to religion and to our salvation.   In fulfilling this Commandment, we are fulfilling all others.   St Paul tells us that the other Commandments forbid us to commit adultery, robbery, injuries, false testimonies.   If we love our neighbour, we shall not do any of these things because the love we have for our neighbour would not allow us to do him any harm.”

all of our religion is but a false - st john vianney thurs2ndweeklent 21 march 2019.jpg

Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
I hear your invitation, “Come back to me”
and I am filled with such a longing to return to You.
Show me the way to return.
Lead me this day in good works I do in Your name
and send Your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith.
I ask only to feel Your love in my life today and if You are with me, how can I not love my neighbour?

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 March –  To ignore a poor man is to scorn God!

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One Minute Reflection – 21 March – Thursday of the Second week of Lent, Year C

“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.   And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus…”… Luke 16:19–20

REFLECTION – “Lazarus is a good example of the silent cry of the poor throughout the ages and the contradictions of a world in which immense wealth and resources are in the the hands of the few.   To ignore a poor man is to scorn God!   We must learn this well – to ignore the poor is to scorn God.  to ignore a poor man is to scorn god - pope francis 21 march 2019 thurs2ndweeklent

There is a detail in the parable that is worth noting – the rich man has no name but only an adjective – ‘the rich man’, while the name of the poor man is repeated five times and ‘Lazarus’ means ‘God helps’.   Lazarus, who is lying at the gate, is a living reminder to the rich man to remember God but the rich man does not receive that reminder.   Hence, he will be condemned not because of his wealth but for being incapable of feeling compassion for Lazarus and for not coming to his aid.

God’s mercy toward us is linked to our mercy toward our neighbour, when this is lacking, also that of not finding room in our closed heart, He cannot enter.   If I do not thrust open the door of my heart to the poor, that door remains closed.   Even to God. This is terrible.”….Pope Francis – General Audience, 18 May 2016luke 16 19-20 there was a rich man - there is a detail - pope francis - 21 march 2019 thurs2ndweeklent

PRAYER – Lord God, You love innocence of heart and when it is lost, You alone can restore it.   In Your bounty, You give us all that is good, You give us Your Spirit who teaches us to think and do what is right.   Turn then our hearts to You and to our neighbour, especially those who are in need, so that we, may be unwearied in good works.   Always helped by the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Charity, we strive to make our lenten journey, one of total self-giving.   Through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.mary mother of charity pray for us 21 march 2019.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 20 March – You hear Him talking about the cross and you ask for a throne?

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Lenten Reflection – 20 March – Wednesday of the Second week of Lent, Year C

“Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom”...Matthew 20:21basil of seleucia 20 march 2019

Basil of Seleucia (Died c 468) Bishop
Sermon 24

Would you like to know the faith of this woman?   Well, just think at the time she does such a request…The cross was ready, the Passion immanent, the crowd of enemies already in place.   The Teacher talks about His death and the disciples are worried, even before the Passion they tremble at the simple mention of it, what they hear startles them, they are overcome by agitation and fear.   At that very moment this mother leaves the group of the apostles and comes to request the kingdom and a throne for her sons.

What did you say, woman?   You hear Him talking about the cross and you ask for a throne?   It is a matter of the Passion and you wish for the Kingdom?   In that case, leave the disciples with all their fears and worries of danger.   But how could you think of asking such dignity?   Out of all that has been said or done, what makes you think about the kingdom?

I see – she says – the Passion but I foresee the Resurrection.  I see the cross set up and I contemplate the open skies.   I see the nails but I also see the throne… I heard the Lord himself say:  “you shall likewise take your places on twelve thrones” (Mt 19:28).   I see the future with the eyes of faith.

This woman anticipates – it seems to me – the words of the good criminal.   He, on the cross, made this prayer:  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk 23:42).   Even before the cross she made the kingdom an object of her supplication… What a desire plunged in the vision of the future!   What time hid, faith revealed.

Daily Meditation:
Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.

Jesus is telling us about His Passion, Death and Resurrection – for us.
Too often we are fighting over which of us is the greatest.
To take this journey with Him, is to take a journey
that draws us to be with Him in it and like Him:
a servant of love for others.

“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28wed of the second week matthew 20 28 the sone of man came not to serve 20 march 2019.jpg

“The importance of Humility”
(Extract from a Sermon on St Philip Neri)

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“But I would beg for you this privilege, that the public world might never know you for praise or for blame, that you should do a good deal of hard work in your generation and prosecute many useful labours and effect a number of religious purposes and send many souls to heaven and take men by surprise, how much you were really doing, when they happened to come near enough to see it but that by the world you should be overlooked, that you should not be known out of your place, that you should work for God alone, with a pure heart and single eye, without the distractions of human applause and should make Him your sole hope and His eternal heaven your sole aim and have your reward, not partly here but fully and entirely, hereafter.”

(The Mission of St Philip Neri, Sermons Preached on Various Occaions.)

Closing Prayer:
God of Love,
through this Lenten journey,
purify my desires to serve You.
Free me from any temptations to judge others,
to place myself above others.
Please let me surrender even my impatience with others,
that with Your love and Your grace,
I might be less and less absorbed with myself,
and more and more full of the desire
to follow You, in laying down my life
according to Your example.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 March – The loneliness of Jesus

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One Minute Reflection – 20 March – Wednesday of the Second week of Lent, Gospel:  Matthew 20:17–28

“…even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”…Matthew 20:28

REFLECTION – “Resolute and obedient and nothing else!   It was like this until the very end.   The Lord enters in patience… He enters in patience.   It is not only an example of a journey of suffering and dying on the Cross but also of a journey of patience.
He was unaccompanied in this decision because no-one understood the mystery of Jesus, the loneliness of Jesus on His journey towards Jerusalem, alone!
It was like this to the end.
Let us think, then, of the abandonment by the disciples, of Peter’s betrayal… alone!

How often have I tried to do so many things and have not looked to Him, who did all this for me? You entered in patience – the patient man, the patient God – who, with such patience, bears by sins, my failings?
And talk to Jesus like this.   He is determined to always to go ahead.   And thank Him.   Let us take a little time today, a few minutes – five, ten, fifteen – perhaps before the Crucifix, or with the imagination, to ‘see’ Jesus walking resolutely towards Jerusalem and ask for the grace to have the courage to follow Him closely.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 3 October 2017matthew 20 28 the son of man came not to be served - you entered in patience - pope francis 20 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, You go before us! In patience, in total love and self-giving, alone!   And we know You not and abandon You!   Holy Father, grant us Your grace that we may see, understand and walk with Your Son, right behind Him, holding tightly to the hem of His robe, that we may learn to suffer and love as He does.   Kindly listen Father God, to the prayers on our behalf, of St Josef Bilczewski, who always walked with Your Son.   We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, our Christ who with the Holy Spirit, is God forever, amen.st josef bilczweski pray for us 20 march 2019

 

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT 2019, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – Faithful, Humble, Obedient, Wise, Brave

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Lenten Reflection – 19 March – Tuesday of The Second Week of Lent, Year C
The Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of Mary

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church

“How faithful in humility was the great saint we are celebrating!   That can’t 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 have no doubt at all 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 Saint 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 joseph pray for us 19 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Protect us from what could harm us
as St Joseph protected our Lord and Saviour.

God the Father has given us His only Son, the Word made man,
to be our food and our life. Let us thank Him and pray:
May the word of Christ dwell among us in all its richness.

Help us in this Lenten season to listen more frequently to Your word,
that we may celebrate the solemnity of Easter with greater love for Christ, our paschal teacher,
that we may encourage those in doubt and error to follow what is true and good.
Enable us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Anointed One,
that our lives may reveal Him more effectively.
Purify and renew Your Church in this time of salvation,
that it may give an even greater witness to You.

For thy steadfast love was established forever,
thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
Thou hast said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
‘I will establish your descendants for ever,
and build your throne for all generations.’
Psalm 89:2–4

Closing Prayer:

God in heaven and in my life,
guide me and protect me.
I so often believe I can save myself
and I always end in failure.
Lead me with Your love away from harm
and guide me on the right path.
May Your Spirit inspire the Church
and make us an instrument of Your love and guidance.
Thank You for your care for me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amenlent tues of the secopnd week - psalm 89 2 19 march 2019.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The man who doesn’t speak but obeys

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife...Matthew 1:24matthew 1 24 when joseph woke from sleep - 19 march 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “And this man, this dreamer, is able to accept this duty, this grave duty. He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.   And so this man takes the promise of God and carries it onward in silence, with strength, he carries it onward so that God’s Will might be done.   He is the man who doesn’t speak but obeys, the man of tenderness, the man capable of carrying forward the promises so that they might become solid, certain;  the man who guarantees the stability of the Kingdom of God, the paternity of God, our sonship as children of God.
I like to think of Joseph as the guardian of weaknesses, of our weaknesses too, he is able to give birth to so many beautiful things from our weaknesses, even from our sins.

Today I want to ask, grant to all of us the ability to dream, that when we dream great things, beautiful things, we might draw near to the dream of God, the things God dreams about us.   [I ask] that he might give to young people – because he was young – the capacity to dream, to risk, to undertake the difficult tasks they have seen in dreams.  And [I ask] him to give to all of us the faithfulness that tends to grow when we have a just attitude – Joseph was just – [the faithfulness that] grows in silence, with few words, that grows in tenderness that guards our own weaknesses and those of others.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 20 March 2017he is the man who doesn't speak but obeys - pope francis - 19 march 2019 st joseph.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God, at the beginnings of our salvation, when Mary conceived your Son and brought Him forth into the world, you placed them under Joseph’s watchful care.   May his prayer still help Your Church to be an equally faithful guardian of Your mysteriest and a sign of Christ to mankind.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen.blessed-solemnity-of-st-joseph-19-march-2018 (1).jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

Lenten Thoughts – 17 March – The law was given through Moses grace and truth came through Jesus Christ – St Leo the Great

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Lenten Thoughts – 17 March – The Second Sunday of Lent, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

The law was given through Moses grace

and truth came through Jesus Christ

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) 
Bishop of Rome and Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from Sermo 51

The Lord reveals His glory in the presence of chosen witnesses.   His body is like that of the rest of mankind but He makes it shine with such splendour that His Face becomes like the sun in glory and His garments as white as snow.

The great reason for this transfiguration was to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of His disciples and to prevent the humiliation of His voluntary suffering from disturbing the faith of those who had witnessed the surpassing glory that lay concealed.

With no less forethought He was also providing a firm foundation for the hope of holy Church.   The whole body of Christ was to understand the kind of transformation that it would receive as His gift.   The members of that body were to look forward to a share in that glory which first blazed out in Christ their head.

The Lord had himself spoken of this when He foretold the splendour of His coming – Then the just will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.   Saint Paul the apostle bore witness to this same truth when He said – I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not to be compared with the future glory that is to be revealed in us. In another place He says:  You are dead and your life is hidden with Christ in God.   When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

This marvel of the transfiguration contains another lesson for the apostles, to strengthen them and lead them into the fullness of knowledge.   Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets, appeared with the Lord in conversation with Him.   This was in order to fulfil exactly, through the presence of these five men, the text which says – Before two or three witnesses every word is ratified.   What word could be more firmly established, more securely based, than the word which is proclaimed by the trumpets of both old and new testaments, sounding in harmony and by the utterances of ancient prophecy and the teaching of the Gospel, in full agreement with each other?

The writings of the two testaments support each other.   The radiance of the transfiguration reveals clearly and unmistakably the one who had been promised by signs foretelling Him under the veils of mystery.   As Saint John says:  The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.   In Him the promise made through the shadows of prophecy stands revealed, along with the full meaning of the precepts of the law.   He is the one who teaches the truth of prophecy through His presence and makes obedience to the commandments possible through grace.

In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith.   No one should be ashamed of the cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed.

No-one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice, no-one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised.   The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death.   Christ has taken on Himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature.   If then we are steadfast in our faith in Him and in our love for Him, we win the victory that He has won, we receive what He has promised.the way to rest is through toil the way to life is through death 17 march 2019.jpg

When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears –  This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.transfiguration - listen to him 17 march 2019.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, POETRY, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 17 March – Transfiguration

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Lenten Reflection – 17 March – The Second Sunday of Lent, Year C

The Readings
Genesis 15:5-12,17-18; Psalms 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14; Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 or Philippians 3:20 – 4:1; Luke 9:28B-36

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
“This is my Son, my Chosen,
listen to him!”
Luke 9:35

Transfiguration
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

They were talking to Him about resurrection,
about law, about the suffering ahead.
They were talking as if to remind Him who He was and
who they were. He was not

Like his three friends watching a little way off,
not like the crowd At the foot of the hill.
A grey-green thunderhead massed
from the sea

And God spoke from it and said He was His.
They were talking about how the body, broken or
burned,
could live again, remade.

Only the fiery text of the thunderhead could explain it.
And they were talking
About pain and the need for judgement
and how He would make Himself

A law of pain, both its spirit and its letter in His own
flesh,
and then break it,
That is, transcend it.
His clothes flared like magnesium

transfiguration-by-bl-john-henry-newman-2nd-sun-lent-25-feb-2018.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Listen to Him.

It is wonderful to begin this week
acknowledging that we need God’s help in listening and hearing.
It is so powerful to ask for the “gift of integrity” –
to express our desire for wholeness.
And, we humbly ask for light in the midst of whatever
might “shadow our vision.”
This is the God who allows Jesus
to be transfigured before His disciples,
to prepare them for what they were about to face.
This is our God, who can give each of us
the change of heart we ask for.

Wait for the Lord,
be strong
and let your heart take courage,
yea, wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

Closing Prayer:

Loving God,
there is so much darkness in my life
and I hide from You.
Take my hand
and lead me out of the shadows of my fear.
Help me to change my heart.
Bring me to your truth
and help me to respond to Your generous love.
Let me recognise the fullness of Your love
which will fill my life.
Free me from the darkness in my heart.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amensecond-sunday-lenten-reflection-luke 9 35 17 march 2019

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 March – Transfigurtion,the Mystery of the Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 17 March – The Second Sunday of Lent, Year C

“…Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem.”…Luke 9:30-31

REFLECTION – “Today, on Mount Tabor, the state of our future life and the Kingdom of joy are mysteriously made manifest.   Today, in an unexpected way, the former messengers of the Old and New Covenants have come together on the mountain beside their God as bearers of a paradoxical mystery.   Today, on Mount Tabor, is sketched out the mystery of the cross which, through death, gives life.   Just as Christ was crucified between two men on Mount Calvary, so He now stands in His divine majesty between Moses and Elijah.   And today’s feast shows us that other Sinai, that mountain far more precious than Sinai by reason of its wonders and events.   With its theophany it far surpasses merely representative and vague divine visions…
Rejoice!   O Creator of all that is, Christ our King, Son of God radiant with light, who have transfigured all creation in Your image and have recreated it in an even better way…  And you, too, rejoice!   O image of the heavenly Kingdom, most holy mount of Tabor, surpassing in beauty all other mountains!   Mount Golgotha and you, O mount of Olives, sing a hymn together and rejoice, sing with one voice of Christ on Mount Tabor and together chant His praises!”… St Anastasius of Sinai (Died c 700) Monkluke 9 30-31 the transfiguration - today on mount tabour - st anastasius of sinai 17 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, teach us to do everything for Your honour and glory.
Grant us the grace to work out our salvation with anxious concern each day of our life. Keep our gaze fixed towards heaven.   Help us as we attempt this Lenten journey to grow in a spirit of penance and sacrifice and to be transfigured, out of love for You, our God. Mary, Holy Mother, the refuge of sinners, be our protector and our guide.   We make our prayer through Jesus in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.blessed virgin mary immaculate mother - pray for us - 2 sept 2018.jpg

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on VIOLENCE, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 16 March

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Lenten Reflection – 16 March – Saturday of the First week of Lent, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 5:43–48

Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) Martyr

“But I say to you… pray for those who persecute you”

You have often heard it said that we are living through a marvellous time, a time of great men… It is easy to understand why people long for a strong and capable leader to arise… This kind of neo-paganism [Nazism] believes all nature to be an emanation of the divine…; it admires a race that is nobler and purer than any other… From this comes the cult of race and blood, the cult of its own people’s heroes.

By starting out from so mistaken an idea, this view of things can lead to capital errors.   It is tragic to see how much enthusiasm, how many efforts are placed at the service of such an erroneous and baseless ideal!   However, we can learn from our enemy.   We can learn from his deceitful philosophy how to purify and improve our own ideal, we can learn how to develop great love for this ideal, how to arouse immense enthusiasm and even a readiness to live and die for it, how to strengthen our hearts to incarnate it in ourselves and in others…

When we talk about the coming of the Kingdom and pray for its coming, we are not thinking of a discrimination according to race or blood but of the brotherhood of all, for all men are our brothers – not excluding even those who hate and attack us – in a close bond with the One, who causes the sun to rise on the good and the bad alike (Mt 5:45).all men are our brothers - bl titus brandsma 1st sat lent 16 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Turn our hearts to You.

The Saturdays of Lent have a grateful and uplifting tone to them.
Our lesson today reminds us of the covenant God made long ago:
you be My people
and I will be your God.

In the new covenant, without condition,
God is faithful to us, even if we are not.
Jesus calls us to a new way of being –
loving others as we have been loved –
which includes loving those who do not love us.
We are to be as pure in our love,
as God is pure in loving us.

You, therefore, must be perfect,
as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48saturday of the first week of lent - 16 march 2019.jpg

Closing Prayer:

Loving God,
Sometimes my heart
turns in every direction
except towards You.
Please help me
to turn my heart toward You,
to gaze upon You in trust
and to seek Your kingdom with all of my heart.
Soften my hardened heart
so that I might love others
as a way to glorify and worship You.
Grant me this
with the ever-present guidance of Your spirit.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Christ’s martyrs feared neither death nor pain.   He triumphed in them who lived in them;  and they, who lived not for themselves but for Him, found in death itself the way to life.”

St Augustine – (354-430) – Father & Doctor of the Churchchrists-martyrs-st-augustine-14-march-20181.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on LOVE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 March – “But I say to you, Love your enemies”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 March – Saturday of the First week of Lent, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 5:43–48

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”...Matthew 5:44matthew 5 44 but i say to you love your enemies - 16 march 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “No lawgiver would ever make the demand that his laws should be internally accepted and cheerfully observed.   Rather, it is ‘do what I say’.   God alone asks that His people should keep His laws “with all their hearts,” because He is the King of human hearts.   An internal acceptance is the strength of an idea, ideal, norm.   Mere external compliance is mimetic, mechanical, lifeless.   No wonder religion collapses, spiritual life gives way, devotions dry up!   The show and display of religion is empty, the prophets denounced it.   Un-reflected accommodation and shallow compliance is self-deception.   Some give up in the face of trials, others before tempting goods.   Someone who has built up a measure of inner stuff alone can understand the full meaning of the message “Love your enemies.”   Few have delved into the various dimensions of the teaching “love your enemies,” be good to all, like the Father.   But you can, if only you know His love, if only you wish and pray to be like Him.”...Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil

PRAYER – Turn our hearts to yourself, eternal Father, so that, always seeking the one thing necessary and devoting ourselves to works of charity, we may worship You in spirit and in truth and thus learn Your ways.   May our beloved Mother, the Blessed Virgin, give us her heart, to grow in love.   We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

The One Thing Necessary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

O my God, help me to remember that time is short, eternity long.
What good is all the greatness of this world at the hour of death?
To love You, my God
and save my soul is the one thing necessary.
Without You, there is no peace of mind or soul.
My God, I need fear only sin and nothing else in this life,
for to lose You, my God, is to lose all.
O my God, help me to remember
that I came into this world with nothing,
and shall take nothing from it when I die.
To gain You, I must leave all.
But in loving You,
I already have all good things,
the infinite riches of Christ and His Church in life,
Mary’s motherly protection and perpetual help,
and the eternal dwelling place Jesus has prepared for me.
Eternal Father, Jesus has promised
that whatever we ask in His Name will be granted us.
In His Name, I pray:
give me a burning faith,
a joyful hope,
a holy love for You.
Grant me perseverance in doing Your will
and never let me be separated from You.
My God and my All,
make me a saint.
Amenthe-one-thing-necessary-no 2 - st-alphonsus-liguori-24-feb-2018blessed virgin mary our queen and mother pray for us 16 march 2019

Posted in LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SILENCE, The PASSION, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 15 March – Christ, the model of brotherly love

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Lenten Reflection – 15 March – Friday of the First week of Lent, Year C Gospel: Matthew 5:20–26

Christ, the model of brotherly love

Saint Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167)

An excerpt from his The Mirror of Love

“The perfection of brotherly love lies in the love of one’s enemies.   We can find no greater inspiration for this than grateful remembrance of the wonderful patience of Christ.   He who is more fair than all the sons of men, offered his fair face to be spat upon by sinful men, He allowed those eyes that rule the universe, to be blindfolded by wicked men, He bared His back to the scourges, He submitted that head which strikes terror in principalities and powers to the sharpness of the thorns, He gave Himself up to be mocked and reviled and at the end endured the cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, remaining always gentle, meek and full of peace.

In short, He was led like a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb before the shearers He kept silent and did not open His mouth.”he was led like a sheep to the slaughter - st aelred - 15 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Renew us and prepare us.

Our lesson today is about reconciliation
Our Lord forgives us all our sins –
nothing can separate us from the love of God for us in Jesus
And we are called to forgive others
with the same compassion, mercy, patience and love given to us.

Our Lenten practices help us to
experience the renewing love of God
and they prepare us for our journey to Easter
to celebrate the mystery of our death to self
and rebirth in the new life Jesus won for us.

I do not wish the sinner to die, says the Lord,
but to turn to me and live.
Ezekiel 33

Closing Prayer:

Creator of my life,
renew me,bring me to new life in You.
Touch me and make me feel whole again.
Help me to see Your love
in the passion, death and resurrection of Your son.
Help me to observe Lent
in a way that allows me to celebrate that love.
Prepare me for these weeks of Lent
as I feel both deep sorrows for my sins
and Your undying love for me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.friday of the first week - i do not wish the sinner to die esekiel 33 15 march 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MERCY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 March – Go and be reconciled with your brother. 

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One Minute Reflection – 15 March – Friday of the First week of Lent, Year C, Gospel:  Matthew 5:20–26 and The Memorial of St Clement Mary Hofbauer C.Ss.R.(1751-1820)

“If you are bringing your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and first go and be reconciled with your brother.   Then come and offer your gift.”…Matthew 5:23–24

REFLECTION – “Christ gave His life for you and do you hold a grudge against your fellow servant?   How then can you approach the table of peace?   Your Master did not refuse to undergo every kind of suffering for you and will you not even forgo your anger?… He has offered me an outrageous insult, you say.   He has wronged me times without number, he has endangered my life.   Well, what is that?   He has not yet crucified you as the Jewish elders crucified the Lord.

If you refuse to forgive your neighbour’s offence your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins either (Mt 6:15).   What does your conscience say when you repeat the words: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…,” and the rest?   Christ went so far as to offer His blood for the salvation of those who shed it.   What could you do that would equal that?   If you refuse to forgive your enemy you harm not him but yourself… You earn for yourself eternal punishment on the Day of Judgement.

Listen to the Lord’s words:  “If you are bringing your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and first go and be reconciled with your brother. Then come and offer your gift.”   What do you mean?   Am I really to leave my gift, my offering there?   Yes, He says, because this sacrifice is offered in order that you may live in peace with your brother… For the Son of Man has come into the world to reconcile humanity with its Father.   As Paul says: “Now God has reconciled everything to himself” (Col 1:20) “putting enmity to death through the cross” (Eph 2:16)…. St John Chrysostom (347-407)matthew 5 23-24 - leave your gift at the altar - christ went so far - st john chrysostom 15 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-merciful Father, help me to be ever open to Your love and mercy, running to You in all my needs and in all my fears.   Allow me too, to run to the confessional when I have sinned, to ask for and receive forgiveness and love.   Through Your mercy and forgiveness, teach me too to forgive and open my heart to kindness, reconciliation and care for my brother.   Grant that the prayers of St Clement Mary Hofbauer, may assist us all in living holy lives according to Your Commandments and the laws of the Church. Amenst-clement-mary-hofbauer-pray-for-us-15-march-2018-no-2.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 March – “Ask and it will be given you”

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One Minute Reflection – 14 March – Thursday of the First week of Lent, Year C, Today’s Gospel Matthew 7:7-12 and the Memorial of Blessed Giacomo Cusmano (1834-1888)

“Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.”...Matthew 7:7

REFLECTION – “Please be bold, because when we pray we usually have a need.   The friend is God – He is a rich friend who has bread, He has what we need.   As Jesus said – “In prayer be intrusive.   Do not get tired.”   But do not get tired of what?   Of asking. “Ask and it will be given to you”.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 11 October 2018ask and it will be given to you matthew 7 7 - please be bold - pope francis 14 march 2019

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, with confidence we pray, for in Your bounty Lord, You give us all we need.   You hear our plea and grant us our needs.   You give us the Spirit, who alone can teach us to think and do what is right, so that we, who without You cannot exist, may live in loving obedience to Your Will.   Hear the prayers of Blessed Giacomo Cusmano on our behalf and add them to our own imperfect petitions.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed giacomo cusmano pray for us 14 march 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 13 March – “…Something greater than Jonah is here.”

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Lenten Reflection – 13 March – Wednesday of the First week of Lent, Year C

“…Something greater than Jonah is here.”…Luke 11:32wed of the 1st week - something greater than jonah 13 march 2019.jpg

St Bernard (1091-1153)
Doctor of the Church

“Come back to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12)

“Be converted with all your heart,” the Lord says.   My brothers, if he had just said “Be converted” without adding anything, perhaps we should have been able to reply – it’s done, now you can give us something else to do.

But if I understand correctly, Christ is speaking to us here about a spiritual conversion that does not come about in a day.   May it even be achieved in our lifetime!   So pay attention to what you love, what you fear, at what makes you happy or what makes you sad and you will sometimes see that, beneath your religious habit you are still a man of the world.   Indeed, the heart is wholly contained in these four feelings and it is concerning them, I think, we must understand these words: “Be converted to the Lord with all your heart.”
May your loving be converted, in such a way, that you love nothing but the Lord, or rather that you love nothing except for God’s sake.   May your fear also be turned towards Him, for any fear that makes us afraid of something apart from Him and not because of Him is bad.   May your joy and your sadness be converted to Him, this is how it will be if you neither suffer nor rejoice except in Him.   Thus, if you mourn for your own sins or those of your neighbour you do well and your sadness is salutary.   If you rejoice in the gifts of grace, this joy is holy and you are able to enjoy it in peace in the Holy Spirit.   In the love of Christ you should be glad of your brothers’ good fortunes and sympathise with their misfortunes according to this verse:  “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Rm 12:15)come back to me with all your heart - lent 2019

Daily Meditation:
Hear our prayer.

The Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent take on a more penitential tone.
Our longing intensifies.
We know we have to work hard to resist temptation
and to change some of our bad habits.
We know that spiritual renewal won’t come easily.
But we know that all we will ultimately be able to do
will come from God’s inspiration – as a gift.
So we ask from a deeper and deeper place in our hearts.

We listen to the wonderful story about Nineveh.
They responded to God’s word and repented.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Psalm 51

“And as Jonah was sacrificed for those endangered by the storm, so Christ was offered for those who are drowning in the storm of this world.”

St Augustine (354-430)and as jonash was sacrified so christ - st augustine 13 march 2019.jpg

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord,
I know You receive what is in my heart.
Let me be inspired by Your words
and by the actions of Your son, Jesus.
Guide me to make sacrifices this Lent
in the spirit of self-denial
and with greater attention to You
and to those around me.
Help me to believe that You will grant me this
because of the sacrifice Jesus made for me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Posted in LENT 2019, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, The WORD, Uncategorized

One Minute Reflection – 13 March – Something greater than Jonah is here

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 13 March – Wednesday of the First week of Lent, Year C – The Memorial of St Leander (c 534-c 600)

“The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”...Luke 11:32

REFLECTION – “The conversion of a great city like Nineveh stuns us!   The message in any case is clear – collective choices are possible.   Today, however, unfortunately, a collective choice is clearly manifested only when a country declares war on another. Emmanuel Kant recognised the strength of a community that was eager to share the same values, Margaret Mead that of a small group determined to change the world.   The initiators of Congregations, of ecclesial movements, pious associations and social reforms shook the world with their community decisions.   Jesus’s pain at resistance to His teaching has a lesson for those who put on the helmet of ‘indifference’ or the blinkers of ‘apathy’ – the LUKEWARM!   Atheists and agnostics will rise from their graves to point to opportunities such people wasted.   AWAKE! Lukewarmness is SIN!”…Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDBluke 11 32 - jonah - awake - gods word 2019 13 march.jpg

PRAYER – Help me, my God and my Father, to discern through prayer and meditation what You truly want of me.   Then enable me to offer it to You – and indeed to offer myself and all I have to You.   St Leander, you were and are an example to all around you, please pray for us, amen!st-leander-pray-for-us-2.13 march 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 12 March – “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” – St Leo the Great

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Lenten Reflection – 12 March – Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, C – Gospel Matthew 6:7–15tuesday-of-the-first-week-of-lent-12 March 2019.jpg

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)

Father & Doctor of the Church

“Those who wish to receive the Paschal feast of the Lord in holiness of mind and body should strive, above all, to win that grace which contains the summit of virtues and “covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pt 4:8).   So at the point of celebrating the greatest of all mysteries, that with which the blood of Jesus Christ wiped out our iniquities, let us first of all prepare the sacrifice of mercy.

Thus we shall return to those who have offended us what the goodness of God has granted us.   May insults be cast into oblivion, wrongs ignore torture from now on and all offences be set free from fear of reprisal!…   If someone should detain such prisoners… may he fully understand that he himself is a sinner and, so as to receive forgiveness, let him rejoice that he has found someone to forgive.   In this way, when we say, according to the Lord’s teaching: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12), we shall have no doubt that we receive God’s pardon as we formulate our prayer.”matthew 6 9 forgive us our debts - st pope leo - thus we shall return to those 12 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Help us grow in our desire for you.

We are learning the intimate connection
between the “discipline” we choose these days,
and the growth of our desire.
If our desire for our Lord is weak,
if it has to compete with so many other desires that choke it out,
then we need to re-form our desiring.
We want to be disciples –
those who love Jesus, are with Jesus in our desires,
and choose to follow Jesus.

In today’s lesson we learn the Lord’s Prayer again.
As children, we turn to our Loving Father in prayer.

“I shall know You,
You who know me.
Virtue of my soul,
go deep into it
and make it fit for You,
so that You may have it
and possess it,
without stain or wrinkle.”

St Augustine (354-430)

Father & Doctor of the Churchi-shall-know-you-st-augustine-19-sept-2018.jpg

Closing Prayer:
Father of my soul,
Mother of my heart,
I know Your love for me is limitless beyond imagining.
You care for me as a loving parent.
Through my smallest Lenten sacrifices,
help me to become less selfish
and more aware of Your ways.
Fan the flame of my desire
to draw ever closer to You.
Guide me to seek Your love.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen

“Your faith will grow,
only in the measure,
that you give it away.”

Bishop Robert Barronyour-faith-will-grow-bishop-barron-18-sept-2018.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 March – Our identity

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One Minute Reflection – 12 March – Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, C – Gospel Matthew 6:7–15

“Pray then like this:
Our Father who art in heaven…”…Matthew 6:9

REFLECTION – “It’s good for us to sometimes examine our own consciences on this point. For me, is God my Father?   Do I feel that He is my Father?   And if I don’t feel that, let me ask the Holy Spirit to teach me to feel that way.   And am I able to forget offences, to forgive, to let go of it and if not, let us ask the Father:  ‘these people too are your children, they did something horrible to me … can you help me to forgive them’?   Let us carry out this examination of our consciences and it will do us a lot of good, good, good.   ‘Father’ and ‘our’: give us our identity as His children and give us a family to journey with during our lives.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 16 June 2016.matthew 6 9 - pray then like this - the father and our give us our identity pope francis - 12 march 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, we are Your children and we beg You, make us know this with all our being.   May we be as little children in total trust and dependence on You. May we glory in resembling You, as children resemble their fathers on earth.  For You are all goodness, love and truth – may we become all of these things as perfect copies of You. May the prayers of St Luigi Orione, who lived his life as a true copy of Your Son, bring us strength and commitment especially on our Lenten journey to the Resurrection of Your Son.   Through Jesus our Lord and Saviour, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st luigi orione 12 march 2019 pray for us

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, LENT 2019, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The WORD

Our Morning Offering – 12 March – “The Our Father”

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Our Morning Offering – 12 March – Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, C – Gospel Matthew 6:7–15

“Pray then like this:”…Matthew 6:9

Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread
and forgive us
our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

the our father - matthew 6 7-15 - lenten reflection 20 feb 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, The WORD

Lenten Thoughts – 11 March – Let us show each other God’s generosity – Saint Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)

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Lenten Thoughts – 11 March – Monday of the First Week of Lent, Gospel: Matthew 25:31–46

Let us show each other God’s generosity

Saint Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Bishop. Father, Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his Oration 14: On Love of the Poor

Recognise to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise and, above all, that you know God and hope for the kingdom of heaven and the vision of glory, now darkly as in a mirror but then with greater fullness and purity.   You have been made a son of God, co-heir with Christ. Where did you get all this and from whom?

Let me turn to what is of less importance – the visible world around us.   What benefactor has enabled you to look out upon the beauty of the sky, the sun in its course, the circle of the moon, the countless number of stars, with the harmony and order that are theirs, like the music of a harp?   Who has blessed you with rain, with the art of husbandry, with different kinds of food, with the arts, with houses, with laws, with states, with a life of humanity and culture, with friendship and the easy familiarity of kinship?

Who has given you dominion over animals, those that are tame and those that provide you with food?   Who has made you lord and master of everything on earth?   In short, who has endowed you with all that makes man superior to all other living creatures?

Is it not God who asks you now in your turn to show yourself generous above all other creatures and for the sake of all other creatures?   Because we have received from Him so many wonderful gifts, will we not be ashamed to refuse Him this one thing only, our generosity?   Though He is God and Lord, He is not afraid to be known as our Father. Shall we for our part repudiate those who are our kith and kin?

Brethren and friends, let us never allow ourselves to misuse what has been given us by God’s gift.   If we do, we shall hear Saint Peter say – Be ashamed of yourselves for holding onto what belongs to someone else.   Resolve to imitate God’s justice and no-one will be poor.   Let us not labour to heap up and hoard riches while others remain in need.   If we do, the prophet Amos will speak out against us with sharp and threatening words -Come now, you that say:  When will the new moon be over, so that we may start selling?   When will the sabbath be over, so that we may start opening our treasures?

Let us put into practice the supreme and primary law of God.   He sends down rain on just and sinful alike and causes the sun to rise on all without distinction.   To all earth’s creatures He has given the broad earth, the springs, the rivers and the forests.   He has given the air to the birds and the waters to those who live in the water.   He has given abundantly to all the basic needs of life, not as a private possession, not restricted by law, not divided by boundaries but as common to all, amply and in rich measure.   His gifts are not deficient in any way, because He wanted to give equality of blessing to equality of worth and to show the abundance of His generosity.resolve to imitate god's justice and noone will be poor - st gregory of nazianzen 11 march 2019 1st mond of lent.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 11 March – “Come, you who are blessed by my Father”

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Lenten Reflection – 11 March – Monday of the First Week of Lent, Gospel: Matthew 25:31–46

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father”
Homily attributed to Saint Hippolytus of Rome (c 170-c 235)
Priest and Martyr

“Come, my Father’s blessed ones, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”   Come, you lovers of poor people and strangers.   Come, you who fostered My love, for I am love… Look, My kingdom is ready, paradise stands open, My immortality is displayed in all its beauty.   Come now, all of you, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Then, astounded at so great a wonder – at being addressed as friends by Him whom the angelic hosts are unable clearly to behold – the righteous will reply, exclaiming:  “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?   Master, when did we see You thirsty and give You a drink?   When did we see You, whom we hold in awe, naked and clothe You? When did we see You, the immortal One, a stranger and welcome You?   When did we see You, lover of our race, sick or in prison and come to visit You?   You are the Eternal, without beginning like the Father, and co-eternal with the Spirit.   You are the One who created all things from nothing, You are the King of angels, You make the depths tremble, You are clothed in light as in a robe (Ps 104[103]:2), You are our maker who fashioned us from the earth (Gn 2:7), You are the creator of the world invisible.   The whole earth flies from Your presence (Rv 20:11).   How could we possibly have received Your lordship, Your royal majesty, as our guest?”

Then will the King of Kings say to them in reply:  “Inasmuch as you did this to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.   Inasmuch as you received, clothed, fed and gave a drink to those members of mine (1Cor 12:12) about whom I have just spoken to you, that is, to the poor, you did it to me.   So come, enter the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, enjoy forever the gifts of my heavenly Father and of the most holy and life-giving Spirit.”   What tongue can describe those blessings?   “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1Cor 2:9).lord when did we see you hundry - mon 1st week lent matthew 25 37 11 march 2019 no 2.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Bring us back to you.
We repeat our desire that God bring us home from our wandering.
We know that in the confusion that surrounds us and can fill us,
we need the gift of Wisdom.

It is fitting that our very first “lesson” in our faith,
is the last judgement scene that Jesus paints for us.
We will be judged on whether we:
fed the hungry
welcomed the stranger
clothed the naked
comforted the sick
visited the imprisoned.
It is powerful to re-learn this wisdom –
Jesus identifies with each of these “least” cared for.

Who might we feed, welcome, clothe, comfort or visit this week?
As my heart might “resist” this mission,
I might beg to be brought back, with all my heart.

Praise to Jesus, our Saviour, by his death He has opened for us the way of salvation.
Let us ask Him:
Lord, guide Your people to walk in Your ways.

God of mercy, You gave us new life through baptism,
– make us grow day by day in Your likeness.
May our generosity today bring joy to those in need,
– in helping them may we find You.
Help us to do what is good, right and true in Your sight,
– and to seek You always with undivided hearts.
Forgive our sins against the unity of Your family,
– make us one in heart and spirit.

Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
You call us back to You with all of our hearts.
I feel Your call for me deep in my heart
and I know You want me back
as much as I want to return.
Please, Lord,
give me the wisdom to know how to return.
Make my journey back to You this Lent
one of grace, forgiveness and gentle love.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.monday of the 1st week of lent 11 march 2019.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 March – “For I was hungry…”

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One Minute Reflection – 11 March – Monday of the First Week of Lent, Gospel: Matthew 25:31–46

“‘Come, O blessed of 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 drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’”... Matthew 25:34-36

REFLECTION – “Jesus will come at the end of time to judge all nations but He comes to us each day, in many ways and asks us to welcome Him.   May the Virgin Mary help us to encounter Him and receive Him in His Word and in the Eucharist and at the same time in brothers and sisters who suffer from hunger, disease, oppression, injustice.   May our hearts welcome Him in the present of our life, so that we may be welcomed by Him into the eternity of His Kingdom of light and peace.”…Pope Francis-Angelus, 26 November 2017Matthew 25 34-36 come o blessed of my father - he comes to us in many ways - pope francis 11 march 2019 1st mon of lent.jpg

PRAYER – Turn our hearts back to You, God our Saviour, form us by Your heavenly teaching.   Let Your Face shine in all we meet and our hearts and hands give to all.   May we truly grow and profit by our Lenten observance and become of the blessed, who will inherit the kingdom prepared for us.   Mary Virgin most pure and merciful, Mother pray for us.   We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin mother mary - pray for us - 25 june 2018.jpg