Category: The WORD

Posted in CATECHESIS, EASTER, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 12 May – Saturday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel John 16:23-28.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 May – Saturday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel John 16:23-28.

Saint John-Mary Vianney (1786-1859) Curé of Ars

“Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you” (Jn 16:23)

Children, your heart is small but prayer expands it and make is capable of loving God. Prayer is a foretaste of heaven, an outflow from paradise.  Never does it leave us without sweetness.   It is a honey that comes into the soul and sweetens everything.   All our troubles melt away before a well-made prayer like snow before the sun.   Prayer makes the time pass speedily and with such enjoyment that we don’t notice its length…

You can tell well enough who they are who lose themselves in prayer like a fish in water because they belong entirely to God.   There is no division in their hearts.   How I love generous souls like those!   Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Collette saw our Lord and talked to him as we talk to each other.   But as for us, how often do we come to church not knowing what we’ve come for and what we want to ask!   And yet, when we visit someone’s house we know perfectly well why we’re going there.   There are some people who appear to be saying to the good God:  “I’ve just come to say a word or two so that I can be done with you.”   How often I have thought that we would obtain everything we want if, when we come to worship our Lord, we were to ask him for it with a truly living faith and pure heart.john 16 23 - whatever you ask the father in my name - 12 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection 11 May – “Mary’s Month!” – Friday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Marian Reflection 11 May – “Mary’s Month!” – Friday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out.   And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was…Matthew 2:9

REFLECTION – “MARY:  WELCOMING THE MAGI: “‘Going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother.’   Our Lady is always near her Son.   The Magi are not received by a king on a high throne but by a child in the arms of His mother.   Let us ask the Mother of God, who is our mother, to prepare for us the way that leads to the fullness of love …. Her sweet heart knows the surest path for finding Christ.” …St Josemaria Escrivá (1902-1975) “The Epiphany of Our Lord,” Christ is Passing By, 38.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to a poor person to communicate
our Lady‘s concern for that person.going into the house they saw the child with Mary - st josemaria - 11 may 2018

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, Your plans are always the Truth.   So in Your wisdom, You gave us Mary as our Mother, to help us home to You.   Grant that by her prayers we finally arrive with You in Your eternal Kingdom.   Through Jesus our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.mary mothr of god - pray for us - 11 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 10 May “Mary’s Month” and Thursday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Marian Reflection – 10 May “Mary’s Month” and Thursday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

The parents of Jesus, took him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord…Luke 2:22the parents of Jesus took him up to Jersualem - luke 2 22 - 10 may 2018

REFLECTION – MARY:  PRESENTING JESUS IN THE TEMPLE: “She teaches us to have charity.   Remember the scene of the presentation of Jesus in the temple.   An old man, Simeon, said to Mary, ‘Behold: This child is destined to bring about the fall of many and the rise of many in Israel and to be a sign, which people will refuse to acknowledge, so that the thoughts of many hearts shall be made manifest. As for your own soul, it shall have a sword pierce it.’   So great is Mary’s love for all mankind that she, too, fulfilled Christ’s words:  ‘Greater love has no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.’ “… St Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) – “Mother of God and Our Mother,” Friends of God, 287.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A pilgrimage to one of her shrines, or at least such a pilgrimage in prayer.as for your own soul - st josemaria - 10 may 2018

PRAYER – Our Father, Your Son was ransomed with the offering of 2 turtledoves and Mary, in obedience and with immense love in heart was submissive and offered herself too, for all mankind.   Her sorrows were to come and she pondered them whilst she manifested her love and charity through her son.   Grant us we pray, through her intercession, that we may grow in charity and through the offering of our sorrows, for the sins of all the world.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.mary mother of god - pray for us - 10 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Marian Thought for the Day – 9 May “Mary’s Month!” – Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

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Marian Thought for the Day – 9 May “Mary’s Month!” – Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

Mary is the “Virgo Veneranda,”

The All-Worshipful Virgin
Blessed John Henry Newman Cong. Orat. (1801-1890)

WE use the word “Venerable” generally of what is old.   That is because only what is old has commonly those qualities which excite reverence or veneration.

It is a great history, a great character, a maturity of virtue, goodness, experience, that excite our reverence and these commonly, cannot belong to the young.

But this is not true when we are considering Saints.   A short life with them is a long one. Thus Holy Scripture says, “Venerable age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years but it is the understanding of a man that has gray hairs and a spotless life is old age.   The just man, if he be cut short by death, shall be at rest;  being made perfect in a short time, he fulfilled a long time.” [Wisdom v.]

Nay, there is a heathen writer, who knew nothing of Saints, who lays it down that even to children, to all children, a great reverence should be paid and that on the ground of their being as yet innocent.   And this is a feeling very widely felt and expressed in all countries;  so much so that the sight of those who have not sinned (that is, who are not yet old enough to have fallen into mortal sin) has, on the very score of that innocent, smiling youthfulness, often disturbed and turned the plunderer or the assassin in the midst of his guilty doings, filled him with a sudden fear and brought him, if not to repentance, at least to change of purpose.

And, to pass from the thought of the lowest to the Highest, what shall we say of the Eternal God (if we may safely speak of Him at all) but that He, because He is eternal, is ever young, without a beginning and therefore without change and, in the fullness and perfection of His incomprehensible attributes, now just what He was a million years ago?   He is truly called in Scripture the “Ancient of Days,” and is therefore infinitely venerable;   yet He needs not old age to make him venerable;  He has really nothing of those human attendants on venerableness which the sacred writers are obliged figuratively to ascribe to Him, in order to make us feel that profound abasement and reverential awe which we ought to entertain at the thought of Him.

And so of the great Mother of God, as far as a creature can be like the Creator;  her ineffable purity and utter freedom from any shadow of sin, her Immaculate Conception, her ever-virginity—these her prerogatives (in spite of her extreme youth at the time when Gabriel came to her) are such as to lead us to exclaim in the prophetic words of Scripture both with awe and with exultation, “Thou art the glory of Jerusalem and the joy of Israel;  thou art the honour of our people;  therefore hath the hand of the Lord strengthened thee and therefore art thou blessed forever.”

Mary, Virgo Veneranda, Pray for us!mary virgo veneranda - pray for us - 9 may 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 8 May – Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel: John 16:5–11

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Thought for the Day – 8 May – Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel: John 16:5–11

” 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’  6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts.  7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:  9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;  10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more;  11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (RSV-Catholic ed)

“It is better for you that I go”
St Bernard (1091-1153) Mellifluous Doctor
3rd sermon for Pentecost

The Holy Spirit overshadowed the Virgin Mary (Lk 1:35) and strengthened the apostles on the day of Pentecost.   In her case it was to soften the impact on her virginal body of the coming of the divinity and, in theirs, to “clothe them with power from on high” (Lk 24:49), that is with burning charity…   In their weakness how could they have fulfilled their mission of conquering death without that “love as strong as death” or not allowed the “gates of hell to prevail against them” without that “passion fierce as Sheol” ? (Mt 16:18; Sg 8:6).   However, when they saw such enthusiasm, some thought they were drunk (Acts 2:13).

They were indeed drunk but with new wine…, that which the “true Vine” poured down from the heights of heaven, that which “gladdens the human heart” (Jn 15:1; Ps 104[103]:15)…   This was a new wine for the dwellers on earth but it is found in abundance in heaven…, it runs in streams in the streets and squares of the holy city where it spreads gladness of heart…

And so in heaven, there was a special wine of which earth was ignorant.   Yet earth, too, had something of its own that was its glory – Christ’s flesh – and heaven thirsted for the presence of that flesh.   Could anyone stand in the way of so reliable and grace-filled an exchange, between heaven and earth, angels and apostles, as that by which earth possesses the Holy Spirit and heaven the flesh of Christ?…

“If I do not go away,” Jesus says, “the Advocate will not come to you.”   That is to say, if you do not allow what you love to leave you, you will not obtain what you desire.   “It is to your advantage that I go” and that I should carry you over from earth to heaven, from flesh to spirit, for the Father is spirit, the Son is spirit and the Holy Spirit is also spirit… And the Father “who is spirit seeks worshippers who will worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23-24).

Come O Holy Spirit, Come!come o holy spirit, come! - 8 may 2018.jpg

 

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, EASTER, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 8 May – “Mary’s Month!” – Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Marian Reflection – 8 May – “Mary’s Month!” – Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.   Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God…Luke 1:35and the angel said to her in reply - luke 1 35 - 8 may 2018

REFLECTION – MARY:  MOTHER OF CHRIST – “Jesus Christus, Deus homo:  Jesus Christ, God man.   This is one of the ‘mighty works of God,’ which we should reflect upon and thank Him for.   He has come to bring ‘peace on earth to men of good will,’ to all who want to unite their wills to the holy will of God – not just the rich, not just the poor but everyone, all the brethren.   We are all brothers in Jesus, children of God, brothers of Christ.   His mother is our mother .”…St Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) – “Christ Triumphs through Humility” – “Christ is Passing By – 13”
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Jesus Himself, when we receive Him in Holy Communion.mary mother of christ - st josemaria - 8 may 2018

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. Grant, we pray, that by intercession of the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may reach eternal life.   We make our prayer, through Christ, our Lord, in union with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.mary mother of christ - pray for us - 8 may 2018

 

 

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 7 May “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Sixth week of Eastertide

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Marian Reflection – 7 May “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Sixth week of Eastertide

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren...Luke 1:36luke 1 36 - and behold elizabeth your relative - 7 may 2018

REFLECTION – “MARY:  OUR MODEL IN ORDINARY LIFE – “We can’t forget that Mary spent nearly every day of her life just like millions of other women who look after their families, bring up their children and take care of their houses.   Mary sanctifies the ordinary, everyday things.what some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant, everyday work, looking after those closest to you, visits to friends and relatives.   What a blessed ordinariness, that can be so full of love of God.” …St Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975) – “To Jesus through Mary” – Christ is Passing By 144
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Affectionate details of service and attention to those closest to us.mary - our model inordinary life - st josemaria - 7 may 2018

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You inspired the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she was carrying Your Son, to visit her cousin, St Elizabeth.   Grant that, always docile to the voice of the Spirit, we may, together with our Lady, glorify Your name and serve our neighbour.   Mary, you who are kindness and mercy, help us to fulfil our duties with love and please pray for us.   We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in union with You, holy Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.holy mary mother of god - pray for us - 7 may 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 4 May – Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide: Today’s Gospel John 15:12-17

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 May – Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide: Today’s Gospel John 15:12-17

Speaking of:  LOVE

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you…

John 15:12this is my commandment - john 15 12

“What is the mark of love for your neighbour?
Not to seek what is for your own benefit
but what is for the benefit of the one loved,
both in body and in soul.”

St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Churchwhat is the mark of love for your neighbour - st basil the great - 4 may 2018 - speaking of love

“Love is watchful.
Sleeping, it does not slumber.
Wearied, it is not tired.
Pressed, it is not straitened.
Alarmed, it is not confused
but like a living flame,
a burning torch,
it forces its way upward
and passes unharmed
through every obstacle.”

love is watchful - st thomas a kempis - 6 april 2018

“Nothing is sweeter than love,
nothing stronger or higher or wider;
nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller
and nothing better in heaven or on earth,
for love is born of God
and cannot rest except in God,
Who is above all created things.”

Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) – Imitation of Christnothing is sweeter than love - thomas a kempis - 6 april 2018

“Love knows no limit
to its endurance,
no end to its trust,
no fading of its hope,
it can outlast anything.
Love still stands,
when all else has fallen.”

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)love knows no limits - blaise pascal - 6 april 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 4 May Mary’s Month! – Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Marian Reflection – 4 May Mary’s Month! – Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord…Luke 1:38luke 1 38 - mary said, behold i am the heandmaid of the lord - 4 may 2018

REFLECTION – “MARY ‘S FAMILY:  THE TRINITY ON EARTH   It is only natural that the Church rejoice as one contemplates the modest home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.   We read in the hymn from Matins on the feast of the Holy Family:  ‘It is pleasing to recall the humble house of Nazareth and its slender resources.   It is pleasing to tell again in song Jesus’ hidden life.
Jesus grows up in hidden seclusion, to be trained in Joseph’s unpretentious trade.   The loving mother sits beside her dear Son, the good wife by her husband, content if her loving attention can ease and comfort them in their weariness.’ “…St Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975) – “Marriage: a Christian Vocation,” Christ is Passing By, 22
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A loving review of her life with Jesus,
as we recite the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.the loving mother - st josemaria - 4 may 2018.jpg

PRAYER – Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.   Blessed are thy 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.holy mary mother of god pray for us sinners - 4 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 3 May – Mary’s Month! – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide and the Feast of Sts Philip and James Apostles and Martyrs

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One Minute Marian Reflection – 3 May – Mary’s Month! – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide and the Feast of Sts Philip and James Apostles and Martyrs

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High…And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.…Luke 1:30-32,35the holy spirit will come upon you - luke 1 32,35

REFLECTION – “MARY AND THE BLESSED TRINITY:  Through the Incarnation of our Lord in her immaculate womb, Mary, the Daughter of God the Father, is also the Spouse of God the Holy Spirit and the Mother of God the Son.”…Let us offer to our Mother today:
A “Hail Mary” each time the clock strikes another hour…St Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975) – “Mother of God and Our Mother,” Friends of God, 274.through the incarnation of our lord - st josemaria - 3 may 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, You bestowed the Holy Spirit on Your Apostles while they were at prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus.   Fill us too with the gift of Your grace in the Holy Spirit and grant that by Mary’s prayer, we may give You faithful service and spread abroad the glory of Your name by word and example.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Your divine Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.hail mary full of grace, pray for us - 3 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 2 May “Mary’s Month!” – Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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One Minute Marian Reflection – 2 May “Mary’s Month!” – Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”…Luke 1:29hail full of grace, the Lord is with you - luke 1 29

REFLECTION – “MARY:  THE MOST PERFECT CREATURE:  “She who is full of grace, the object of God’s pleasure, exalted above all the angels and the saints, lived an ordinary life.   Mary is as much a creature as we are, with a heart like ours, made for joy and mirth as well as suffering and tears.   Before Gab­riel communicates to her God’s plan, our Lady does not know that she has been chosen from all eternity to be the mother of the Messiah.   She sees herself as a lowly creature.  That is why she can acknowledge, with full humility, that ‘he who is mighty has done great things for her.”
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Many glances of affection and many words of love,
when we see her image or picture in our home, in the church, or anywhere.”…… St Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) – “Cause of our Joy” – Christ is Passing By 172mary is as much a creature - st josemaria - 2 may 2018

PRAYER – Let us praise God the Father, who chose Mary as the Mother of His Son and wanted all generations to hail her, O full of grace!   With all confidence we pray, may our Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin intercede for us today and every day of our lives.   We make our prayer through her son, our divine Saviour, Jesus Christ, in unity with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.holy mary mothr of god pray for us

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Marian Reflection – 1 May – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide, the Memorial of St Joseph the Worker and the 1st day of the Month of Mary

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One Minute Reflection – 1 May – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide, the Memorial of St Joseph the Worker and the 1st day of the Month of Mary

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary...Luke 1:26-27in the sixth month the angel Gabriel - luke 1 26-27 - 1 may 2018

REFLECTION – “MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD:  “When the Blessed Virgin said yes, freely, to the plans revealed to her by the Creator, the divine Word assumed a human nature — a rational soul and a body – which was formed in the most pure womb of Mary. The divine nature and the human were united in a single Person:  Jesus Christ, true God and, thenceforth, true man;  the only begotten and eternal son of the Father and from that mo­ment on, as man, the true son of Mary.   This is why our Lady is the mother of the Incarnate Word, of the second person of the Blessed Trinity, who has united our human nature to Himself for ever, without any confusion of the two natures.   The greatest praise we can give to the Blessed Virgin is to address her loudly and clearly by the name that expresses her very highest dignity: ‘Mother of God’.”
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Brief but frequent prayers of love, such as – “Mother of God, your petitions are most powerful.”… St Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) – “Mother of God and Our Mother,” – Friends of God 274when the blessed virgin said yes, freely, - st josemaria - 1 may 2018

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, Your ways are not our ways, teach us to willingly agree to them, for You know which way we should go.   Help us to say “yes” always to Your plan and to render ourselves as a sacrament of Your divine love to all we meet.   Fill us with the grace to be your tools to bring glory to Your kingdom.   Our Father, who art in heaven, may Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.   Mary Mother of God, pray for us!   Through our Our Lord Jesus Christ with You, in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.holy mary-mother of god - pray-for-us.- 1 may 2017 and 2018

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 30 April – Monday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (1786-1842) – known as “The Labourer of Divine Providence”.

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Thought for the Day – 30 April – Monday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (1786-1842) – known as “The Labourer of Divine Providence”

Speaking of: Trusting in God’s Providence

A letter from Mother Luisita OCDS

“For greater things you were born.

God will provide for all of our needs.   Let us trust that we will receive all from Him who loves us so much and is always watching over us!

As you try to see all things as coming from the hand of God, adore His designs.   I would like to see you have more trust in Divine Providence.   Otherwise, you will be suffering many disappointments and your projects will meet with failure.   Trust, my child, only in God.   Everything human is changeable and the one who is for you today will be against you tomorrow.   You see how good our God is!   We should have more confidence in Him every day and have recourse to prayer, not permitting anything to discourage us or make us sad.   He has given me so much confidence in His Divine Will that I leave everything in His hands and I am at peace.

My beloved child, let us praise God in everything because all that happens is for our own good.   Try to fulfil your duties the best you can and for God alone and always remain happy and serene in all the tribulations of life.   As for me, I have placed all in the hands of God and I have been successful.   We have to learn to detach ourselves a little, trust in God alone and do God’s holy will with joy.

How beautiful it is to be in the Hands of God, searching His Divine Gaze in readiness to do whatever He wishes.”

“Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have trust in God, trust also in me.”
John 14:1john 14 1 - do not let your hearts be troubled - 30 april 2018

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – – 30 April – Monday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (1786-1842) – known as “The Labourer of Divine Providence”.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 April – Monday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (1786-1842) – known as “The Labourer of Divine Providence”.

He who gives heed to the word will prosper and happy is he who trusts in the LORD...Proverbs 16:20

REFLECTION – “I am a good for nothing and I don’t even know what to make of myself. But Divine Providence certainly knows what it wants.   It is only up to me to support it. Let us go ahead in Domino“….St Joseph Benedict Cottolengoi am a good for nothing - st joseph benedict cottolengo - 30 april 2018

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart.   Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy.   We make our prayer, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.st joseph benedict cottolengo - pray for us no 2 - 30 april 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, MYSTICS, ON the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 29 April – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church

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Thought for the Day – 29 April – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church

Catherine of Siena is one of the most remarkable figures of the fourteenth century and had an influence far beyond her holiness of life.   She took part in the politics of both Church and State and was a beacon of light in a very difficult time.

The mystical experiences that were to last throughout her whole life and an intimacy with her Saviour that transformed her whole existence began when she was but six years old.   She grew up, known for cheerfulness and merriment, with no indication of the astonishing role she was to play in the work of the Church.

In 1364, she became a member of the Third Order of St Dominic and from this time her influence began to grow in Siena as she gathered around her a circle of followers.   She began dictating letters to this circle and to take part in public affairs.   (She had never learnt to write, which was not uncommon for women in that era).   In 1374, she began to interest herself in furthering a crusade against the Turks and in the return of the Pope from Avignon to Rome.   In 1376, she went to Avignon to urge Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome.   With her encouragement, he did but died shortly thereafter. In 1375, whilst on a trip to Pisa, she received the Stigmata.

Pope Gregory’s successor, Urban VI, so alienated the Cardinals who elected him, that they decided to elect another pope.   This was the beginning of the Great Western Schism in which two and later three, popes, divided the allegiance of Christendom.   Catherine was shattered by this division in the Church and went to Rome to work for the reunification of the Church.

Burdened with sorrow and offering herself for the unity of the Church, Catherine died in Rome on 29 April 1380.   She left a huge collection of letters as well as her chief work, The Dialogues.

By the sheer force of her personality, St Catherine converted thousands and the mere sight of her would convert hardened sinners.   We may not have her personality but we can reach into the lives of others and influence them for good.   We cannot have warmth ourselves, without giving it to others.    “Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’...Luke 24:32

St Catherine of Siena, Pray for us!st catherine of siena pray for us - 29 april 2018

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The WORD

Sunday Reflection -– 29 April – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide: Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15:1-8.

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Sunday Reflection -– 29 April – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide:  Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15:1-8.john 15 5 - 29 april 2018

“Without Me you can do nothing”  John 15:5

“In Christ it hath well pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell.” (Col 1:19)   He is gifted with those supernatural powers that accompany the hypostatic union, since the Holy Spirit dwells in Him with a fullness of grace than which no greater can be imagined. To Him has been given “power over all flesh”; (Jn 17:2)… . From Him streams into the body of the Church all the light with which those who believe are divinely illumined, and all the grace by which they are made holy as He is holy…

It is He who imparts the light of faith to believers;  it is He who enriches pastors and teachers and above all His Vicar on earth with the supernatural gifts of knowledge, understanding and wisdom, so that they may loyally preserve the treasury of faith, defend it vigorously and explain it and confirm it with reverence and devotion.   Finally, it is He who, though unseen, presides at the Councils of the Church and guides them…

Holiness begins from Christ and Christ is its cause.   For no act conducive to salvation can be performed unless it proceeds from Him as from its supernatural source.   “Without me,” He says, “you can do nothing.”(Jn 15:5)   If we grieve and do penance for our sins if, with filial fear and hope, we turn again to God, it is because He is leading us.   Grace and glory flow from His inexhaustible fullness…

When the Sacraments of the Church are administered by external rite, it is He who produces their effect in souls.   He nourishes the redeemed with His own flesh and blood and thus calms the turbulent passions of the soul;  He gives increase of grace and prepares future glory for souls and bodies.

Christ our Lord wills the Church to live His own supernatural life and by His divine power permeates His whole Body and nourishes and sustains each of the members according to the place which they occupy in the body, in the same way as the vine nourishes and makes fruitful the branches which are joined to it. (cf. Jn 15:4-6).

Venerable Pius XII (1976-1958)  Pope from 1939 to 1958
Encyclical “Mystici Corporis”holiness begins from christ - pope pius XII - 29 april 2018 - 5th sun of easter

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 April – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church

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One Minute Reflection – 29 April – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’….Matthew 25:40

REFLECTION – “Charity is the sweet and holy bond which links the soul with its Creator: it binds God with man and man with God.”…. St Catherine of Sienacharity is the sweet and holy bond - st catherine siena - 29 april 2018

PRAYER – Almighty God, You made St Catherine of Siena, a contemplative lover of the Lord’s sufferings and an ardent servant of her neighbour and the Church. Grant that through her prayer, Your people may be united to Christ in His Mystery and true lovers of His sheep. May we live the commands He gave us and see His face in our neighbour. Through Jesus, our Lord, one God with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, amen.st catherine of siena - pray for us - 29 april 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, EASTER, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 April – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962)

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One Minute Reflection – 28 April – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962) Today’s Gospel: John 14:7–14

Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it...John 14:13-14

REFLECTION – “The stillness of prayer is the most essential condition for fruitful action. Before all else, the disciple kneels down.”…St Gianna Beretta Mollathe stillness of prayer - st gianna molla - 28 april 2018

PRAYER – Since it is from You God, our Father, that redemption comes to us, Your adopted children, look with favour on the family You love, give us true freedom and to all who believe in Christ and bring us all alike to our eternal heritage.   Grant we pray, that by the prayers of Your holy one, St Gianna, we may run this race always in prayer, trusting in Your divine Son’s intercession, to attain the Glory of Your Kingdom and the Light of Your Face.   Through Jesus Christ, in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.st gianna molla - pray for us us - 28 april 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 April – Friday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide and the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat

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One Minute Reflection – 27 April – Friday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide and the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat – Gospel today John 14:1-6

“Let not your hearts be troubled;  believe in God, believe also in me.“…John 14:1john 14 1

REFLECTION – “I will not mistrust Him, Meg, although I shall feel myself weakening and on the verge of being overcome with fear.   I shall remember how St Peter at a blast of wind, began to sink, because of his lack of faith and I shall do as he did:  call upon Christ and pray to Him for help.   And then I trust He shall place His holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.”…St Thomas More (1478-1535)i will not distrust him Meg - st thomas more - 11 jan 2018

PRAYER – “[Lord God] I believe in You, increase my faith.   All my hopes are in You, secure my trust.   I love You, teach me to love You more each day… I adore You as my first beginning, I long for You as my final end.   I praise You as my constant helper and call on You as my loving protector.   Guide me by Your Wisdom, correct me with Your Justice, comfort me with Your Mercy, protect me by Your Power… Lord, enlighten my understanding, enflame my will, purify my heart, sanctify my soul.   Help me to repent of my past sins and to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian…”(from the Universal Prayer by Pope Clement XI (1649-1721))

lord god I believe - from the universal prayer - pope clement XI - 27 april 2018

Posted in CATECHESIS, EASTER, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, PAPAL MESSAGES, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 25 April – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter and the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist

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Thought for the Day – 25 April – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter and the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist

Today we celebrate St Mark, the Evangelist, the first Gospel writer and the friend of Sts Peter and Paul, the cousin of St Barnabas and our Father in faith – our friend too, a chosen member of the Catholic Church who has gone before to show us the way.   Mark knew there would be difficulties for believers in every age, for the persecution of the early Church was the beginning “of the labour pains” (13:8), since “the Gospel must first be preached to all nations” (13:10).   He has given us a moving story of how God works in mysterious ways and shown us in the actions of Jesus how to be patient in our faith even in the most troubling circumstances, for “he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him as he told you” (16:7).   This narrative could only have been created by someone who himself knew suffering, the pain of unfulfilled hopes and the sorrow of untimely death.   His faith made him write about it.   His hope makes it so convincing!   Let us listen to Pope Benedict on being a Catholic today, now, in the world we live in!

Chosen:   I think it is worth reflecting on this word.   We are chosen.   God has always known us, even before our birth, before our conception, God wanted me as a Christian, as a Catholic, He wanted me as a priest.   God thought of me, He sought me among millions, among a great many, He saw me and He chose me.   It was not for my merits, which were non-existent but out of His goodness;  He wanted me to be a messenger of His choice, which is also always a mission, above all a mission and a responsibility for others.   Chosen: we must be grateful and joyful for this event.   God thought of me, he chose me as a Catholic, me, as a messenger of His Gospel, as a priest.   In my opinion it is worth reflecting several times on this and coming back to this fact of His choice;  He chose me, He wanted me, now I am responding.

Perhaps today we are tempted to say:  we do not want to rejoice at having been chosen, for this would be triumphalism.   It would be triumphalism to think that God had chosen me because I was so important.   This would really be erroneous triumphalism. However, being glad because God wanted me is not triumphalism.   Rather, it is gratitude and I think we should relearn this joy:  God wanted me to be born in this way, into a Catholic family, he wanted me to know Jesus from the first.   What a gift to be wanted by God so that I could know His face, so that I could know Jesus Christ, the human face of God, the human history of God in this world!   Being joyful because He has chosen me to be a Catholic, to be in this Church of His, where subsistit Ecclesia unica;  we should rejoice because God has given me this grace, this beauty of knowing the fullness of God’s truth, the joy of his love.

Chosen:  a word of privilege and at the same time of humility.   However “chosen” — as I said — is accompanied by the word “parepidemois”, exiles, foreigners.   As Christians we are dispersed and we are foreigners:  we see that Christians are the most persecuted group in the world today, because it does not conform, because it is a stimulus, because it opposes the tendencies to selfishness, to materialism and to all these things.

Christians are certainly not only foreigners; we are also Christian nations, we are proud of having contributed to the formation of culture, there is a healthy patriotism, a healthy joy of belonging to a nation that has a great history of culture and of faith.   Yet, as Christians, we are always also foreigners — the destiny of Abraham, described in the Letter to the Hebrews.   As Christians we are, even today, also always foreigners. In the work place Christians are a minority, they find themselves in an extraneous situation;  it is surprising that a person today can still believe and live like this.   This is also part of our life:  it is a form of being with the Crucified Christ, this being foreigners, not living in the way that everyone else lives, but living — or at least seeking to live — in accordance with His Word, very differently from what everyone says.   And it is precisely this that is characteristic of Christians.   They all say:  “But everyone does this, why don’t I?”   No, I don’t, because I want to live in accordance with God.   St Augustine once said:  “Christians are those who do not have their roots below, like tree, but have their roots above and they do not live this gravity in the natural downwards gravitation”.   Let us pray the Lord that he help us to accept this mission of living as exiles, as a minority, in a certain sense, of living as foreigners and yet being responsible for others and, in this way, reinforcing the goodness in our world.

This is faith:  touching Christ with the hand of faith, with our heart and thus entering into the power of His life, into the healing power of the Lord.   And let us pray the Lord, that we may touch Him more and more, so as to be healed.   Let us pray that He will not let us fall, that He too may take us by the hand and thus preserve us for true life….

LECTIO DIVINA” OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI

Chapel of the Seminary
Friday, 8 February 2013

St Mark, Pray for us!st-mark-pray-for-us-25 april 2017

 

Posted in EASTER, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 April – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter and the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist

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One Minute Reflection – 25 April – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter and the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist

Jesus said to the Eleven, “go out to the whole world and the proclaim the gospel to all creation.”…Mark 16:15

REFLECTION – So that this call should resound throughout the world, Christ sent forth the apostles he had chosen, commissioning them to proclaim the gospel:  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”    Strengthened by this mission, the apostles “went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.”
Those, who with God’s help, have welcomed Christ’s call and freely responded to it, are urged on, by love of Christ, to proclaim the Good News, everywhere in the world.   This treasure, received from the apostles, has been faithfully guarded by their successors.   All Christ’s faithful are called to hand it on, from generation to generation, by professing the faith, by living it in fraternal sharing and by celebrating it, in liturgy and prayer…CCC 2-3those who with god's help...ccc 2-3 - 25 april 2018

PRAYER – Almighty God, You chose the Evangelist St Mark and ennobled him with grace, to preach the Gospel.   Let his teaching so improve our lives and his prayers so support us, that we may walk faithfully in his footsteps, which are the footsteps of Christ our Lord.   Through Jesus Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st mark - pray for us - 25 april 2018

Posted in EASTER, MORNING Prayers, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

Thought for the Day – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Year B – “Good Shepherd/Vocations Sunday

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Thought for the Day – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Year B – “Good Shepherd/Vocations Sunday” – Todays Readings: Acts 4:8-12, Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18

“The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep”

Despite Jesus’ realistic word-picture, the parable of the Good Shepherd only fully comes alive in Jesus Himself, God’s appointed “Shepherd” of men.   He names two characteristics of such a shepherd:  first the shepherd’s commitment to the flock even to the point of death;  and second, the reciprocal recognition between sheep and shepherd, which is anchored in the innermost mystery of God.

The theme of self-giving to the point of death, is found at both the beginning and the end of the Gospel.   This devotion, contrasts sharply with the flight of the “hired hand”, who, when facing danger, has the excuse that the life of a man is more valuable than the life of a dumb animal.   This argument loses its force, however, when the shepherd cares so much for his sheep, that he prefers them to his own life.   That is scarcely conceivable in purely natural terms but it becomes a central truth in the realm of grace.   It only makes sense with the aid of the second theme of the parable – the shepherd knows his sheep and the animals likewise instinctively recognise him.   For Jesus, this is merely the point of comparison for a completely different recognition:  “as the Father knows me and I know the Father.”   This has nothing to do with instinct but with the most profound mutual recognition, as it is found in absolute trinitarian love.   When Jesus applies this utterly sublime trinitarian love recognition to the inward mutuality between Himself and His own, He elevates this knowledge far above that which is hinted at by the parable.

And thus, it becomes clear, that the first motif of the parable (giving one’s life for the sheep) and the second motif (mutual recognition) coincide rather than merely parallel each other.   The Father’s and the Son’s knowledge of each other is identical with their mutual and perfect selfgiving and therefore, the knowledge exchanged between Jesus and His own, is one with the perfect selfgiving of Jesus for and to His own and it implicitly includes the unity of the Christian’s knowledge and loving dedication to his Lord.

At the end, both themes are expressly joined together:  the Father (also) loves the Son for His perfect selfgiving for the sake of men, a selfgiving which is both freely chosen by the Son and commissioned by the Father.   This unmitigated surrender to mankind because it is Divine Love, is at the same time the power that achieves victory over death (“the power to take up life again”).

“No other name under heaven”  in the First Reading, Peter gives the Lord all glory for the miracle he has effected.   The point is not that, Jesus excepted, all who care for sheep are “hired hands” for the Lord Himself installed Peter to pasture His flock – precisely Jesus’ Flock, not Peter’s.   Thus everything effective and appropriate ultimately is accomplished by the “chief Shepherd alone” (1 Pet 5:4), even if through the activity of His assistants.

Hans Urs von Balthasar “Light of the Word”

john 10 11 - good shepherd no 2

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Year B – “Good Shepherd/Vocations Sunday”

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One Minute Reflection – 22 April – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Year B – “Good Shepherd/Vocations Sunday” and the Memorial of St Pope Soter (died C 174)

I am the good shepherd.   The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...John 10:11john 10 11 - the good shepherd

REFLECTION – “What a blessing it is to know Christ, the Good Shepherd, to know Him as the Redeemer who laid down His life for the sheep, to know Him as the Risen Lord, the source of everlasting joy and life.   What a blessing it is to know the Good Shepherd and to believe in Him.   This gift of faith is the greatest blessing we could ever receive in life.”…St Pope John Paul (1920-2005)

what a blessing it is to know christ - good shepherd sunday - st pope john paul - 22 april 2018

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, bring us to the joy of Your heavenly city, so that we, Your little flock, may follow where Christ, our Good Shepherd, has gone before us, by the power of His Resurrection.   St Pope Soter, please pray for us that we may always follow our Shepherd, as you did and thus reach our heavenly home, to praise Him with you, forever.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord, amen.st pope soter - pray for us - 22 april 2018

Posted in franciscan OFM, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – – 21 April – Saturday of the Third Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Conrad of Parzham (1818-1894)

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One Minute Reflection – 21 April – Saturday of the Third Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Conrad of Parzham (1818-1894)   Today’s Readings: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69

What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?…Psalm 116:12

REFLECTION – “It was God’s will that I should leave everything that was near and dear to me.   I thank Him for having called me to religious life where I have found such peace and joy as I could never have found in the world.   My plan of life is chiefly this: to love and suffer, always meditating upon, adoring and admiring God’s unspeakable love for His lowliest creatures.” – St Conrad of Parzham (1818-1894) (from a letter of Saint Conrad)my plan of life is chiefly this - st conrad of parzham - 21 april 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, our Father, in You is our hope and our life.   You have made us and be belong to You.   Give us Your grace and Your help to constantly render to You, our love and gratitude and to suffer for that great love, by which You sent your only Son to save us.   St Conrad, pray for us that we may grow in holiness and soon meet you in heaven, amen.

st conrad of parzham - pray for us - 21 april 2018

Posted in EASTER, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 April – Friday of the Third Week of Eastertide

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One Minute Reflection – 20 April – Friday of the Third Week of Eastertide

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;  he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.   For my flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed.”...John 6:53-55

REFLECTION – “About these words I observe, first, that they evidently declare on the face of them some very great mystery.   How can they be otherwise taken?   If they do not, they must be a figurative way of declaring something which is not mysterious but plain and intelligible.   But is it conceivable, that He who is the Truth and Love itself, should have used difficult words, when plain words would do?   Why should He have used words, the sole effect of which, in that case, would be to perplex, to startle us needlessly?   Does His mercy delight in creating difficulties?   Does He put stumbling-blocks in our way without cause?   Does He excite hopes and then disappoint them?   It is possible;  He may have some deep purpose in so doing but which is more likely, that His meaning is beyond us, or His words beyond His meaning?
All who read such awful words as those in question will be led by the first impression of them, either with the disciples to go back, as at a hard saying, or with St Peter to welcome what is promised:  they will be excited in one way or the other, with incredulous surprise or with believing hope?   And are the feelings of these opposite witnesses, discordant indeed, yet all of them deep, after all unfounded?   Are they to go for nothing?   Are they no token of our Saviour’s real meaning?   This desire and again this aversion, so naturally raised, are they without a real object and the mere consequence of a general mistake on all hands, of what Christ meant as imagery, for literal truth?   Surely this is very improbable!”…Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)but is it conceivable that he, who is the truth and love itself - bl john henry newman - 20 april 2018 - john chapter 6

PRAYER – Lord God, source of our freedom and our salvation, listen to our humble prayer.   We stand with St Peter and welcome what our divine Saviour, Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ has promised.   Help us to grow in love and faith at each Holy Sacrifice we attend.   Help us to accept with total commitment this great Mystery and as He gives Himself to and for us, help us to give ourselves to and for the glory of Your Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.  Peter, the spokesman for the apostles, proclaims, “Lord, to whom shall we go?   You have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:67-69).john 6 67-69

Posted in EASTER, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 April – Thursday of the Third Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel John 6:44–51

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One Minute Reflection – 19 April – Thursday of the Third Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel John 6:44–51

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.   It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’   Every one who has heard and learnt from the Father comes to me.”….John 6:44-45

REFLECTION – “What delights we will find in forgetting self and seeking God!   The Saints renounced themselves in order to seek God and to look for Him alone.   It is in this that we attain heaven.”…St John Vianneywhat delights we will find in forgetting self - st john vianney - 19 april 2018

PRAYER – Infinite Lord, You are greater than anything we can imagine.   Help us to forget self and seek only You in Your divine Son, who You sent to teach us and save us.   May we follow Your Son and live in You in all our thoughts, words and actions.   St Pope Leo IX, you sought by your life to follow the Lord, please pray for us.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever amen.st pope leo IX - pray for us - 19 april 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 18 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – Acts 8:1-8, Psalm 66:1-7, John 6:35-40

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Thought for the Day – 18 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – Acts 8:1-8, Psalm 66:1-7, John 6:35-40

St John Chrysostom (347-407) – Sermon 45 on the Gospel of John – John 6:40

And I will raise him up at the last day.   Why does He continually dwell upon the Resurrection?   Is it that men may not judge of God’s providence by present things alone; that if they enjoy not results here, they become not on that account desponding but wait for the things that are to come and that they may not, because their sins are not punished for the present, despise Him, but look for another life.

Now those men gained nothing but let us take pains to gain by having the Resurrection continually sounded in our ears;  and if we desire to be grasping, or to steal, or to do any wrong thing, let us straightway take into our thoughts that Day, let us picture to ourselves the Judgment-seat, for such reflections will check the evil impulse more strongly than any bit.   Let us continually say to others and to ourselves, There is a resurrection, and a fearful tribunal awaits us.

If we see any man insolent and puffed up with the good things of his world, let us make the same remark to him and show him that all those things abide here:  and if we observe another grieving and impatient, let us say the same to him and point out to him that his sorrows shall have an end;  if we see one careless and dissipated, let us say the same charm over him and show that for his carelessness he must render account.

This saying is able more than any other remedy to heal our souls.   For there is a Resurrection and that Resurrection is at our doors, not afar off, nor at a distance.  For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37   And again, We must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:10;   that is, both bad and good, the one to be shamed in sight of all, the other in sight of all to be made more glorious.   For as they who judge here, punish the wicked and honour the good publicly, so too will it be there, that the one sort may have the greater shame and the other more conspicuous glory.

Let us picture these things to ourselves every day.  If we are ever revolving them, no care for present things will be able to sting us.   For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18   Continually let us say to ourselves and to others, There is a Resurrection, and a Judgement and a scrutiny of our actions;  and let as many as deem that there is such a thing as fate repeat this and they shall straightway be delivered from the rottenness of their malady;  for if there is a Resurrection, and a Judgement, there is no fate, though they bring ten thousand arguments and choke themselves to prove it.

But I am ashamed to be teaching Christians concerning the Resurrection:  for he that needs to learn that there is a Resurrection and who has not firmly persuaded himself that the affairs of this world go not on by fate and without design and as chance will have them, can be no Christian.

Wherefore, I exhort and beseech you, that we cleanse ourselves from all wickedness and do all in our power to obtain pardon and excuse in that Day….For a man cannot possibly live a pure life without believing in the Resurrection!for a man cannot - st john chrysostom - 18 april 2018

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel: John 6:30–35 & the memorial of Bl Andrés Hibernón Real O.F.M. (1534-1602)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – Today’s Gospel: John 6:30–35 & the memorial of Bl Andrés Hibernón Real O.F.M. (1534-1602)

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;  he who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst…John 6:35i am the bread of life - john 6 35. - 17 april 2018

REFLECTION – “When I stand up to talk, people listen to me;  they will follow what I have to say.   Is it any power of mine?   Of course not.   St Paul says, ‘What have you that you have not received and you who have received, why do you glory as if you had not?’  But the secret of my power is that I have never, in fifty-five years, missed spending an hour in the presence of our Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament.   That’s where the power comes from.  That’s where sermons are born.  That’s where every good thought is conceived.” …Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen (1895-1979)the secret of my power - ven fulton j sheen - 17 april 2018

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, present for me in the Holy Eucharist, everyday, everywhere. Lord Jesus, the life of my soul, the food of my life, the quenching of my thirst.   Let me love You in the Holy Eucharist.   May Your Sacred Heart become my heart.   Blessed Andrés Hibernón Real, you who loved to spend time with the Lord, who never missed a day being with Him, please pray for us, amen.bl andres hibernon real - pray for us - 17 april 2018

Posted in EASTER, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 April – Monday of the Third Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 April – Monday of the Third Week of Eastertide and the Memorial of St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him...Philippians 1:29for to you has been granted - philippians 1 29

REFLECTION – “The more I am crucified, the more I rejoice.”…St Bernadette Soubirous

the more i am crucified - st bernadette - 16 april 2018

PRAYER – Let the crucifix be not only in my eyes and on my breast but in my heart.   O Jesus!   Release all my affections and draw them upwards.   Let my crucified heart sink forever into Thine and bury itself in the mysterious wound made by the entry of the lance…By St Bernadette Soubirous, of whom we request, your prayers!st bernadette - pray for us - 16 april 2018

Posted in EASTER, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 April – The Third Sunday of Easter Year B

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 April – The Third Sunday of Easter Year B

Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”... Luke 24:45-48o lord let the light of your countenance shine upon us - pope benedict - third sun easter B - 15 april 2018

REFLECTION – “This very experience of repentance and forgiveness is relived in every community in the Eucharistic celebration, especially on Sundays.   The Eucharist, the privileged place in which the Church recognises “the Author of life” (Acts 3: 15) is “the breaking of the bread”, as it is called in the Acts of the Apostles.   In it, through faith, we enter into communion with Christ, who is “the priest, the altar and the lamb of sacrifice” (see Preface for Easter, 5) and is among us.   Let us gather round Him to cherish the memory of His words and of the events contained in Scripture;  let us relive His Passion, death and Resurrection.   In celebrating the Eucharist, we communicate with Christ, the victim of expiation and from Him we draw forgiveness and life.   What would our lives as Christians be without the Eucharist?   The Eucharist is the perpetual, living inheritance which the Lord has bequeathed to us in the Sacrament of His Body and His Blood and which we must constantly rethink and deepen so that, as venerable Pope Paul VI said, it may “impress its inexhaustible effectiveness on all the days of our earthly life” (Insegnamenti, V [1967], p. 779).”…Pope Benedict XVIin it, through faith, - pope benedict - 15 april 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, grant Your people constant joy in the renewed vigour of their souls. Grant them sorrow for their sins and gratitude for the suffering of Your Son.   Grant them forgiveness and life in the Holy Eucharist, through which we meet Him, who saved us. Grant, we pray, that we may grow in our love for the saving banquet to which we are called so that we may one day rejoice eternally, with You, in union with our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever amen.   “O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us”!