Category: The WORD

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 February –’ … The Voice through which the dead shall live.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 February – Tuesday of the First Week in Lent – Isaias 55:6-11, Matthew 21:10-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For just as from the heavens, the rain and snow come down and do not return there, until they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats.” – Isaias 55:11

REFLECTION – “For the rain and the snow do not return to heaven but accomplish in the earth the will of him that sends them. So the Word that He shall send through His Christ, Who is Himself, the Word and the Message, shall return to Him with great power. For when He shall come and bring it, He shall come down like rain and snow and through Him all that is sown shall spring up and bear righteous fruit and the Word shall return to His Sender but not in vain shall His going have been but thus shall He say, in the presence of His Sender, “Behold, I and the children that the Lord has given me.” And this is the Voice through which the dead shall live. And this is the Voice of God that shall sound from on high and raise up all the dead.” – St Aphraates “the Sage” (Died c 345) (Feast Day – 29 January) Abbot, Father of the Church [see note below] (Demonstrations 8).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body, defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

St Aphraates was a Syriac Christian author of the third century from the Persian Empire who composed a series of twenty-three sermons on points of Christian doctrine and practice. He was an Ascetic and Celibate. He may have been a Bishop and later Syriac tradition places him at the head of Mar Mattai Monastery near Mosul, therefore, he was certainly an Abbot.

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on the POOR, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 February – ‘One thing is lacking to thee … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 February – Monday of the First Week in Lent – 1 John 2:14-17, Mark 10:13-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“One thing is lacking to thee; go, sell whatever thou has and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven and come, follow Me.” – Mark 10:21

REFLECTION – “Blessed is the poor man who cried and whom the Lord heard. Blessed is the man poor in offence. Blessed is the man poor in vices. Blessed is the poor man, in whom the prince of this world finds nothing. Blessed is the poor man who, is like that Poor Man Who, although He was rich, became poor for our sake. Matthew fully revealed this when he said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” One poor in spirit is not puffed up, is not exalted in the mind of his own flesh. This Beatitude is first, when I have laid aside every sin and I have taken off all malice and I am content with simplicity, destitute of evils. All that remains is that I regulate my conduct. For what good does it do me to lack worldly goods, unless I am meek and gentle?

Although there are many charms of delights in riches, yet there are more incentives to practice virtues. Although virtue does not require assistance and the contribution of the poor person, is more commended, than the generosity of the rich, yet with the authority of the heavenly saying, He condemns, not those who have riches but those who do not know how to use them. The pauper is more praiseworthy who gives with eager compassion and is not restrained, by the bolts of looming scarcity. He thinks that he who has enough for nature, does not lack. So the rich person is the more guilty, who does not give thanks to God, for what he has received but vainly hides wealth given for the common use and conceals it, in buried treasures. Then the offence consists, not in the wealth but in the attitude.

Purify yourself with your tears. Wash yourselves with mourning. If you weep for yourself, another will not weep for you…. One who is a sinner weeps for himself and rebukes himself, that he may become righteous, for just people accuse themselves of sin. Let us pursue order because, it is written, “Set in order love in me.” I have laid down sin. I have tempered my conduct. I have wept for my transgressions. I begin to hunger. I hunger for righteousness. The sick, when he is seriously ill, does not hunger, because the pain of the illness excludes hunger. What is the hunger for righteousness? What is the bread of which it is said, “I have been young and am old and I have not seen the righteous man forsaken, nor his seed begging bread?” Surely, one who is hungry, seeks increase of strength. What greater increase of virtue is there, than the rule of righteousness?” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church( Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 5).

PRAYER – O God, Who taught blessed Gabriel to meditate continually on the sorrows of Thy most sweet Mother and Who, through her, exalted him by the glory of a holy life and miracles; grant us, we beseech Thee, through his intercession and example so to share in the sorrows of Thy Mother that her motherly protection may save us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St PAUL!, The HEART, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 February – Begone, Satan!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11

“Begone, Satan!
for it is written:
The Lord thy God shalt thou adore
and Him only shalt thou serve.”

Matthew 4:10

“Do not, therefore, lose your confidence,
which has a great reward.
For you have need of patience that,
doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a very little while
and He Who is to come,
will come
and will not delay.”

Hebrews 10:35-37

“Expect temptation to your last breath.”

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

“The demons that wage war on us,
through our shortcomings in virtue,
are those which teach —
impurity, drunkenness, avarice and envy.
Those that wage war on us,
through our excessive zeal for virtue,
teach — conceit, self-esteem and pride.
They [the demons] secretly pervert,
what is commendable,
into what is reprehensible!”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Father of the Church

“It might even be said that we are fortunate
to have temptations, for these are the times
of spiritual harvest when we gather up for Heaven. …
If we were thoroughly saturated
with God’s Holy Presence,
it would be easy for us to resist the enemy.
With the thought ‘God sees you!’ we would never sin!

There was a saint who complained to our Lord
after being tempted and said to Him:
“Where were Thou, my most loveable Jesus,
during that awful storm?”
Our Lord answered:
“I was in the centre of thou heart…”

St John-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)
The Curé of Ars

“When tempted,
turn immediately to your
Guardian Angel and ask him,
with all your heart,
“My Guardian Angel help me now.
Do not let me offend my God!”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

“Why, we may ask,
does God permit us to be tempted?
He wishes us to realise, that only with His help,
can we aspire to the supernatural life
and triumph over our enemies.
Apart from Him, we shall be lost
but close to Him, we shall be invincible!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2023, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 26 February – TEMPTATION

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My son, when you come to serve God,
prepare your soul for temptation.”
Ecclus. Sirach 2:1

“At that time Jesus
was led by the Spirit
into the desert,
to be tempted by the devil.”
Matthew 4:1

TEMPTATION
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“IN THE FIRST PLACE, I note that although no-one can be exempt from temptation, still no-one should seek it or go of his own accord, to the place where it may be found, for undoubtedly, he who loves it will perish in it (Ecclus (Sirach 3:27).
That is why the Evangelist says that Our Lord was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted – it was not then by His choice (I am speaking with regard to His human nature) that He went to the place of temptation but, He was led by the obedience He owed to His heavenly Father. …

If we are led by the Spirit of God to the place of temptation, we should not fear but should be assured that He will render us victorious! (1 Cor 10:13).
But, we must not seek temptation, nor go out to allure it, however holy and generous we may think ourselves to be, for we are not more valiant than David, nor than our Divine Master Himself, Who did not choose to seek it.
Our enemy is like a chained dog – if we do not approach, it will do us no harm, even though it tries to frighten us by barking at us. …

… No-one who comes to serve God can avoid temptations.
… The great Apostle, St Paul, as soon as he had given himself to the Divine service and ranged himself on the side of Christianity, was immediately tempted for the rest of his life. (2 Cor 12:7). While he was an enemy of God and persecuted the Christians, he did not feel the attack of any temptation, or at least he has given us no testimony of it in his writings. But he did when he was converted by Our Lord.

Thus, it is a very necessary practice, to prepare our soul for temptation. That is, wherever we may be and however perfect we may be, we must rest assured that temptation will attack us.
Hence, we ought to be so disposed and to provide ourselves with the weapons necessary to fight valiantly in order to carry off the victory – since the crown is only for the combatants and conquerors! (2 Tim 2:5; Jas 1:12).
We ought never to trust in our own strength or in our courage and go out to seek temptation, thinking to confound it but, … if we encounter it, we must remain firm in the confidence which we ought to have that He will strengthen us against the attacks of our enemy, however furious they may be!.” (Extract-Sermon 1st Sunday of Lent – 13 February 1622).

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 February – The temptation of the Lord

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1

REFLECTION – “If we look at the progress of our Lord’s temptation, we see how great the struggle was that set us free. from temptation. Our ancient enemy rose up against the first human being, our ancestor, in three temptations. He tempted him by gluttony, by vainglory and by avarice… He tempted him by gluttony when he showed him the forbidden food of the tree and told him: “Taste it.” He tempted him by vainglory when he said, “You will be like gods” (Gn 3:5). He tempted him by adding avarice when he said: “knowing good and evil.” Avarice is concerned not only with money but also with high position…

But the means by which the devil overcame the first Adam (1 Cor 15:47) were the same ones which caused him to yield, when he tempted the Second. He tempted Him by gluttony when he said, “Tell these stones to become bread.” He tempted Him by vainglory when he said, “If Thou are the Son of God, cast Thyself down.” He tempted him by an avaricious desire for high position when he showed him all the kingdoms of the world, saying: “I will give Thee all these, if Thou will fall down and worship me”… As a captive, the devil would depart from our hearts by the same avenue which had given him entrance, when he possessed us.

But there is something else we have to consider too in this temptation of the Lord’s… He could have plunged His tempter into the depths. He did not reveal the power of His might but He only brought forth the precepts of Scripture. This was to give us an example of His patience, so that as often as we suffer something from vicious persons, we should be aroused to teach, rather than to exact revenge. Consider how great God’s patience is, how great our impatience! If we are provoked by injuries, or by some attack, we are influenced by rage… the Lord endured the devil’s opposition and He answered him with nothing except words of meekness!” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on the Gospel no 14).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who purify Thy Church by the annual Lenten observance, grant to Thy household that what they strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, they may achieve by good works. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – ‘ … Then the Lord will guide you always …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – The First Saturday of Lent – Isaias 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56

“Thus says the Lord God:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation
and malicious speech.
if you bestow your bread
on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise
for you in the darkness
and the gloom
shall become for you,like midday;
then the Lord will guide you always
and give you plenty,
even on the parched land.
He will renew your strength
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring whose water never fails.”

Isaiah 58:9-11

“… If you hold back your foot
on the Sabbath from following
your own pursuits on My holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s Holy Day honourable;
if you honour it,
by not following your ways,
seeking your own interests,
or speaking with malice –
then you shall delight in the Lord …”

Isaiah 58:13-14

“Take courage; it is I,
do not be afraid.
And He got into the boat with them
and the wind fell.”

Mark 6:50-51

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2023, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HEART, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 25 February – OUR COMPASS

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 25 February – Saturday after Ash Wednesday – Isaias 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this will I seek after
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord,
all the days of my life.
That I may see the delight of the Lord
and may visit His temple.”
Psalm 26:4

“Take courage, it is I
be not afraid!”
Mark 6:50

OUR COMPASS
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“ALL SHIPS HAVE A COMPASS which, when touched by the magnet, always turns towards the polar star. And even when the boat is making its way in a southward direction yet, the compass does not cease turning towards its north at all times.

In the same way, let the fine point of your spirit always turn towards God, its north. …
You are about to take to the high seas of the world, do not, on this account, alter dial or mast, sail or anchor or wind. Keep Jesus Christ as your dial at all times, His Cross for a mast on which to hoist your resolutions, as a sail.
Let our anchor be profound trust in Him and set out early.
May the propitious wind of heavenly inspirations ever fill the sails of your vessel more and more and cause you to speed forward to the harbour of a holy eternity. …

Should everything turn upside down, I do not say around us but within us, that is to say, should our soul be sad, happy, in sweetness, in bitterness, peaceful, troubled, in light, in darkness, in temptation, in rest, in enjoyment, in disgust, in dryness, in gentleness, should the sun burn it or the dew refresh it, ah! this point of our heart, our spirit, our higher will, which is our compass, should, nevertheless, always and at all times, turn unceasingly, tend perpetually towards the love of God!” (From the Letters).

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT, LENT 2023, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – He heals without charge, with one word, He restores to health. 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – The First Saturday of Lent – Isaias 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And wherever He went, into village or hamlet or town, they laid the sick in the market places, and entreated Him to let them touch but the tassel of His cloak and as many as touched. Him were saved. ” – Mark 6:56

REFLECTION – “Let us set before our interior consideration, someone gravely wounded who is about to breathe his last. … Now, the soul’s wound is sin, of which Scripture speaks in these terms: “Wound and welt and gaping gash, not drained or bandaged or eased with salve” (Is 1:6). Oh you who are wounded, recognise your Physician within you and show Him the wounds of your sins. May He understand your heart’s groaning, Who already knows its secret thoughts. May your tears move Him. Go as far as a little shamelessness in your beseeching (cf. Lk 11:8). Bring forth deep sighs to Him, without ceasing, from the depth of your heart.
May your grief reach Him so that He may say to you also : “The Lord has pardoned your sin” (2 Sam 12:13). Cry out with David, who said: “Have mercy on me, O God, in … the greatness of your compassion” (Ps 50[51]:3). It is as though one were to say: “I am in great danger because of an enormous wound, that no doctor can cure, unless the all-powerful Physician comes to help me.” For this all-powerful Physician, nothing is incurable. He heals without charge, with one word, He restores to health.  I would have despaired of my wound, were it not that I placed my trust in the Almighty.” – St Pope Gregory the Great (c 540-604) Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Psalm 50[51])

PRAYER – Hear, O Lord, our humble prayers and grant that we may devoutly keep this fast which has been established, to cure our souls and bodies. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 February – Chosen …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday and the Feast of St Matthias, Apostle – Acts 1:15-26, Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And praying, they said:
Thou, Lord, Who knows the hearts of all men,
show which of these two Thou hast chosen,
to take the place of this ministry and apostleship,
from which Judas hath, by transgression, fallen …”

Acts 1:24-25

“When we stand in the light
it is not we who illumine the light
and cause it to shine
but we are illuminated and made shining by the light…
God grants His blessings on those
who serve Him because they are serving Him
and on those who follow Him
because they are following Him
but He receives no blessing from them
because He is perfect and without need.”

St Irenaeus(c130-c208)
Bishop, Father of the Church

“You did not choose Me
but I chose you…”

John 15:16

“That is amazing grace!
For what were we before Christ had chosen us
besides being wicked and lost?
What then has He chosen in those who are not good?
You cannot say, I am chosen because I believed.
For if you believed in Him,
you had already chosen Him.
Nor can you say, before I believed I did good works
and, therefore, was chosen.
For what good work is there
before faith when the Apostle says,
“Whatever is not of faith is sin?”
What is there for us to say, then
but that we were wicked and were chosen,
that by the grace of having been chosen,
we might become good?”

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

“… It was their vocation
to call sinners to repentance,
to heal those who were sick,
whether in body or spirit,
to seek in all their dealing,
never to do their own will
but the will of Him who sent them and,
as far as possible, to save the world
by their teaching.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 February – ‘ … If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level. … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday and the Feast of St Matthias – Acts 1:15-26, Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I Am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light.” … Matthew 11:29-30

REFLECTION – “You are to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”   You are not learning from me how to refashion the fabric of the world, nor to create all things visible and invisible, nor to work miracles and raise the dead.   Rather, you are simply learning of me: “that I am meek and lowly in heart.”   

If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level.   If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height, you will begin with the lowest foundation.  This is humility.   However great the mass of the building you may wish to design or erect, the taller the building is to be, the deeper you will dig the foundation.   The building in the course of its erection, rises up high but he who digs its foundation, must first go down very low.   So then, you see even a building is low before it is high and the tower is raised, only after humiliation.”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 69)

PRAYER – O God, Who added blessed Matthias to the company of Thy Apostles, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his intercession we may ever be aware of the depth of Thy love for us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 February – Salt and Light, St Peter Damian

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One Minute Reflection – 23 February – Thursday after Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting – The Memorial of St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.” – Matthew 5:14-15.

REFLECTION – “The Lord called His disciples, the salt of the earth because they seasoned with heavenly wisdom, the hearts of men, rendered insipid by the devil. Now He calls them the light of the world too because they have been enlightened by Him, the true and everlasting Light and have themselves become, a light in the darkness.

Since He is the Sun of Justice, He fittingly calls His disciples, the light of the world. The reason for this, is that through them, as through shining rays, He has poured out the Light of the knowledge of Himself, upon the entire world. For by manifesting the Light of Truth, they have dispelled the darkness of error from the hearts of men.

Moreover, we too have been enlightened by them. We have been made light out of darkness as the Apostle says: “For once you were darkness but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.” He says another time: “For you are not sons of the night and of darkness but you are all sons of light and of the day.”

Saint John also rightly asserts in his letter: “God is Light and whoever abides in God is in the light just as God Himself is in the light.” Therefore because we rejoice in having been freed from the darkness of error, we should always walk in the light as children of light. This is why the Apostle says: “Among them you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.”

If we fail to live in the light, we shall, to our condemnation and that of others, be veiling over and obscuring by our infidelity, the light men so desperately need. As we know from Scripture, the man who received the talent should have made it produce a heavenly profit but instead, he preferred to hide it away rather than put it to work and was punished as he deserved.

Consequently, that brilliant Lamp which was lit for the sake of our salvation should always shine in us. For we have the lamp of the heavenly commandment and spiritual grace, to which David referred: “Your law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Solomon also says this about it: “For the command of the law is a lamp.”

Therefore, we must not hide this lamp of law and faith. Rather, we must set it up in the Church, as on a lampstand, for the salvation of many, so that we may enjoy the Light of Truth itself and all believers may be enlightened.” – St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407) Bishop of Aquileia, Theologian, Exegete, Writer and friend of Saints Ambrose and Jerome, Defender of St John Chrysostom. (An excerpt from Treatise on the Gospel of Saint Matthew). St Chromatius’ life here: https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-saint-chromatius-of-aquileia-died-c-407/

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to follow the counsel and examples of St. Peter, Thy Confessor and Bishop, so that by setting earthly goods at naught we may attain everlasting happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2023, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 February – ‘Receive Christ, receive power to see …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 February – Quinguasema Feria Day – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 18:31-43 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And at once, he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God.” – Luke 18:43

REFLECTION – “The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes. Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your Light, that you may plainly recognise both God and man. More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlightened us. How could He not be desirable, Who illumined minds buried in darkness and endowed, with clear vision “the light-bearing eyes” of the soul? Sing His praises, then, Lord and make known to me Your Father, Who is God. Your Word will save me, Your song instruct me. I have gone astray in my search for God but now that You light my path, Lord, I find God through You and receive the Father from You, I become co-heir with You, since You were not ashamed to own me as Your brother. Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of Truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes and contemplate the true God, after first raising this song of praise to Him: “All hail, O light!” For upon us, buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly Light has shone, a Light of a clarity surpassing the sun’s and of a sweetness, exceeding any this earthly life can offer.” – St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215) Theologian, Philosopher , Father (Exhortation to the Greeks, 11).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our prayers; loose us from the chains of our sins and keep us from all adversity. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2023, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 February – He who has ears to hear, let him hear! St John Chrysostom

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One Minute Reflection – 12 February – The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (1233) – Sexagesima Sunday – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9, Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ Because it is Sexagesima Sunday I popped in to post the Reflection and the explanation of Sexagesima, posted at the end below, for those who might have forgotten. And while I was here, our dear Cardinal Bacci gave me a nudge too 🤗

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” – Luke 8:8

REFLECTION – “If the seed dries up, this is not due to the heat. Jesus did not say that it had dried up because of the heat but “for lack of roots.” If the Word is choked, it is not due to the thorns but to those who allowed them to spring up, unhindered. With a little bit of willpower, you could stop them from growing, you could put your riches to good use. That is why our Saviour does not talk about “the world” but about “the cares of the world,” not of “riches” but of “the lure of riches.” So do not let us blame the things themselves but the perversion of our consciences .…

You see, it is not the gardener, it is not the seed but it is the earth where it falls which provides the answer – namely, the dispositions of our hearts. And here, too, God’s goodness towards us is very great, in that, far from demanding an identical measure of virtue, He welcomes the firstcomers, does not turn away those who come second and makes room for the third…

So, first of all, we have to listen attentively to the Word, then faithfully commit it to memory, then be courageous, then despise wealth and free ourselves from love of all worldly goods. And if Jesus puts attentiveness to the Word in first place and before every other condition, it is because this is the essential one. “How believe without hearing?” (Rom 10:14) And we, too, unless we attend to what we are told, will not know what duties to carry out. Only after this comes courage and scorn for worldly goods. To profit by these lessons, let us strengthen ourselves by every means, be attentive to the Word, push our roots down deeply and throw off all worldly care.” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 44 on St Matthew’s Gospel).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, to keep alive the memory of Thy most holy Mother’s sorrows, through the Seven Holy Fathers enriched Thy Church with a new family of her Servants, graciously grant that we, maybe so united with them in their sorrows, as also to share their joys. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Sexagesima Sunday:
(Latin – Sexagesima, sixtieth) is the eighth Sunday before Easter and the second before Lent. The Ordo Romanus, St Alcuin and others, count the Sexagesima from this day to Wednesday after Easter. The name was already known to the Fourth Council of Orléans in 541. To the Latins it is also known as “Exsurge” from the beginning of the Introit. The station was at Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls of Rome and hence, the oratio calls upon the Doctor of the Gentiles. The Epistle is from Paul, 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, describing his suffering and labours for the Church. The Gospel (Luke 8) relates the falling of the seed on good and on bad ground, while the Lessons of the first Nocturn continue the history of man’s iniquity and speak of Noah and of the Deluge.

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – Behold the Bridegroom comes.

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matt 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Behold the Bridegroom comes.” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “Behold the time is now here for us, dearest brethren, when we are to “sing of kindness and judgement to the Lord” (Ps 100:1). This is the Lord’s Coming, the arrival of the Lord of all, Who comes and is to come (Apoc 1:8). But how and where is He to come? How and when is He coming? Has He not said: “I fill the Heaven and the earth?” (Jer 23:24). How, then is He, Who fills Heaven and earth, coming to Heaven and earth? Listen to the Gospel: “He was in the world and world was made by Him and the world did not know Him“ (Jn 1:0). Therefore, He was both present and absent ,at the same time – present in that He was in the world; absent because the world did not know Him… How could He, Who was not recognised, not be far away, He, in Whom people did not believe, Who was not feared, Who was not loved?…

He comes, then, so that He, Who was not known might be recognised; He in Whom no-one believed might be believed; He, Who was not loved might be loved. He, Who was present according to His nature, is coming in His mercy… Think on God a little and see what it means that He should transfer so great a might; how He humbles so great a power, weakens so great a strength, makes feeble so great a wisdom! Was this a requirement of justice towards us? Most certainly not!…

In truth, my Lord, not my righteousness but Thy mercy guided Thee; not Thy necessity but my need. As Thou hast said: “My mercy is established in the heavens” (Ps 89[88],3). Rightly so, for our neediness abounds on earth. That is why “I shall sing forever of Thy love, O Lord,” which Thou manifested at Thy coming. When He showed Himself humble in His humanity, powerful in His miracles, strong against the tyranny of the demons, gentle in His welcome of sinners: all these things came from His mercy, all came from His inmost goodness. That is why “I shall sing Thy love, O Lord“ made known at Thy First Coming. And rightly so, for “the earth is filled with the mercy of the Lord” (Ps 118:64).” – St Aelred of Rielvaux (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk [Sermon for Advent (Durham collection)].

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. Through tesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church

“Indeed, the Mystery of Christ
runs the risk of being disbelieved,
precisely because, it is so incredibly wonderful!”

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”

John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

“… [The Kingdom of God] … is within you.
That is, it depends on your own wills
and is in your own power,
whether or not you receive it.
Everyone, that has attained
to justification, by means of faith in Christ
and decorated by every virtue,
is counted worthy,
of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

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

“We must note, therefore,
that he who does things pleasing to God,
serves Christ but he who follows his own wishes,
is a follower, rather of himself and not of God!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-february-st-cyril-of-alexandria/

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 February – What sort of candlestick is this that bears such a light?

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One Minute Reflection – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation”& “Seal of all the Fathers” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick …” – Matthew 5:15

REFLECTION – “Brethren, the Apostles are lamps enabling us to wait for the coming of Christ’s Day. Our Lord tells them: “You are the light of the world.” And since they cannot believe themselves to be a light, like that of which it is said: “He was the true Light Who enlightens everyone” (Jn 1:9), He at once teaches them what that true light is. Having declared to them: “You are the light of the world,” He continues: “No-one lights a lamp to put it under a bushel basket.” I have called you lights, He says but I must clarify – you are only lamps. So do not give in, to the stirrings of pride, if you do not want to see this wick burning out. I am not putting you under the bushel basket but on the lampstand to cast light over everything with your rays.

What sort of candlestick is this that bears such a light? I will teach you. Be lamps yourselves and you will have a place on this lampstand. Christ’s Cross is one great lampstand. Whoever wants to shine out should not be ashamed of this wooden candlestick. Listen to me and you will get the point – the candlestick is the Cross of Christ…

“So will your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify” Glorify whom? Not yourself, since to seek your own glory is to want to be extinguished! “Glorify your heavenly Father.” Yes, that they may glorify Him, your heavenly Father, when they see your good works… Listen to the Apostle Paul: “May I never glory except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 289, 6 PL 38, 1311-1312).

PRAYER – O God, Who made Cyril, Thy Confessor and Bishop, an unconquerable champion of the most Blessed Virgin Mary’s Divine Motherhood, grant that we, who believe that she is truly the Mother of God, may be saved by her motherly protection. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on ZEAL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard?

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One Minute Reflection – 8 February – St John of Matha (1160-1213) – Confessor, Priest, Founder – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be you then also ready …” – Luke 12:40

REFLECTION – “At an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Jesus says this to them so that the disciples would stay awake and always be ready. If He tells them, He will come when they are not expecting Him, this is because He wants to make them practice virtue zealously, without relaxing. It is as though He were saying to them: “If people knew when they were going to die, they would be completely ready for the day”… But the end of our life is a secret, hidden from us all…

This is why the Lord expects two qualities of His steward – that he should be faithful, lest he attribute to himself anything that belongs to his Master and that he should be wise, so that he might suitably administer everything put in his charge. So we too ought to have these two qualities if we are to be ready at the Master’s coming… Because this is what happens due to our not knowing the day we shall meet Him – we say to ourselves: “My Master is delayed in coming.” The faithful and wise steward has no such thoughts. Wretch! using the excuse that your Master is late, do you imagine He will not come at all? His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard? No, the Lord is not slow in coming – this lateness is purely in the imagination of the wicked servant!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 77 on St Matthew).

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously and by Divine means founded, through blessed John, the Order of the Most Holy Trinity to ransom captives from the hands of the Saracens, grant, we beseech Thee that through Thy help and the merits of his prayers, we may be freed body and soul from captivity. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SPEAKING of ....., The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 February – ‘ … He weighs the heart and not the substance …’

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One Minute Reflection – 7 February – St Romuald (c951-1027) Abbo – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “No-one should say to himself, even when he regards others who have left a great deal behind: “I want to imitate those who despise this world but I have nothing to leave behind.” You leave a great deal behind, my friends, if you renounce your desires. Our external possessions, no matter how small, are enough for the Lord, He weighs the heart and not the substance and does not measure the amount we sacrifice for Him but the effort with which we bring it…. The Kingdom of God has no assessment value put on it but it is worth everything you have… To Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and boat they gave up; to the widow it was worth two small coins (Lk 21:2); to another person it was worth a cup of cold water (Mt 10:42). The Kingdom of God, as I said, is worth everything you have. Think about it, my friends, what has less value when you purchase it, what is more precious when you possess it?

But perhaps a cup of cold water offered to someone who needs it, is not enough, even then the Word of God gives us assurance…: “Peace on earth to men of goodwill!” (Lk 2:4). In the sight of God, no hand is ever empty of a gift, if the deep places of the heart are filled with goodwill… Although I have no gifts to offer outwardly, yet I find within myself something to place on the Altar of Thou praise…: Thou art better pleased with an offering of our heart! (cf. Ps 55:13).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospel no 5).

PRAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Romuald, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – I have chosen you …

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 February – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor

“Love one another as I have loved you”

John 15:12

“I have chosen you
and have appointed you,
that you should go
and should bring forth fruit
and your fruit should remain,
says the Lord.”

John 15:16

“He wants you to become
a living force for all mankind,
lights shining in the world.
You are to be radiant lights
as you stand beside Christ,
the Great Light,
bathed in the glory of Him
who is the Light of Heaven.”

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

“My children, eternal life is being offered to us,
the Kingdom of Heaven is made ready
and Christ’s inheritance awaits us …
So let us run from now on with increased energy
and above all you, lazy, recalcitrant,
dull of heart, friends of murmuring who,
unless you improve, are like the cursed fig tree.
… Let us seek out the fight,
bravely pour with our sweat,
adorn ourselves with crowns,
gain praises and gather up,
like a treasure,
“what eye has not seen
and ear has not heard
and what has not entered the human heart”
(1 Cor 2:9).

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

John 16:33

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

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS for PRIESTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – ‘… His very deeds are our commands and whenever He acts silently, He is teaching us what we should do. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinitys” – St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus
44:16-27; 45:3-20, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At that time, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them forth two-by-two, before Him into every town and place, where He, Himself, was about to come.” – Luke 10:1

REFLECTION – “Beloved brothers, our Lord and Saviour sometimes gives us instruction by Words and sometimes by Actions. His very Deeds are our commands and whenever He acts silently, He is teaching us what we should do. For example, He sends His disciples out to preach, two-by-two because the precept of charity is twofold—love of God and of one’s neighbour.

The Lord sends His disciples out to preach in twos, in order to teach us, silently, that whoever fails in charity toward his neighbour, should by no means take upon himself the office of preaching.

Rightly is it said, that He sent them ahead of Him into every city and place, where He ,Himself was to go. For the Lord follows after the preachers because preaching goes ahead to prepare the way and then, when the words of exhortation have gone ahead and established Truth in our minds, the Lord comes to live within us. To those who preach ,Isaiah says: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. And the psalmist tells them: Make a way for Him who rises above the sunset. The Lord rises above the sunset because, from that very place where He slept in death, He rose again and manifested a greater glory. He rises above the sunset because, in His Resurrection, He trampled underfoot the death, which He endured. Therefore, we make a way for Him who rises above the sunset ,when we preach His glory to you, so that when He, Himself follows after us, He may illumine you with His Love.

Let us listen now to His words as He sends His preachers forth: The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest. That the harvest is good but the labourers are few cannot be said without a heavy heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of Priests but yet, in God’s harvest, a true labourer is rarely to be found;,although we have accepted the Priestly office, we do not fulfil its demands!

Think over, my beloved brothers, think over His Words: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest. Pray for us, so that we may be able to labour worthily on your behalf, that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation, that after we have taken up the office of preaching, our silence may not bring us condemnation from the Just Judge! ” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Homily 17, On the Gospels).

PRAYER – O God, Who adorned blessed Titus, Thy Confessor and Bishop, with the virtues of an apostle, grant, through his merits and intercession that by living justly and piously in this world, we may be found worthy to enter Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JEALOUSY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – Septuagesima Sunday – Preparing to Prepare

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – Septuagesima Sunday – Preparing to Prepare

“Prepare the way of the Lord
make His paths straight” …

Luke 3:4

“There is still time for endurance,
time for patience,
time for healing,
time for change.
Have you slipped?
Rise up!
Have you sinned?
Cease!
Do not stand among sinners
but leap aside!”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Then the righteous shall shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.”

Matthew 13:43

“So from now on, run well (cf. Gal 5:7)
and may the devil not bewitch you (cf. Gal 3:1)
nor hinder you! …
May mercy, peace, charity,
freedom from envy,
from jealousy and ostentation
come upon you, docility, friendly speech,
solidarity, compassion
towards each other, humility.”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

My Lord Jesus Christ,
You have made this journey
to die for me, with love unutterable
and I have so many times unworthily abandoned You
but now I love You with my whole heart
and because I love You,
I repent sincerely for having ever offended You.
Pardon me, my God
and permit me to accompany You on this journey.
You go to die for love of me,
I wish also, my beloved Redeemer,
to die for love of Thee.
My Jesus, I will live
and die always united to You.”
Amen

By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Each and everyone of us,
at the end of the journey of life,
will come, face to face
with either one,
or the other
of two faces…
And one of them,
either, the
merciful face of Christ
or the
miserable face of Satan,
will say,
“Mine, mine.”

May we be Christ’s!”

Ven Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – ‘That Denarius is life eternal …’ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 5 February –Septuagesima Sunday – St Agatha (c231- c251) Virgin Martyr – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 10:1-5; Matthew 20:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Even so, the last shall be first and the first last; for many are called but few are chosen.” – Matthew 20:16

REFLECTION – “In that hiring then,we shall all be equal and the first as the last and the last as the first because that Denarius is life eternal and in the life eternal all will be equal.
For although through diversity of attainments, the Saints will shine, some more, some less; yet as to this respect, the gift of eternal life, it will be equal to all.
For that will not be longer to one and shorter to another, which is alike everlasting – that which hath no end, will have no end, either for thee or me. … In respect. to the living forever, this man will not live more than that, nor that one than this one. For alike without end will they live, though each shall live in his own brightness and the Denarius in the parable is that life eternal.

Let not him then who has received, after a long time, murmur against him, who has received after a short time. To the first, it is a payment, to the other a free gift – yet the same thing is given alike to both.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon on Matthew 20).

PRAYER – O God, Who among other wonders of Thy power hast given the victory of mMrtyrdom even to the gentler sex, graciously grant that we, who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to Thee, by following her example.Through esus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Of PILGRIMS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – Trading with our talents

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – St Andrew Corsini O.Carm (1302-1373) Bishop, Confessor – Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And he who had received the five talents
went and traded with them,
and gained five more.

Matthew 25:16

“God is Good but He is also Just…
So do not underestimate God –
His love for men
should not become a pretext,
for negligence on our part.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“For the man who is kindly,
modest, merciful and just,
will not keep his good works to himself
but will see to it
that these admirable fountains,
send out their streams,
for the good of others.
Again, the man who is clean of heart,
a peacemaker and ardent for truth,
will order his life, so as to contribute
to the common good.”

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

“If we fail to live in the Light,
we shall, to our condemnation
and that of others,
be veiling over and obscuring,
by our infidelity,
the Light men so desperately need.
As we know from Scripture,
the man who received the talent
should have made it produce a heavenly profit
but instead, he preferred to hide it away
rather than put it to work
and was punished as he deserved.
Consequently, that brilliant Lamp
which was lit for the sake of our salvation
should always shine in us.
For we have the lamp
of the heavenly commandments
and spiritual grace,
to which David referred:
Your law is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.”

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407)
Bishop of Aquileia,

“Whatever He receives on earth,
He returns in Heaven.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

“O God, grant that whatever good things I have,
I may share generously with those who have not
and whatever good things, I do not have,
I may request humbly, from those who do.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus

“I have not been faithful,
nor have I traded with the talent
Thou entrusted to me,
the priceless treasure of the Christian faith …
O Truth, Thou hast justice and equity
as Thine inseparable judges…
Woe to me if, when I come before Thee,
I lack an advocate to plead my cause.
O Love, come forward on my behalf,
answer for me, sue for my pardon.
If Thou pleads my cause,
I know I still have hope of life!”

St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on SLOTH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 February – ‘ … But to those who are industrious, an even more lavish gift will be presented.’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 February – St Andrew Corsini O.Carm (1302-1373) Bishop, Confessor – Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately …” – Matthew 25:15

REFLECTION – “The man who is the landowner is actually the Creator and Lord of all. The Word compares the time the landowner spends away from home, in the parable, to either the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, or, at any rate, to the unseen and invisible character of the Divine Nature. Now, one must conceive of the property of God, as those in each country and city who believe in Him. He calls His servants, those who, according to the times, Christ crowns with the glory of the Priesthood. For the holy Paul writes, “No-one takes this honour upon himself; he must be called by God.”

He hands over [His property] to those who are under Him, to each giving a spiritual gift, so that he might have character and aptitude. We think that this distribution of the talents, is not supplied to the household servants in equal measure because, each is quite different from the other, in their understanding. Immediately they head out for their labours, He says, directly, indicating to us here, that apart from the procrastination of one, they are fit to carry out the work of God.

Surely those who are bound by fear and laziness will evolve into the worst evils. For he buried, Jesus says, the talent given to him, in the earth. He kept the gift hidden, making it unprofitable for others and useless for himself. For that very reason, the talent is taken away from him and will be given to the one who is already rich. The Spirit has departed from such as these and the gift of the Divine gifts. But to those who are industrious, an even more lavish gift will be presented.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Fragment 283)

PRAYER – O God, Who establishes ever new examples of virtue in Thy Church, grant that Thy people may follow the footsteps of blessed Andrew, Thy Confessor and Bishop, so that they may also obtain his reward. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 February – “What does this mean, “take up a cross?”

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One Minute Reflection – 3 February – St Blaise (Died c 316) Martyr Bishop, Physician, Miracle-worker. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

REFLECTION – “What does this mean, “take up a cross?” It means, he will bear with whatever is troublesome and in this very act, he will be following Me.
When he has begun to follow me, according to My teaching and precepts, he will find many people contradicting him and standing in his way, many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true, not only of pagans who are outside the Church but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory, in merely the title of Christian, they continually persecute faithful Christians.
Such belong to the members of the Church in the same way, that bad blood is in the body.
Therefore, if you wish to follow Christ, do not delay in carrying His Cross, tolerate sinners but do not yield to them.
Do not let the false happiness of the wicked corrupt you.
You do well to despise all things for the sake of Christ, in order that you may be fit for His companionship.”- St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop of Arles and Father of the Church – (Sermons, 159).

PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us with the yearly festival of blessed Blaise, Thy Martyr and Bishop, mercifully grant that, as we venerate the anniversary of his Martyrdom, we may also rejoice in his protection. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – “The Lord, Whom you are seeking, will suddenly enter His Temple” – Malachias 3:1

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin – Candlemas – Malachias 3:1-4, Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Lord, Whom you are seeking, will suddenly enter His Temple” – Malachias 3:1

REFLECTION – “Today the Virgin Mary brings the Lord of the Temple, into the Temple of the Lord. And Joseph, too, takes along there, to the Lord that Son Who is not his own but is the beloved Son in Whom God has set all His favour (Mt 3:17). Simeon, the just man, recognises the One for Whom he was waiting; Anna, the widow, gives Him praise. For the first time, a procession is celebrated on this day, by these four people, a procession that would subsequently be celebrated with joy, by the whole world… Do not be astonished that this procession is so small, since He is also very small Whom the temple receives. But there are no sinners in that place: all are righteous, all are Saints, all are perfect.

Are these the only ones you are going to save, Lord? Your Body is going to grow greater, Your tenderness will also increase… Now, I see a second procession, in which great crowds precede the Lord and crowds follow Him – it is no longer the Virgin who bears Him but a little donkey. So He despises no-one…, if at least those garments of apostles are not lacking them (Mt 21:7): their doctrine, habits and the charity which covers over a multitude of sins (1Pt 4:8). But I will go even further and say that He has saved a place in that procession for us as well… David, King and Prophet, rejoiced to see that day: “he saw it and was glad” (Jn 8:56). If he had not, would he have sung the words: “We have received, O God, Thy mercy in the midst of Thy Temple”? (Ps 47[48]:8). David received this mercy from the Lord, Simeon received it and we, too, have received it as have all those predestined for life, since “Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever” (Heb 13:8)…

So let us take to ourselves this mercy we have received in the midst of the Temple and, like blessed Anna, let us not distance ourselves from it. For “God’s Temple is holy and you are that temple” says the Apostle Paul (1 Cor 3:17). This mercy is close to you; “the word of God is very close to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Rm 10:8). Indeed, does not Christ dwell in your hearts by faith? (Eph 3:17) That is His Temple, that is His Throne… Yes, it is in our hearts that we receive mercy, in our hearts that Christ dwells, in our hearts He whispers words of peace to His people, His saints, everyone who returns to their heart!” – St Bernard (1090-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (1st sermon for the Purification).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – “If it dies, it produces much fruit” – John 12:24

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One Minute Reflection – 1 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinitys” – St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Martyr, Bishop of Antioch, Apostolic Father of the Church. – Romans 8:35-39, John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If it dies, it produces much fruit” – John 12:24

REFLECTION – “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet, when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’” (Mt 13:31). This small seed is for us the symbol of Jesus Christ, Who, sowed into the garden where He was buried, rose from it shortly after, through His Resurrection, as a big tree.

One could say that when He died, He was like a small seed – a small seed because of the humiliation of His flesh but a big tree because of the glorification of His Majesty. He was like a small seed when he appeared completely disfigured before our eyes but like a large tree when He rose again like “the most handsome of men” (Ps 44:3).

The branches of this mysterious tree, are the holy preachers of the Gospel, of whom one of the Psalms indicates the reach: “Their report goes forth throughout all the earth, their message, to the ends of the world “ (Ps 19:5; cf Rom 10:18). The birds rest on these branches while the souls of the just, who have been raised up above earth’s attractions, on the wings of holiness, find in the words of these preachers of the Gospel, the consolation they need in the sorrows and difficulties of this life.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Matthew, Ch.13).

PRAYER – Be mindful of our weakness, O aAmighty God and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy Martyr and Bishop, may protect us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 January – “And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

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One Minute Reflection – 31 January – St John Bosco “Don Bosco” SDB (1815-1888) Priest, Confessor, Founder. – Philippians 4:4-9 , Matthew 18:1-5 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

REFLECTION – “Scripture calls all of us “children” and, when we begin to follow Christ, we receive the name of “little children” (Mt 18:3; Jn 21:5)… So Who is our Instructor and Tutor, the Tutor we have when we are small? He is called Jesus. He calls Himself “Shepherd” by Name, referring to Himself as “the Good Shepherd” (Jn 10:11). He makes a comparison between shepherds guiding their sheep and Himself, the Tutor who guides small children, the Shepherd full of concern for the lambs which, in their simplicity, He compares with the sheep. “They will all be one flock,” He says, “because there will be One Shepherd” (Jn 10:16). Therefore, our Tutor is, of course, the Word of God because He leads us to salvation. As He clearly declared through the mouth of the prophet Hosea: “I am your Teacher” (5:2 LXX).

As for His instruction, that is, the religious formation by which He teaches us how to serve God, forming us in the knowledge of the truth and leading us straight to Heaven… Pilots guide their ships with the intention of bringing their passengers safely to harbour; in the same way, our Tutor, in the care He bears towards us, points God’s children towards the way of life leading to salvation… Thus, He, Who leads us is our holy God, Jesus, God’s Word, all humanity’s guide! God Himself leads us in His love for us… The Holy Spirit said of Him during the Exodus: “He found him in the wilderness, a wasteland of howling desert. He shielded him and cared for him, guarding him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle incites its nestlings forth by hovering over its brood, so He spreads His wings to receive him and bore him up on His pinions. The Lord alone was his Leader” (Dt 32:10-12).” – St Clement of Alexandria (c 150-c 215) Theologian and Philosopher, Professor who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria, Father of the Church (Pedagogue, I, 53-56).

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy Confessor, blessed John, raised up a father and teacher of youth and willed that through him, with the help of the Virgin Mary, new religious families should bloom in the Church, grant, we beseech Thee, that , inflamed by the same fire of love, we may seek to win souls and to serve Thee alone. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 January – Christ the Bridegroom

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Quote/s of the Day – 30 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – St Martha (1st Century) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming,
go forth to meet Him!”

Matthew 25:6

“He loved them unto the end.”

John 13:1

“And as soon as He sees you seek Him fervently,
He will make Himself known to you.
He will appear to you, grant you His help,
bestow the victory on you
and save you from your enemies.
In fact, when He sees how you are looking for Him,
how you continually place all your hope in Him,
then He will instruct you,
teach you true prayer,
give you that authentic charity that is Himself.
Then, He will become everything to you:
your Paradise, Life-giving Tree,
Precious Pearl, Crown, Architect, Farmer,
One subject to suffering
but not afflicted with suffering,
Man, God, Wine, Living Water,
Lamb, Bridegroom, Soldier, Armour,
Christ Who is “All in All” (1Cor 1B,28).

St Macarius of Egypt (c 300-390)

“The eternal God
asks a favour of His bride:
“Hold me close to your heart,
close as locket or bracelet fits.”
No matter whether
we walk or stand still,
eat or drink,
we should at all times
wear the golden locket
“Jesus” upon our heart.”

Bl Henry Suso (1295-1366)

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 January – Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him! – Matthew 25:6

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One Minute Reflection – 30 January – St Martha (1st Century) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him!” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “When it seemed to God that the right time had come and He took pity on His beloved in her suffering, He sent His Only-begotten Son to earth into a magnificent palace and a glorious temple, that is, into the body of the glorious Virgin Mary. There the Son wedded this bride, our nature and united her with His Own Person through the purest blood of the noble Virgin. The priest who witnessed the bride’s marriage was the Holy Ghost. The Angel Gabriel brought the message. The glorious Virgin gave her consent. Thus did Christ, our faithful Bridegroom, unite our nature with Himself. He came to us in a strange land and taught us through a heavenly way of life and with perfect fidelity.

He worked and struggled as our Champion against our enemies, broke open the bars of our prison, won the struggle, vanquished our death through His Own, redeemed us through His Blood, freed us through His water in Baptism and made us rich, through His Sacraments and His gifts, so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6), we might “go out” with all virtues to, “meet Him” in the palace of His glory and enjoy Him forever in eternity.” – Bl Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381) Canon Regular (The Spiritual Espousals, Prologue).

PRAYER – O God, Who among the other miracles of Thine power have bestowed the victory of Martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we, who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Martha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to Thee by the path of her example. ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck’s life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-blessed-john-van-ruysbroeck/