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One Minute Reflection – 6 August – ‘Mould yourself on this figure ….’

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”- Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Readings: Daniel 7:9-1013-14 or 2 Peter 1: 16-19Psalm 97:1-25-69Matthew 17:1-9

” … His face shone like the sun” ... Matthew 17:2

REFLECTION“He was transfigured before them” (Mt 17:2).    Mould yourself on this figure as though with soft wax so to imprint the image of Christ on it, of whom it is said:  “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as snow.”   In this passage you should keep in mind four things – the face, the sun, the clothing and the snow.   In the front of the head, which is called a man’s face, there are three senses that are ordered and disposed in a wonderful way.   These are sight, smell, taste.   In the same sort of way, in the face of our souls, there are the vision of faith, the smell of discretion and the taste of contemplation. (…)

In the sun there is brightness, whiteness and heat.   The brightness of the sun accords perfectly with the vision of faith that, together with the clarity of its light, perceives and believes invisible realities.   May the countenance of our souls shine like the sun!   May what we see by faith shine in our deeds!   May the good we perceive through our interior eyes be brought to fruition externally in the purity of our actions, may what we taste of God in contemplation, be transformed to heat, in love of neighbour.   So, like that of Jesus, our faces “will shine like the sun.”St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church – Sermon for Septuagesima Sundayhis face shone like the sun matthew 17 2 - mould yourself - st anthony of padua 6 aug 2020

PRAYER – Father, at the Transfiguration in glory of Your only-begotten Son, You confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness to Jesus of the prophets Moses and Elijah.   You foreshadowed what we shall be when You bring our sonship to its perfection.   Grant that by listening to the voice of Jesus, we may become heirs with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and may Mary, our tender and caring Mother, help us to be bright rays of the saving light of her Son Jesus. Amentransfiguration - listen to him 17 march 2019

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 August – … “According to the measure of our faith”

One Minute Reflection – 5 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Jeremiah 31:1-7, Responsorial psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13Matthew 15:21-28  and the Memorial of the Dedication of Mary Major

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. … Matthew 15:21

REFLECTION“Jesus came out of Israel …: “Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre” (Mt 15:21), a name which means “gathering of the nations.”   This was so, that, from among the people of that territory, those who believed might be saved when they came out from it.

Now, pay attention to these words:  “And behold, a Canaanite woman, coming out of that district, called out saying:   ‘Have pity on me, Lord, son of David!   My daughter is tormented by a demon’” (v. 22).   Now in my opinion, if she had not withdrawn from that territory she would not have been able to call out to Jesus with cries that sprang from “great faith,” as the Lord Himself testified (v. 28).

It is “according to the measure of our faith” (Rm 12:6) that we come out from the territory of the pagan nations …   We must certainly believe that each one of us, so long as he is a sinner, finds himself in the region of Tyre or Sidon, of Pharaoh or Egypt, or of some other land alien to God’s inheritance.   But when sinners abandon their wrongdoing, turning back to the good, they withdraw from those regions where sin dwells and hasten to the regions that are the portion of God …

Notice, too, the sort of journey Jesus makes to meet the Canaanite woman, for he seems to be going towards the region of Tyre and Sidon …. The righteous are directed towards the kingdom of heaven and elevation into the Kingdom of God but sinners are directed towards the outcome of their evildoing …
The Canaanite woman, by leaving these territories, also left that tendency towards decadence, when she cried out and said: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David” … All the miracles accomplished by Jesus, as the evangelists have told them, took place, then, so that those who saw them might have faith.   But those events are the symbol of what is always been brought about by Jesus’ power, for there is no age when what was written is not being realised in exactly the same way.” … Origen (c 185-253) Priest and Theologian, Church Father – Commentary on Saint Matthew’s gospel, Book XI, ch. 16matthew 15 22 and bhold a canaaninte woman -now in my opinion - origen 5 aug 2020

PRAYER – Forgive the sins of Your people Lord and since of ourselves, we are unable to do what pleases You, lead us on the way of salvation in Your divine Son who lives in us and gives us life.   May the prayers of Mary, His Mother help us to constantly meditate on His eternal sustenance.   He is our food, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.IMM MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US 7 MAY 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 4 August – “Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed …”

One Minute Reflection – 4 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart” – Tuesday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22, Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23, Matthew 15:1-2,10-14 and The Memorial of St John Vianney (1786-1859)

“Let them alone;  they are blind guides [of the blind].   If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” … Matthew 15:14matthew 15 14 - let them alone they are blind guides leading the blind - 4 aug 2020

REFLECTION – “When, in these last days, the Word of God was born of Mary, clothed in flesh and revealed to the world, what was seen of Him was something other than the mind could discern.   The appearance of His body was clear to all but knowledge of His divinity was only granted to some.   Similarly, when the Word of God speaks to us through the Old Law and the prophets, He shows Himself beneath the veil of the appropriate garments.

In His incarnation He is clothed with flesh;  in the Holy Scriptures He is clothed with the veil of the letter.   The veil of the letter can be compared to His humanity and the spiritual sense of the Law, to His divinity.   In the book of Leviticus we find the rites of sacrifice, the various sacrificial animals, the priestly liturgical service …  blessed the eyes that discern the divine Spirit hidden beneath the veil …

“Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed … and, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” says the Apostle Paul (2 Cor 3:16-17).   Thus it is to the Lord Himself, the Spirit Himself, we must pray, that He will deign to remove every obscurity, so we can behold in Jesus, the wonders of the spiritual meaning of the Law, like the man who said: “Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of your Law (Ps 119[118]:18).” … Origen (c 185-253) Priest and Theologian, Church Father – Homily 1 on Leviticusin his incarnation he is clothed with flesh - origen - 4 aug 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, who gave blessed John Vianney to Your Church to feed Your flock by his teaching and form them by his example, grant that by his intercession, we may keep the faith which he taught and follow in the way he walked, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit. St John Vianney, pray for us, amen.st-jphn-vianney-pray-for-us-4-aug-2018

Posted in QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – The Last Day

Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Tuesday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, year A, Readings: Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13, Matthew 13:36-43

“Then the righteous shall shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.
He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:43

“Christ shall minister to us
and show us His radiant Face
and His glorious Body
with all the marks of faithfulness
and love therein impressed.
And we shall see all the glorious bodies
clothed with all the many tokens of love
won in the service of God
since the beginning of the world…
And our living hearts
shall flame with burning love for God
and all His saints…”

Bl Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381)

Canon Regular, “Doctor Divinus Ecstaticus,”
Mystic, Spiritual Writer –
The seven steps of the ladder of spiritual love

matthew 13 43 then the righteous shall shine - christ shall minister to us and show us his radiant face - bl jan van ruusbroec 28 july 2020

“Give me grace to amend my life
and to have an eye to mine end,
without grudge of death,
which to them that die in You,
good Lord,
is the gate of a wealthy life.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr

give-me-grace-good-lord-st-thomas-more-31-aug-2018 and 2019

“We will not be proclaimed blessed
on the altars in all probability
but if we are faithful,
in Heaven we will be proclaimed ‘blessed’
and that is enough for us.
Let us try to merit this hour of eternal delights.”

Bl Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)

we-will-not-be-proclaimed-blessed-bl-mary-of-the-passion-15-nov-2019-pray-for-us- and 28 july 2020

“Work always with the same spirit of Christ.
Keep Jesus before your eyes.
He is the model of all called to glory.”

work-always-with-the-same-spirit-of-christ-st-guido-maria-conforti-5-nov-2019 and 28 july 2020

“On the last day, we will not be asked
if we accomplished great deeds,
or been acclaimed by men,
rather we will be asked
if we followed His will,
in the state and condition,
to which we were called.”

St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

on-the-last-day-st-guido-maria-conforti-5-nov-2019 and 28 july 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 28 July – ‘So from now on, run well …’

One Minute Reflection – 28 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Tuesday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, year A, Readings: Jeremiah 14:17-22Psalm 79:8-91113Matthew 13:36-43

“The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom, all causers of sin and all law-breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace.   In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.   Then the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.   He who has ears, let him hear.” … Matthew 13:41-43matthew 13 40-43 the sone of man will send his angels 28 july 2020

REFLECTION – “In your imagination see our Lord Jesus Christ seated on a throne of glory;   beside Him stand the seraphim, cherubim and each angelic order, serving Him with fear and trembling.   Then those who will have finished the combat, without allowing themselves to be drawn by any worldly pleasures or seduced by the attractions of this vain world, will hear the blessed voice of the Master.   “Then, he says, the righteous will shine like the sun” (Mt 13:43) when they have come from east and west, north and south to take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (cf. Mt 8:11) in an indescribable joy (cf. 1 Pt 1:8), when our King and Lord, will distribute gifts according to their merits.   Ah! my brothers and children. ah! how great and beautiful is the glory which the thrice blessed will enjoy and the saints who practised asceticism!   Yes, most certainly, each will receive the blessings promised, according to the degree to which they have pleased God. …

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.   Live like this, act like this, praying, too, with all your heart for my humble self that I may not be thrown into the eternal fire.   May we all escape it, having been judged worthy of the kingdom of heaven, in Christ Himself, our God, to whom belongs all glory, honour, adoration, magnificence, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, world without end.   Amen.” … St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk and Theologian – Catechesis 42

so from now on run well and may the devil - st theodore the studite 28 july 2020

PRAYER – All-powerful and ever-living God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, chase away the night of sin and fill our minds with the glory of Your coming.   Take away our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, help us in our battle with sin and the devil.   By our prayers, Your holy Sacraments and the strength of the Holy Spirit, may we be ever vigilant of the evil one.   By our Baptism in Your Son, we are Your children, grant us Your protection.   Kindly listen to the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints and angels, whose prayers we beg, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.

bl virgin mother pray for us 28 july 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “How shall I repay the Lord?”

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Memorial of St James the Greater, Apostle of Christ, Readings:  2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126, Matthew 20:20-28

INTERNET PROBLEMS – CANNOT UPLOAD IMAGES!

“Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” … Matthew 20:28

REFLECTION“How shall I repay the Lord?” (Ps 115[116B],12)   Not with holocausts or sacrifices or the observances of the legal cult but with my whole life itself.   And this is why, says the psalmist, “The cup of salvation I will take” (v.13).   The labour he underwent in the struggles of his filial devotion to God and the constancy with which he resisted sin even to death – this is what the psalmist calls his cup.

It was concerning this cup that our Lord Himself expressed Himself in the Gospels :   “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Mt 26:39).   And again, to His disciples:  “Can you drink the cup that I shall drink?”   He intended to speak of that death He desired to suffer, for the salvation of the world.   Therefore, He says:  “The cup of salvation I will take up,” namely, my whole being is reaching out, parched, towards the consummation of martyrdom, even to the point of holding the torments endured, in the struggles of filial love as rest and not as suffering, for soul and body.   I too, He says, will offer Myself to the Lord as a sacrifice and oblation. …   And I am ready to pay these vows before all the people, for:  “My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people!” (v.14).” … St Basil the Great (330-379) Monk and Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Father & Doctor of the Churchmatthew-20-28-25-july-2017 and 2020

PRAYER – Lord our God, You accepted the sacrifice of St James, the first of Your Apostles to give his life for Your sake.   May Your Church find strength in his martyrdom and support in his constant prayer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   St James the Greater, Apostle of Christ, Pray for us! Amenst-james-pray-for-us-25-july-2017 and 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 24 July – The disposition of the ground …

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Jeremiah 3:14-17, Responsorial psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13Matthew 13:18-23 and the Memorial of St Charbel Makhluf (1828-1898)

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

REFLECTION – “And yet, if both the land be good and the Sower one and the seed the same, wherefore did one bear a hundred, one sixty, one thirty?
Here again the difference is from the nature of the ground, for even where the ground is good, great even therein, is the difference.
Understand that not the Sower is to be blamed, nor the seed but the land that receives it? not for its nature but, for its disposition.
And herein too, great is His mercy to man, that He does not require one measure of virtue.
… And these things He says, lest they that followed Him should suppose that hearing is sufficient for salvation.
… Yes, both vainglory and all the rest belong to this world and to the deceitfulness of riches, such as pleasure and gluttony and envy and vainglory and all the like.

But He added also the “way” and the “rock,” signifying that it is not enough to be freed from riches only, but we must cultivate also the other parts of virtue.
But what if you are free indeed from riches, yet are soft and unmanly? and what if you are not indeed unmanly but are remiss and careless about the hearing of the word?
No one part is sufficient for our salvation but there is required first, a careful hearing and a continual recollection, then fortitude, then contempt of riches and deliverance from all worldly things.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctormatthew 13 23 - parable of the seed - but what if you are free indeed from riches - st john chrysostom 24 july 2020

PRAYER – A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me! (Ps 50[51]) Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace to us.   Keep us within in the path of Your commandments, help us to work on the earth of our souls, rooting out the weeds and casting forth the stones of malice.   Grant that by the prayers of St Charbel Makhluf, who by Your grace triumphed in all virtues, we may succeed in attaining sanctity.   Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st-charbel-pray-for-us-24-july-2017-2018-and-2019 and 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 23 July – ‘… The Church’s longing has never lost its intensity …’

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Jeremiah 2:1-37-812-13Psalm 36:6-11Matthew 13:10-17and the Memorial of St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373) and Blessed Margarita de Maturana (1881-1934)

“For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see” … Matthew 13:17

REFLECTION – “In one of the psalms the prophet says: “My soul pines for your salvation;  I hope in your word” (119[118]:1) …  Who is it expressing this ardent desire if not “the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the people set apart for God” (1 Pt 2:9), each in their own day, in each one of those who have lived, are living or will live, from humanity’s first beginning, until the end of the world? …  That is why our Lord Himself says to His disciples:  “Many prophets and righteous men have longed to see what you see.”   It is their voice, then, we must recognise in this psalm …  Their longing has never come to an end in the saints, nor does it end even now in “the Body of Christ, the Church” (Col 1:18) until “the Desired of all nations” comes (Hag 2:8 Vg) …

So the beginning of the Church’s era, before the Virgin had given birth, comprised saints who longed to see Christ’s coming in the flesh and the period where we are now, following the Ascension, comprises other saints, who long to see the revealing of Christ to judge the living and the dead.   From the beginning to the end of time, the Church’s longing has never lost its intensity, excepting only, when our Lord was alive on earth in the company of His disciples.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Discourses on the Psalms, Ps 119[118], no. 20 ; CCL 40, 1730matthew 13 17 for truly i say to you marny prophets - from the beginning to the end of time - st augustine 23 july 2020

PRAYER – “O Jesus, Son of God, You Who were silent in the presence of Your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what should say and how to say it.   Show me the way and make me ready to follow it.   It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward.   Answer my petition and show me the way.   As the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid, so do I come to You. O Lord, give Your peace to my heart. “ (St Bridget).   And we ask God our Father that the prayers of St Bridget and Blessed Margarita de Maturana, may serve as an aid as we strive to attain virtue and see Your Face, O Lord, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st bridget of sweden pray for us no 2 - 23 july 2018

bl margarita de maturana pray for us 23 july 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb…” Perseverance

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala, Readings: Song of Solomon 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9, John 20:1-2, 11-18

Speaking of:  Perseverance

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb…”

John 20:11

john 20 11 but mary stood weeping outside the tomb - 22 july 2020

“And will not God vindicate his elect,
who cry to him day and night?”

Luke 18:7

luke-18-7-and-will-not-god-vindicate-his-elect-who-cry-to-him-day-and-night-16-nov-2019 and 22 july 2020

Lord, if Your people still have need
of my services,
I will not avoid the toil.
Your will be done.
I have fought the good fight long enough.
Yet, if You bid me to continue to hold
the battle line, in defence of Your camp,
I will never beg to be excused
from failing strength.
I will do the work You entrust to me.
While You command,
I will fight beneath Your banner.
Amen

St Martin of Tours (c 316-397)

lord if your people still have need of my services - st martin of tours 22 july2020 (2)

“Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial.
We progress by means of trial.
No-one knows himself except through trial,
or receives a crown,
except after victory,
or strives,
except against an enemy or temptations.”

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

our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial - st augustine 22 july 2020

“For now, let us persevere, children,
dear children, let us be patient for a little,
brothers, dear brothers.…
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)
Monk

Catechesis 28

for now let us perseverd children - st theodore the studite 22 july 2020

“Don’t sow your desires
in someone else’s garden,
just cultivate your own, as best you can;
don’t long to be other than what you are
but desire to be thoroughly what you are.
Direct your thoughts,
to being very good at that
and to bearing the crosses, little or great,
that you will find there.
Believe me, this is the most important
and least understood point to the spiritual life.
We all love according to what is our taste,
few people like what is according to their duty
or to God’s liking.
What is the use of building castles in Spain
when we have to live in France?”

dont-sow-your-desires-st-francis-de-sales-24-jan-2018-24-jan-2020 and 22 july 2020

It is not then a case for tears,
that we have so much work to do for our souls,
for we need great courage to go ever onwards
(since we must never stop)
and much resolution to restrain our desires.
Observe carefully this precept,
that all the Saints have given to those who would emulate them –
to speak little, or not at all,
of yourself and your own interests.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Doctor of the Church

the-work-is-never-finished-st-francis-de-sales-27-march-2019-and-24-jan-2020 and 22 july 2020

“Love never says
‘I have done enough.’”

St Marie Eugénie de Jésus (1817-1898)

love-never-says-i-have-done-enough-st-marie-eugenie-de-jesus-10-march-2020 and 22 july 2020

“On the last day, we will not be asked
if we accomplished great deeds,
or been acclaimed by men,
rather we will be asked
if we followed His will,
in the state and condition,
to which we were called.”

The Eighth Circular Letter

St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

on-the-last-day-st-guido-maria-conforti-5-nov-2019and 22 july 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 22 July – “Mary – Recognise Me as I recognise you”

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala, Readings:  Song of Solomon 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17Psalm 63:2-68-9John 20:1-211-18

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?”   Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.”   She turned and said to him in Aramaic,“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). … John 20:15-16john 2016 - jesus said to her mary 22 july 2020

REFLECTION – “When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and did not find the Lord’s body, she thought it had been taken away and so informed the disciples.   After they came and saw the tomb, they too believed what Mary had told them.   The text then says:  The disciples went back home, and it adds:  but Mary wept and remained standing outside the tomb.

We should reflect on Mary’s attitude and the great love she felt for Christ;  for though the disciples had left the tomb, she remained.   She was still seeking the One she had not found and while she sought she wept;  burning with the fire of love, she longed for Him who she thought had been taken away.   And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ, was the only one to see Him.   For perseverance is essential to any good deed, as the voice of truth tells us:  Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved.

At first she sought but did not find but when she persevered, it happened that she found what she was looking for.   When our desires are not satisfied, they grow stronger and becoming stronger they take hold of their object.   Holy desires likewise grow with anticipation and if they do not grow they are not really desires.  Anyone who succeeds in attaining the truth has burned with such a great love.   As David says:   My soul has thirsted for the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?   And so also in the Song of Songs the Church says:   I was wounded by love and again:  My soul is melted with love.

Woman, why are you weeping?   Whom do you seek?   She is asked why she is sorrowing so that her desire might be strengthened, for when she mentions whom she is seeking, her love is kindled all the more ardently.

Jesus says to her – Mary.   Jesus is not recognised when He calls her “woman,” so He calls her by name, as though He were saying: Recognise Me as I recognise you, for I do not know you as I know others, I know you as yourself.    And so Mary, once addressed by name, recognises who is speaking.   She immediately calls Him Rabboni, that is to say, teacher, because the One whom she sought outwardly, was the One who inwardly taught her to keep on searching.” … St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father and Doctor – (Hom. 25, 1-2, 4-5:PL 76, 1189-1193)and so it happened that the woman who stayed behind - st pope gregory 22 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ made Mary of Magdala the first herald of Easter joy.   Grant that, following her example and helped by her prayers, we may, in this life, proclaim The living Christ and come to see Him reigning with You in glory.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever, amen.st-mary-of-magdala-pray-for-us-3-22-july-2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, POETRY, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – Firmly I Believe

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year “A”, Readings: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 12:38-42

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Mark 8:12

“But for what sign from heaven were they asking?
Maybe that He should hold back the sun,
or curb the moon,
or bring down thunderbolts,
or change the direction of the wind,
or something like that?
In Pharaoh’s time there was an enemy
from whom deliverance was needed.
But for one who comes among friends,
there should be no need of such signs.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)

Father & Doctor of the Church

mark 8 12 why does this generation seek a sign -but for what sign from heaven were they asking - st john chrysostom 20 july 2020

Firmly I Believe and Truly
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is One
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.
And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.
Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings, as His own.
And I take with joy whatever
Now besets me, pain or fear
And with a strong will I sever
All the ties which bind me here.
Adoration aye be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

firmly i believe and truly st john henry newman 29 oct 2019 and this one 20 july 2020

“… Only by faith is He known to be present…
He removed His visible presence
and left but a memorial of Himself.
He vanished from sight that He might be present
in a Sacrament and, in order to connect His visible presence
with His presence invisible,
He for one instant, manifest Himself to their open eyes;
manifested Himself, if I may so speak,
while He passed from His hiding-place
of sight without knowledge,
to that of knowledge without sight.”

luke-24-30-broke-the-bread-only-by-faith-knowledge-without-sight-st-john-henry-newman-15-apil-2020 and 20 july 2020

The Sign of the Cross

WHENE’ER across this sinful flesh of mine
I draw the Holy Sign,
All good thoughts stir within me and renew
Their slumbering strength divine,
Till there springs up a courage high and true
To suffer and to do.

And who shall say but hateful spirits around,
For their brief hour unbound,
Shudder to see and wail their overthrow?
While on far heathen ground
Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though
Its source he cannot know.

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

the-sign-of-the-cross-st-john-henry-newman-poem-10-april-2020-good-friday and 20 juy 2020

Posted in I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – ‘Every new doubt is for me, new reason to believe.’

One Minute Reflection – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year “A”, Readings:  Micah 6:1-46-8Psalm 50:5-68-916-172123Matthew 12:38-42and the Memorial of Blessed Luigi Novarese (1914-1984)

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”… Matthew 12:39matthew 12 39 -an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign but no sign will be given to it except ...jonah 20 july 2020

REFLECTION – “Bad Christians lack faith and do not deny it but they claim to be excused, in that they have no reasons for believing. Because of this, there is nothing as common as this speech in the mouths of many people:  “If I had witnessed a miracle I should be a saint!”   “Evil and unfaithful generation!   It seeks a sign!” (Mt 12:39).  The wicked look for signs.
What is even more remarkable about this, is that, although they have seen many that take place daily before their eyes, that they are, so to speak, entirely surrounded, they never stop looking for more, like the scribes and Pharisees;  they would like to see them in heaven when they have seen them on earth.   But neither the dead raised up during the life of the Saviour, nor the eclipse of the sun at death, make them believers;  their envy becomes stronger, their hatred more malicious; each goes as far as raging, yet their unbelief is not healed by it.   It used to be like this regarding those who, living badly, wait for miracles in order to believe:  “They will not be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” (Lk 16:31). …
All the difficulties that halt unbelievers, all the contradictions they encounter in the dogmas of faith, everything they find apparent contradiction, everything that seems new to them, surprising, contrary to common sense, contrary to reason, inconceivable, impossible, all their arguments, all their so-called demonstrations, all of this, far from shaking me, strengthens me even more, makes me immovable in my religion. …  Every new doubt is for me, new reason to believe.” … St Claude la Colombière SJ (1641-1682) – Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Christian reflectionsjonah - all the difficulties that halt unbelievers - st claude 20 july 2020

PRAYER – “O Jesus, Son of God, You Who were silent in the presence of Your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what should say and how to say it.   Show me the way and make me ready to follow it.   It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward.   Answer my petition and show me the way.   As the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid, so do I come to You. O Lord, give Your peace to my heart. “(St Bridget of Sweden).   Stay with us Lord and by the prayers of Your saints, grant us Your grace and Your love.   Blessed Luigi Novarese, intercede for us, as we strive to attain virtue, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl luigi novarese pray for us 20 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MYSTICS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on The SOUL, SPEAKING of ....., The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – Hell

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Sixteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19, Psalm 86:5-6,9-10, 15-16, Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 13:24-43

Hell

“Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels
and they will gather out of his kingdom,
all causers of sin and all law-breakers
and throw them into the fiery furnace.
In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus
Matthew 13:40-42

matthew 13 40-42 just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire - 19 july 2020

“Every man will receive the eternal punishment,
or reward which his actions deserve.
Indeed, if all men recognised this,
no-one would choose evil even for a short time,
knowing that he would incur the eternal sentence of fire.
On the contrary, he would take every means
to control himself and to adorn himself in virtue,
so that he might obtain the good gifts of God
and escape the punishments.”

St Justin Marytr (100-165)
Father of the Church and Martyr

everyma will receive the eternal - st justin martyr 19 july 2020

“Then shall those, already in the midst of the torments,
cry out with pleading voices
and there will be no-one to speak for them to the Lord
and they shall not be heard.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

the shall those already in the midst - st ephrem 19 july 2020

“I am filled with fear and trembling
and all my bones are shaken,
at the thought of that unhappy country
of the damned.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

i am filled with fear and trembling - st bernard 19 july 2020

“So then, I am speaking to you who live in the habit of mortal sin,
in hatred, in the mire of the vice of impurity
and who are getting closer to hell each day.
Stop! and turn around;
it is Jesus who calls you and who,
with His wounds, as with so many eloquent voices,
cries to you, “My son, if you are damned,
you have only yourself to blame:
‘Thy damnation comes from thee.’
Lift up your eyes and see all the graces
with which I have enriched you
to insure your eternal salvation.'”

St Leonard of Port Maurice (1676-1751)

so then i am speaking to you who live in the habit of mortal sin st leonard of port maurice 19 july 2020

“Poor Judas!
Above [2000] years have elapsed
since he has been in Hell
and his Hell is still only beginning.”

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

poor judas - st alphonsus 19 july 2020

“Meditate on the horrors of Hell,
which will last for eternity
because of one easily-committed mortal sin.
Try hard to be among the few who are chosen.
Think of the eternal flames of Hell
and how few there are that are saved.”

meditate-on-the-horrors-of-hell-st-benedict-joseph-labre-16-april-2020 and 19 july 2020

“I was watching souls
going down into the abyss,
as thick and fast as snowflakes,
falling in the winter mist.”

St Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)

i was watching souls going down - st benedict joseph labre 19 july 2020

“I tremble when I see so many souls lost these days.
See, they fall into Hell,
as leaves fall from the trees
at the approach of winter.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

i tremble when i see so many souls lost - st john vianney 19 july 2020

“The natural fire that we see during this life
has great power to burn and torment.
Yet this is not even a shadow of the fire of Hell.”

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

the natural fire we see ....yet this is not even a shadow - st anthony mary claret 19 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 July -“Then the righteous will shine like the sun…” Matthew 13:43

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Sixteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Wisdom 12:1316-19Psalm 86:5-6,9-1015-16Romans 8:26-27Matthew 13:24-43

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” … Matthew 13:43

REFLECTION – “When this, which is corruptible in us, clothes itself with incorruptibility and this, which is mortal, clothes itself in immortality” (1 Cor 15:54), then there will be perfect sweetness, perfect rejoicing, endless praise and love without fear. … And here below?   Do we not enjoy any kind of joy? … Certainly we find joy here below;  here we taste in hope of the life to come, a joy that will satisfy us completely in heaven.
However, the wheat has much to bear in the midst of the darnel.   The seed is mixed up with the straw and the lily grows among the thorns. … And indeed, what is it that was spoken to the Church?   “As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among my maidens” (Sg 2:2).   It said, “Among my maidens” and not among foreigners.   O Lord, what are the consolations you give us?   What the comfort?   Or rather, what the alarm?   Are you calling your own maidens “thorns”?   By their behaviour they are thorns, He answers, but maidens through my sacraments. …
But where is the Christian to take refuge, then, if he is not to groan in the midst of false brethren?   Where is he to go?   What is he to do?   Is he to fly away to the desert?   Occasions for falling will follow him.  Will he who is doing so well, separate himself to the extent, of not putting up with a single one of his brothers?   What about him, then? Supposing nobody was able to put up with him before his conversion? … So if, under the pretext of making progress, he cannot bear with anyone else, by this very fact it is clear, he hasn’t progressed as yet.   Pay careful attention to these words:  “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3).   Isn’t there anything in you that another has to bear?” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Discourses on the Psalm, Ps 99, 8-9matthew 13_43 then the righteous will shine like the sun - st augustine 19 july 2020

PRAYER – Father and almighty God, You have given Your Son to redeem us with complete and absolute love and mercy.   He has taken our flesh and given Himself to us and extended endless mercy for all time.   He has taught us the path of love and mercy.   Grant, we pray, that our hearts may grieve and repent with true sorrow.   And may the prayers of His Mother and ours, the Most Holy and Pure Virgin, assist us to extend love and mercy to all.   We make our prayer through the merits of His saving love and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, amen.MOST HOLY AND PURE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US 19 JULY 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, POETRY, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 18 July – ‘Who lives in Love …’

Quote/s of the Day – 18 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Micah 2:1-5, Psalm 10:1-4, 7-8, 14, Matthew 12:14-21

“In his name the Gentiles will hope”

Matthew 12:21

matthew 12 21 - in his name the gentiles will hope 18 july 2020

“Christ made my soul beautiful
with the jewels of grace and virtue.
I belong to Him whom the angels serve.”

St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr

christ-made-my-soul-st-agnes-21-jan-2018 and 18 july 2020

“If you wish to enter into life,
keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth,
believe in Me.
If you will be perfect,
sell all.
If you will be My disciple,
deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life,
despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven,
humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me,
carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross
find the life of blessedness
and of true light.

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ Chapter 56

if-you-wish-to-enter-into-life-keep-my-commandments-thomas-a-kempis-2-june-2020-belonging-to-god and 18 july 2020

“I am the king’s good servant
but God’s first.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

i-am-the-kings-good-servant-but-gods-first-st-thomas-more-29-jan-2019 and 18 july 2020

“God gave Himself to you:
give yourself to God.”

god gave himself - st robert southwell - 21 feb 2018

Who lives in Love, loves least to live
and long delays doth rue,
if Him he love by whom he lives,
to whom all praise is due,
Who for our love did choose to live
and was content to die,
who loved our love more than His life,
and love with life did buy.
Let us in life, yea with our life
requite His living love,
for best we live when least we live,
if Love our life remove.
Mourn, therefore, no true lover’s death,
life only him annoy,
and when he taketh leave of life
then Love begins his joys.

who-lives-in-love-st-robert-southwell-5-jan-2020 and 18 july 2020

“I do not much dread the tortures,
as I look forward to the crown.”

St Robert Southwell (1561-1595) Martyr

i-do-not-much-dread-the-tortures-st-robert-southwell-sj-21-jan-2019-on-martyrdom and 18 july 2020

“Jesus will be in agony
even to the end of the world;
we must not sleep
during that time”

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
(Pensées, 553)

jesus-will-be-in-agony-even-to-the-end-of-the-world-we-must-not-sleep-during-that-time-blaise-pascal-2-june-2020 and 18 july 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 18 July – “In his name the Gentiles will hope” … Matthew 12:21

One Minute Reflection – 18 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Micah 2:1-5Psalm 10:1-47-814Matthew 12:14-21and the Feast of Our Lady of Good Deliverance

“In his name the Gentiles will hope” … Matthew 12:21

REFLECTION – “Who among us can know all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ and buried within the poverty of His flesh?   For, “for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty, you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).   Since He came in order to assume our mortal condition and lay low death itself, He appeared as one who was poor.   But He who has promised us distant riches has by no means lost those, from which He is kept away.   “How great is his abundant goodness which he keeps in store for those who fear him, he satisfies those who hope in him” (cf. Ps 31[30]:20). …

So that we might be able to lay hold of it, He who is equal to the Father, having the nature of God, became like us by taking the nature of a servant and recreates us in God’s likeness.   Having become son of man, the only Son of God transforms numberless men into sons of God. And after having sustained His servants by His own visible nature of a servant, He sets them free to contemplate the nature of God.   For “we are God’s children; what we shall be has not yet been revealed.   We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is” (1 Jn 3:2).   For in what do these treasures of wisdom and knowledge and these divine riches consist?   In what is this abundant goodness?   All we know is, that it is this, that satisfies us.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Sermon 194 ; PL 38, 1016matthew 12 21 - in his name the gentiles will hope - so that we might be able to lay hold of it, He who is equal - st augustine - 18 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your Providence, You rule us.   Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service and childlike trust in You.   Grant that by the intercession of Our Lady of Good Deliverance, we may always follow behind Your Son and grasp His hand, to lead us to You, Through Jesus Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.our lady of good deliverance pray for us 18 july 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – ‘Take Christ’

Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8, Responsorial psalm Isaiah 38:10-12, 16, Matthew 12:1-8

‘Take Christ’

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

Isaiah 43:1

isaiah 43 1 fear not for i have redeemed you i have called you by name you are mine 14 april 2020 easter tuesday

Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
…The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God,
that surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4, 5d,6-7

philippians-4-4-5d-6-7-1-jan-2020 and 17 july 2020

“The Christian should be an
‘alleluia’
from head to foot.

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

the-christian-should-be-an-alleluia-st-augustine-10-april-2018-speaking-of-evangelisation

“May Christ be heard in our language,
may Christ be seen in our life,
may He be perceived in our hearts”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

(Sermo VIII, 5)

may-christ-be-heard-st-peter-damian-21-feb-2019 and 17 july 2020

“The one you are looking for,
is the One who is looking.”

the one you are looking for is the one who is looking - st francis assisi 17 july 2020

“Jesus is happy to come with us,
as Truth is happy to be spoken,
as Life to be lived,
as Light to be lit,
as Love is to be loved,
as Joy to be given,
as Peace to be spread.”

St Francis of Assisi (1181/2–1226)

jesus-is-happy-to-come-with-us-st-francis-of-assisi-4-oct-2018 and 17 july 2020

“Love God, serve God,
everything is in that.”

love-god-serve-god-everything-is-in-that-st-clare-1-jan-2019 and 2020

“Totally love Him,
who gave Himself totally,
for your love.”

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

totally loe hm who game hmself totally for your love - st clare of assisi 17 july 2020

“If, then, you seek to know what path to follow,
take Christ because He is the way.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

if the you seek to know what path to follow take christ - st thomas aquinas 17 july 2020

“He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain,
at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty,
on to the judgement seat, the same Christ there as ever,
still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then.
And then, on through all eternity.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

he will e with you also - thomas a kempis 17 july 2020 new

“Every Christian must be a living book
wherein one can read the teaching of the gospel.
This is what St Paul says to the Corinthians.
Our heart is the parchment;
through my ministry
the Holy Spirit is the writer because
‘my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe’
(Psalm 45:1).”

St Joseph of Leonissa OFM CAP (1556-1612)

every-christian-must-be-a-living-book-st-joseph-of-leonissa-4-feb-2018 17 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – “I say to you, something greater than the temple is here …” … Matthew 12:6

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Isaiah 38:1-621-227-8, Responsorial psalm Isaiah 38:10-1216Matthew 12:1-8 and the Feast of The Madonna of Humility

“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here …” … Matthew 12:6

REFLECTION – ““Christ also reminded them of another prophecy, so that they might learn, that all things that were spoken of previously, were accomplished in Him through the law, that the priests in the temple broke the sabbath without offence, clearly revealing that Jesus Himself was the temple.
In Him, salvation was given to the Gentiles, through the teaching of the apostles, while the people who were bound by the law, wandered about faithlessly, so that He Himself might be greater than the sabbath.
Evangelical faith lived in Christ, transcends the law.” … St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) – Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ – On Matthew, 12mmatthew 12 8 something greater than the temple is here - evangelical faith lived in christ-st hilary 17 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God, to whom this world with all its goodness and beauty belongs, give us grace joyfully to begin this day in Your name and to fill it, with an active love for You and for our neighbour.   Grant us the grace to repent of our sins, to turn to the Cross of Your Son and to beg Him in His great love and suffering to forgive us again!   Mary, the Madonna of Humility, intercede for us in our weakness and help us become humble and look only at the face of Christ. Amenmadonna of humility pray for us 17 july 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – ‘… Following Him!’

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 26:7-91216-19Psalm 102:13-21Matthew 11:28-30 and the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and of Blessed Ceslaus Odrowaz OP (c 1184– 1242) (Brother of St Hyacinth)

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

REFLECTION – “Dearest sister in Jesus.   I, Catherine, servant of the servants of Jesus, write to you in His Precious Blood, wishing only that you feed yourself with God’s love and nourish yourself with it, as at a mother’s breast.   Nobody, in fact, can live without this milk!
Who possesses God’s love, finds so much joy that every bitterness transforms itself into sweetness and that every great weight becomes light.   One must not be astonished because living in charity you live in God – “God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God and God abides in him”(1 John 4:16)
Thus, living in God, you can have no bitterness because God is delight, gentleness and never-ending joy!
This is why God’s friends are always happy!   Even if we are sick, poor, grieved, troubled, persecuted, we are always joyful.
… We do not seek joy elsewhere than in Jesus and we avoid any glory which is not that of the Cross.
Embrace, then, Jesus crucified, raising to Him the eyes of your desire! Consider His burning love for you, which made Jesus pour out His blood from every part of His body!
Embrace Jesus crucified, loving and beloved and in Him you will find true life because He is God made man.   Let your heart and your soul burn with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross!
You must, then, become love, looking at God’s love who loved you so much not because He had any obligation towards you but out of pure gift, urged only by His ineffable love.
You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus!   As if you were drunken with Love, it will no longer matter whether you are alone or in company – do not think about many things but only about finding Jesus and following Him!
Run, Bartolomea, do not stay asleep, because time flies and does not wait one moment!
Dwell in God’s sweet love.
Sweet Jesus, Jesus love.” … St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) – Doctor of the Church – From the “Letters” (letter no. 165 to Bartolomea, wife of Salviato of Lucca).matthew 11 29 take my yoke - embrace then jesus crucified - st catherine of siena 16 july 2020

PRAYER – “Holy God, our Father, we turn to You in confidence as children and pray, give us meekness of heart, make us “poor in spirit” that we may recognise that we are not self-sufficient, that we are unable to build our lives on our own but need You, we need to encounter You, to listen to You, to speak to You.   Help us to understand that we need Your gift, Your wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, in order to do the Your will in our lives and thus to find rest in the hardships of our journey.”   Hear the prayers we request of the Mother of our Jesus Crucified and our Mother, Our Lady of Carmel, dear Lord and holy God, which we pray through Christ, our Light, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen. … Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 7 December 2011our-lady-of-mount-carmel-pray-for-us.2 16 july 2019 and 2020 (1)

bl ceslaus odrowaz pray for us 16 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on IGNORANCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 July – “You have revealed them to the childlike.” … Matthew 11:25

One Minute Reflection – 15 July – Monday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, YearA, Readings: Isaiah 10:5-713-16Psalm 94:5-1014-15Matthew 11:25-27 and the Memorial of St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)

“You have revealed them to the childlike.” … Matthew 11:25

REFLECTION“I give praise to you,” Jesus says, “because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned.”   What?   Is He glad at the loss of those who don’t believe in Him?   Certainly not.   How wonderful are God’s designs for people’s salvation!   When they turn away from the truth and refuse to accept it, God never forces them but lets them be.   Their wandering away stimulates them to find the path again.   Returning to their senses, they hastily seek out the grace of the call to faith they had rejected before.   As for those who had remained faithful, their devotion becomes even stronger like this.   So Christ is glad these things are revealed to some but saddened they are hidden from others.   This is made known when He weeps over the city (Lk 19:41).   Saint Paul writes in the same spirit:  “Thanks be to God!   You were once slaves of sin but you have become obedient from the heart” to the Gospel (Rom 6:17). …

Who are the wise Jesus is talking about here?   The scribes and the Pharisees.   He says this to hearten His disciples, by showing them of what privileges they have been accounted worthy.   Simple fishermen that they are, they have received the illumination that the wise and learned despised.   These latter are wise in name only, they think themselves wise but are false scholars.   That is why Christ did not say: “You have revealed them to the ignorant” but to “the childlike,” that is to say, simple, honest people. …   In this way, He teaches us to utterly renounce important things and seek out simplicity.   Saint Paul goes even further:   “If anyone considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise” (1Cor 3:18).” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) – Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermons on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no.38, 1matthew 11 25 - you have revealed to the children-who are the wise - st john chrysostom 15 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your Providence, You rule us. Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service and childlike trust in You.   Grant that we may always follow behind Your Son and grasp His hand, to lead us to You.   May we grow in faith and love daily, by the intercession of Saint Bonaventure and may be a light of love, to all around us, as he was.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st bonaventure seraphic doctor pray for us 15 july 2020

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – ‘… The Grace of Repentance …’

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” = Tuesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9Psalm 48:2-8Matthew 11:20-24 and the Memorial of St Francisco Solanus y Jiménez OFM (1549 – 1610) Priest – “The Wonder Worker of the New World” and St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614) “The Giant of Charity”

“But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you.”… Matthew 11:24

REFLECTION – “Let us fix our thoughts on the blood of Christ and reflect how precious that blood is in God’s eyes, inasmuch as its outpouring for our salvation, has opened the grace of repentance to all mankind.
For we have only to survey the generations of the past, to see, that in everyone of them, the Lord has offered the chance of repentance to any, who were willing to turn to Him.   When Noah preached repentance, those who gave heed to him were saved.   When, after Jonah had proclaimed destruction to the people of Niniveh, they repented of their sins and made atonement to God with prayers and supplications, they obtained their salvation, notwithstanding, that they were strangers and aliens to Him.

All those, who were ministers of the grace of God, have spoken, through the Holy Spirit, of repentance.
The very Lord of all, Himself has spoken of it and even with an oath – By my life, the Lord declares, it is not the sinner’s death that I desire, so much as his repentance and, he adds, this gracious pronouncement, Repent, O house of Israel and turn from your wickedness. Say to the children of my people, though your sins may stretch from earth to heaven and though they may be redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, yet if you turn wholeheartedly to me and say ‘Father’, I will listen to you as I would to a people that was holy.

Thus, by His own almighty will, He has confirmed his desire that repentance should be open to everyone of His beloved.

Let us bow, then, to that sovereign and glorious will.   Let us entreat His mercy and goodness, casting ourselves upon His compassion and wasting no more energy in quarrels and a rivalry which only ends in death.” … St Pope Clement I (c 35-99) – From his Letter to the Corinthians (Chs 7, 4-8, 3; 8, 5-9, 1; 13, 1-4; 19, 2)matthew 11 24 but i tell you that it shall be more tolerable - let us bow then to that sovereign - st pope clement I 14 july 2020

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Fill us with knowledge of our need to turn to You in sorrow and repentance, that we may one day attain our final home with You. Grant we pray, that by the intercession of Saints Francisco Solanus and Camillus de Lellis, we may too become lights announcing Your love to all around us. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.ST FRANCISCO SOLANO PRAY FOR US 14 JULY 2020

st camillus de lellis pray for us

 

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “Whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.” Matthew 10:39

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17, Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 10:34–11:1

“Whoever finds his life, will lose it
and whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.”

Matthew 10:39

matthew 10 29 whoever finds hislife will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake - 13 july 2020

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

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

do-not-say-this-happened-by-chance-st-basil-the-great-13-july-2019-no-2 and 13 july 2020

“The Lord is near,
do not be anxious
about anything!”

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

An excerpt from his Sermon 171

the lord is near do not be anxious about anything - st augustine 13 july 2020

“In God’s name let us go on bravely.”

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

in-gods-name-st-joan-of-arc-30-may-2020 and 13 july 2020

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

Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

we must offer ourselves to god like a clean smooth canvas - st jean pierre de causade abandonment div prov-11may 2020

“Consider the shortness of time,
the length of eternity
and reflect how everything here below
comes to an end and passes by.
Of what use is it, to lean upon,
that which cannot give support?”

St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

consider-the-shortness-of-time-st-gerard-majella-16-oct-2019 and 13 july 2020

“We are blind,
left to ourselves,
we should take the wrong way, 
we must leave it to Him.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

we are blind - st john henry newman 13 july 2020

“I trust in God
and wish nothing else
but His will.”

St Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski (1822-1895)

i-trust-in-god-st-zygmunt-felinski-17-sept-2019-1 and 13 july 2020

“Do not be preoccupied
with the future,
God is in charge of it.”

St Léonie Françoise De Sales Aviat (1844-1914)

do-not-be-preoccupied-with-the-future-st-leonie-aviat-10-jan-2020 and 13 July 2020

“The glance of God is like a fortifying dew,
a luminous ray, which fertilises and expands –
let us work without noise and without rest,
let us work before God’s eyes,
before God alone!”

Bl Luigi Orione (1872-1940)

the glance of god - bl luigi orione 13 july 2020

“My past, O Lord, to Your mercy,
my present, to Your love,
my future, to Your Providence.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

my-past-o-lord-to-your-mercy-st-pio-23-sept-2019 and 13 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – ‘Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…’

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17Psalm 50:8-916-172123Matthew 10:34–11:1 and the Memorial of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos (1845-1926) Priest

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

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

So love your father but not more than you love your God, love your mother but love still more the Church who has begotten you into eternal life…  Indeed, if you owe such gratitude to those who begot you for mortality, what kind of love do you owe to those who begot you for eternity?   Love your spouse, love your children as God does, to lead them to serve God together with you and then, when you are reunited, you will not be afraid of being separated.   Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…matthew-10-37-whoever-lovs-father-or-mother-so-love-your-father-but-not-more-st-augustine-15-july-2019 and 13 july 2020

Take up your cross and follow the Lord.   Your Saviour Himself, wholly God as He was in the flesh, clothed with your flesh, He, too, showed human feelings when He said – “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me,” (Mt 26:39)…  The servant’s nature with which He clothed Himself for your sake, caused His human voice, the voice of His flesh, to be heard.   He took your voice so as to express your weakness and give you His strength… and to show you, whose will to prefer.”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 344, #2-3the servant's nature with which he clothed himself - st augustine 13 july 2020

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Grant we pray, that we may grow in faith and love daily, by the intercession of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos and may be a light of love, to all around us, as he was.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl mariano de jesus euse hoyos pray for us 13 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 July – ‘Cultivate serious study!’

Quote/s of the Day – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-14, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23

“Not on bread alone
is man to live
but on every utterance
that comes from the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:4

matthew-4-4- not on bread alone is man to live - 13 july 2017 - mem of st henry

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

Matthew 13:23

matthew 13 23 - as for what was sown on good soil - 12 july 2020

“Those who are my sheep
hear my voice
and follow me”

John 10:27

john 10 27 those who are my sheep hear my voice and follow me 12 july 2020

“For he knows that Scripture, as a whole,
is God’s one perfect and complete instrument,
giving forth, to those who wish to learn,
it’s one saving music…”

Origen (c 185-253)
Theologian, Father of the Church

scripture as a whole is god's one perfect - origen 12 july 2020

“The Church is the Ship
outside which
it is impossible to understand
the Divine Word,
for Jesus spoke from the boat
to the people gathered
on the shore.”

St Hilary of Poitiers
(315-368)
Father & Doctor of the Church

the-church-is-the-ship-outside-of-which-st-hilary-divine-word-13-jan-2020 and 12 july 2020

“We speak to God when we pray,
we listen to Him,
when we read the Scriptures.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

we speak to god when we pry - st ambrose 12 july 2020

“Ignorance of Scripture
is ignorance of Christ.”

ignorance-of-the-scriptures-is-ignorance-of-christ-st-jerome-30-sep-2018 and 2019

“Let sleep find you holding your Bible
and when your head nods,
let it be resting on the sacred page.”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

let sleep find you holding your bible - st jerome 12 july 2020

“We truly seize Christ
if our minds grasp the Word.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Sermons on the Gospel of John, no 48, 9-11we truly seize christ if our minds grasp the word st augustine 12 july 2020

“The Holy Bible is like a mirror before our mind’s eye.
In it we see our inner face.
From the Scriptures we can learn
our spiritual deformities and beauties.
And there too we discover the progress we are making
and how far we are from perfection.”

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father and Doctor of the Church

the holy bible is like a mirror - st gregory he great

“When it comes to obeying the commandments
or enduring adversity,
the words uttered by the Father
should always echo in our ears –
“This is my Son, the beloved,
in whom I am well pleased,
listen to Him.”

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

when-it-comes-to-obeying-the-commandments-st-pope-leo-the-great-10-june-2020 and 12 july 2020

“The grain of mustard seed is the Lord,
who by faith is sown spiritually
in the hearts of those who accept Him.
… For it is written,
“The word is very near to you,
in your mouth and in your heart” (Rm 10:8),
that is, the word of faith, Christ,
being Himself, the word that is sought.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

Second Century on Theology, nos. 10-11, 35

mark 4 30-31 the grain of mustard seed is the lord - st maximus 31 jan 2020 to what shall I compare

“Always give good heed to the Word of God,
whether you hear or read it in private,
or hearken to it when publicly preached.
Listen with attention and reverence,
seek to profit by it
and do not let the precious words fall unheeded
but receive them into your heart.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor caritatis

always-give-good-heed-to-the-word-of-god-st-francis-de-sales-16-feb-2020 and 12 july 2020

“Cultivate serious study!
Sacred scripture says,
‘Because you have despised wisdom,
I will despise you’.”

St Joseph Freinademetz SVD (1852-1908)

cultivate serious study! St Joseph freinademetz 12 july 2020

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, I BELIEVE!, MIRACLES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Sunday Reflection – 12 July – The Sacrament that You Receive is Effected by the Words of Christ – St Ambrose

Sunday Reflection – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-14, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see
and your ears, for they hear.
For truly, I say to you,
many prophets and righteous people,
longed to see what you see and did not see
and to hear what you hear and did not hear it.”

Matthew 13:16-17

The Sacrament that You Receive is Effected by the Words of Christ

Saint Ambrose (340-397)
Bishop and Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his work, On the Mysteries

and this body which we make present - sun reflection 12 july 2020 st ambrose

We see that grace can accomplish more than nature, yet so far we have been considering instances of what grace can do through a prophet’s blessing.   If the blessing of a human being had power even to change nature, what do we say of God’s action in the Consecration itself, in which the very words of the Lord and Saviour are effective?   If the words of Elijah had power even to bring down fire from heaven, will not the words of Christ have power to change the natures of the elements?   You have read that in the creation of the whole world He spoke and they came to be;  He commanded and they were created.   If Christ could by speaking create out of nothing what did not yet exist, can we say that His words are unable to change existing things into something they previously were not?   It is no lesser feat to create new natures for things than to change their existing natures.

What need is there for argumentation?   Let us take what happened in the case of Christ Himself and construct the truth of this mystery from the mystery of the incarnation.   Did the birth of the Lord Jesus from Mary come about in the course of nature?   If we look at nature we regularly find that conception results from the union of man and women.    It is clear then, that the conception by the Virgin was above and beyond the course of nature.   And this Body, which we make present, is the Body born of the Virgin.   Why do you expect to find in this case, that nature takes its ordinary course in regard to the Body of Christ, when the Lord Himself was born of the Virgin in a manner above and beyond the order of nature?   This is indeed the true flesh of Christ, which was crucified and buried.   This is then, in truth, the Sacrament of His Flesh.

The Lord Jesus Himself declares – This is my Body.   Before the blessing contained in these words, a different thing is named;   after the Consecration a Body is indicated.   He Himself speaks of His Blood. Before the Consecration something else is spoken of;  after the Consecration Blood is designated.   And you say: “Amen,” that is: “It is true.”   What the mouth utters, let the mind within, acknowledge, what the word says, let the heart ratify.

So the Church, in response to grace so great, exhorts her children, exhorts her neighbours, to hasten to these mysteries – Neighbours, she says, come and eat;  brethren, drink and be filled.   In another passage the Holy Spirit has made clear to you what you are to eat, what you are to drink.   Taste, the prophet says and see, that the Lord is good;  blessed is the man who puts his trust in Him.   Christ is in that sacrament, for it is the Body of Christ.   It is, therefore, not bodily food but spiritual.   Thus the Apostle too says, speaking of its symbol – Our fathers ate spiritual food and drank spiritual drink.   For the body of God is spiritual;  the body of Christ is that of a divine spirit, for Christ is a spirit.   We read – The spirit before our face is Christ the Lord.   And in the letter of Saint Peter we have this – Christ died for you.   Finally, it is this food that gives strength to our hearts, this drink which gives joy to the heart of man, as the prophet has written.

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – ‘… The Seed of the Divine Word’

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10-14Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23

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

REFLECTION – “Indeed, you all know how land is cultivated.   First of all you pull out the weeds and throw away the stones, then you work the ground itself.   You do it again a second time, a third time and finally… you sow.   Oh, let it be like this in our souls!   First of all let us uproot the weeds, that is to say our evil thoughts; then take out the stones, in other words all our malice and obstinacy.   Finally, let us work our hearts with the plough of the Gospel and the ploughshare of the cross.   Let us break it by repentance, turn over the soil with almsgiving and with charity, prepare it for the seed of Our Lord… that it may joyfully receive the seed of the divine word and bring forth fruit, not just thirty but sixty and a hundredfold.”… St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Monk & Bishop (Sermons to the people, no.6 passim ; SC 175)matthew13 23 - as for what was sown on the good soil-let us work our hearts with the plough of the gospel and the ploughshare of the cross - st caesarius 12 july 2020

PRAYER – A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me! (Ps 50[51]) Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace to us.   Keep us within in the path of Your commandments, help us to work on the earth of our souls, rooting out the weeds and casting forth the stones of malice.   Grant that by the intercession of the Mother of Your Son and our Mother too, we may succeed in attaining sanctity. Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.holy mother mary pray for us 16 jan 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – ‘… The most precious of His creatures’

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Isaiah 6:1-8Psalm 93:1-25Matthew 10:24-33 and the Memorial of St Benedict of Nursia OSB (c 480-547) Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism and St Olga Queen of Kiev (c 890-969)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?   Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.   Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” … Matthew 10:29-30

REFLECTION – “If God shows such a solicitous care even for things of modest value (grass and flowers, for example), how can He forget you, that you are the most excellent of His creatures?   Why then did He create such beautiful things?   To manifest His wisdom and the greatness of His power, so that we might know all His glory.

Not only the heavens narrate the glory of God (Ps 18,2) but also the earth, as David points out, when he sang:   Praise the Lord, fruit trees and all cedars (Ps 148,9).   In fact, some creatures praise the Creator with their fruits, others with their greatness, still others with their beauty.

Another demonstration of the great wisdom and power of God resides in the fact that He adorns even the most vile objects of such beauty (what is, in fact, more vile than what exists today but tomorrow will no longer be?)   If, then, God has also given hay to what was not necessary at all (what good is it, in fact, it’s beauty?   To feed the fire?) how can He not give you what you need?   If the Lord has generously decorated the most vile thing of all and not for some purpose but only for beauty, much more He will honour you, the most precious of His creatures, in those things that are necessary to you. ” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on the Gospel of St Matthew, 22.1matthew 10 29-30 are not two sparrows sold - if the Lord has decorated ...how much more He will honour you - st john chrysostom 11 july 2020

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me to have a true fervour in Your service.   Let me never tire of following Your Son’s example and avoiding evil.   Teach me to reside in total peace in Your wisdom and power and thus to trust You above all.   Grant that by the intercession of St Benedict and St Olga, we may grow in holiness and attain our eternal home with You.   We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-benedict-pray-for-us-11-july-2017-3

st olga of kiev pray for us 11 july 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – “Sheep Amidst the Wolves”

Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 14:2-10, Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17, Matthew 10:16-23

“Sheep Amidst the Wolves”

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart
but you shall reason with your neighbour,
lest you bear sin because of him.
You shall not take vengeance
or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people
but, you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord”

Leviticus 19:17-18

leviticus-19-17-18-you-shall-not-hate-your-brother-love-our-enemy-16-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:44

matthew-5-44-but-i-say-to-you-love-your-enemies-16-march-2019 and 16 june 2020

“We are treated as deceivers and yet, are truthful,
as unrecognised and yet, acknowledged,
as dying and behold we live,
as chastised and yet, not put to death,
as sorrowful yet, always rejoicing,
as poor yet, enriching many,
as having nothing and yet, possessing all things.”

2 Corinthians 8-10

2-corinthians-8-10-we-are-treated-as-deceivers-and-yet-are-truthful-17-june-2019-and-15-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“What is the surest kind of witness?
“Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ
came among us in the flesh” (cf. 1Jn 4,2)
and who keeps the commands of the Gospel…
How many there are each day
of these hidden martyrs of Christ
who confess the Lord Jesus!
… So be faithful and courageous
in interior persecutions
so that you may also win
the victory in exterior persecutions.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

what-is-the-surest-kind-of-witness-st-ambrose-13-july-2019 and 27 nov 2019

“You don’t love in your enemies
what they are
but what you would have them become,
by your prayers!”

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor

you-dont-love-in-your-enemies-what-they-are-but-what-you-would-have-them-become-by-your-prayers-st-augustine-18-june-2018 and 10 july 2020

“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.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

when-he-has-begun-to-follow-me-st-caesarius-of-arles-21-feb-2020 and 10 july 2020

“We must show love
for those who do evil to us
and pray for them.
Nothing is dearer
or more pleasing to God than this.”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373)

we-must-show-love-for-those-who-do-evil-to-us-st-bridget-of-sweden-16-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“… I declare to you,
that there is no other way of salvation
than the one followed by Christians.
Since this way teaches me to forgive my enemies
and all who have offended me,
I willingly forgive the king
and all those who have desired my death.
And I pray that they will obtain
the desire of Christian Baptism.”

St Paul Miki SJ (1564-1597) Martyr

i-declare-to-you-that-there-is-no-other-way-of-salvation-st-paul-miki-16-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“Visit me not, O my loving Lord –
if it be not wrong so to pray –
visit me not those trying visitations
which saints alone can bear!
Still, I leave all in Thy hands, my dear Saviour –
I bargain for nothing.
Only, if Thou shall bring heavier trial on me,
give me more grace –
flood me with the fullness of Thy strength and consolation,
that they may work in me,
not death but life and salvation.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

luke-21-9-but-not-a-hair-of-your-head-visit-me-not-loving-lord-st-john-henry-newman-27-nov-2019 and 10 july 2020

“Catholics are part of the Church Militant.
They struggle and they suffer for the triumph of Christ.
They must never lose sight of their Divine Model,
so that their trials will be turned into joy.”

St Pius X (1835-1914)

catholics are part of the church militant - st pius X 10 july 2020

“To live without faith,
without a heritage to defend,
without battling constantly for truth,
is not to live
but to ‘get along,’
we must never just ‘get along’.”

Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925)
“Man of the Beatitudes”to-live-without-faith-bl-pier-giorgio-frassati-4-july-2020 and 10 july 2020

“When I feel overwhelmed by misfortune,
the greatest joy that the Lord can give me,
is to go to the altar, to put my forehead against it
(as on the day of my ordination to the priesthood)
and to feel the presence of the only reality.
Not only does calm return
but my body seems to be annihilated,
the only true life begins,
the life of that which is intangible.”

Bl Leonid Feodorov (1879-1935) Martyr

when-i-feel-overwhelmed-by-misfortune-bl-leonid-feodorov-7-march-2019-and-27-nov-2019 and 10 july 2020

“Let us love our enemies,
bless those who curse us,
pray for Those who persecute us.
For love will conquer
and will endure for all eternity.
And happy are they who live
and die in God’s love.”

let-us-love-our-enemies-bl-franz-jagerstatter-21-may-2020 and 10 july 2020

” …We need no rifles or pistols for our battle
but instead, spiritual weapons –
and the foremost among these is prayer….
Through prayer,
we continually implore new grace from God,
since without God’s help and grace,
it would be impossible for us to preserve the Faith
and be true to His commandments….”

we need no rifles or pistols for our battle- bl franz jagerstatter martyr 10 july 2020

“Since the death of Christ,
almost every century
has seen the persecution of Christians,
there have always been heroes
and martyrs who gave their lives –
often in horrible ways –
for Christ and their faith.
If we hope to reach our goal some day,
then we, too, must become heroes of the faith.”

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)
Martyr of Conscientious Objection

we-need-no-rifles-or-pistols-for-our-battle-bl-franz-jagerstatter-21-may-2020 and 10 july 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 10 July – ‘Citizens of Heaven.’

One Minute Reflection – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 14:2-10Psalm 51:3-48-912-1417Matthew 10:16-23 and the Memorial of St Canute of Denmark (c 1042-1086) Martyr

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” … Matthew 10:16matthew 10 16 behold i send you out as sheep - 12 july 2019 and 10 july 2020

REFLECTION – “They live in the flesh but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh.   They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven.   Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.   Christians love all men but all men persecute them.   Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death but raised to life again.   They live in poverty but enrich many; they are totally destitute but possess an abundance of everything.  They suffer dishonour but that is their glory.   They are defamed but vindicated.   A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult.   For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life.   They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body.   As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world but cannot be identified with the world.   As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world but their religious life remains unseen.   The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures.  Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred.   It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together and, similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together.   The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven.   As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution.   Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.” …  Ancient Christian writerFrom a letter to Diognetus (Nn. 5-6; Funk, 397-401)matthew 10 16 as sheep amidst the wolves - they suffer dishonour but that is their glory - diogenes 10 july 2020

PRAYER – Father of all holiness, guide our hearts to You. Keep in the light of Your truth, all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief.   May our lives be the source of enlightenment to others and our faith and love every remain strengthened by Your grace.   Listen to the prayers of Your saint and angels on our behalf, as we long for our eternal home.   St Canute, we beg for your prayers.    We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amenst canute of denmark pray for us 10 july 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD, Uncategorized

One Minute Reflection – 9 July – ‘… Be holy Missionaries’

One Minute Reflection – 9 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 11:1-48-9Psalm 80:2-315-16Matthew 10:7-15 and the Memorial of Blessed Marija of Jesus Crucified Petković (1892-1966)

“And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” … Matthew 10:7

REFLECTION – “We Missionaries often wonder why the work of the conversion of the non-Christian world goes so slowly.   We usually give various reasons to explain this painful fact and in truth, the problem may be considered from many angles, some of which do not concern our responsibility.   But, for the part that does concern us and it is the main part, the problem has a very clear solution.   To save the world, God in His infinite wisdom wanted to have co-workers.   God does His part well – do the people called to help Him do their part equally well?
Let us work in such a way that the whole Church, all Christian people, led by their Bishops and clergy, truly feel the apostolic duty that is incumbent upon them to promote the propagation of the faith, with every means.   Let us work in such a way that that Missionaries, the most direct instruments for the conversion of souls, are saints and non-Christians will not be slow to be converted.
… You, Missionaries in active service in the field, are particularly concerned with your part of co-operation.   Therefore, I say to you, be holy Missionaries by following the footsteps of those great Missionaries who went before you and, for the part that concerns you, your apostolic duty will have been done to the full.   The souls the Lord, in His merciful designs, has entrusted to each one of you that you may lead them to salvation, will be saved and at the end of your days you will be able to say with the Divine Redeemer:  “(Father) I kept those you had given me true to you name.   I have watched over them and not one is lost” (Jn 17:12).” … Blessed Paolo Manna PIME (1872-1952) Superior General of the PIME Founder of the Pontifical Missionary Union – “Holiness is the Soul of Mission”matthew 10 7 and proclaim as you saying the kingdom of god is at hand - therefore, I say to you, be holy Missionaries - bl paolo manna 9 july 2020

PRAYER – “Lord, You have called us to the apostolate with the witness of our life and the proclamation of the Gospel, may we contribute to the coming of Your Kingdom in the nations to which you send us.  Lord, You wish us to be Missionaries in communion with the Churches that have given us the faith and richness of Christian life, keep us united to our bishops and to the people they guide, that together we may carry out the mission You have entrusted to us in their name. Lord, You wanted our parents and benefactors, through their generosity and sacrifices, to participate in our apostolic life, may they share the reward You have prepared for those who work for the coming of Your Kingdom throughout the world.   Merciful Lord, during their earthly life You assigned our deceased brethren the task of spreading Your Word, may they receive the reward for their apostolate in the glory of heaven.   AMEN” … (From the Manual of PIME MIssionaries) And Lord, may the prayers of Your holy men and women, today we call on Bl Marija of Jesus Crucified Petković, who proclaimed Your Kingdom by her life, be every heard for our intercession.

bl marija of jesus crucified petkovic pray for us 9 july 2020