Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – “Beware of practising your piety before men …”

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14, Psalm 31:20, 21, 24, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:  “Beware of practising your piety before men in order to be seen by them;  for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:1

matthew 6 1 bewae of practising your piety 17 june 2020

“Christianity is not a matter
of persuading people of particular ideas
but of inviting them to share
in the greatness of Christ.
So pray, that I may never fall into the trap,
of impressing people,
with clever speech but instead,
I may learn, to speak with humility,
desiring only to impress people
with Christ Himself.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107)
Father of the Church, Martyr

christianity-is-not-a-matter-of-persuading-people-st-ignatius-of-antioch-16-oct-2019 and 17 june 2020

“Do not boast of yourself
if you have served well,
as you should have done.
The sun obeys,
the moon complies
and the angels serve.
Let us not require praise for ourselves…”

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

do not boast - st ambrose 17 june 2020

”Vainglory can find a place,
not only, in the splendour and pomp of worldly wealth
but even in the sordid garment of sackcloth as well.
It is then all the more dangerous
because it is a deception,
under the pretence of service to God.”

vainglory can find a place - st augustne 17 june 2020

“Do you wish to RISE?
Begin by DESCENDING.
You plan a tower
that will pierce the CLOUDS?
Lay first the foundation
of HUMILITY.”

do you wish to rise, begin by descending - st augustine - 28 aug 2018

“God looks at what is within,
it is there He assesses,
there He examines.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

god resists the proud - god looks at what is within - st augustine - 29 sept 2019

“True humility
scarcely ever
utters words
of humility.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

true humility scarcely ever utters words of humility st francis de sales-17 june 2020

“The truly humble
reject all praise for themselves
and refer it all to God.”

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

the truly humble - 2018 and 17 june 2020

“God who is infinite, all powerful,
has become man,
the least of men.
My way is always to seek the lowest place,
to be as little as my Master,
to walk with Him,
step-by-step as a faithful disciple.
My way, is to live with my God
who lived this way all His life
and, who has given me,
such an example,
from His very birth.

Blessed Charles of Jesus de Foucauld

(1858-1916)

god-who-is-infinite-all-powerful-has-become-man-bl-charles-de-foucauld-1-dec-2019-17 june 2020

“I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple.
But God declared
“Go down again –
I dwell among the people.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

i-sought-to-hear-the-voice-of-god-bl-john-henry-newman-29-march-2019 and 30 oct 2019

“The humble man receives praise,
the way a clean window
takes the light of the sun.
The truer and more intense the light is,
the less you see of the glass.”

Thomas Merton OCSO (1915-1968)

the-humble-man-receives-praise-thomas-merton-13-march-2019 and 30 oct 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 June – ‘Purity of intention…’

One Minute Reflection – 17 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14, Psalm 31:20, 21, 24, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

“Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” … Matthew 6:1

REFLECTION – “Our Lord, so the early Fathers say, used to tell His disciples to be well-proved bankers, proving all things, holding fast what is of value.   No coin finds acceptance commercially if the gold is below standard, underweight, of it the piece is illegally struck;  nor can our actions have any value spiritually, unless they are suitable, graced with charity and have a pious motive.

Take fasting, for instance – if I fast simply for the purpose of slimming, my fasting is for debased spiritual coinage;  if temperance underlies it but I am not in a state of grace, it is still deficient, for charity alone gives weight to what we do;  if I do it merely out of courtesy for the company in which I find myself, it lacks the stamp of right intention. Let my fasting be based on temperance, my soul in a state of grace, my intention solely to please God, then my efforts will ring true, fit to enlarge my store of charity.

Given utmost purity of intention and a firm resolve to please God, little actions are well done.   In these circumstances they lead to great holiness.   Some people, in spite of eating all they can, remain only skin and bone, weak, listless, their powers of digestion are poor.   Others may eat next to nothing yet be fit as fiddles, full of energy — nothing is wrong with their digestion!   Some folk there are, in the same way, who do many good things, yet have little extra charity to show for it – coldness and carelessness, or instinct and inclination rather than grace or zeal, is where the blame lies.   On the other hand, there are those who accomplish little but to perfect is their will, their intention, however, that their growth in charity is great.   They have only a little talent but they make such careful use of what they have that the Lord rewards them for it generously.” … St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Doctor Caritatismatthew 6_1 - beware of practising - let my fasting be based on temperance my soul in a state of grace - st francis de sales 17 june 2020

PRAYER – Litany of Humility
By Servant of God Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930) – who was accustomed to recite this prayer daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.

O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver, me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase
and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amenlitany of humility by card merry del val 17 june 2020

Posted in GOD the FATHER, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – ‘Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us…’

Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:17-29, Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16, Matthew 5:43-48

“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

“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

“So hold fast to the sweet and salutary bond of love,
without which, the rich are poor
and with which the poor are rich.
What do the rich possess if not charity? …
And since “God is love,” (1 Jn 4:8)
as John the evangelist says,
what can the poor lack,
if they merit to possess God by means of charity? …
So love, dearest brethren
and hold fast to charity
without which, no-one will ever see God.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Monk and Bishop

Sermons addressed to the people, no. 23, 3

matthew-5-44-love-your-enemies-so-hold-fast-to-the-sweet-st-caesarius-of-arles-18-june-2019 and 16 june 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

“… 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

“All our religion is but a false religion
and all our virtues are mere illusions
and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God,
if we have not that universal charity for everyone –
for the good and for the bad,
for the poor and for the rich
and for all those who do us harm,
as much as those who do us good.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

all-our-religion-is-but-a-false-religion-if-we-have-not-love-for-our-enemies-st-john-vianney-4-aug-2018 and 16 june 2020

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

Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) Martyr

all-men-are-our-brothers-bl-titus-brandsma-1st-sat-lent-16-march-2019 and 16 june 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.”

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)
“Called-up to a Higher Order”
Martyr of Conscientious Objection

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIOLENCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 June – ‘But I say to you …’

Quote/s of the Day – 15 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16, Psalm 5:2-3, 4-7, Matthew 5:38-42 and the Memorial of St Germaine Cousin (1579–1601)

“But I say to you,
offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.”

Matthew 5:39

but-i-say-to-you-offer-no-resistance-to-one-who-is-evil-matthew-5-39-17-june-2019 and 15 june 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-4-aug-2018 and 15 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 jue 2020

“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 don't love in your enemies what they are but what you would have them become by your prayers - st augustine - 18 june 2018

“For true charity, beloved brethren,
is the soul of the whole of Scripture,
the strength of prophecy,
the structure of knowledge,
the fruit of faith,
the wealth of the poor,
the life of the dying.
So keep it faithfully;
cherish it with all your heart
and all the strength of your soul (cf Mk 12:30).”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Bishop and Monk

(Sermons to the people, no. 23, 4-5,
which draws its inspiration from Saint Augustine)

mt-5-38-39-an-eye-for-an-eye-discourse-for-true-charity-dear-brethren-st-caesarius-of-arles-18-june-2018 and 15 june 2020

“This Gospel passage is rightly considered,
the magna carta of Christian non-violence.
One then understands that for Christians,
non-violence is not merely tactical behaviour
but a person’s way of being,
the attitude of one who is so convinced
of God’s love and power
that, he is not afraid to tackle evil
with the weapons of love and truth alone.
… Here is the newness of the Gospel
which silently changes the world!
Here is the heroism of the “lowly”
who believe in God’s love and spread it,
even at the cost of their lives.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Angelus, St Peter’s Square,
Sunday, 18 February 2007

matthew 5 44 but i say to you love your enemies this gospel passage magna carta - pope benedict 23 feb 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 June – ‘… Go with him for two miles.’

One Minute Reflection – 15 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16, Psalm 5:2-3, 4-7, Matthew5:38-42 and the Memorial of St Germaine Cousin (1579–1601)

“Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” … Matthew 5:41

REFLECTION – “Do you grasp the excellence of a Christian disposition? After you give your coat and your cloak, even if your enemy should wish to subject your naked body to hardships and labours, not even then, Jesus says, must you forbid him.   For He would have us possess all things in common, both our bodies and our goods, as with them that are in need, so with them that insult us.   For the latter response comes from a courageous spirit, the former from mercy.   Because of this, Jesus said, “If any one shall compel you to go one mile, go with him two.” Again He leads you to higher ground and commands you to manifest the same type of aspiration.   For if the lesser things He spoke of at the beginning receive such great blessings, consider what sort of reward awaits those who duly perform these and what they become even before we hear of receiving rewards.   You are winning full freedom from unworthy passions in a human and passible body.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop, Father & Doctor (The Gospel of Matthew: Homily 18)matthew-5-41-should-anyone-press-you-into-service-do-you-grasp-the-excellence-of-a-christian-disposition-st-john-chrysostom-17-june-2019 and 15 june 2020

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over or hearts and bodies this day.   Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to the commandments of Your law, so that now and forever, Your grace may free and save us.   Teach us Lord to walk in the ways of the Cross of Your Son, our Saviour, as St Germaine Cousin so lovingly and willingly inspires us to do.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amenst germaine cousin pray for us 15 june 2020

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HOLY COMMUNION, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 June – Corpus Christi, The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – “I am the living bread …”

One Minute Reflection – 14 June – Corpus Christi, The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;  whoever eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I will give, is my flesh for the life of the world.” ... John 6:51john 6 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven whoever eats this bread will live forever 14 june 2020 corpus christi

REFLECTION – “God elaborates on a suitable and wholesome new diet for the newly-formed and newborn babe.   He says it consists of the one who nourishes and who is the Father of all, that are generated and regenerated—just as manna, the celestial food of angels, flowed down from heaven on the ancient Hebrews.
But when our kind and loving Father rained down the Word, He Himself, became spiritual nourishment to the good.
This is a truly amazing mystery because, this is the kind of diet the Lord administers, He offers His flesh and pours out His blood so that nothing is lacking for His children’s growth.   This is almost too much to take in!
And then, we are to throw out the old and carnal corruption, our old diet, receiving in exchange a totally new diet — Christ Himself, as we ingest Him for Him to remain hidden there.
Then, with our Saviour enshrined in our souls, as it were, we can correct the affections of our flesh.” … St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Father of the Church – Christ the Educator, 1but when our kind and loving father rained down the Word He Himself became - st clement of Alex 14 june 2020 corpus christi

PRAYER – Lord Jesus Christ, You gave Your Church, an admirable Sacrament as the abiding memorial of Your Passion.   Teach us to worship the sacred mystery of Your Body and Blood, that it’s redeeming power may sanctify us always.   Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen.mark 14 22 this is my body

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – ‘Do not swear …’

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-10, Matthew 5:33-37 and the Memorial of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church

“Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.” … Matthew 5:36

REFLECTION – “These words of the Lord whereby He forbids us to swear by these different elements, invites a double explanation.  Firstly, He wanted to draw us away from the use of oaths and the customs of human error, lest each of us through swearing by these elements, accord a creature the honour of divine veneration or, believe one has impunity in swearing falsely, if one swears by the elements of the world.

It can also be explained in this way – When one swears by heaven and earth, one swears by Him who made heaven and earth, as the Lord Himself declared elsewhere:  “He who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things that are on it and, he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it.”   Jesus goes on to say, “nor by Jerusalem,” for it is the city of the great King, that is, the symbol of Christ’s body, which is the spiritual and heavenly church.   “Neither shall you swear,” he says, “by your head,” for according to the apostle, “the head of every man is Christ.”   Therefore, the one who swears by these things makes reference to Him who is the author of all these things.” … St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died 407) Bishop, Theologian, Defender of the Faith against Arianism, Friend and supporter of St Jerome, St John Chrysostom, St AmbroseTractate on Matthew 24)matthew 5 36 do not swear - he wanted to draw us away - st chromatius of aquilea 13 june 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, everliving God, You gave St Anthony of Padua to Your people as a preacher and teacher and a patron in their needs. Grant that we may learn from his words inspired by Your Holy Spirit and by his prayers, grow in faith, hope and humility.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all-glorious God, now and forever, amen.st-anthony-pray-for-us-13-june-2017 AND 13 JUNE 2020

Posted in CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COWARDICE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SPEAKING of ....., The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 June – Speaking of: Sin

Quote/s of the Day – 12 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Friday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16, Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14, Matthew 5:27-32

Speaking of:  Sin

” It is better for you to lose one of your members,
than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.”

Matthew 5:29

matthew 5 29 it is better for you to lose on oe your members... 12 june 2020

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

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

the-dragon-sits-by-the-side-of-the-road-st-cyril-of-jerusalem-16-march-2019

“Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation,
for there is no conflict without an enemy,
no victory without strife.”

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

virtue is nothing - st pope leo the great - 1 feb 2018

“When God forgives a sinner who humbly confesses his sin,
the devil loses his dominion over the heart he had taken.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

when god forgives a sinner who mumbly confesses - st bernard 12 june 2020

“Let the enemy rage at the gate;
let him knock, pound, scream, howl;
let him do his worst.
We know for certain,
that he cannot enter our soul,
except by the door of our consent.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

let the enemy rage at the gate, let him knock - st francis de sales 12 june 2020

“We are generally, 
the carpenters
of our own crosses.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

we are generally the carpenters of our own crosses - st philip neri 12 june 2020

“The power of evil men
lives on the cowardice of the good.”

the-power-of-evil-st-john-bosco-31-jan-2018 and 12 june 2020

“Do not try to excuse your faults,
try to correct them.”

“Fly from bad companions
as from the bite
of a poisonous snake.”

“Act today in such a way,
that you need not blush
tomorrow.”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

do-not-try-to-excuse-fly-from-bad-act-in-such-a-way-st-john-bosco-31-jan-2019 and 12 june 2020

“That conversation… was as dirty as a sewer!
It is not enough for you to take no part in it.
You must show your repugnance for it strongly!”

St Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975)

that conversation was as dirty as a sewer - st josemaria escriva 12 june 2020

“For the sinner, hell begins on this earth!”

for-the-sinner-hell-begins-on-this-earth-bacci-4-jan-2020 and 12 june 2020

“The Sacrament of Penance,
is our plank of salvation
in the shipwreck of sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

the sacrament of penance is our plank of salvation in the shipwreck of sin - bacci 29 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 June – ‘… The impulse of the heart…’

One Minute Reflection – 12 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Friday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16, Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14, Matthew 5:27-32

“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.   It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.” … Matthew 5:29

REFLECTION – “As the degree of innocence increases, faith becomes more advanced.   For we are advised to be free, not only from our own particular faults but also from those things, which affect us outwardly. For is it not because of sin, that the bodily members were condemned in the first place?   The right eye is no less sinister than the left.   It is pointless to chastise a foot that is unaware of lust and thus involves no grounds for punishment.   But our members indeed do differ from each other while we are all one body.   We are here being advised to pluck out inordinate loves or friendships, if they are the occasion that leads us further into wrongdoing.   We would do well, to not even have the benefit of a member, like an eye or a foot, if it furnishes the avenue, by which one is drawn by excessive affections into a partnership with hell.   Even the cutting away of a member might be beneficial, if the heart (figuratively speaking), were also able to be cut away.   But, if the impulse of the heart is left unchanged, the cutting away of a member would be pointless.” … St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ – On Matthew, Ch 4matthew 5 29 if your right eye - we are here being advised to pluck out - st hilary 12 june 2020

PRAYER – Yours is the day and Yours, the night, Lord God and we are Your children.   Grant we pray, that the weakness of our humanity, the drive of our emotions and flesh may not overpower us.   Lead us Lord, through the dangers of our day, give us strength and true love, wishing only, our final home, for those who share our lives, especially our spouse.   Mary, pray for us, that we may imitate your faithfulness in all things.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.blessed-virgin-mother-mary-pray-for-us-25-june-2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 June – “Freely you have received, freely you are to give.”

Quote/s of the Day – 11 June – Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Acts: 11:21b-26; 12:1-3, Psalm 98(97),1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6, Matthew 10:7-13 and the Memorial of St Barnabas, Apostle of Christ

“Freely you have received,
freely you are to give.”

Matthew 10:8 (DR)

matthew 10 8 freely you have received freely give 11 june 2020

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men,
I also will acknowledge before my Father,
who is in heaven…”

Matthew 10:32

matthew-10-32-so-everyone-who-acknowledges-me-13-july-2019 and 27 nov 2019

“Pray as though everything depended on God.
Work as though everything depended on you.”

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

pray as though - st augustine - speaking of seeking sainthood - 11 june 2018

“He should first
show them,
in deeds,
rather than words,
all that is good and holy.”

St Benedict (c 480-547)

show them in deeds - st benedict - 11 july 2019

“Someone who truly follows the Lord
wants everyone to follow Him,
which is why he turns to his neighbour
with kind attentions, prayers
and proclamation of the Gospel.
… Jesus loves the one who follows Him.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor

someone who truly follows the lord wants everyone to follow him - st anthony of padua 11 june 2020

“Teach us to give
and not to count the cost.”

teach us to give and not to count the cost - st ignatius 1 jan 2019

“It is not hard to obey
when we love the one,
whom we obey.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

it is not hard - st ignatius - 11 june 2018 - seeking sainthood

“Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which, the compassion of Christ, looks out to the world.
Yours are the feet,
with which, He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands,
with which, He is to bless others now.”

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

christ has o body on earth but yours no hands but yours -st teresa of avila 11 june 2020

“Let us renew our faith in Him
and put all our hope in His promises!
… Working to enrich … society and culture
with the beauty and truth of the Gospel
and never losing sight of that great hope
which gives meaning and value
to all the other hopes which inspire our lives.”

Pope Benedict XVI

john-14-12-whoever-believes-in-me-let-us-renew-our-faith-pope-benedict-10-may-2020 and 11 june 2020

“God will put someone in your path today
who doesn’t necessarily need you…
but who desperately needs Christ in you.”

Mark Hart

Executive Vice President for Life Teen International.

god will put someone in your path today-mark hart 18 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 June – ‘How could we not preach the gospel…?’

One Minute Reflection – 11 June -“Month of the Sacred Heart” – Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Acts: 11:21b-26; 12:1-3, Psalm 98(97),1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6, Matthew 10:7-13 and the Memorial of St Barnabas, Apostle of Christ

Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” ... Matthew 10:7-8

REFLECTION – “It is not we who look for an apostolate – it looks for us; God, in loving us first, makes apostles of us.   How could we share bread, a roof, our heart with the neighbour who is our own flesh and not be overflowing with the love of our God for him, if that neighbour does not know him?   Everything is miserable without God;  we cannot tolerate wretchedness for someone we love, least of all the greatest. Not be apostolic?   Not be missionaries?   But then what would it mean to belong to this God who has sent His Son so that the world might be saved by Him… and how?

However, we don’t “think” about being apostles;  we think of being – in God’s hands, in the body of Christ, under the moving of His Spirit – the Christ we wish to become, the Christ who is never love without being light and there is no light except at the price of light.   We imitate Him, badly but without stopping, we enter into Him, dissimilarly but tenaciously, how could we not be, at least in will, apostles? in all our being, disposed as, missionaries?…

How could we not preach the gospel if the Gospel is under our skin, in our hands, our hearts, our heads?   We are obliged to say why we try to be what we want to be, why we try not to be what we don’t want to be, we are obliged to preach, since preaching is to say something publicly about Jesus Christ, our Lord and God and one can’t love Him and be silent.” … Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl (1904-1964) – Missionary to the outcasts – A vocation for God among men (The Joy of Believing)matthew 10 8 without cost you have received - how could we not preach the gospel ven madelein delbrel 11 june 2020

PRAYER – O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, should be set apart to convert the nations, grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed.   We pray you Lord, that by the intercession of St Barnabas, we too may grow in faith and love and live to glorify Your kingdom.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.st-barnabas-pray-for-us.11 june 2017

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SPEAKING of ....., The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 June – Old and New

Quote/s of the Day – 10 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 18:20-39, Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11, Matthew 5:17-19

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.”

Matthew 5:17

“In the first instance,
the finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone
but now, it is in human hearts,
that He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3).

matthew-5-17-think-not-that-i-have-come-to-abolish-the-law-st-augustine-in-the-first-instance-27march2019-1-and-18-march-2020 and 10 june 2020

“The New Testament lies hidden, in the Old;
the Old is made accessible, by the New.”

the new testament lies hidden n the old - the old is made - st augustie 10 june 2020

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

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

for-whoever-does-the-will-of-my-father-matthew-12-50-his-mother-is-the-whole-church-st-augustine-24-july-2018 and 10 june 2020

“He is the one who teaches
the truth of prophecy
through His presence
and makes obedience
to the commandments possible
through grace.”

he is the one who teaches the truth of prophecy - st pope leo the great 10 june 2020

“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 Churchwhen it comes to obeying the commandments - st pope leo the great 10 june 2020

“The Old Testament is like a radio
with its hidden voice
announcing the One to come.
The New Testament is like a television
because the Word became both
audible and visible.”

Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

the old testament is like a radio - ven fulton sheen 10 june 2020

” Christ instituted this new covenant,
the new testament, that is to say, in His Blood, (1 Cor 11:25) c
alling together a people made up of Jew and gentile,
making them one, not according to the flesh but in the Spirit.
This was to be the new People of God … :
“a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
… the people of God” (1 Pt 2:9).”

Vatican Council II –
Constitution on the Church
“Lumen gentium” # 9

matthew-5-17-do-not-think-that-i-have-come-to-abolish-christ-instituted-lumen-gentium-16-feb-2020 and 10 june 2020

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 June – ‘I am your Light, your Salvation and your King.’

One Minute Reflection – 10 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 18:20-39, Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11, Matthew 5:17-19

“I have come, not to abolish but to fulfil.” … Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “The sacrifice of the lamb, the Passover rite and the letter of the Law, have reached their term in Jesus Christ, in view of Whom, everything in the ancient Law took place – and, even more so, in the new dispensation.   For the Law became the Word;  from being old it became new …  the commandments have been transformed into Grace and the foreshadowing into truth;  the lamb has become the Son, the sheep has become man and man has become God. …matthew 5 17 i have come not toa bolish but to fulfil - the sacrifice of the lamb, the passover rit and the letter of the law - st melitos of sardis 10 june 2020

God though He was, the Lord put on our humanity;  He suffered for him who was suffering, was bound for him who was captive, was judged for the guilty, was buried for him who was buried.   He was raised from the dead and cried out in a loud voice:  “If anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together” (Is 50,8).   It is I who delivered the condemned man;  I who restored life to the dead;  I who raised up those in the grave.   “Who disputes my right?”   It is I, He says, I, who am the Christ, I, who destroyed death, who triumphed over the enemy, who bound the mighty enemy and carried off man to the heights of heaven;  it is I, He says, who am the Christ.

Come along then, every human family, full of sin as you are and receive the forgiveness of your sins.   For I Myself, am your forgiveness, I am the Passover of salvation, the Lamb slain for your sakes, your redemption, life and resurrection;  I am your Light, your Salvation and your King.   It is I, who lead you to the heights of heaven, I, who will raise you up;  it is I, who will bring you to see the Father who is from all eternity;  it is I, who will raise you up by My all-powerful Hand.” … St Melito of Sardis (Died c 180) Bishop, Apologist – Paschal Homilymatthew 5 17 i have come not to abolish but to fulfil - come along then every human family - st melitos of sardis 10 june 2020

PRAYER – Shed your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled. May your Angels and Saints, pray for us. May the Mother of Our God and our Mother, be at our side and guide our way. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.blessed mother mary ora pro nobis pray for us 10 june 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 June – ‘…Could it be that our light is not bright enough?’

One Minute Reflection – 9 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 17:7-16, Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8, Matthew 5:13-16 and the Feast of Our Lady of Grace and the Memorial of St Columba of Iona (521-597) Apostle of the Picts, Apostle to Scotland

“You are the salt of the earth but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? … You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.“…Matthew 5:13, 14

REFLECTION – “That is what we are as authentic disciples of Jesus.
Salt bring savour;  light dispels darkness.
In order to bring savour, salt must identify with the food without losing it’s own identity.   If it loses it’s own identity, it is fit only to be trampled underfoot.
Light dispels darkness. In fact, light and darkness are mutually exclusive because, where there is light there cannot be darkness and where there is darkness, light is absent.
But the light that we, as disciples of Jesus shed, must be mounted high, not for our own glory but that those who are enlightened may glorify and praise the Father.
If there is still so much darkness in our world, could it be that our light is not bright enough?” ,,, Msgr Alex Rebello, Diocese of Wrexham,  Wales.matthew 5 13 and 14 salt and light msgr alex rebellow bible diary 9 june 2020

PRAYER – Holy Almighty Father, we pray that we may be the light of Your divine Son and the salt of the earth.   Help us, we pray, to ever strive to be both the light and salt of the earth and may the protection of Our Lady of Grace, first disciple of Jesus and model, be of help to believers who live every day their vocation and mission in history. May our Mother help us, to let ourselves always be purified and illumined by the Lord, to become in turn “salt of the earth” and “light of the world. As St Columba of Iona brought both salt and light to the darkness of the pagan Scotland, grant we pray that his prayers may help us in our mission. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen…our lady of grace pray for us 9 june 2020

st columba of iona pray for us 9 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MINI SERIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SPEAKING of ....., The BEATITUDES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Part One: The Beatitudes

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 17:1-6, Psalm 121:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12

Part One:  The Beatitudes (a tiny beginning)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3

matthew 5 3 blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kigndom of heaven 8 june 2020

“…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself, will be exalted.”

Luke 18:14

LUKE 18-14

“Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues,
hence, in the soul in which this virtue does NOT exist,
there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.”

“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending.
You plan a tower, that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first, the foundation of humility.”

” There never can have been
and never can be
and there never shall be,
any sin without pride.”

St Augustine (354-430) Doctor of the Church

st augustine - 22 march 2018 - speaking of humility -humility is the foundation, do you wish to rise, there never can be

“Humility is the only virtue
that no devil can imitate.
If pride made demons out of angels,
there is no doubt,
that humility could
make angels out of demons.”

humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate - st john climacus-30 march 2020

“The one who requests less than he deserves from God
will surely obtain more than he deserves.   
This is clearly shown by the tax-collector
who requested forgiveness but obtained justification.   
And the thief merely requested
to be remembered in His Kingdom
but he inherited Paradise.”

St John Climacus (c 525-606)
Father of the Church

te-one-who-requests-less-st-john-climacus-30march-2019 and 21 march 2020

“‘… Choose the same things as Himself…’”
That which is small and despised,
that is what He has chosen,
my Saviour and God,
who put on our flesh
to confound human fame and wealth.”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk and Theologian at Constantinople

Catechesis 78

choose the same things as himself-st theodore the studite 7 may 2020

“Your Master is not disturbed by mockery and do you get upset?
He bears spittle, blows, strokes of the lash
and can you not take a harsh word?
He accepts the cross, a humiliating death,
the torture of the nails
and can you not undertake to carry out the lowliest of tasks?
How can you become a sharer in His glory (1 Pt 5:1)
if you will not consent to become a sharer in His humiliating death?”

St Simeon the New Theologian (949-1022)

Catechesis 27

how can you become a sharer in his glory - 28 march 2019 st simeon the new theologian 28 march 2019

“We are ever but beginning,
the most perfect Christian,
is to himself but a beginner,
a penitent prodigal
who has squandered God’s gifts
and comes to Him,
to be tried over again,
not as a son
but as a hired servant.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

we-are-ever-but-beginning-bl-john-henry-newman-16-aug-2019-and-27-oct-2019 and 14 march 2020

 

 

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, SACRAMENTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 June – There is nothing as beautiful as a soul which is pure. 

One Minute Reflection – 8 June – Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 17:1-6, Psalm 121:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12 and the Memorial of Saint Medard (c 456-545) Bishop

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” … Matthew 5:8

REFLECTION – “There is nothing as beautiful as a soul which is pure. If we understood this, we would be incapable of losing our purity. A pure soul is like a beautiful pearl. As long as it is concealed in a shell, at the bottom of the sea, no-one thinks of admiring it. But if you display it in the sun, then this pearl shines and draws people’s eyes.

Purity comes from Heaven, we have to ask God for it. If we ask for it, we shall receive it. We must take great care not to lose it. It closes our hearts to pride, sensuality and every other passion.

Children, we cannot understand the power which a pure soul has over the Good God – it receives all it wishes for. … Before God, a pure soul is like a child before its mother, it caresses her and hugs her and its mother returns its caresses and embraces.

To preserve our purity, there are three things – the Presence of God, prayer and the Sacraments.” … St John-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Curé d’Ars (Selected Thoughts of the Curé d’Ars).

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, grant us we pray, a heart like Your divine Son’s – His Sacred Heart is our standard and our goal – grant us a heart made of flesh, pure and beautiful in Your sight.   May we ever seek Your Face and follow the love with which the Sacred Heart of Jesus guides our way.   May the prayers of St Medan today, help us to be Your children, pure in heart.    Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

st medard pray for us 8 june 2020 (1)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 June – Firmly I Believe and Truly

One Minute Reflection – 7 June – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Readings: Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9, Psalm Daniel 3:52.53.54.55.56, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, John 3:16-18

“Whoever believes in him … might have eternal life” … John 3:16

REFLECTION – “Fools! … how is it that you can’t stop your prying investigations into the Trinity or be content to believe it exists, since you have for your guide the apostle who wrote:  “Anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb 11:6). (…) So let no-one put unnecessary questions to himself but, be content with learning what is contained in Scripture.

… Scripture tells us that the Father is both Source and Light:  “They have forsaken me, the source of living waters” (Jer 2:13);  “You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom” (Ba 3:12) and, according to John, “God is light” (1Jn 1:5).   Now the Son, is called a river, in relation to the source for, according to the psalm, “the river of God is full of water” (Ps 65[64]:10). And in relation to the Light, He is called splendour, when Paul says that he is “the refulgence of his glory and the very imprint of his being” (Heb 1:3).   Thus the Father is Light, the Son it’s refulgence… and, in the Son, it is by the Spirit that we are illuminated.   “May God give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation,” says Paul, “resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened” (Eph 1:17-18).   But, when we are enlightened, it is Christ who enlightens us in Him, for Scripture says: “He was the true light who enlightens everyone coming into the world” (Jn 1:9).   Moreover, since the Father is Source and the Son is called River, we are said to drink of the Spirit:  “We were all given to drink of one Spirit” (1Cor 12:13).   But, refreshed by the Spirit, we drink Christ since:  “They drank from a spiritual rock that followed them and the rock was the Christ” (1Cor 10:4). (…)

God alone is wise and the Son His wisdom, for “Christ is the power and the wisdom of God” (Rm 16:27; 1 Cor 1:24).   So, it is in receiving the Spirit of wisdom, that we possess the Son and gain wisdom in Him. … The Son is Life.   He said:  “I am the Life” (Jn 14:6).   But, it is said, that we are brought to life by the Spirit, as Paul wrote:  “The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in us” (Rm 8:11).   But when we have been brought to life by the Spirit, then Christ will be our life … “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

When such a correspondence and unity exists in the Holy Trinity, who can separate either the Son from the Father, or the Spirit from the Son or the Father? …  God’s mystery is not communicated to our minds by demonstrative arguments but, by faith and reverent prayer.” … St Athanasius (295-373) Bishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church – Letters to Serapion, no.1, 19john 3 16 whoever believes in him - god alone is wise and the so His wisdom - st athanasius 7 june 2020 trinity sun

PRAYER – Firmly I Believe and TrulySt John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is On
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 7 June 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 June – The price …

One Minute Reflection – 6 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Psalm 71:8-9, 14-17, 22, Mark 12:38-44 and the Memorial of St Norbert O.Praem (c 1080-1134) and St Marcellin Champagnat FMS (1789-1840)

“For they all contributed out of their abundance but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.”…Mark 12:44

REFLECTION – “Now, if someone is wondering what the cost is, here is their answer – He who offers a Kingdom in heaven has no need of earthly coin.  No-one can offer God anything, except what already belongs to Him, since all that exists is His.   And yet, God does not give away so great a thing, without a price being placed on it, He does not give it to someone who doesn’t value it.   For indeed, nobody gives away something they hold dear without placing some kind of value on it.
From now on, then, if God has no need of your goods, neither does He have to give you this great thing, if you refuse to love Him, all He requires is love, without which nothing constrains His giving.   Love, then, and you will receive the Kingdom, love and you will possess it… Love God more than yourself and already, you begin to have what it is you desire to possess fully, in heaven.”… St Anselm (1033-1109) Doctor of the Churchmark 12 44 - for they all contributed out of their abundance - from now on then, if god has no need-st anselm 6 june 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, Your Son has shown us the way.   As we follow in His steps, may we never wander from the path that leads to life.   Renew the wonders of Your grace in our hearts so that neither death nor life may separate us from Your love.   Holy Father, as You were glorified by the life and death of St Norbert and St Marcellin, grant that by their prayers, we may receive strength to always give You our hearts, minds and complete selves.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, with You in union with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.st norbert pray for us

st marcellin pray for us - 6 june 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 June – ‘Be mindful of the mystery of Christ!’

One Minute Reflection – 5 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Friday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Psalm 119:157, 160-161, 165-166, 168, Mark 12:35-37 and the Memorial of St Boniface (672-754) “The Apostle of Germany” – Martyr and Bl Malgorzata Szewczyk (1828-1905)

David himself calls him ‘lord.’ … Mark 12:37

REFLECTION – “Be mindful of the mystery of Christ!   Born from the Virgin’s womb, both Servant and Lord – Servant to set to work, Lord to command so that He might plant a Kingdom for God in people’s hearts. Twofold in origin but one in nature, He is not one thing when He comes from the Father, another when He comes from the Virgin.   He is the very same, the one born of the Father before all ages and who has taken flesh of the Virgin in the course of time.   And that is why He is named both Servant and Lord – Servant with respect to us but, due to the unity of the divine substance, God from God, Principle from Principle, Son equal in all things to the Father who is His equal.   For the Father has not begotten a Son different to Himself – the Son of whom He asserted:  “In him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17) (…)

In every respect the Servant preserves His titles of dignity.   God is great and the Servant is also great – when He came in the flesh He did not lose this “greatness that has no limit” (Ps 145[144]:3) …   “Though he was in the form of God he did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.   Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Phil 2:6-7) … Therefore, as Son of God He is equal to God, He took the form of a slave by becoming incarnate, He whose greatness has no limit “tasted death” (Heb 2:9) (…)

How good is the condition of the Servant who has set us all free!   Yes, how good it is!   It won for Him “the name which is above all other names!”   How good that humility is!   It was through it that, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).” … St Ambrose (c 340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon on Psalm 36[35]:4-5mark 12 37 david himself calls him lord - be mindful of the mystery of christ - st ambrose 5 june 2020

PRAYER – Lord, Your martyr Boniface, spread the faith by his teaching and witnessed to it with his blood.   Grant we pray, that the name of our Lord and God, Your divine Son, may be ever on our lips and in our hearts.   May we bow in worship to our Lord Jesus now and forever, amen!   By the help of the prayers of St Boniface and Bl Malgorzata Szewczyk, grant that we may be ever loyal to our faith and grant us the courage to profess it in our lives.   Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, amen.

st-boniface-pray-for-us-25 June 2018. and 5 june 2020

BL MALGORZATA SZEWCZYK PRAY FOR US 5 JUNE 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 June – ‘It is not our own love we are to give …’

One Minute Reflection – 4 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Thursday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14, Mark 12:28-34

Jesus replied:  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this:  ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” … Mark 12:29-31mark 12 29-31 you shall love the lord your god with all your heart -4 june 2020

REFLECTION – “It is God we love;  love of God is the first commandment but the second is like it, namely, that it is only through others that we can return love for love to God.
The danger is when the second commandment becomes the first. However, we have a means of control which is to love each person, to love Christ, to love God in each person, without preference or distinction or exception.
The second danger is, that we cannot do it and will not do it, if we separate charity from faith and hope.
It is prayer that gives us faith and hope.   Without prayer we won’t be able to love. …
Faith and hope infused by prayer, are what will clear the path of our love from its most cluttering obstacle – self-love.
The third danger is to love, not “as Jesus has loved us” but in a human fashion.   And perhaps this is the greatest danger of all. …
It is not our own love we are to give, it is God’s love.   The love of God, a divine person, the gift of God to us but which remains a gift, which has to pass through us, so to speak, to pierce us, in order go elsewhere, to enter others.” … Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl (1904-1964) Missionary to the Outcasts, Author, Poet, Mystic – Fulfilling even on this earth the love for which God has created us (The joy of believing)the third danger is to love, not as Jesus has loved us-ven madeleine delbrel 4 june 2020

PRAYER – God power and mercy, by whose grace, Your people give You praise and worthy service, help us to see Your face in our neighbour. To love them all as we love You. Save us from faltering on our way and grant us the joys You have promised. St Francis Caracciolo, you who loved even unto death, kindly assist our journey by your prayers. Through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.+st francis caracciolo pray for us 4 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SPEAKING of ....., The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – “Speaking of:   The Last Things”

Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – Wednesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12, Psalm 123:1-2, Mark 12:18-27

“Speaking of:   The Last Things”

“He is not God of the dead but of the living.”

Jesus
Mark 12:27

he is not god ofthe dead but of the living mark 12 27 3 june 2020

“At the end of your life,
you will be judged by your love.”

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

at the end of your life you will be judged by your love st john of the cross 3 june 2020

“The school of Christ is the school of charity.
…On the last day,
when the general examination takes place,
…Charity will be the whole syllabus.”

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church

the school of christ is the school of charity on the last day - st robert bellarmine 3 june 2020

“When it is all over,
you will not regret having suffered,
rather, you will regret, having suffered so little
and suffered that little so badly.”

Bl Sebastian Valfre (1629-1710)

when-it-is-all-over-bl-sebastian-valfre-13-dec-2017 and 30 jan 2020

“The bridal train is sweeping by—
Angels are there—
the just made perfect are there—
little children and holy teachers
and white-robed saints and martyrs washed in blood…
His Bride hath made herself ready (Rv 19:7).
She has already attired herself,
while we have been sleeping.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

luke-12-20-fool-this-night-your-sol-the-bridal-train-is-sweeping-by-st-john-henry-newman-21-oct-2019 and 3 june 2020

“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 3 june 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 3 june 2020

“The issue is now clear.
It is between light and darkness
and every one must choose his side.”

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

(Chesterton’s last words)

the-issue-is-now-clear-g-k-chesterton-26-oct-2018 and 29 nov 2019

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

Ven Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

each-and-everyone-of-us-ven-fulton-sheen-26-oct-2018 and 29 nov 2019

“We must always be ready.
Let our faith be lively and active
and our minds turned towards God,
Who is waiting for us.
There is no need to be afraid.
He is good and merciful.
He desires our salvation.
This is a wonderfully consoling thought.
God desires my salvation!
Let us surrender ourselves to Him,
therefore, as if we had to die this very moment!”

death-we-must-always-be-ready-bacci-8-jan-2020 and 3 june 2020

“It is not God Who is relentless.
It is the damned soul
which was relentlessly ungrateful
towards the infinitely good and merciful God.”

it-is-not-god-who-is-relentless-bacci-15-jan-2020-hell-3 and 3 june 2020 the last things

“They are flames which will never be extinguished,
flames which burn but do not consume,
flames without light –
dark and accompanied by the shrieking of eternal despair.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

they-are-flames-which-will-never-be-extinguished-bacci-snip-no-2-14-jan-2020 and 3 june 2020

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 June – God of the living

One Minute Reflection – 3 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12, Psalm 123:1-2, Mark 12:18-27 and the Memorial of St Juan Grande OH (1546-1600)

“He is not God of the dead but of the living.” …Mark 12:27

REFLECTION – “How blind are the eyes of the intellect on its own!   For they have not noticed that “the blind see, the lame walk” (Mt 11:5) on earth at the Saviour’s word…  so that we might believe that the flesh in its entirety will rise again at the resurrection.   If He cured diseases of the flesh on this earth and restored wholeness to the body, how much more, will He do so at the moment of resurrection, so that the flesh might rise again wholly and without blemish…  It seems to me that such people fail to look, at the divine action in its totality, at the beginning of creation, in the forming of man.   They don’t attend to the reason why earthly things were made.
The Word said:  “Let us make man in our image and likeness” (Gn 1:26)… Obviously man, formed in the image of God, was flesh.  Therefore, how absurd it is to claim, that flesh formed by God in His own image is despicable and worthless!   Clearly flesh must be precious in God’s eyes since it is His creation.   And since the culmination of His plan for all the rest of creation is to be found in it, this is what has the greatest worth in the eyes of the Creator.”… St Justin (c 100-160), Martyr, Apologist, Philosopher, Father of the Church (Treatise on the resurrection, 2.4.7-9)mark 12 27 - he is not the god of the dead but of the living - if he cured diseases of the flesh - st justin - 6 june 2018

PRAYER – Holy Father, You made us, we belong to You. Grant that by the prayers of all your holy saints, we may attain eternal life with You to praise and worship You for all eternity.   May the prayers of St Juan Grande (1546-1600) assist us our earthly pilgrimage.   We make our prayer through our Lord, Jesus, with You and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st juan grande pray for us 3 june 2020

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SPEAKING of ....., The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Speaking of: Belonging to God

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16, Mark 12:13-17

Speaking of: Belonging to God

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
and to God, the things that are God’s.”

Jesus

John 12:17

john 12 17 render to caesar 2 june 2020

“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord
and our hearts are restless
until they rest in You.”

you have made us for yourself - st augustine 14 feb 2019

“Love God, then do what you will.”

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

love god then do what you will - st augustine - belonging to god 2 june 2020

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

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

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

“Lord, take me from myself
and give me to Yourself.”

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

lord take me from myself and give me to your yourself - st catherine of siena - 30 april 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

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

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

i am the kings good servant but god's first - st thomas more 29 jan 2019

“God gave Himself to you,
now give yourself to God.”

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)

god gave himself - st robert southwell - 21 feb 2018

“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

“Who except God can give you peace?
Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

St Gerard Majella C.Ss.R. (1726-1755)

who except god can give you peace - st gerard majella 2 june 2020

“We are like the penny,
because we have the image of the king stamped on us,
the divine King.”

we are like the penny - gk chesterton 30 april 2020

“A Catholic is a person,
who has plucked up courage,
to face the incredible and inconceivable idea,
that something else may be wiser than he is.”

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

a catholic is a person - seeking chesterton - part two - 8 may 2018

“What you are is God’s gift to you,
what you become,
is your gift to God.”

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

what you are is god's gift to you what you become is your gift to god - hans urs von balthasar 20 april 2020

“If you truly love God and His will,
then doing what you will,
will, in fact,
be doing what God wills.”

Peter Kreeft

if you truly love god and his will then doing what you will - peter kreeft 2 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 June – ‘He sets His image within you …’

One Minute Reflection – 2 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16, Mark 12:13-17

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s.” … John 12:17

REFLECTION – “Oh man! why do you despise yourself so, seeing that you are so precious to God?   And why do you demean yourself in this way when God honours you by Christ’s birth in our flesh?   Why search out how you were made and not enquire what you were made for?   Was not this whole dwelling, this world that you see, made for you?   For your sake, light spreads abroad and causes darkness to fade;  for your sake, night is ruled and day measured;  for you, heaven shines with the varied splendours of sun and moon and stars;  for you, the earth is spangled with flowers, trees and fruits;  for you, was created this amazing mass of animal life, in the air, the fields, the loveliness of water, so that no dismal solitude should spoil the new world’s joy….

Besides this, the Creator seeks out what else He can add to your dignity – He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27) so that your visible image, might make present upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you, He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that so vast a domain as this is, should not be lacking a representative from the Lord. … And what God accomplished in you by His power, He graciously assumed into Himself – He wanted to be truly manifested in the man in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image.   He enabled us to become in reality what had only been a mere likeness before. …  And so Christ is born, to restore all its integrity to fallen nature.” … St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon 148, On the mystery of the Incarnationjohn 12 17 render to caesar - why search out how you were made and not enquire what you were made for st peter chrysologus 2 june 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, true light and creator of light, grant us the grace to see clearly by the light who is Light, Your only Son.   Lead us in His path and send us Your Spirit.   Grant us the strength to grow in holiness so that our struggle against the powers of darkness may we a victory over temptation.   May the prayers of the Mother of Your Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother too, be a balm of enduring succour, as we fulfil Your commandments in this world and strive to reach our eternal home.   We make our prayer through Christ Your divine Son, Whom You sent to make us like unto Himself, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.blessed virgin mother pray for us 2 june 2020 (1)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, POETRY, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Quote/s of te Day – 1 June – Mater Ecclesiae and St Annibale Maria di Francia

Quote/s of te Day – 1 June – The Memorial of Mary, the Mother of the Church/Mater Ecclesiae and St Annibale Maria di Francia (1851-1927)

“…She is clearly the Mother
of his members;
that is, of ourselves,
because she cooperated
by her charity,
so that faithful Christians,
members of the Head,
might be born in the Church.
As for the body,
she is the Mother of its Head…
Mary gave birth to our Head;
the Church gave birth to you.
Indeed, the Church also,
is both virgin and mother,
mother, because of her
womb of charity,
virgin, because of the integrity
of her faith and piety.”

she-is-clearly-the-mother-of-his-members-st-augustine-first-memorial-of-mother-of-the-church-21-may-2018 and 1 june 2020

“Gracious Lady,
you are a Mother and Virgin,
you are the Mother
of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer,
you are also truly Mother
of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through your love,
you have co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
you are Mother and Mirgin,
Mother of Christ and Mirgin of Christ.
You are the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
You are, forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came life,
yes, through you, O Mother of God.

St Augustine (354-430) Doctor of Grace

gracious lady you are a mother and virgin - mater ecclesiae 1 june 2020 st augustine

“He had one other to send, a beloved son”

Mark 12:6

“So bread upon the table might not lack,
I brave the cold, the dripping sweat on back…
Oh, here it is today the food my children need,
Tomorrow’s dole our Father sure will speed.
I’ve often knocked on doors, a scant welcome bidden
My sentence stiff has scarce been hidden –
“Beware of him, the pest, he’s lost his mind.
Now let him suffer fate unkind!”
Discern My martyrdom, My flaming core,
No father loved His children more…
For You, I, God and man implore!”

St Annibale Maria di Francia (1851-1927)

he had one other to sen mark 12 6 - so bread upon the table - st annibale di francia 1 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 June – “He had one other to send, a beloved son”

One Minute Reflection – 1 June – The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Monday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Peter1:2-7, 20 or Acts 1:12-14, Psalm 91(90):1-2.14-15, Mark 12:1-12 and the Memorial of Mater Ecclesiae and St Annibale Maria di Francia (1851-1927)

“He had one other to send, a beloved son” … Mark 12:6

REFLECTION – “Christ has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18). Paul brings out the apostles’ greatness by showing us what kind of ministry has been given them, while showing us at the same time the love with which God has loved us.   When people had refused to listen to the one He had sent, God did not give vent to His rage, He did not spurn them but went on calling them both on His own account and through the apostles (…)

God has put into our mouths “the message of reconciliation” (v.19).   And so we come, not for some difficult work but to make everyone friends of God.   When they did not listen, the Lord told us to continue to urge them until they come to faith.   Hence Paul adds: “We are ambassadors of Christ, it is God himself who is appealing through us.   We implore you in Christ’s name, be reconciled to God” (v.20) (…)

What could be compared to so great a love as this?   When we had repaid his blessings with insults, far from punishing us He gave us His Son to reconcile us with Himself.  Yet, far from wanting to be reconciled, we put Him to death.   God sent other ambassadors to urge us and, after that, Himself became our suppliant.   Always it was He who appealed – “Be reconciled to God.”   He did not say: “Reconcile God to yourselves.”   It was not He who turned us away, it was we who refused to become His friends.   Can God experience feelings of hatred?” … St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – 11th homily on the 2nd letter to the Corinthiansmrk 12 6 - he had one other to send -when we had repaid his blessings with insults - the ungrateful tenants - st john chrysostom 1 june 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, You bestowed the Holy Spirit on Your Apostles while they were at prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus.   Fill us too with the gift of Your grace in the Holy Spirit, that we may live our lives both in prayer and action and grant, that by Mary’s prayer and the prayer of Your servant, St Annibale Maria di Francia, we may give You faithful service and spread abroad the glory of Your name, by word and example.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Your divine Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.mary mater ecclesiae pray for 10 july 2019

 

st annibale di francia 1 june 2020 pray for us

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES of the SAINTS, St PAUL!, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – Come, O Holy Spirit, come!

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – The Solemnity of Pentecost

“But it is God,
who establishes us, with you in Christ
and has anointed us,
by putting his seal on us
and giving us his Spirit in our heart,
as a first instalment.”

St Paul
2 Corinthians 1:21

2-cor-1-21-but-it-is-god-who-establishes-us-6-june-2019 and 31 may 2020 pentecost

“Accordingly, in the Church,
one God is preached,
one God who is above all things
and through all things and in all things.
God is above all things as Father,
for He is principle and source,
He is through all things through the Word
and He is in all things in the Holy Spirit.”

St Athanasius (c 295-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

accordingly in the church one god is preached - st athanasius 31 may 2020 pentecost

“Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.”

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

remember-then-that-you-received-a-spiritual-seal-st-ambrose-5-june-2019 and 31 may 2020

“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.
Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling
and scatter there Your cheerful beams.”

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

o-holy-spirit-descend-plentifully-st-augustine-3-june-2019 and 31 may 2020

“As the soul
is the life of the body,
so the Holy Spirit
is the life of our souls.”

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

as the soul is the life of the body so the holy spirit is the life of our souls st peter damian 31 may 2020 pentecost

“Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God –
The Father is your table,
the Son is your food
and the Holy Spirit waits on you
and then makes His dwelling in you.”

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

enrich your soul - st catherine of siena 31 may 2020 pentecost

“The Holy Spirit leads us like a mother.
He leads His child by the hand…
as a sighted person leads a blind person.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

the holy spirit leads us like a mother - st john vianney 31 may 2020

“We ought to pray and invoke the Holy Spirit,
for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help.
The more we are lacking in wisdom,
weak in strength,
burdened with trouble,
prone to sin,
the more we should turn to Him,
Who is the never-ceasing fount
of light, strength, consolation and holiness.”

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

we-ought-to-pray-and-invoke-the-holy-spirit-pope-leo-xiii-31-may-2019 and 2020 pentecost

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 May –  ‘Jesus loves the one who follows Him.’

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, Psalm 11:4-5, 7, John 21:20-25 and the Memorial of St Ferdinand III King (1199-1252)

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper”  … John 21:20

REFLECTION – “The love of Jesus for His faithful disciple is shown by the words:  “Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper” (Jn 21:20).

Someone who truly follows the Lord wants everyone to follow Him, which is why He turns to his neighbour with kind attentions, prayers and proclamation of the Gospel. Peter’s turning around, signifies all those things.   In the book of Revelation we find the same idea:  “The bridegroom and the bride – Christ and the Church – say:  ‘Come!’   Let him who hears say: ‘Come!'” (Rv 22:17).   Christ, through interior inspiration and the Church, by preaching, say:  “Come!”   And whoever hears these words says to his neighbour: “Come!” which is to say:  “Follow Jesus!”   Then Peter, turning round, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following after.   Jesus loves the one who follows Him.

Although his name is not mentioned, John stands out from the others, not because Jesus only loved him but because He loved him more than the others.   He loved all the others but this man was closer to Him. …  It was he who “reclined upon His chest during the supper” (Jn 21:20).   This was a great sign of love, the fact that he alone could have leaned on the chest of Jesus, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). …

And so, during the Supper in heaven, we shall be satisfied for eternity, we shall take our rest together with John on the chest of Jesus.   The heart is in the chest;  love is in the heart.   We shall rest in His love because, we shall love Him with all our heart and all our soul and shall discover in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. … So to Him be the praise and the glory for endless ages. Amen. … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctorjohn 21 20 - peter turned and saw the disciple following whom jesus loved-someone who truly follows the lord - st anthony of padua 30 may 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, Your ways are not our ways, teach us to willingly agree to them, for You know which way we should go.   Help us to say “yes” always to Your plan and to render ourselves, as a sacrament of Your divine love to all we meet.   Fill us with the grace to be your tools, to bring glory to Your kingdom.   Our Father, who art in heaven, may Your Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.   Mary Mother of God, pray for us!   St Ferdinand, you who with the earthly power which rested on you, showed forth only the Love, Power and Will of God, Pray for Us!   Through our Our Lord Jesus Christ with You, in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.blessed virgin merciful mother pray for us 30 oct 2019

st ferdinand III pray for us 30 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – St Alphonsus Liguori’s “50 Maxims for Attaining Perfection” Part Three

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, John 17:20-26

“Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us”

John 17:21

joh 17 21 - just as you father are in me and I in you that they also may be in us 28 may 2020

St Alphonsus Liguori’s
“50 Maxims for Attaining Perfection in the Love of Jesus Christ”
Part Three

21.   To suffer crosses patiently, saying, “Thus it pleases Jesus Christ.”

22.   To renounce your own pleasures for the love of Jesus Christ.

23. To pray as much as possible.

24.   To practice all the mortifications that obedience permits.

25.   To do all your spiritual exercises as if it were for the last time.

26.   To persevere in good works in the time of aridity.

27.   Not to do, nor yet to leave undone, anything through human respect.

28.   Not to complain in sickness.

29.   To love solitude, to be able to converse alone with Jesus Christ.

30.   To drive away melancholy.

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor

ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI 50 MAXIMS FOR ATTAINING PERFECTION PART THREE 28 MAY 2020

Part Onehttps://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/thought-for-the-day-20-april-friday-of-the-third-week-of-eastertide/st alphonsus - for attaining perfection - part one - 20 april 2018

Part Two https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-may-monday-of-the-8th-week-of-ordinary-time-year-b/st alphonsus - for attaining perfection - part two - 28 may 2018

Posted in BAPTISM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 May – ‘… Your treasure hidden within us…’

One Minute Reflection – 28 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings:  Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, John 17:20-26 and The Memorial of Blessed Lanfranc of Canterbury (c 1005-1089)

“And I have given them the glory you gave me …” … John 17:22

REFLECTION – “… Through our unremitting zeal for you, Lord, set upon us the sign of Your day that is not measured by the sun. … In Your sacrament we daily embrace You and receive You into our bodies;  make us worthy to experience the resurrection for which we hope.   We have had Your treasure hidden within us, ever since we received baptismal grace, it grows ever richer at Your sacramental table.   Teach us to find our joy in Your favour!   Lord, we have within us Your memorial, received at Your spiritual table; let us possess it in its full reality when all things shall be made new.

We glimpse the beauty that is laid up for us, when we gaze upon the spiritual beauty Your immortal will, now creates within our mortal selves.   Saviour, Your Crucifixion marked the end of Your mortal life;  teach us to crucify ourselves and make way for our life in the Spirit.   May Your Resurrection, Jesus, bring true greatness to our spiritual self and may Your sacraments be the mirror, wherein we may know that self.   Saviour, Your divine plan for the world is a mirror for the spiritual world – teach us to walk in that world as spiritual men.

Lord, do not deprive our souls, of the spiritual vision of You, nor our bodies of Your warmth and sweetness.   The mortality lurking in our bodies spreads corruption through us;  may the spiritual waters of Your love cleanse the effects of mortality from our hearts. Grant, Lord, that we may hasten to our true city and, like Moses on the mountaintop, possess it now in vision.” … St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church – (Sermo 3, De fine et admonitione 2. 4-5)john 17 22 - and i have given them the glory you gave me - we have had our treasure - st ephrem 28 may 2020

PRAYER – God of mercy, You have filled us with the hope of resurrection by restoring man to his original dignity.   May we who relive this mystery each year come to share it in perpetual love.   May the Mother of Our Lord stand with us as we gaze upward to her Son and may the prayer of Bl Lanfranc, be a support in our troubles.   Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.blessed virgin queen and mother pray for us 5 may 2019

bl lanfranc of canterbury pray for us 28 may 2020