Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 October – Christ has no Body but Yours…

One Minute Reflection – 3 October – Thursday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:  Luke 10:1-12 and the Memorial of Blessed Szilárd István Bogdánffy (1911-1953) Martyr

After this the Lord appointed seventy* others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place … Luke 10:1luke 10 1 after this the lord appointed 72 others - 3 oct 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “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 Churchchrist has no body but yours - st teresa of avila 3 oct 2019 no 2.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, increase our love and trust for and in You, every day. Teach us total abandonment to Your loving providence and thus enable us to do Your will in all things. Blessed Szilárd István Bogdánffy you who suffered great persecutions and trials but always abandoned yourself to the Divine Will, please pray for us that we learn to do the same. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl szilard bogdanffy pray for us 3 oct 2019.jpg

 

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

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – Your holy angel

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – Wednesday of the Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 18:1–5,10 and The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. …Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “Ah, Jesus, prince of peace and angel of great counsel, may You Yourself always be the guide at my right and the guardian of my pilgrimage, lest I move away and stray from You.   And deign to send from heaven Your holy angel who, under Your lovingly-kind care, will be solicitous for me and, according to Your gracious purpose, direct me and lead me, perfect, along Your way back to You. (Ex 23:20).” … St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) Benedictine nun – Exercises I.60-63, 71-76, 78-86, 99-103.matthew 18 10 see that you do not despise - deign to send from heaven your angel - st gertrude the great 2 oct 2019

PRAYER – Lord God of hosts, in Your all-wise providence, You send angels to guard and protect us. Surround us with their watchful care on earth and give us the joy of their company, forever in heaven. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord, with th Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.guardian angels pray for us 2 oct 2018.jpg

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 October – ‘..They were made perfect..’

One Minute Reflection – 1 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:51–56 and The Memorial of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus OCD (1873 – 1897) Doctor of the Church

“Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. … Luke 9:54-55

REFLECTION – “When someone has been made worthy to taste God’s love, he usually forgets everything else by reason of its sweetness.   For once that person has tasted that love, anything visible seems of no interest.   The soul joyfully draws near to the beautiful love of all people without distinction.   It is never troubled by their weaknesses, which do not frighten it.   Just like the blessed apostles who, in the midst of all the evils which they had to bear from their torturers were completely incapable of hating them and did not tire of loving them, this was shown by the fact that, in the end, they even bore death so as to meet them again one day in heaven.

And yet these were the very same people who, a little earlier, had begged Christ to make fire come down from heaven on the Samaritans, who had only refused to welcome them in their village.   But once they had received the gift of tasting God’s love, they were made perfect even to the point of loving the wicked.” … St Isaac the Syrian (c 613-c 700) – Spiritual Discourses, 2nd Series, no. 10,36luke 9 54-55 lord do you want us to bid fire - once they had received st isaac the syrian 1 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God, our Father, Your promised Your Kingdom to the little ones and the humble of heart.   May we love You and our neighbour, even those who hate us.   Give us grace to walk confidently in the way of St Thérèse, so that helped by her prayers, we may see Your eternal glory.   Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amenst therese of the child jesus pray for us 1 oct 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, PAPAL Apostolic EXHORTATIONS, The WORD

“Sunday of the Word of God” – Apostolic Letter Aperuit Illis

Today, 30 September 2019, the 1600th Anniversary of the death of St Jerome, Pope Francis announced and instated via his Apostolic Letter Aperuit Illis, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time to be the “Sunday of the Word of God” in order to promote a closer relationship with holy Scripture and its dissemination in the world.

“A day devoted to the Bible should not be seen as a yearly event but, rather, a yearlong event, for we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the Risen Lord,”

May the Sunday of the Word of God help his people to grow in religious and intimate familiarity with the sacred Scriptures.   For as the sacred author taught of old:  “This word is very near to you ,it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance” (Dt 30:14).

Given in Rome, at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, on 30 September 2019, the liturgical Memorial of Saint Jerome, on the inauguration of the 1600th anniversary of his death.

Apostolic Letter in the form of a Motu Proprio of the Holy Father Francis, “Aperuit illis”, instituting the Sunday of the Word of God, 30.09.2019

http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/09/30/190930c.html

sunday of the word of god - 30 sept 2019 1600th ann of the death of st jerome

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Thought for the Day – 30 September – Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ

Thought for the Day – 30 September – The Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest, Father and Doctor of the Church (347-419)ignorance-of-the-scriptures-is-ignorance-of-christ-st-jerome-30-sep-2018 and 2019.jpg

Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ

Saint Jerome of Bethlehem
Priest and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his Commentary on Isaiah

“I interpret as I should, following the command of Christ – search the Scriptures and seek and you shall find.   Christ will not say to me what He said to the Jews:  You erred, not knowing the Scriptures and not knowing the power of God.   For if, as Paul says, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God and if the man who does not know Scripture does not know the power and wisdom of God, then ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.

Therefore, I will imitate the head of a household who brings out of his storehouse things both new and old and says to his spouse in the Song of Songs:  I have kept for you things new and old, my beloved.   In this way permit me to explain Isaiah, showing that he was not only a prophet but an evangelist and an apostle as well.   For he says about himself and the other evangelists – How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news, of those who announce peace.   And God speaks to him as if he were an apostle – Whom shall I send, who will go to my people?   And he answers: Here I am; send me.

No-one should think, that I mean to explain, the entire subject matter of this great book of Scripture, in one brief sermon, since it contains all the mysteries of the Lord.   It prophesies that Emmanuel is to be born of a virgin and accomplish marvellous works and signs.   It predicts His death, burial and resurrection from the dead as the Saviour of all men.   I need say nothing about the natural sciences, ethics and logic.   Whatever is proper to holy Scripture, whatever can be expressed in human language and understood by the human mind, is contained in the book of Isaiah.   Of these mysteries the author himself testifies when he writes – You will be given a vision of all things, like words in a sealed scroll.   When they give the writings to a wise man, they will say – Read this.   And he will reply:  I cannot, for it is sealed.   And when the scroll is given to an uneducated man and he is told:   Read this, he will reply:  I do not know how to read.

Should this argument appear weak to anyone, let him listen to the Apostle – Let two or three prophets speak and let others interpret, if, however, a revelation should come to one of those who are seated there, let the first one be quiet.   How can they be silent, since it depends on the Spirit who speaks through His prophets whether they remain silent or speak?   If they understood what they were saying, all things would be full of wisdom and knowledge.   But it was not the air vibrating with the human voice that reached their ears but rather, it was God speaking within the soul of the prophets, just as another prophet says:  It is an angel who spoke in me and again, Crying out in our hearts, Abba, Father and I shall listen to what the Lord God says within me.”

St Jerome, Pray for Us!st-jerome-pray-for-us-2.30 sept 2017.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SAINT of the DAY, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD

Quotes of the Day – 30 September – St Jerome – Speaking of Holy Scripture

Quotes of the Day – 30 September – The Memorial of Saint Jerome (347-419), Priest, Father and Doctor of the Church

St Jerome – Speaking of Holy Scripture

“The Scriptures are shallow enough,
for a babe to come and drink,
without fear of drowning
and deep enough,
for theologians to swim in,
without ever reaching the bottom.”the scriptures are shallow enough for a babe - st jerome 30 sept 2019.jpg

“Make knowledge of the Scripture your love …
Live with them,
meditate on them,
make them the sole object
of your knowledge
and inquiries.”make knowledge of the scripture your love - st jerome - 30 sept 2019.jpg

“A false interpretation of Scripture,
causes, that the Gospel of the Lord,
becomes the gospel of man,
or, which is worse,
of the devil!”a false interpreation of scripture causes - st jerome 30 sept 2019.jpg

“It is worse still
to be ignorant
of your ignorance.”

St Jerome (347-419)
Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

Many more here:

Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – Memorial of St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor


AND here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/quotes-of-the-day-30-september-the-memorial-of-st-jerome-347-419-father-and-doctorit is worse stilll to be ignorant of your ignorance - st jerome - 30 sept 2019.jpg

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

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – ‘In what way does the Physician of souls amputate pride’s passion?’

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – Monday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:46–50 and The Memorial of St Gregory the Illuminator (c 257 – c 331)

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me and whoever receives me, receives him who sent me, for he who is least among you all, is the one who is great.” … Luke 9:48

REFLECTION – “The passion and lust of pride attacked some of the holy apostles.   The mere argument about who of them was the greatest is the mark of an ambitious person, eager to stand at the head of the rest.   Christ, who did not sleep, knows how to deliver. He saw this thought in the disciple’s mind, springing up, in the words of Scripture, like some bitter plant.   He saw the weeds, the work of the wicked sower.   Before it grew up tall, struck its root down deep, grew strong and took possession of the heart, He tears up the evil by the very root.   In what way does the Physician of souls amputate pride’s passion?   How does He deliver the beloved disciple from being the prey of the enemy and from a thing hateful to God and man?   “He took a child,” it says, “and set it by him.” He made the event a means of benefiting both the holy apostles themselves and us their successors.   This illness, as a rule, preys upon all those who are in any respect superior to other people.

What kind of type and representation did He make the child He had taken?   He made the child a representation of an innocent and humble life.   The mind of a child is empty of fraud and his heart is sincere.   His thoughts are simple.   He does not covet rank and does not know what is meant by one man being higher than another is.   Christ brought forward the child as a pattern of simplicity and innocence and set him by Him.   He showed him as in an object lesson, that He accepts and loves those who are like the child. He thinks they are worthy of standing at His side, as being like-minded with Him and anxious to walk in His steps.” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Luke, Homily 54luke 9 48 whoever receivs this child - what type of representation did he make of the child st cyril of alex 30 sept 2019

PRAYER – Dear and Holy God, let us offer You all our daily struggles against sin and evil. Grant us the strength to resist all forms of idolatry, to seek only You and never to allow the honour of this world to seduce us.   Sustain us ever more with Your word and help us to find in it, the source of life.   May the Prayers of St Gregory the Illuminator, help us on the path of holiness.   We ask this through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st gregory the illuminator pray for us 30 sept 2019

Posted in ADVENT, ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 29 September – Where are your ostentation and your luxury?

Thought for the Day – 29 September – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 and The Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ … Luke 16:24

St John Chrysostom explains the point of the parable, to his congregation, by having Abraham speak the following words about Lazarus, to the rich man.

“When you were living in your wealth, when you were free to see at your own will, you did not choose to see him. Why do you have such keen sight now?   Was he not at your gate?   How could you avoid seeing him?   When he was near you, did you not see him and now, do you see him from a distance, even across such a chasm? …  The man whom you passed by a thousand times, whom you did not want to see – now do you seek to have him sent to you for your salvation? …

And where are your cup bearers? …  Where are your flatterers?   Where is your vanity? Where is your presumption?   Where is your buried gold?   Where are your moth-eaten garments?   Where is the silver which you valued so highly?   Where are your ostentation and your luxury?   They were leaves – winter seized them and they are all withered up. They were a dream – and when day came, the dream departed.   They were a shadow – the truth came and the shadow fled away …

When we hear, let us be afraid, my beloved, lest we also see the poor and pass them by, lest instead of Lazarus there be many to accuse us hereafter.”

St John Chrysostom  (347-407) Father & Doctor

Sermon 6 on Lazarus and the Rich Manluke 16 24 and he called out fr abraham - let us be afraid - st john chrysostom 29 sept 2019.jpg

Holy Archangels, Pray for Us!holy archangels pray for us - 29 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, SAINT of the DAY, The SEVEN LAST WORDS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – “God looks at what is within, it is there He assesses, there He examines.”

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 and The Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.   The rich man also died and was buried and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. … Luke 16:22-23luke 16 22-23 the poor man died - 29 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Was that poor man welcomed by the angels solely on account of his poverty?   And the rich man, was he delivered up to torment by fault of his wealth alone? No.   Let us clearly understand that it was humility that was honoured in the poor man and pride condemned in the rich.

This is the proof, briefly, that it was not his wealth but his pride for which the rich man deserved his punishment.   So then, the poor man was carried into the bosom of Abraham, yet Scripture says of Abraham that he had much gold and silver and was rich on earth (Gn 13:2).   If every rich man is sent into torment, how is it that Abraham could precede the poor man so as to welcome him into his bosom?   It was because, in the midst of his wealth, Abraham was poor, humble, respectful and obedient to all God’s commands.   He held his riches in so little esteem that, when God asked it of him, he consented to offer in sacrifice the son for whom these riches were destined (Gn 22:4).

Learn to be poor and needy, then, whether you possess something in this world or whether you don’t possess anything.   Because we find beggars full of pride and rich people who confess their sins.   “God resists the proud” whether they are covered with silk or with rags but “he gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6) whether or not, they have possessions in this world.   God looks at what is within, it is there He assesses, there He examines.” … Saint Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Discourses on the psalms, Ps 85 [86]; CCL 39, 1178god resists the proud - god looks at what is within - st augustine - 29 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Dear and Holy God, let us offer You all our daily struggles against sin and evil. Grant us the strength to resist all forms of idolatry, to seek only You and never to allow the material goods of this world to seduce us  . Sustain us ever more with Your word and help us to find in it, the source of life.   Grant that the angels who always minister to You in heaven may defend us during our life on earth and protect us from evil.   Grant this, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amenholy-archangels-pray-for-us-29-sept-2018.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – But they did not understand …

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – Saturday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:43–45 and the Memorial of St Lorenzo Ruiz (1600-1637) Martyr

“Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.”    But they did not understand this saying and it was concealed from them ... Luke 9:44-45luke 9 44-45 let these words sink into your ears for the son of man is to be 28 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Of all Christ’s miracles and mighty acts, it is this one that far exceeds the limits of human wonder.   It goes far beyond the weak power of the human mind to perceive or comprehend, how it is supposed to believe, that the divine majesty, that very Word of the Father (Jn 1:1) and Wisdom of God in which “all things were created, visible and invisible” (cf. Col 1:15), was held within the confines of the man who appeared in Judaea and, even more, that the Wisdom of God entered into the womb of a woman and was born a baby, who cried and wailed just like all little babies.   And it is further reported that He suffered the anguish of death, as He Himself admitted by saying:  “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Mt 26:38 par) and in the end, He was led to that death which is reputed to be the most shameful among men, even though he did rise again on the third day…

To present this to human ears and explain it in words far surpasses our poor merits… Indeed the explanation of this mystery is probably beyond the grasp even of the whole creation of heavenly powers.” … Origen (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Father – Treatise on First Principlesbut they did not understand luke 9 45 - it goes far beyond the weak powers - origen 28 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy God, help me to amend my life constantly and be sincerely converted to You. Let me seek Your interests rather than my own and be ever more closely united with You.   Send Your Spirit of understanding to enkindle our minds but most of all, fill us with Your grace of faith, that whether we understand or not, our love and obedience, is our only guide.   St Lorenzo Ruiz, you obeyed to death for Christ, your beloved, please pray for us.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st lorenzo ruiz pray for us - 28 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 September – ‘The required faith embraces the act it includes – Discipleship ..’

One Minute Reflection – 27 September – Friday of the Twenty Fifth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:18–22 and the Memorial of St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”... Luke 9:22luke 9 22 the son of man must suffer many things - 27 sept 2019

REFLECTION – “The scene found n the Gospel reading forms a climax of the Synoptic Gospels.   It constitutes the watershed in Jesus’ life.   To this point, in accord with the mission given Him by the Father, He has acted messianically and has aroused a sense of who He is, especially in His disciples.   Because the shift that takes place in this scene is so important, Luke places it in the context of a prayer of Jesus in solitude.   By asking His disciples about His identity, He takes the opportunity to reveal the core of His mission.
Yet, the people’s perception of who He is, is so imperfect, that He cannot use it as a point of departure.   Peter’s statement, “you are the Messiah of God” hits the target, yet Peter’s image of the Messiah remains an Old Testament and contemporary one – the Messiah as Israel’s liberator.   That is why Jesus forbids them to use the title and, more profoundly, that is why He lays out clearly, what is the true task of the Messiah – to be rejected, to die, to rise again.   So that this will not be received as some sort of incomprehensible, mythological event, He immediately explains it’s implications for anyone who wishes to be His disciple – “Take up your cross daily” and “follow” the Messiah in this way.
The required faith embraces the act it includes – discipleship – but not by scheming to gain something – rather, by unconditional loss:  “Whoever loses his life for my sake … ” … Cardinal Han Urs von Bathasar (1905-1988)you are the messiah of god luke 9 20 - yet peter's image hans urs von balthasar 27 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, You hold out the Light of Your Word to those who do not know You. Strengthen in our hearts, the faith You have given us and the Credo we profess, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled in us.   May the intercession of St Vincent de Paul, grant us the grace of following the way of the Cross, to stand beneath it with our Mother, the Mother of God, Ave Maria!   We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-vincent-de-paul-pray-for-us-27 sepy 2017.jpg

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – The three languages of knowing Jesus

One Minute Reflection – 26 September – Thursday of the Twenty Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:7–9 and The Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286) Martyrs

“Who is this about whom I hear such things?”   And he sought to see him. … Luke 9:9

REFLECTION – “You cannot know Jesus without having problems.   You cannot know Jesus “by sitting in first class” or “in the calm”, much less “in the library.”   We only come to know Jesus on the daily path of life. … knowing Him with the mind is a step in the right direction but in order to know Jesus, we need to enter into a dialogue with Him.  By talking with Him, in prayer, on our knee  s. If you don’t pray, if you don’t talk to Jesus, you don’t know Him.   The third way to know Jesus is by following Him, by going with Him, by walking with Him, by travelling along the road of His ways.   If you know Jesus with these three languages – of mind, heart and action, then you can say that you know Jesus.   Therefore, in order truly to know Him, it is necessary to read what the Church tells us about Him, to speak with Him in prayer and to walk along the path of His ways with Him.   This is the road and everyone has a decision to make.”luke 9 9 wo is this - if you know jesus with these 3 languages pope francis 26 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy God, through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son in union with the Holy Spirit, with Mary Mother of the Church, St Joseph her spouse, the communion of Saints, we pray, be with us, lead us, guide us, never leave us.   May we learn the ways of Your Son, may we follow them and may we constantly seek His Face in prayer and the Sacraments.   Grant we pray, that by the intercession of Sts Cosmas and Damian, we may be filled with courage and joy as we follow behind Him.  We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.sts cosmas and damian pray for us 26 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – God Chooses those who Count for Nothing!

Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – The Memorial of Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple OSB (1013–1054) the Author of the Salve Regina, the Veni Sancte Spiritus and the Alma Redemptoris Mater

Let us thank God for Blessed Herman the Cripple.   He stands as a shining light reminding us that God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense, in order to shame the wise and He chose what the world considers weak, in order to shame the powerful.   He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world, 
to shame the wise and God chose the weak
of the world, to shame the strong
and God chose the lowly
and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing
those who are something ….

1 Corinthians 1:27-28

“In his own day, the heroic cripple who achieved learning and holiness

was called ‘The Wonder of His Age’.

In our day, many voices say

that people with disabilities.

should be phased out of existence.

Which were the Dark Ages, then or now!” … Father McNamara

1 cor 1 27-28 god chooses the lowly - bl herman the cripple - 25 sept 2019 no 2.jpg

Veni Sancte Spiritus
This translation was by Father Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

Holy Spirit, Lord of light,
From Thy clear celestial height
Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Come, Thou Father of the poor,
Come with treasures which endure,
Come, Thou Light of all that live.
Thou, of all consolers best,
Thou, the soul’s delightsome Guest,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.
Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light immortal, Light divine,
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.
If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.
Heal our wounds; our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts descend:
Give them comfort when they die,
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys that never end.

++++++++++++++++++

Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,
Súrgere qui curat pópulo: tu quæ genuísti,
Natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem
Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.

Mother of Christ!  Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.Blessed_Herman_the_Cripple.jpg

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

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – He sent them out to preach and to heal.

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:1–6 and the Memorial of Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple OSB (1013–1054) “The Wonder of his Age’

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. … Luke 9:1-2

REFLECTION – “The other instruction that is very important in the Gospel passage is that the Twelve cannot simply preach conversion – along with preaching there must be, according to the orders and example of Jesus, curing of the sick.   Cure of the physically and spiritually sick.   He speaks of the concrete healings of illnesses and of the casting out of demons, that is, the purifying of the human mind, cleaning, cleaning the eyes of the soul that have been darkened by ideologies and so cannot see God, they cannot see truth and justice.   This double physical and spiritual healing is always the mandate of Christ’s disciples.   So, the apostolic mission must always carry these two aspects of preaching the word of God and manifesting His goodness with gestures of charity, service and dedication.” … Pope Benedict XVI 16 July 2012luke 9 1-2 and he caled the twelve and gave them power - pope benedict - he speaks of the concrete healings 25 sept 2019

PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul.   Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can.   May the example of suffering of Blessed Herman the Cripple, teach us how to love and serve You.   Through his intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love.   We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl herman the cripple pray for us 25 sept 2019

Posted in GOD is LOVE, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The WORD

Thought for the Day – 24 September – An Affair of the Will – C S Lewis

Thought for the Day – 24 September – Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

An Affair of the Will
C S Lewis (1898-1963)

“In this is love, not that we loved God
but that he loved us
and sent his Son ….”

1 John 4:10

On the whole, God’s love for us, is a much safer subject to think about, than our love for Him.
Nobody can always have devout feelings and even if we could, feelings are not what God principally cares about.
Christian love, either toward God, or toward man, is an affair of the will.
If we are trying to do His Will, we are obeying the commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.”   He will give us the feelings of love if He pleases.   We cannot create them for ourselves and we must not demand them as a right.
But the great thing to remember, is that, though our feelings come and go, His Love for us does not.   It is not wearied by our sins or our indifference and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on me a sinner!

the jesus prayer 24 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – He will be everything to you ….

Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

But he said to them,
“My mother and my brethren,
are those, who hear
the word of God and do it.”

Luke 8:21luke 8 27 my mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of god and do it 24 sept 2019

“We recognise a tree by its fruit
and we ought to be able to recognise
a Christian by his action.
The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives,
for being a Christian is more than making
sound professions of faith.
It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways.
Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs
and live them out,
than to talk eloquently about what we believe
but fail to live by it.”we-recognise-a-tree-by-its-fruit-st-ignatius-of-antioch-speaking-of-living-the-light-no-2-24-sept-2018.jpg

“A Christian is not his own master,
since all his time belongs to God.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108) Martyr

 Father of the Churcha christian is not his own master - st ignatius of antioch 24 sept 2019.jpg

“Look upon the face of the Crucified,
who invites you to follow Him.
He will be a Father, Mother–
everything to you.”

St Paul of the Cross CP (1694-1775)look upon the face of the crucified st paul of the cross 24 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – Nothing but Christ

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

But he said to them, “My mother and my brethren, are those, who hear the word of God and do it.”…Luke 8:21luke 8 21 my mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of god and do it 24 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “He who wishes for anything but Christ, does not know what he wishes; he who asks for anything but Christ, does not know what he is asking;  he who works and not for Christ, does not know what he is doing.” … Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)he who wishes for anything - st philip neri - 19 april 2018.jpg

PRAYER – Shepherd of Your Church and we, the sheep of Your flock, who follow You and hear and do Your Word. Support us with grace those who are constantly striving to do Your will, so that following the example of the humble fiat of Your blessed Mother and ours, we may devote all our powers and talents to love of You and our neighbour and finally arrive safely in our heavenly home. In God, our Father we pray through You who live in union with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ages and ages. Amenmother mary - pray for us - 6 may 2018.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 September The Light of the world

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – Monday of the Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:16–18 and the Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

“Take heed then how you hear…” … Luke 8:18

REFLECTION – “The lamp on the lampstand is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father’s true light “who enlightens everyone coming into the world” (Jn 1:9), in other words, the Father’s Wisdom and Word. having accepted our flesh, He truly became and was called, the “light of the world”.   By our faith and devotion He is honoured and exalted in the Church.   In this way He is made visible to all nations and shines out for “all the people in the house”, namely the whole world, as He said:  “They do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket, it is set on a lampstand , where it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:15).

As we have seen, Christ calls Himself a lamp. God by nature, He became flesh according to the plan of salvation, a light held within the flesh as if in a vase…  This is what David was thinking when he said: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119[118]:105).   Since He causes the darkness of ignorance and the evil of men to vanish, my Saviour and my God is called a lamp in Scripture.   And since He is the only one able, to obliterate the darkness of ignorance and disperse the shadows of sin, He has become the way of salvation for all.   He leads towards the Father all those who, through understanding and virtue, walk with Him along the path of the commandments as on a road of righteousness.

The lampstand is holy Church because the Word of God shines out through her preaching.   This is how the beams of its truth can enlighten the whole world… On one condition, however – so long as it is not hidden under the letter of the Law.   Anyone who clings to Scripture according to the letter only is living according to the flesh, he is placing the lamp under a bushel basket.   But when, to the contrary, the Church is set on the lampstand, it enlightens everyone.” … Saint Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) – Abbot and Theologian – Question 63 to Thalassiusluke 8 18 take heed then how you hear - since he causes the darkness - st maximus the confessor 23 sept 2019

PRAYER – Holy God, teach me gratitude for Your love, teach me faithfulness no matter what difficulties I face. Jesus, my Lord, Your Church is my guide and my understanding, help me to always be true to her, my holy mother. St Padre Pio, pray for the Church and all God’s people. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.st pio pray for us - 2 - 23 sept 2017

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:1–13 and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“You cannot serve God and mammon.” … Luke 16:13

REFLECTION – “A servant cannot serve two masters.”   Not that there are two, there is only one Master.   For even if there are some people who serve money, it has no inherent right to be a master, they themselves are the ones, who assume the yoke of this slavery.  In fact, money has no rightful authority but constitutes an unjust bondage.   That is why Jesus says: “Make friends for yourselves with deceitful money” so that by generosity to the poor we will win the favour of angels and saints.

The steward is not blamed.   By this we learn that we are not masters but rather stewards of other people’s wealth.   He was praised even though he was in the wrong because, in paying out to others in his master’s name he won support for himself.   And how rightly Jesus spoke of “deceitful wealth” because love of money so tempts our desires with its various seductions that we consent to become its slaves.   That is why He said: “If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?”   Riches are alien to us because they exist outside of our nature, they are not born with us, they do not follow us in death.   But Christ, to the contrary, belongs to us because He is life… So don’t let us become slaves of exterior goods because Christ is the only one we should acknowledge as our Lord.” … Saint Ambrose (340-397) – Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel, 7, 244s SC 52you cannot serve god and mammom - love of money st ambrose - 22 sept 2019

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, turn our ears and hearts to Your Word, that we may hear and live by the seed You have sown. May all that grows in us, be of Your good seed and yield fruit a hundredfold.   Grant Lord, we pray, that by the prayers of St Ignatius of Santhia, we may be filled with courage and love and spread Your Word by our lives.   We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord and Word, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever, amen.st ignatius of santhia - pray for us - 22 sept 2019

Posted in SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 21 September – We can learn much from Matthew.

Thought for the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

We can learn much from Matthew.

He was a man who knew quite well the power of money.   He knew the comfort it could ensure, the recreation it could buy, the luxury it could provide.   But he was wise enough to know what it could not do.   Money could never give him that sense of peace deep inside.   It could never befriend him when he was lonely or give him the strength and courage to go on, when all else seemed lost.   Money could never buy him forgiveness or love.
But the love of Christ could do all this and more.
He was open enough to recognise truth when he saw Him.
“And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9b).

Saint Matthew, Pray for us!st matthew no 3 pray for us 21 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Good News

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:11b

“Our Lord chose Matthew, the tax collector,
to encourage his fellows to join Him.
He looked on sinners, called them
and brought them to sit beside Him.
What a wonderful sight!
Angels stand trembling while publicans, seated, rejoice.
The angels are struck with awe before the Lord’s greatness
while sinners eat and drink with Him.
The scribes choke with hatred and indignation,
the publicans rejoice because of His mercy.
The heavens saw the sight and were filled with wonder,
hell saw it and was maddened.
Satan saw it and was enraged,
death saw it and withered,
the scribes saw it and were much troubled.”

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

Commentary on the Gospel, or Diatessaron, 5, 17 (SC 121, p.115 rev.)why-does-your-teacher-matthew-9-11b-he-looked-on-sinners-st-ephrem-21-sept-2018.jpg

“The good news of the Gospel
consists precisely in this –
offering God’s grace to the sinner!”the good news of the gospel - pope benedict 21 sept 2019.jpg

“The Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew or Aramaic
is no longer extant but in the Greek Gospel that we possess,
we still continue to hear, in a certain way,
the persuasive voice of the publican Matthew,
who, having become an Apostle,
continues to proclaim God’s saving mercy to us.
And let us listen to St Matthew’s message,
meditating upon it ever anew,
also to learn to stand up and follow Jesus with determination.”

Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience
Wednesday, 30 August 2006the persausvie voice of the publican matthew 21 sept 2019 pope benedict.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Follow me”

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Follow me”.. Matthew 9:9matthew 9 9 the calling of matthew follow me 21 sept 2019

REFLECTIONS“Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office and he said to him: “Follow me.”   He looked at him not with the eyes of the body but rather with the eye of interior pity.   He saw a tax collector, and since He looked at him in pity and choosing him as a disciple, He said: “Follow me.” ‘Follow’ meant ‘imitate’ – not by the movement of his feet but rather by a change of life.   For whoever says he is following Christ “ought himself to walk as Christ walked” (cf 1Jn ).

“Matthew rose and followed him.”   It is not to be wondered at that the tax collector should leave the earthly gains he was looking after at the first command of the Lord and that, abandoning riches, he should join the company of Him who, he saw, had no wealth. For the Lord, who outwardly called him with words, through a hidden instinct secretly taught him to follow Him.   By the gift of divine grace the Lord enlightened his mind to understand that He who on earth called him away from temporal interests, could in heaven give incorruptible treasures (cf Mt 6,20).

“And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.”   The conversion of one tax collector provided an example of penance and forgiveness to many tax collectors and sinners.   In a wonderful and true sign of the future, he who was to become the apostle and teacher of the gentiles, brought with him to salvation, a multitude of sinners in the first moments of his conversion!” ... Saint Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the gospels I, 21 ; CCL 122, 149st bede - in a wonderful and true sign of the future - the calling os st matthew 21 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, You showed Your great mercy to Matthew the tax-gatherer by calling him to become Your Apostle.   Supported by his prayer and example, may we always answer Your call and live in close union with You.   We make our prayer, in union with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  St Matthew, Apostle of Christ, pray for us, amen.st matthew pray for us - 21 sept 2018.jpg

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

One Minute Reflection – 20 September – The feminine “genius”

One Minute Reflection – 20 September – Friday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:1–3 and the Memorial of Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

And the twelve were with him and also some women … Luke 8:1-2

REFLECTION “If you knew the gift of God” (Jn 4:10), Jesus says to the Samaritan woman during one of those remarkable conversations which show His great esteem for the dignity of women and for the vocation which enables them to share in His messianic mission… The Church desires to give thanks to the Most Holy Trinity for the “mystery of woman” and for every woman – for that which constitutes the eternal measure of her feminine dignity, for the “great works of God”, which throughout human history have been accomplished in and through her.   After all, was it not in and through her that the greatest event in human history – the incarnation of God Himself – was accomplished?

Therefore, the Church, gives thanks for each and every woman – for mothers, for sisters, for wives, for women consecrated to God in virginity, for women dedicated to the many human beings who await the gratuitous love of another person, for women who watch over the human persons in the family, which is the fundamental sign of the human community, for women who work professionally and who at times are burdened by a great social responsibility…

The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine “genius” which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations, she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God…  The Church asks at the same time that these invaluable “manifestations of the Spirit” (cf. 1 Cor 12:4ff)… may be attentively recognised and appreciated so that they may return, for the common good of the Church and of humanity.” … St John Paul II (1920-2005) – Apostolic Letter « Mulieris dignitatem /The Dignity of women» # 31luke 8 1-2 and the twelve were with him and also some women - the church gives thanks st john paul 20 sept 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace upon Your children, all Your men and women who gather together to thank you and bless you.   As Your work within us to keep us in the path of Your commandments, may we receive consolation in this present life and eternal joy in the next.   You gave us Saint Jose Maria Parres to protect and assist all in need of help, grant that by his prayer, all may be comforted in their need and may our precious Holy Mother, the icon of all womanhood, accompany us on our journey.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amenst jose maria parres pray for us 20 sept 2019MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US - 1 jan 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 September – ‘Salvation enters the heart, only when we open the heart’

One Minute Reflection – 19 September – Thursday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:36–50 and The Feast of Our Lady of La Salette

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much”….Luke 7:47luke 7 47 her sins which are many are forgiven - 19 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “At this point, an even greater amazement falls on all those at table:  “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (v.49).   Jesus does not give an explicit answer but the conversion of the sinful women stands before everyone’s eyes and shows that in Him shines forth the power of God’s mercy, capable of transforming hearts.

The sinful woman teaches us the link between faith, love and gratitude.   Her “many sins” were forgive her and therefore she loves much, “but he who is forgiven little, loves little” (v. 47).   Even Simon has to admit that the one who has been forgiven more, loves more.   God has enclosed everyone in the mystery of mercy and from this love, which always goes before us, all of us learn to love.   As St Paul reminds us: “In Christ, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us” (Eph. 1:7-8).   In this text, the word “grace” is practically synonymous with mercy and is called “lavish,” that is, beyond our expectations, for it carries out God’s saving plan for each of us. … Salvation enters the heart, only when we open the heart, in the truth of our sins.” … Pope Francis 18 September 2014 (“Pope Francis” painting by Natalia Tsarkova)salvation-enters-the-heart-only-when-we-pope-francis-20-sept-2018

PRAYER – Grant us Lord, a true knowledge of salvation, so that, freed from fear and from the power of our foes, we may serve You faithfully in love and sorrow for our sins.   May we, through the love You grant us, extend our love to all we meet and may the tears of the Holy Virgin of Reconciliation, not reject our prayers but intercede for us, obtain for us the grace to love our Lord Jesus above all else.   May we console you by a holy life and so come to share the eternal life Christ gained by His Cross.   Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever,amen.our-lady-of-salette-pray-for-us19 sept 2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – “..The men of this generation ..”

Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – Wednesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

“To what then shall I compare
the men of this generation
and what are they like?”

Luke 7:31to what then shall i compare the men of this generation luke 7 31 18 sept 2019.jpg

“God is good but He is also just…
So don’t underestimate God –
His love for men 
should not become a pretext,
for negligence on our part.”

St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Churchgod is good but he is also just - st basil the great - 18 sept 3019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ..?” St Basil the Great

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Wednesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:31–35 and the Memorial of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)

“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation and what are they like? “…Luke 7:31

REFLECTION – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ, who calls us into His heavenly Kingdom?   Aren’t we going to purify ourselves?   Won’t we resolve to forsake our customary way of life to follow the Gospel radically?…   We claim to want the Kingdom of God yet without bothering to concern ourselves with the means of obtaining it.

What is more, in the conceitedness of our souls, without taking the least trouble to obey the Lord’s commandments, we think ourselves worthy to receive the same reward as those who have resisted sin to the death!   But how could anyone sit and sleep at home during the time of sowing and then gather sheaves by the armful at harvest?   Who has ever brought in the grapes without having planted and tended the vine?   Fruit is for those who have toil, rewards and crowns for those who have conquered.   Has anyone ever crowned an athlete who did not even strip to fight his opponent?   And yet, not only must we win but we must also “fight according to the rules”, as the apostle Paul says, that is to say according to the commandments we have been given…

God is good but He is also just… “The Lord loves justice and right” (Ps 32:5), that is why, “of kindness and judgement I will sing” (Ps 100:1)…   See how wisely the Lord exercises kindness.   He is not gracious without consideration, nor does He judge without mercy for, “gracious is the Lord and just” (Ps 115:5).   So don’t underestimate God – His love for men should not become a pretext for negligence on our part.” … St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Church – Longer monastic Rules, prologueluke 7 31 to what then shall i compare the men - how long are we going to put off obeying christ - 18 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to be holy in the way that You have laid out for me. Let me carry out my duties of my state of life to the full and grant me the grace to carry my crosses in honour of You.   Only in You may I attain holiness, learning to give myself, my will, my heart and my soul only to You.   St Joseph of Cupertino, you who were so disadvantaged, achieved by the grace of God, sanctity in this life and now behold His Face through all eternity. We ask for your intercession, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-joseph-of-cupertino-pray-for-us-18 sept 2017.jpg

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

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “Arise! “

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:11–17, Tuesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski (1822-1895)

And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”... Luke 7:14band 17 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “God wants us to stand upright.   He created us to be on our fee,: for this reason, Jesus’ compassion leads to that gesture of healing, to heal us, of which the key phrase is:  “Arise! Stand up, as God created you!”.   Standing up. “But Father, we fall so often” — “Onward, arise!”.   This is Jesus’ word, always.   His word revives us, gives us hope, refreshes weary hearts, opens us to a vision of the world and of life which transcends suffering and death” .…Pope Francis – General audience, 10 August 2016young-man-i-say-to-arise-luke-7-14b-pope-francis-god-wants-us-to-stand-upright-18-sept-2018 and 17 sept 2019

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us to be holy in the way that You have laid out for us. Let us stand upright and carry out my duties of our state of life to the full. Only in You may we attain holiness, learning to give ourself, our will, our heart and to You. Keep us ever faithful to Your precepts and bring us to Your home, to look upon Your Face. May the prayers of Your saints assist us on our journey. In your untiring life of trust in God, St Zygmunt Felinksi, you sought to make Him the goal of all and the love of all, please pray that we may imitate your zeal and love. We ask all this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st zygmunt felinski 17 sept 2019 pray for us.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The LISTS of the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 September – I am not worthy to have you come under my roof …

One Minute Reflection – 16 September – Monday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:1-10 and the Memorial of St Pope Cornelius and St Cyprian of Carthage, Martyrs

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, therefore, I did not presume to come to you.   But say the word and let my servant be healed.”…Luke7:6b-7

REFLECTION – “This man was a pagan, for the Jewish people were occupied by the Imperial Roman army at that time.   So it was as a centurion in Judaea that he was commanding his soldiers…
But our Lord, although he was in the midst of the people of Judaea, was already talking about the Church being spread all over the earth wherever His apostles were to be sent (Mt 8:11).   Indeed, the gentiles believed in Him without having see Him…  Our Lord did not physically enter the centurion’s house and, even though absent in body, He was present in majesty and healed both that house and its faith.   Similarly, our Lord stood physically only amongst the people of Judaea – other peoples did not see His being born of a virgin, or suffering, or walking, or subject to the condition of human nature, or carrying out divine miracles.   None of these things were done amongst the gentiles and yet it was amongst them that what was said about Him was fulfilled:  “A people I did not know have served me.”   In what way did they serve Him?   The Psalm continues: “As soon as they heard me, they obeyed me” (Ps 18[17]:44-45).”…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Churchlord-i-am-not-worth-luke-7-6b-7-and-indeed-the-gentiles-believed-st-augustine-17-sept-2018

PRAYER – Lord God and holy Father, guard our faith we pray and grace us with Your mercy.   Keep us every faithful to Your precepts and bring us to Your home, to look upon Your Face.   May the prayers of Your saints assist us on our journey.   In your untiring life of trust in God, Sts Cornelius and Cyprian, you sought to make Him the goal of all and the love of all, please pray that we may imitate your zeal and love.   We ask all this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.sts-cornelius-and-cyprian-pray-for-us-16-sept-2017

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 16 September – Only What You Will or Will Not

Our Morning Offering – 16 September –  Monday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Only What You Will or Will Not
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Grant me Your grace,
most merciful Jesus,
so that it may be with me
and work with me
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant that I may always want
and desire that which is
most acceptable and pleasing to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
and be in perfect accord with it.
Let me always will or not will,
the same with You
and may I not be able to will
or not will
anything, except
what You will or will not.
Amenonly what you will nor will not thomas a kempis 16 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – Each of us and all of us!

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 15:1–32 and the Memorial of Blessed Paolo Manna PIME (1872-1952)

“Just so, I tell you,
there will be more joy in heaven
over one sinner who repents,
than over ninety-nine righteous persons
who need no repentance.”

Luke 15:7luke 15 7 just so i tell there will be more joy in heaven - 15 sept 2019.jpg

“The whole Church for the whole world!”

the whole church for the whole world - bl paolo manna 15 sept 2019

“Go for a divine call,
go where obedience has destined you.
Go for the love of Jesus,
for the interests of Jesus
and Jesus will always be at your side,
always in your heart”

go for a dvivne call bl paolo manna 15 sept 2019

“We are apostles!
We are apostles
and we wander far and wide,
we work generously,
only for the sake of souls,
only for the Church,
only for heaven!”

Blessed Paolo Manna (1872-1952)we are apostles - bl paolo manna 15 sept 2019

Christ only knows
how to count to one and that one,
is each of us!

christ only knows how to count to one fr raniero cantalamessa 15 sept 2019.jpg