Tag: luke 11:28

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SILENCE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – ‘ … Learning in silence, in the school of the Word … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 24 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Our Lady of Ransom – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Truly it is “a trustworthy word and deserving of every welcome” (1 Tm 1:15) your Almighty Word, Lord, which, in such deep Silence, made His way down from the Father’s royal throne (Wis 18:14f) into the mangers of animals and meanwhile, speaks to us better by His Silence. “Let him who has ears to hear, hear” what this loving and mysterious Silence of the eternal Word speaks to us …

For what recommends the discipline of silence with such weight and such authority, what checks the evil of restless tongues and the storms of words, as the Word of God, Silent in the midst of men. “There is no word on My tongue” (Ps 138:4), the Almighty Word seems to confess while He is subject to His Mother. What madness then will prompt us to say: “With our tongues we can do great things; our lips are good friends to us; we own no master” (Ps 11:5). If I were allowed, I would gladly be dumb and be brought low and be silent, even of good things that I might be able, the more attentively and diligently, to apply my ear to the secret utterances and sacred meaning of this Divine Silence, learning in silence, in the school of the Word, if only for as long as the Word Himself was Silent under the instruction of His Mother …

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” (Jn 1:14). With complete devotion, then, let us think of Christ in the swaddling clothes with which His Mother wrapped Him, so that, with eternal happiness, we may see the glory and beauty with which His Father has clothed Him.” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (The 5th sermon for Christmas).

PRAYER – O God, Who for the deliverance of Christians from the power of the pagans, graciously willed to enrich Thy Church by a new religious offspring through the most glorious Mother of Thy Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that by the merits and intercession of her, whom we piously venerate, as the founder of so great a work, we may be delivered from all our sins and from the captivity of the devil. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, St Francis de Sales, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Christ, the Word, the Voice, the Message …

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Wednesday in Passion Week – Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25; John 10:22-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My sheep hear My Voice;
I know them and they follow Me.”

John 10:27

“And as for that in the good ground
they are those who, hearing the Word,
hold it fast in an honest and good heart
and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luke 8:15

“… Blessed are they who hear
the Word of God and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

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

“So the Word that He shall send through His Christ,
Who is Himself, the Word and the Message,
shall return to Him with great power.
For when He shall come and bring it,
He shall come down like rain and snow
and through Him all that is sown shall spring up
and bear righteous fruit …
And this is the Voice through which
the dead shall live.”

St Aphraates “the Sage” (Died c 345)
Abbot, Father of the Church

“What a happy day they spent!
What a blessed night!
Who can say what it was they heard
from the Lord’s mouth?
Let us, too, build a dwelling in our hearts,
construct a house
where Christ can come
to teach and converse with us.”

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

“Always (read and) listen to it (the Scriptures)
with attention and reverence;
make good use of it;
do not let it fall to earth
but take it into your heart
like a precious balm.
Do all this after the example
of the most holy Virgin,
for she carefully kept in her heart
all the words spoken in praise of her Child.
Remember that our Lord gathers up
the words we speak to Him in prayer,
in measure with the way
we gather up those He speaks to us
by His preaching.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

(Introduction to the Devout Life
Part 2 Chapter 17)

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, INDULGENCES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on WISDOM, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – The Seed

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – Ferial Day – Sexagesima Week – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; – Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The seed is the Word of God.”

Luke 8:11

“… Blessed are they who hear
the Word of God and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“Sacred Scripture is the Lord’s money!”

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

“The faithful, who spend
at least a quarter of an hour,
in reading Sacred Scripture
with great reverence,
due to the Word of God,
after the manner of spiritual reading,
may gain, an Indulgence of 300 days.”

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

“Scripture is perfect wisdom,
starting point and point of arrival,
to which our whole existence
should be adapted.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“It is above all, the Gospel
which supports me during my prayer.
There, I find all which
my poor little soul needs.
There, I always discover new lights,
hidden and mysterious meaning.
… Just when I need it, I discover lights
which I had not seen before.”

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MODESTY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, St Francis de Sales, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Obedience

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Within the Octave of the Epiphany

“Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’”

Luke 11:28

“I Am the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me
will never walk in darkness
but will have the Light of Life.”

John 8:12

“Our hearts were made for Thee, O God
And restless must they be
Until, O God, this grace accord,
Until they rest in Thee!”

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

“The obedience of the Star
calls us to imitate its humble service:
to be servants, as best we can,
of the grace which invites all men
to find Christ.”

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

“Humility is the mother of many virtues
because, from it are born:
obedience, fear, reverence, patience,
modesty, meekness and peace.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind to all!”

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

“When God puts inspirations into a heart,
the first He gives, is obedience. ”

“To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES for CHRIST, The HEART, The INCARNATION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – We too are blessed …

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and Our Lady’s Saturday – Ecclesiasticus
24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, I stand at the gate and knock.
If any man shall hear My Voice
and open the door to Me, I shall come into him
and shall sup with him and he with Me.”

Apocalypse 3:20

“… Rather blessed are those, who hear the Word of God
and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“We too are blessed when we are mindful
of carrying Him constantly in our heart.
Certainly, Christ’s Conception in Mary’s womb
was a great marvel but it is no less of a marvel
to see Him become the guest of our heart.”

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

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

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!, The WORD, VENIAL SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – Arise!

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – Pentecost XV – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10; Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Young man,
I say to thee,
arise!”

Luke 7:14

“Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’”

Luke 11:28

“She began to bathe His feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head
and kissed His feet
and anointed them with ointment.”

Luke 7:38

“Make ready then the vessel of your soul
that you may become a son of God
and an heir of God
and joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17);
if, indeed, you are preparing yourself
that you may receive;
if you are drawing near in faith
that you may be made faithful;
if of set purpose,
you are putting off the old man!”

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

“Do not content yourself
with confessing your venial sins
merely as to the fact
but accuse yourself too,
of the motive which induced you
to commit them.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life,
Part II, Chapter 19).

“Christ was more concerned
with St. Peter’s repentance and remorse,
than with his sin.”

(The Spirit of St. François de Sales, VII, 8)

​St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – Obedience

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” –Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Sirach 24:14-16: Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here:

“Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’”

Luke 11:28

“Little children follow and obey their father.
They love their mother.
They know nothing of covetousness,
ill-will, bad temper, arrogance and lying.
This state of mind opens the road to Heaven.
To imitate our Lord’s own humility,
we must return to the simplicity
of God’s little ones.”

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

“If anyone comes to Me
without hating his father
and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters
and even his own life,
he cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:26

“ … For his brothers
His relatives according to the flesh
who did not
believe in Him,
of what advantage was that relationship?
… Even her maternal relationship
would have done Mary no good,
unless she had borne Christ
more happily in her heart,
than in her flesh.”

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

“Obedience is a short cut to perfection.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SILENCE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – “ … Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

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One Minute Reflection – 27 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Blessed Virgin (Salve Sancta Parens) – St Pantaleon (Died c305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Truly it is “a trustworthy word and deserving of every welcome” (1 Tm 1:15) your Almighty Word, Lord, which, in such deep Silence, made His way down from the Father’s royal throne (Wis 18:14f) into the mangers of animals and meanwhile, speaks to us better by His Silence. “Let him who has ears to hear, hear” what this loving and mysterious Silence of the eternal Word speaks to us …

For what recommends the discipline of silence with such weight and such authority, what checks the evil of restless tongues and the storms of words, as the Word of God, silent in the midst of men. “There is no word on My tongue” (Ps 138:4), the Almighty Word seems to confess while He is subject to His Mother. What madness then will prompt us to say: “With our tongues we can do great things; our lips are good friends to us; we own no master” (Ps 11:5). If I were allowed, I would gladly be dumb and be brought low and be silent, even of good things that I might be able, the more attentively and diligently, to apply my ear to the secret utterances and sacred meaning of this Divine Silence, learning in silence, in the school of the Word, if only for as long as the Word Himself was Silent under the instruction of His Mother …

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” (Jn 1:14). With complete devotion, then, let us think of Christ in the swaddling clothes with which His Mother wrapped Him, so that, with eternal happiness, we may see the glory and beauty with which His Father has clothed Him.” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (The 5th sermon for Christmas).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyr Pantaleon, we may be delivered from all afflictions of the body and cleansed from all evil thoughts of the mind. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 November – ‘… Lay out, in the treasure house of your soul, the precious pearls of Scripture.’

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One Minute Reflection – 21 November – The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus Sir 24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rather blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “May Christ help you, dearest brethren, always to welcome, with an eager and thirsting heart, the reading of God’s Word; then your faithful obedience will fill you with spiritual joy. But if you wish Holy Scripture to bring you sweetness and, the divine precepts, to profit you as much as they should, then withdraw from your material pre-occupations for a few hours. Read God’s Words over again in your house, dedicate yourselves entirely to His mercy. Thus, you will succeed in realising, within yourself, what is written of the man who is blessed – “meditating on the Law of the Lord, day and night” (Ps 1:2) and “Happy are they who observe His decrees, who seek Him with all their heart” (Ps 118:2).

Merchants do not seek to make a profit on one single product but, on several. Horticulturists seek a better return by sowing different kinds of seed. You, who look for spiritual gains, do not be satisfied, just with listening to the Sacred texts in Church. Read them at home. When days are short, profit by the long evenings. Thus, you will be able to gather spiritual grain into your heart’s storehouse and lay out, in the treasure house of your soul, the precious pearls of Scripture.” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop (Sermons to the People No 7).

PRAYER – O God, by Whose will the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, was on this day presented in the temple, grant, we beseech Thee, that by her intercession, we may be found worthy to be brought into the temple of Thy glory. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on VANITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – “Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak”

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One Minute Reflection – 21 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Saint Ursula and Companions (Died c 238) Virgin Martyrs – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak” (Jas 1;19). Yes, brethren, I tell you frankly… I, who frequently address you at your own request, it is undiluted joy for me, when I take my place in the audience; my happiness is unalloyed, when I listen, rather than speak. Then, it is that I savour the Word in all confidence; my satisfaction is unthreatened by vainglory. When you sit on the solid rock of Truth, how can you fear the precipice of pride? “I will give ear,” says the psalmist, “and you will fill me with joy and gladness” (cf Ps 50:10). So, I am never more delighted, than when I am listening – our position as hearers, is that which keeps us in an attitude of humility.

To the contrary, if we speak … we need to have a certain restraint. Even if I do not give in to pride, I am always afraid I might still do so! If I listen, on the other hand, no-one can take my joy away from me, (Jn 16:22) since no-one witnesses it. This is truly the joy of the Bridegroom, of Whom Saint John says: “He stands and listens” (Jn 3:29). He stands because he listens. The first man, too, was standing because he was listening to God, as soon as he listened to the serpent, he fell. The friend of the bridegroom, then, is “overcome with joy at the Bridegroom’s Voice.” What makes him joyful is not his own voice, as preacher and prophet but the Voice of the Bridegroom Himself.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace [Attri] (Cf Discourse on Ps 139:15 – Treatises on St John’s Gospel No 57)

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God that we may never cease devoutly, to venerate the triumphs of Thy holy Virgins and Martyrs, Ursula and her companions that, as we cannot worthily shew forth their praises, yet we may continually honour them, with lowly service. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – Rather blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. – Luke 11:28

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” Feast of Our Lady of Czestochow and Salus Infirmorum / Our Lady, Health of the Sick – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rather blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’”
Luke 11:28

“ … For his brothers
His relatives according to the flesh
who did not
believe in Him,
of what advantage was that relationship?
… Even her maternal relationship
would have done Mary no good,
unless she had borne Christ
more happily in her heart,
than in her flesh.”

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

“No man lights a candle
and puts it in a hidden place,
nor under a bushel but upon a candlestick,
that they who come in, may see the light.”

Luke 11:33
“If we fail to live in the Light,
we shall, to our condemnation
and that of others,
be veiling over and obscuring,
by our infidelity, the Light men so desperately need.
As we know from Scripture,
the man who received the talent
should have made it produce a heavenly profit
but instead, he preferred to hide it away
rather than put it to work
and was punished as he deserved.
Consequently, that brilliant Lamp
which was lit for the sake of our salvation
should always shine in us.
For we have the lamp
of the heavenly commandments
and spiritual grace, to which David referred:
Your law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407)
Father of the Church

“The soul glorifies the Lord,
when it consecrates all its inner powers
on praising and serving God
and when, by its submission
to the Divine commands,
it proves that it never loses sight
of His Power and Majesty.
The spirit rejoices in God, its Saviour,
when it places all its joy
in the remembrance of its Creator,
from Whom it hopes for eternal salvation.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – ‘ … Building a ruin? …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa and Salus Infirmorum / Our Lady, Health of the Sick – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Do not delude yourselves, my brothers, if you hasten to hear the Word without meaning to put into practice that which you hear … consider carefully -if it is good to hear the Word, it is even better to put it into practice. If you do not listen to it, if you do not do what you have heard, then you are not building anything. If you listen to it and do not put it into practice, then you are building a ruin! “Everyone, who listens to these words of Mine and acts on them, is like a wise man who built his house on rock”…: listening and putting into practice is to build on rock…

“Everyone who listens to these words of Mine,” the Lord continues, “but does not act on them, is like a fool, who built his house on sand…” He, too, builds but what is it that he builds? He builds his house but, because he does not act on what he hears, he might just as well not have heard – he builds on sand! So, then, to listen, without putting into practice, is to build on sand; to listen and put into practice is to build on rock; not to listen at all, is to build neither on rock nor on sand…

But perhaps someone will say: “What is the good of listening?… Since I will be building a ruin, if I listen without acting -is it not safer, not to listen at all?”… Rain, wind, torrents never come to an end in this world. Are you not building lest they come and knock you over? … If you insist on not listening to anything, you will be without any shelter at all – the rain will come, the torrents pour down and will you be safe from them?… Think it over, … it is wrong not to listen, it is wrong to listen without acting, it follows that we should listen and act. Be a people who act on the Word – do not be satisfied with listening to it – that would be to deceive yourselves.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Docxtor of Grace (Sermon 179:8-9).

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and, by the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness.ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – ‘ If you seek an example of humility,… If you seek an example of obedience …’,

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Vigil of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rather, blessed are they
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“A person who wishes
to become the Lord’s disciple
must repudiate a human obligation,
however honourable it may appear,
if it slows us, ever so slightly,
in giving the wholehearted obedience
we owe to God.”

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

“To arrive at the knowledge of the Truth,
there are many paths – the first is humility,
the second is humility
and the third is humility.”

“Humility is a very strange entity.
The moment we think we have it,
we have already lost it!”

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

“If you seek an example of humility,
look upon Him Who is Crucified,
although He was God, He chose to be judged
by Pontius Pilate and put to death. …
If you seek an example of obedience,
imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father
“even to death” (Phil 2:8).
“For just as through the disobedience
of one person, Adam,
the many were made sinners,
so through the obedience of One,
the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). .
If you seek an example of contempt
for earthly things,
imitate Him Who is “King of kings
and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15),
“in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” (Col 2:3).
On the Cross He was stripped naked,
ridiculed, spat upon, bruised,
crowned with thorns,
given to drink of vinegar and gall.”

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

“To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.”

“When God puts inspirations into a heart,
the first He gives is obedience.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SILENCE, The INCARNATION

One Minute Reflection – 5 August – ‘ … Woe to those of us who are full of air! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Sirach 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Mary was very discreet – we have proof of this in the Gospel. Where do you see her having been talkative, or full of presumption? Once she stood at the door wishing to speak to her Son but, she did not use her maternal authority either, to interrupt His preaching or to enter the house where He preached (Mk 3:31).

If I remember correctly, the Evangelists only allow Mary’s words to be heard four times. First, when she addressed the Angel – and this was only in answer to him. Secondly, during her visit to Elizabeth when, having been praised by her cousin, Mary wanted to praise the Lord even more. Thirdly, when she complained to her Son, then aged twelve that His father and she herself, had searched for Him anxiously. Fourthly, at the wedding of Cana when she intervened with her Son and the servants.

On all other occasions, Mary showed herself slow to speak, quick to listen, for she “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart,” (Lk 2:19,51). No, nowhere will you find that she spoke out, not even about the Mystery of the Incarnation. Woe to those of us who are full of air! Woe to those of us who pour out our souls like leaky containers!

How many times Mary heard her Son, not only speaking in parables to the crowd but, in private, revealing to the disciples the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. She saw Him working miracles, then hanging on the Cross, Dying, Risen and Ascending to Heaven. How many times could we say that on any of those occasions, the Virgin’s voice was heard?… The greater Mary is, the more she humbles herself, not just in all things but, more than all!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of glorious and Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and partake of the fullness of eternal happiness. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” he replied, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Finally, for His brothers, His relatives according to the flesh, who did not believe in Him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship, would have done Mary no good, unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart, than in her flesh.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace (Holy Virginity 3).

PRAYER – Grant us, Thou servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and, by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 August –  ‘ … Show me then, whether the eyes of your mind, can see and the ears of your heart, hear.’ …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Santa Mariæ ad Nives, Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Sirach 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28

“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “If you say, “Show me your God,” I will say to you, “Show me what kind of person you are and I will show you my God.” Show me then whether the eyes of your mind, can see and the ears of your heart, hear.

It is like this. Those who can see with the eyes of their bodies, are aware of what is happening in this life on earth. They get to know things that are different from each other. They distinguish light and darkness, black and white, ugliness and beauty, elegance and inelegance, proportion and lack of proportion, excess and defect. The same is true of the sounds we hear: high or low or pleasant. So it is with the ears of our heart and the eyes of our mind, in their capacity to hear or see God.

God is seen by those who have the capacity to see Him, provided that they keep the eyes of their mind open. All have eyes but some have eyes that are shrouded in darkness, unable to see the Light of the Sun. Because the blind cannot see it, it does not follow that the sun does not shine. The blind must trace the cause back to themselves and their eyes . In the same way, you have eyes in your mind that are shrouded in darkness because of your sins and evil deeds. …

But if you will, you can be healed. Hand yourself over to the Doctor, and He will open the eyes and ears of your mind and heart. Who is to be the Doctor? It is God, Who heals and gives life through His Word and Wisdom. … ” – St Theophilus of Antioch (Died c 185) Bishop of Antioch, Confessor, Apologist, Father (An excerpt from: A Book addressed to Autolycus).

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of glorious and Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and partake of the fullness of eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – ‘ … Show me then whether the eyes of your mind, can see and the ears of your heart, hear.’ …

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One Minute Reflection – 16 July – Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticu, Sirach 24:23-31, Luke 11:27-28

“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “If you say, “Show me your God,” I will say to you, “Show me what kind of person you are and I will show you my God.” Show me then whether the eyes of your mind, can see and the ears of your heart, hear.

It is like this. Those who can see with the eyes of their bodies, are aware of what is happening in this life on earth. They get to know things that are different from each other. They distinguish light and darkness, black and white, ugliness and beauty, elegance and inelegance, proportion and lack of proportion, excess and defect. The same is true of the sounds we hear: high or low or pleasant. So it is with the ears of our heart and the eyes of our mind, in their capacity to hear or see God.

God is seen by those who have the capacity to see Him, provided that they keep the eyes of their mind open. All have eyes but some have eyes that are shrouded in darkness, unable to see the Light of the Sun. Because the blind cannot see it, it does not follow that the sun does not shine. The blind must trace the cause back to themselves and their eyes . In the same way, you have eyes in your mind that are shrouded in darkness because of your sins and evil deeds. …

But if you will, you can be healed. Hand yourself over to the Doctor, and He will open the eyes and ears of your mind and heart. Who is to be the Doctor? It is God, Who heals and gives life through His Word and Wisdom. … ” – St Theophilus of Antioch (Died c 185) Bishop of Antioch, Confessor, Apologist, Father (An excerpt from: A Book addressed to Autolycus).

PRAYER – O God, Who honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of the most blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Thy Mother, graciously grant, that we, who this day honour her commemoration with solemn rites, defended by her care, may be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness.Through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 February – ‘Show me then whether the eyes of your mind, can see and the ears of your heart, hear.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 February – Hail Holy Mother! – Sirach 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28

“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “If you say, “Show me your God,” I will say to you, “Show me what kind of person you are and I will show you my God.” Show me then whether the eyes of your mind, can see and the ears of your heart, hear.

It is like this. Those who can see with the eyes of their bodies, are aware of what is happening in this life on earth. They get to know things that are different from each other. They distinguish light and darkness, black and white, ugliness and beauty, elegance and inelegance, proportion and lack of proportion, excess and defect. The same is true of the sounds we hear: high or low or pleasant. So it is with the ears of our heart and the eyes of our mind, in their capacity to hear or see God.

God is seen by those who have the capacity to see Him, provided that they keep the eyes of their mind open. All have eyes, but some have eyes that are shrouded in darkness, unable to see the Light of the Sun. Because the blind cannot see it, it does not follow that the sun does not shine. The blind must trace the cause back to themselves and their eyes . In the same way, you have eyes in your mind that are shrouded in darkness because of your sins and evil deeds. …

But if you will, you can be healed. Hand yourself over to the Doctor, and He will open the eyes and ears of your mind and heart. Who is to be the Doctor? It is God, Who heals and gives life through His Word and Wisdom. … ” – St Theophilus of Antioch (Died c 185) Bishop of Antioch, Confessor, Apologist, Father (An excerpt from: A Book addressed to Autolycus).

PRAYER – Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body; and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, MOTHER of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HEART

One Minute Reflection – 19 February – “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 February – Hail Holy Mother! – Sirach 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28

“While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.’” – Luke 11:27

REFLECTION – “Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” he replied, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Finally, for his brothers, his relatives according to the flesh who did not believe in him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good, unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart, than in her flesh.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace (Holy Virginity 3).

PRAYER – Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of THE glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake in the fullness of eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Bearing Christ in our hearts

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One Minute Reflection – 9 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: : Joel 4: 12-21; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Luke 11: 27-28

“He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” He replied, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” Finally, for His brothers, His relatives according to the flesh, who did not believe in Him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ, more happily in her heart, than in her flesh.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace (Holy Virginity, 3).

PRAYER – “O my God, whatever is nearer to me than You, things of this earth and things more naturally pleasing to me, will be sure to interrupt the sight of You, unless Your grace interfere. Keep You my eyes, my ears, my heart, from any such miserable tyranny. Keep my whole being fixed on You. Let me never lose sight of You and while I gaze on You, let my love of You grow more and more every day.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) May we run the race in obedience and love of the Will of our God, always seeking Your Face in those who are the leastg. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MISSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 October – ..’What the saints have understood and lived’

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One Minute Reflection – 12 October – Saturday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 11:27–28 and the Memorial of Blessed Jan Beyzym SJ (1850–1912), “Apostle of the Lepers of Madasgascar”

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” … Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Jesus was speaking to the crowd.   Some of them did not understand and were debating and a woman said:  “Blessed is she who has been your mother and bore you!”   A woman who shouts that out, it’s marvellous, things like that!   Ordinary people in the authentic, how profound!   This is the moment when Jesus will say:  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”   He wants to move away from that family environment – today one would speak of one’s “circle”.   In mountainous districts or the countryside, family bonds are very close, they form a kind of little tribe.   Jesus distances himself from that.
Someone said to Him: “Your mother and your brothers are waiting outside — Who is my mother?   Who are my brothers?   Those who do the will of God” (cf. Lk 8:20-21) — He establishes a society that is transnatural, not founded on shared sensibilities, social conditions of class and origin.   No, it’s another thing altogether.   To this woman He will say:  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”   But the woman had listened to the word of God since she had said to Him:   “Blessed is she who has been your mother!” (Lk 8:19-21; 11:27-28).   It is not blame that Jesus directs at her, on the contrary, it is a confirmation, saying:   ‘Blessed are you for having understood that there is something greater than familial relationships, something which adds to familial relationships what they are capable of bearing of light when they are received but which are of another order.’
Well then!   See what has been proclaimed to us, what the saints have understood and which they have lived.” ... Cardinal Charles Journet (1891-1975) Theologian – Conferences given at Geneva between 1972 and 1974 on St. John’s gospel.luke 11 28 blessed rather are those - card charles journet - blessed are you for having understood 12 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – “O my God, whatever is nearer to me than You, things of this earth and things more naturally pleasing to me, will be sure to interrupt the sight of You, unless Your grace interfere. Keep You my eyes, my ears, my heart, from any such miserable tyranny. Keep my whole being fixed on You. Let me never lose sight of You and while I gaze on You, let my love of You grow more and more every day.” … Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890)   May we run the race in obedience and love of the Will of our God, as Blessed Jan Beyzym did, always seeking Your Face in those who are the least and whose prayers we beg.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl jan beyzym pray for us 12 oct 2019.jpg

raise my heart by bl john henry newman 4 sept 2019.jpg