Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – ‘ … Riches are alien to us … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church – Pentecost VIII – – Romans 8:12-17; Luke 16:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And I say to you, make friends for yourselves with deceitful wealth, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwellings.” – Lukr 16:9

REFLECTION –A servant cannot serve two masters.” Not that there are two; there is only one Master. For, even if there are some, 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’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 do not let us become slaves of exterior goods because Christ is the only One we should acknowledge as our Lord.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel No 7).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bonaventure, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in heaven. 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 LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – The unjust steward

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – “Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Readings: : Romans 16: 3-9, 16, 22-27; Psalm 145: 2-5, 10-11; Luke 16: 9-15

I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”…Luke 16:9

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 do not let us become slaves of exterior goods because Christ is the only One we should acknowledge as our Lord.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father & Doctor of the Church -(Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel, 7, 244s ; SC 52)

PRAYER – Lord God, You built Your Church on the firm foundation of the Apostle Peter and You promised that the gates of hell would never overcome it. So too, may we trust in Your power, that by our faith we may receive the grace to withstand the enemy who will not prevail against us. May we always serve You in our brother and may your Holy Spirit grant us the grace of fortitude to withstand our temptations and thus gain eternal life, supported by the prayers of all the Angels, Saints and our Blessed Mother Mary. Through Christ, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God now and forever, amen.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – Today’s Gospel: Luke 16:9–15- Commentary by St Clement of Alexandria

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – Today’s Gospel: Luke 16:9–15 – Saturday of the Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B and The Memorial of St Leo the Great (c 400-461) Doctor of the Church and St Andrew Avellino CR (1521 – 1608)

“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”...Luke 16:9

REFLECTION – “Consider, then, the splendid reward for your liberality – an everlasting habitation!   O excellent trade!   O divine commerce!   You purchase immortality for money and, by donating the empty things of the world, receive in exchange an eternal mansion in heaven!   So then, you rich who have wisdom, apply yourselves to this business… Why let yourselves be transfixed by diamonds and emeralds, by houses that fire devours, time destroys, or earthquakes throw down?   Aspire for nothing other than to dwell in the heavens and reign with God.   A mere man, a beggar will gain you this kingdom… The Lord did not say:  “Give, be generous and bountiful, help your brothers” but: “Make friends for yourselves”.   Friendship comes about not by one gift but by long intimacy.   For neither faith, nor charity nor patience are the work of one day but “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Mt 10:22)...St Clement of Alexandria (150- 215)i tell you make friends for yourselves luke 16 9 - so then you rich who have wisdom st clement of alexandria 10 nov 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, You built Your Church on the firm foundation of the Apostle Peter and You promised that the gates of hell would never overcome it.   So too, may we trust in Your power, that by our faith we may receive the grace to withstand the enemy who will not prevail against us.   May we always serve You in our brother and may your Holy Spirit grant us the grace of fortitude to withstand our temptations and thus gain eternal life, supported by the prayers of St Pope Leo the Great and St Andrew Avellino, keep us ever faithful to Your love. Amenst pope leo the great pray for us - 10 nov 2018