Tag: luke18:1-8

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – “Pray at all times ”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – Saturday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:1–8 and The Memorial of St Edmund Rich of Abingdon (1175-1240) Archbishop of Canterbury

“And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night?” … Luke 18:7luke 18 7 and will not god vindicate his elect who cry to him day and night 16 nov 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “ Pray at all times ” commands the apostle Paul (1 Th 5:17).   Calling to mind this precept, Clement of Alexandria writes: “We have been commanded to praise and honour the Word, which we know to be our Savior and King and through Him, the Father, not on certain select days as others do but continually, our whole lives long and in every possible way.”

Amidst our daily occupations, at times when we overcome our egoistical tendencies, when we experience the joy of friendship towards others, at all such times, Christians must discover God.   Through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, Christians gain intimacy with God the Father and run along the way, as they seek that kingdom which, although it is not of this world (Jn 18:36), is prepared for, in this world and begins in this world.

We need to go regularly to Christ in the Word and the Bread, in the Eucharist and prayer. And stay with Him frequently, as one stays with a friend, a truly alive person – just as Christ is, being risen…   Christ, the risen Christ is our companion, our Friend.   A companion who is only to be seen in the semi-darkness but whose reality fills our lives and makes us want His company permanently.   “The Spirit and the Bride say:  ‘Come!’ Let those who hear say: ‘Come!’   Let anyone who thirsts come forward and let those who desire it receive the gift of life-giving water…   He who gives this testimony says:  ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rv 22:17.20).” … St Josémaria Escriva de Balaguer (1902-1975) – Sermon of 26/03/67 in ‘Es Cristo que pasa’we need to go regularly to christ - st josemaria 16 nov 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Holy Father, grant us a strong Faith! Poor Your graces into our hearts that we may believe with all our hearts, minds and souls and that in believing, we may constantly raise our entire being to You in prayer and supplication, in prayer and adoration, in prayer and love.   May the intercession of St Edmund Rich of Abingdon, a man of deep prayer from his youth, strengthen our perseverance.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.st edmund rich of abingdon pray for us 16 nov 2019.jpg

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Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – ‘Will the Lord “find faith upon the earth” when He returns?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 18:1–8 and World Mission Sunday

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.” … Luke 18:6

REFLECTION – “As He often does, in today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the immoral realities of our world as His point of departure.   Here, it is the corrupt judge, elsewhere, it was the servant who defrauds his master, the prodigal son, the foolish rich man, the glutton, the wicked vineyard owner.
Beginning with what is familiar, Jesus wants to move up to the laws of the Kingdom of God.   Here, as in the parable of the friend knocking at the door at midnight, the point of comparison is the persistence of an importunate but not unjust request.
If even the wicked … then all the more God, who is good. Jesus wants to make utterly clear to us – God wants men to ask Him, even to pester Him.   If God gives man freedom and goes so far as to enter into covenant with him, then He is not merely concerned about human freedom but has bound Himself in a covenant with His partner without giving up His divine freedom – God will always give the petitioner what is best for him, “the good” (Mt 7:11), “the Holy Spirit” (Lk 11:12).   Whoever prays, in the Spirit of Christ, will be listened to without exception (Jn 14:12-14)   And the Gospel adds, “without delay.” God does not hear our prayers at some later date.   He hears and immediately responds with whatever best corresponds to the request.   A request, however, presupposes faith, which is why the Gospel ends with something for us to mull over – will the Lord “find faith upon the earth” when He returns?   It is we, who are listening here and not just anyone, who are being asked this!” … Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)luke 18 6 and the lord said listen to what the unrighteous judge says - whoever prays in the spirit of christ - hans ur von balthasar 20 oct 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God and Father, grant us the grace of Your Spirit and fill us with the light of understanding and love.   May we learn to truly pray and by our prayers to entreat You to bless us in Your goodness and lead us to true faith in Your unfailing love and mercy.   Grant that by the prayers of your Saints we may be strengthened and depend only on You.   Holy Mother, be our protection and our guide  . We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin mary mother of god - pray for us - 5 aug 2018.jpg