Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Ash Thursday – 15 February – Our Lenten Journey – Trust and Hope in the Truth

Ash Thursday – 15 February – Our Lenten Journey With The Angels and the Saints – Isaias 38:1-6; Matthew 8:5-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Many shall come
from the east and the west
and shall sit down with Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob
in the Kingdom of Heaven …

Matthew 8:11

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Franciscan, Doctor of the Church

“The Kingdom of Heaven is as broad as the breadth of endless charity. Although, it is composed of individuals, “of every language and people, of every tribe and nation” (Apoc 5:9) yet, none is found wanting because, to the contrary, it expands and the glory of each is increased all the more. Which prompted Saint Augustine to say that: “When many people share the same joy, the joy of each is all the greater because each one inflames the other.

This breadth of the Kingdom is expressed in these words of Scripture: “Ask and I shall give you the nations for your heritage” (Ps 2:8) and, “Many shall come from east and west and take their places with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 8:11). Neither the multitude of those who long for it, nor the multitude of those who now live, nor the multitude of those who possess it, nor the multitude of those arriving, can restrict the space in this Kingdom, nor compromise anyone.

But why should I trust or hope I shall possess God’s Kingdom? Because, of course, of the generosity of the God inviting me: “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Mt 6:33). Because of the Truth which comforts me: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s will to give you the Kingdom” (Lk 12:32). Because of the goodness and love which have redeemed me: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the scroll and break open its seals, for Thou were slain and with Thine Blood Thou purchased for God, those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. Thou made them a kingdom of priests for God and they shall reign on earth“ (Apoc 5:9-10).” (On the Kingdom of the Gospel)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 February – ‘By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy …’

One Minute Reflection – 15 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” –Thursday after Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting – – – Isaias 38:1-6; Matthew 8:5-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, only say the word and my servant will be healed.” – Matthew 8:8.

REFLECTION – “When the Lord promised to go to the Centurion’s house to heal his servant, the Centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility, if he had not already welcomed, in his heart, the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility, both by word and example, sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon and although he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 62).

PRAYER – O God, offended by sin and appeased by penance, graciously hear the prayers of Thy people as they entreat Thee to turn away from us the scourges of anger which we have deserved because of our sins. 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, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 3 March – Lord, I am not worthy

Quote/s of the Day – 3 March – The First Thursday of Lent – Isias 38:1-6, Matthew 8:5-13

The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy
to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word
and my servant will be healed.

Matthew 8:8

Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart
and you will find rest for your souls…

Matthew 11:29

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted
.”

Matthew 23:12

For the Master of humility,
both by word and example,
sat down also, in the house
of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon
and although He sat down in his house,
there was no place in his heart.
For in his heart.
the Son of Man could not lay His head
.”

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

“Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved.
They cannot say with the prophet:
See, God comes to my aid;
the Lord is the helper of my soul.
But anyone who makes himself humble,
like a little child,
is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

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

… If you die with Him,
you shall also likewise
live with Him.
If you are His companion in punishment,
so shall you be in glory.

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

“Humility is not just about self-mistrust
but about the entrusting of ourselves to God.
Distrusting ourselves and our own strength
produces trust in God
and from that trust,
generosity of soul is born.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 March – ‘By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy …’

One Minute Reflection – 3 March – The First Thursday of Lent – Isaiah 38:1-6, Matthew 8:5-13

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, only say the word and my servant will be healed.” – Matthew 8:8.

REFLECTION – “When the Lord promised to go to the centurion’s house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility, if he had not already welcomed, in his heart, the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility, both by word and example, sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon and although he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 62)

PRAYER – O God, offended by sin and appeased by penitence, graciously hear the prayers of Your people as they entreat You, to turn away from us the scourges of anger that we have deserved because of our sins.
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).