Tag: st john chrysostom

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 January – “I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead”

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One Minute Reflection – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Readings: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9: 1-22, Psalms 117:1, 2, Mark 16:15-18

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to vthe whole creation.” – Mark 16:15

REFLECTION – “Paul, more than anyone else, has shown us what man really is and in what our nobility consists and of what virtue this particular animal is capable.
Each day, he aimed ever higher; each day, he rose up with greater ardour and faced with new eagerness the dangers that threatened him.
He summed up his attitude in the words: “I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead”…
The most important thing of all to him, however, was that he knew himself to be loved by Christ.
Enjoying this love, he considered himself happier than anyone else” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor

PRAYER –
Great convert Teacher of the Faith
Who never ceased from preaching Christ,
Saint Paul impart to us your zeal,
That we may reach the joys unseen.

All glory to the Trinity,
Forever honour, sov’reignty,
To God Almighty be all praise,
Beginning and the End of all.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 17 January – O Lord, My God, I Am Not Worthy By St John Chrysostom

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Our Morning Offering – 17 January – Sunday in Ordinary Time

O Lord, My God,
I Am Not Worthy
Prayer Before Holy Communion
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Lord, my God,
I am not worthy
that You should come into my soul
but I rejoice that You have come to me
because, in Your loving kindness
You desire to dwell in me.
You ask me to open the door of my soul,
which You alone have created,
so that You may enter into it
with Your loving kindness
and dispel the darkness of my mind.
I believe that You will do this,
for You did not turn away Mary Magdalene
when she approached You in tears.
Neither did You withhold forgiveness
from the tax collector
who repented of his sins
or from the good thief
who asked to be received into Your kingdom.
Indeed, You numbered as Your friends,
all who came to You with repentant hearts.
O God, You alone are blessed always,
now and forever.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Quote/s of the Day – 6 January – Epiphany – In Your Light, we see light!

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 January – The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

In Your Light, we see light!

“If the Magi had come in search of an earthly King,
they would have been disconcerted at finding
that they had taken the trouble to come
such a long way for nothing.
Consequently they would have
neither adored nor offered gifts.
But since they sought a heavenly King,
though they found in Him
no signs of royal pre-eminence,
yet, content with the testimony
of the star alone,
they adored – for they saw a man
and they acknowledged God.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder
at what they see – heaven on earth,
earth in heaven, man in God,
God in man,
One whom the whole universe cannot contain,
now enclosed in a tiny body.
As they look, they believe
and do not question,
as their symbolic gifts bear witness –
incense for God,
gold for a King,
myrrh for One who is to die.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Father and Doctor of Homilies

“What are you doing, O Magi?
Do you adore a little Babe,
in a wretched hovel,
wrapped in miserable rags?
Can this Child be truly God?
… Are you become foolish, O Wise Men
… Yes, these Wise Men have become fools
that they may be wise.”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Doctor of Light

More Epiphany quotes:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/06/quote-s-of-the-day-6-january-the-solemnity-of-the-epiphany-of-the-lord/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 January – “You give them something to eat.”… Mark 6:37

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One Minute Reflection – 5 January – Christmas Weekday, Readings: 1 John 4:7-10, Psalms 72:1-2, 3-4,7-8, Mark 6:34-44

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”… Mark 6:37

REFLECTION – “Let us take note of the disciples’ trusting abandonment to God’s providence in life’s greatest necessities and their disdain for a life of luxury – there were twelve of them and they only had five loaves and two fish. They were not bothered by bodily things but dedicated all their zeal to the things of the soul. Moreover, they did not keep these provisions for themselves, they handed them over to the Saviour at once when He asked them for them. Let us learn from this example, to share what we have, with those in need, even if we only have a little. When Jesus asks them to bring the five loaves, they don’t say: “What will there be for us later on? Where will we find what is necessary for our own needs?” They obey promptly …
Taking the loaves, then, the Lord broke them and entrusted the honour of distributing them to the disciples. He did not just want to honour them by this holy service but desired them to take part in the miracle, so as to be wholly convinced witnesses to it and, not forget what had taken place under their own eyes …. It is through them, that He made the people sit down and, that He distributed the bread, so that each one of them, might bear witness to the miracle accomplished at their hands …
Everything in this event – the desert place, the bare ground, the small supply of bread and fish, the distribution of these same things to everyone without distinction, each one of them having the same as their neighbour – all this teaches us humility, frugality and fraternal charity. To love one another equally, to place everything in common amongst those who are serving the same God – this is what our Saviour is teaching us here.” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed. May our eyes see and our hearts have compassion, to all those who need us. May the intercession of our Holy Mother, St Gerlach and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SCANDAL, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 December – The Feast of the Holy Innocents

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 December – The Feast of the Holy Innocents – The Fourth Day of the Christmas Octave, Readings: 1 John 1:5-2:2, Psalm 124:2-5, 7-8, Matthew 2:13-18

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.”

Matthew 2:18

“Thus, parents, I say, are more vicious,
more cruel than child-murderers;
for, a murderer of children, as Herod was,
separates only the body from the soul;
while the others, give the souls and bodies of their children
to eternal flames!
Further, those who are killed
would have died in the course of time,
though they had not been murdered;
while children, neglected by their parents,
might have avoided eternal death,
had not the wickedness of their parents
prepared it for them.
Besides this, the general resurrection
would have compensated for the bodily death,
while the death and destruction of the soul,
nothing can restore.
A child, condemned by the parent’s fault,
has no hope of salvation
but has to suffer eternal pains.
Hence I am right in saying,
that such parents are worse than child-murderers.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-december-the-feast-of-the-holy-innocents/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 December – “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” – Acts 7:60

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One Minute Reflection – 26 December – Feast of St Stephen the ProtoMartyr and The Second Day in the Christmas Octave, Readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7: 54-59, Psalms 31:3-4, 6 and 8, 16 and 17, Matthew 10:17-22

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them” – Acts 7:60

REFLECTION – “Let us imitate our Lord and pray for our enemies … He was crucified yet, at the same time, prayed to His Father for the sake of those who were crucifying Him. But how could I possibly imitate our Lord, one might ask? If you want to, you can. If you weren’t able to do it how could He have said: “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart”? (Mt 11:29) …

If you have difficulty in imitating our Lord, at least imitate him who is also His servant, his deacon. I would speak of Stephen. Just as Christ, in the midst of those crucifying Him, without considering the cross, without considering His own predicament, pleaded with the Father on behalf of His tormentors (Lk 23:34), so His servant, surrounded by those who were stoning him, attacked by all, crushed beneath a hail of stones and without taking any account of the suffering they were causing him, said: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Do you see how the Son spoke and how His servant prayed? The former said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” and the latter said: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Moreover, to make us realise better the fervour with which he was praying, he did not just pray as he stood beneath the blows of the stones but he spoke on his knees with sincerity and compassion …

Christ said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Stephen cried out: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Paul, in his turn, said: “I offer up this sacrifice for my brethren, my kin according to race” (cf. Rm 9:3). Moses said: “If you would only forgive their sin! And if you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written!” (Ex 32:32). David said: “May your hand fall on me and my kindred,” (2 Sam 24:17). … What kind of forgiveness do we think we shall get if we ourselves do the opposite of what is asked of us and pray against our enemies, when the Lord Himself and His servants of both Old and New Testaments, direct us to pray on their behalf?” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon for Good Friday “The Cross and the bandit”

PRAYER – Grant us Your Grace, Lord God Almighty, to practise what we worship. Teach us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. As we keep the feast of Saint Stephen, may we learn from him, who learned from You and prayed, even for the men who stoned him to death. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The REDEMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 24 December – The Nativity of the Lord

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 December – The Nativity of the Lord, Mass at Midnight

… Let us keep the Feast,
not after the manner of a heathen festival
but after a godly sort;
not after the way of the world
but in a fashion above the world;
not as our own
but as belonging to Him
who is ours,
or rather as our Master’s;
not as of weakness
but as of healing;
not as of creation
but of re-creation.”

St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390)
Archbishop of Constantinople
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Jesus Christ, the God-Man,
was born in a manger
and is spiritually reborn on the altar.
He suffered on Calvary
and continues to offer Himself on the altar.
In His earthly life, He spread His teaching
and worked miracles among the crowds.
In the Eucharist, He spans the centuries
and communicates Himself to all.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“… For God it was too small a thing
that His Son should show us the way,
He made of Him the Way (cf Jn 14:6),
the Way by which you would go
under His direction,
the Way you would follow…”

“Awake, mankind!
For your sake God has become man.
Awake, you who sleep,
rise up from the dead
and Christ will enlighten you.
I tell you again,
for your sake,
God became man.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 October – He departed to the mountain to pray … Luke 6:12

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs, Readings: Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalms 19:2-3, 4-5, Luke 6:12-16

“In those days he departed to the mountain to pray
and he spent the night in prayer to God.”

Luke 6:12

“Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry,
a foundation for cheerfulness,
a source of constant happiness,
a protection against sadness.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“We pray then to Him,
through Him, in Him
and we speak along with Him
and He along with us.”

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

“When we pray,
the voice of the heart must be heard,
more than the proceedings,
from the mouth.”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“Prayer is an act of love,
words are not needed.
Even if sickness distracts from thoughts,
all that is needed is the will to love.”

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)

“Give yourself to prayer
and try by it, to procure,
first the amendment
of your fault,
then the practice of Christian virtues
and finally a great love of God.”

Bl Sebastian Valfre (1629-1710)

“He who prays most receives most.”

St Alphonsus Maria Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“My little children, your hearts are small
but prayer stretches them
and makes them capable of loving God.
Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven
and something of paradise comes down upon us.
Prayer never leaves us without sweetness.
It is honey that flows into the souls
and makes all things sweet.
When we pray properly,
sorrows disappear like snow before the sun.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

“Prayer is our strength,
our sword,
our consolation
and the key to paradise.”

St Joseph Freinademetz (1852-1908)

“To pray,
is to think about Jesus
and love Him.
The more we love,
the better we pray.”

Bl Charles of Jesus de Foucauld (1858-1916)

“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart.
It is a simple glance directed to Heaven.
It is a cry of gratitude and love
in the midst of trial as well as joy.”

St Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873-1897)
Doctor of the Church

“Without Prayer
nothing good is done.
God’s works are done
with our hands joined
and on our knees.
Even when we run,
we must remain spiritually
kneeling before Him.”

Bl Luigi Orione (1872-1940)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – ‘… the bread is Christ.’

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Ephesians 5:21-33,Psalms 128:1-2, 3,4-5, Luke 13:18-21

“Just as the Father who has life sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so the man who feeds on me
will have life because of me.”

John 6:57

“The doctrine of Christ
is fittingly called leaven
because, the bread is Christ.”

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

“If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews
without food in the desert,
for fear that they would collapse on the way,
it was to teach us,
that it is dangerous
to try to get to Heaven,
without the Bread of Heaven.”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Jesus Christ, the God-Man,
was born in a manger
and is spiritually reborn on the altar.
He suffered on Calvary
and continues to offer Himself on the altar.
In His earthly life,
He spread His teaching
and worked miracles among the crowds.
In the Eucharist,
He spans the centuries
and communicates Himself to all.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

“And He departed from our sight
that we might return to our heart
and find Him there.
For He left us
and behold,
He is here!”

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

“O you sons of men,
how long will you be dull of heart?
… Behold – daily He humbles Himself
as when from heaven’s royal throne
He came down into the womb of the Virgin.
Daily, He Himself,
comes to us with like humility;
daily He descends
from the bosom of the Father,
upon the altar,
in the hands of the priest.”

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

“The Holy Eucharist,
is a fire that purifies and consumes
all our miseries and imperfections.
Do everything in your power
to make yourself worthy of the Eucharist
and this Divine Fire, will take care of the rest.”

St Hyacinth of Mariscotti (1585-1640)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 October – “Open the door to him at once … ” Luke 12:36

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 October – Tuesday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Ephesians 2:12-22,Psalms 85:9-10,11-12, 13-14, Luke 12:35-38

“Open the door to him at once
when he comes and knocks.”

Luke 12:36

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice
and opens the door,
[then] I will enter his house
and dine with him and he with me.”

Revelations 3:20

“Find Jesus at the door of your heart
and you will discover paradise.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Let your door stand open
to receive Him,
unlock your soul to Him,
offer Him a welcome in your mind
and then you will see
the riches of simplicity,
the treasures of peace,
the joy of grace.
Throw wide the gate of your heart,
stand before the sun of the everlasting light.”

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

“Christ is both the way and the door.
Christ is the staircase and the vehicle …”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – St John Chrysostom’s Prayer before Holy Mass

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Our Morning Offering – 11 October – The Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time

Prayer before Holy Mass
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O God, loose, remit and forgive
my sins against You.
Whether in word, or in deed, or in thought,
willingly or unwillingly,
knowingly or unknowingly, committed,
forgive them all,
for You are good and love mankind.
And through the prayers of Your most holy Mother,
of Your heavenly servants and holy powers
and of all the saints
who have found favour in Your sight,
enable me to receive, without condemnation
Your holy and immaculate Body
and Your Precious Blood,
to the healing of my soul and body
and to the driving away of all evil imaginations,
for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and forever
and to ages of ages.
Amen

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – ‘… What love!’ – Matthew 21:42

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalms 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20, Philippians 4:6-9, Matthew 21:33-43 and the Memorial of St Francis of Assisi OFM (c 1181–1226)

“By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes” … Matthew 21:42

REFLECTION – “Christ has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:18) Saint Paul thus brings out the greatness of the apostles, by showing us the ministry that was entrusted to them and at the same time, he shows us the love with which God loved us. After people refused to listen to Him who had been sent to them, God did not let His anger burst forth, He did not reject them. He persisted in calling them to Himself through the apostles. Who would not marvel at so much solicitude?

They killed the Son who had come to reconcile them, who was the only Son and of the same nature as the Father. The Father did not turn away from the murderers, He did not say: “I sent them my Son, and they, not satisfied with not having listened to Him, put Him to death and crucified Him. So now, it is only just that I abandon them.” He did the opposite. And after Christ had left earth, it is we, His ministers, who have the responsibility to replace Him. “He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. I mean that God, in Christ, was reconciling the world to himself, not counting men’s transgressions against them.”

What love! going beyond all words and intelligence! Who was it had been insulted? God Himself! And who takes the first step towards reconciliation? He Himself (…) If God had wanted to make us give an account, we would truly be lost since “all died” (2 Cor 5:14). But in spite of our many sins, He did not strike with His vengeance but He even reconciled us to Himself. Not satisfied with taking away our debt, He even considered it to be nothing. In the same way, we have to forgive our enemies if we ourselves want to obtain this generous forgiveness: “He has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Father and Doctor – Homily 11 on the Second Letter to the Corinthians, 4-5

PRAYER – All highest, glorious God,
cast Your light into the darkness of our hearts,
give us true faith, firm hope,
perfect charity and profound humility,
so that with wisdom,
courage and perception, O Lord,
we may do what is truly Your holy will.
Amen. By St Francis of Assisi

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 September – “Behold your mother.”

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One Minute Reflection – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, Readings: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31,Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5, John 19:25-27 

“Near the cross of Jesus, there stood his mother…” … John 19:25

REFLECTION – “Mary, the mother of the Lord, stood by her Son’s cross. No-one has taught me this but the holy Evangelist John. Others have related how the earth was shaken at the Lord’s passion, the sky was covered with darkness, the sun withdrew itself and how the thief was, after a faithful confession, received into paradise. John tells us what the others have not told, how the Lord, while fixed on the cross called to His mother. He thought it was more important that, victorious over His sufferings, Jesus gave her the offices of piety, than that He gave her a heavenly kingdom. For, if it is the mark of religion to grant pardon to the thief, it is a mark of much greater piety, that a mother is honoured with such affection by her Son. “Behold,” He says, “your son.” “Behold your mother.” Christ testified from the cross and divided the offices of piety, between the mother and the disciple.

Nor was Mary below what was becoming of the mother of Christ. When the Apostles fled, she stood at the cross and with pious eyes beheld her Son’s wounds. For she did not look to the death of her offspring but to the salvation of the world. Or perhaps, because that “royal hall” knew that the redemption of the world would be through the death of her Son, she thought that by her death, she also might add something to that universal gift. But Jesus did not need a helper for the redemption of all, who saved all without a helper. This is why He says, “I am counted among those who go down to the pit. I am like those who have no help.” He received indeed the affection of His mother but sought not another’s help. Imitate her, holy mothers, who in her only dearly beloved Son, set forth so great an example of maternal virtue. For neither have you sweeter children, nor did the Virgin seek the consolation of being able, to bear another son.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Letter 63

PRAYER – Our Father, when Jesus Your Son, was raised up on the Cross, it was Your will that Mary, His Mother, should stand there and suffer with Him in her heart. Grant that in union with her, the Church may share in the passion of Christ and so be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Be our intercessor and our consolation, Our Lady of Sorrows, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – Words of Golden Mouth

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 September –The Memorial of St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Church

“The waters have risen
and severe storms are upon us
but we do not fear drowning,
for we stand firmly upon a rock.
Let the sea rage, it cannot break the rock.
Let the waves rise,
they cannot sink the boat of Jesus.”

“Let the world be in upheaval.
I hold to His promise and read His message,
that is my protecting wall and garrison.
What message?
‘Know that I am with you always,
until the end of the world!’”

“Jesus Christ, the God-Man,
was born in a manger
and is spiritually reborn on the altar.
He suffered on Calvary
and continues to offer Himself on the altar.
In His earthly life,
He spread His teaching
and worked miracles among the crowds.
In the Eucharist,
He spans the centuries
and communicates Himself to all.”

“When you see the immolated Lord lying on the altar
and the priest who, standing, prays over the victim…
can you still believe you are among men,
that you are on earth?
Are you not, on the contrary,
suddenly transported to Heaven?”

“By virtue of this Body,
I am no longer dust and ashes,
I am no longer a prisoner but free,
by virtue of this, I hope in Heaven
and to receive its goods,
the inheritance of the angels
and to converse with Christ!”

“Lift up and stretch out your hands,
not to heaven but to the poor…
if you lift up your hands in prayer
without sharing with the poor,
it is worth nothing.”

“Jesus, open the eyes of my heart,
that I may hear Your word
and understand and do Your will.
Open the eyes of my mind
to the understanding
of Your Gospel teachings.
Speak to me the hidden
and secret things of Your wisdom.
Enlighten my mind and understanding
with the light of Your knowledge,
not only to cherish those things
that are written
but to do them.
Amen”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, SAINT of the DAY, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 September – Seventy times seven – Matthew 18:21-22

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 13 September – Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Sirach 27:30 – 28:7, Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12, Romans 14: 7-9, Matthew 18:21-35 and the Memorial of St John Chrysostom (347-407) Doctor – “John of the Golden Mouth”

“Then Peter came up and said to him,
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me
and I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him,
“I do not say to you seven times
but seventy times seven.” … Matthew 18:21-22

REFLECTION – “The perfection of brotherly love lies in the love of one’s enemies.
We can find no greater inspiration for this, than grateful remembrance of the wonderful patience of Christ. He who is more fair than all the sons of men, offered His fair face to be spat upon by sinful men. He allowed those eyes, that rule the universe, to be blindfolded by wicked men. He bared His back to the scourges. He submitted that head which strikes terror in principalities and powers, to the sharpness of the thorns. He gave Himself up to be mocked and reviled and, at the end, endured the cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, remaining always gentle, meek and full of peace. In short, He was led like a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb before the shearers He kept silent and did not open his mouth.
Who could listen to that wonderful prayer, so full of warmth, of love, of unshakeable serenity – Father, forgive them – and hesitate to embrace his enemies with overflowing love?
Father, He says, forgive them. Is any gentleness, any love, lacking in this prayer?
Yet He put into it, something more. It was not enough to pray for them, He wanted also to make excuses for them. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes but they have little judgement, therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing Me to the cross but they do not know who It is that they are nailing to the cross, if they had known, they would never have Crucified the Lord of glory.
Therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden My Face from them and they do not recognise My glory. Therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

If someone wishes to love himself he must not allow himself to be corrupted by indulging his sinful nature.
If he wishes to resist the promptings of his sinful nature, he must enlarge the whole horizon of his love, to contemplate the loving gentleness of the humanity of the Lord.
Further, if he wishes to savour the joy of brotherly love with greater perfection and delight, he must extend even to his enemies the embrace of true love.
But if he wishes to prevent this fire of divine love from growing cold because of injuries received, let him keep the eyes of his soul always fixed on the serene patience of his beloved Lord and Saviour.” … St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110 – 1167) – Speculum Caritatis 3,5

PRAYER – Lord God, strength of those who hope in You, by Your will, St John Chrysostom became renowned in the Church, for his astounding eloquence and his forbearance in persecution. Grant that we may be enriched by his teaching and thus grow in sanctity, to follow the commandments You set forth in Your Word, Your Son who is our Saviour and Redeemer. By the prayers of St John Chrysostom, may we attain the place You have prepared for us. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time +2020 and Memorials of the Saints – 13 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time +2020

St John Chrysostom (347-407) “Golden Mouthed” Father & Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
Full biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/saint-of-the-day-13-september-st-john-chrysostom-347-407-father-and-doctor-of-the-church-golden-mouthed/
AND – Listening to Pope Benedict XVI’s Catechesis,
General Audience, 19 September 2007
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/13/saint-of-the-day-13-september-st-john-chrysostom-347-407-father-and-doctor-of-the-church-golden-mouthed-2/

Dedication of the Basilicas of Jerusalem: Commemoration of the dedications of the basilicas built on Mount Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
—
St Aigulf
St Amatus OSB (c 560-c 627) Monk, Abbot
St Amatus of Sens
St Barsenorius
Bl Claude Dumonet
St Columbinus of Lure
St Emiliano of Valence
St Evantius of Autun
St Gordian of Pontus
Bl Hedwig of Hreford
St Julian of Ankyra
St Ligorius
St Litorius of Tours
St Macrobius
St Marcellinus of Carthage
Bl María López de Rivas Martínez
St Maurilius of Angers (c 336-426)
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/13/saint-of-the-day-saint-maurilius-of-angers-c-336-426/
St Nectarius of Autun

St Notburga (c 1265-1313)
St Philip of Rome
St Venerius of Tino
—
Martyrs of Ireland:
• Blessed Edward Stapleton
• Blessed Elizabeth Kearney
• Blessed James Saul
• Blessed Margaret of Cashel
• Blessed Richard Barry
• Blessed Richard Butler
• Blessed Theobald Stapleton
• Blessed Thomas Morrissey
• Blessed William Boyton

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War including the Martyrs of Pozo de Cantavieja – 11 beati:
• Blessed Bienvenido Villalón Acebrón
• Blessed Emilio Antequera Lupiáñez
• Blessed Florencio Arnáiz Cejudo
• Blessed Francisco Rodríguez Martínez
• Blessed Joaquín Gisbert Aguilera
• Blessed José Álvarez-Benavides de La Torre
• Blessed José Cano García
• Blessed José Román García González
• Blessed Juan Capel Segura
• Blessed Juan Ibáñez Martín
• Blessed Luis Eduardo López Gascón
• Blessed Manuel Alvarez y Alvarez
• Blessed Manuel Martínez Giménez
• Blessed Pío Navarro Moreno
• Blessed Ramiro Argüelles Hevia
• Blessed Sabino Ayastuy Errasti
• Blessed Teófilo Montes Calvo

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 September – ‘… The one who is healthy must go to the one who is sick. ‘ St John Chrysostom

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One Minute Reflection – 6 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9, Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9, Romans 13:8-10, Matthew 18:15-20

“If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.” … Matthew 18:15

REFLECTION – “He does not say “accuse him” or “punish him” or “take him to court.” He says “correct him.” For he is possessed, as it were, by some stupor and drunk in his anger and disgrace. The one who is healthy must go to the one who is sick. You must conduct your judgement of him privately. Make your cure easy to accept. For the words “correct him,” means nothing other, than help him see his indiscretion. Tell him what you have suffered from him.

What then if he does not listen, if he stubbornly flares up? Call to your side someone else or even two others, so that two witnesses may corroborate all that’s said. For the more shameless and boldfaced he is, so much the more must you be earnest toward his cure, not toward satisfying your anger and hurt feelings. For when a physician sees the sickness unyielding, he does not stand aside or take it against himself but, then is all the more earnest. That then, is what Christ orders us to do. You appeared too weak since you were alone, so become stronger with the help of others. Two are sufficient to reprove the wrongdoer. Do you see how He seeks the interest not of the aggrieved party alone but, also that of the one who caused the grief? For the person injured may be the one who is more taken captive by passion. He becomes the one that is diseased and weak and infirm.

This effort may occur many times, as He attempts to lead him first alone and then with others. If he persists, then make the effort with the whole congregation. “Tell it,” He says, “to the church.” If He had sought the interest of the aggrieved alone, He would not have told him to approach the sick individual seventy-seven times. He would not have attempted so many times or brought so many treatments to the malady. He might have just let him be, if he persisted uncorrected from the first meeting. But instead, He shows us how to seek his cure once, twice and many times, first alone, then with two, then with many more.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor – The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 60.

PRAYER – Since it is from You, God our Father, that redemption comes to us, Your adopted children, look with favour on the family You love, give true freedom to us and to all who believe in Christ, Your Son and our Saviour and bring us all alike, to our eternal heritage. May we, in turn, give ourselves in true love to You and our neighbour in all things, treating him as we would want ourselves treated. And may the prayers of our glorious and merciful Mother, lead us to our heavenly home. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – “”Your all-powerful Word leapt down from heaven’s royal throne” Wisdom 18:15

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Tuesday of the Twenty Second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Psalms 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 13-14, Luke 4:31-37

And they were all amazed
and said to one another,
“What is this word?
For with authority and power
he commands the unclean spirits
and they come out.”

Luke 4:36

“Your all-powerful Word leapt down from heaven’s royal throne”

Wisdom 18:15

“I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”

John 14:6

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:7

“In his name the Gentiles will hope”

Matthew 12:21

“So that we might be able to lay hold of it,
He who is equal to the Father,
having the nature of God,
became like us by taking the nature of a servant
and recreates us in God’s likeness.
Having become son of man,
the only Son of God
transforms numberless men
into sons of God. ”

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

Sermon 194 ; PL 38, 1016

“We, Christians,
are the true Israel which springs from Christ,
for we are carved out of His Heart,
as from a Rock!”

St Justin Martyr (100-165)
Father of the Church and Martyr

“Accordingly, in the Church,
one God is preached,
one God who is above all things
and through all things and in all things.
God is above all things as Father,
for He is principle and source,
He is through all things through the Word
and He is in all things in the Holy Spirit.”

St Athanasius (c 295-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Mark 8:12
“But for what sign from heaven were they asking?
Maybe that He should hold back the sun,
or curb the moon,
or bring down thunderbolts,
or change the direction of the wind,
or something like that?
In Pharaoh’s time there was an enemy
from whom deliverance was needed.
But for one who comes among friends,
there should be no need of such signs.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Who lives in Love, loves least to live
and long delays doth rue,
if Him he love by whom he lives,
to whom all praise is due,
Who for our love did choose to live
and was content to die,
who loved our love more than His life,
and love with life did buy.
Let us in life, yea with our life
requite His living love,
for best we live when least we live,
if Love our life remove.
Mourn, therefore, no true lover’s death,
life only him annoy,
and when he taketh leave of life
then Love begins his joys.”

St Robert Southwell (1561-1595) Martyr

Everything is possible with Jesus.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Let us go to Jesus and take our nourishment from Him.
Then, like St Paul, we shall
be able to do everything in Him,
Who is our strength and our support.
In union with Jesus,
we shall be able to conquer sin
and to become holy. amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 31 August – “… The Light of the Only-begotten has Shone on Us …”

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 August – Monday of the Twenty Second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalms 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, Luke 4:16-30

“… The Light of the Only-begotten has Shone on Us …”

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free.”

Luke 4:18

“This, beloved, is the way in which we found our salvation,
Jesus Christ, the High Priest who offers our gifts,
the patron and helper in our weakness (Heb 10:20; 7:27; 4:15).
It is through Him, that we look straight at the heavens above.
Through Him, we see mirrored, God’s faultless
and transcendent countenance.
Through Him, the eyes of our heart were opened.
Through Him, our unintelligent and darkened mind shoots up into the light.
Through Him, the Master was pleased to let us taste
the knowledge that never fades,
He who is “the radiance of His splendour,
who towers as much above the angels,
as the title He has inherited, is superior to theirs.”

St Pope Clement I (c 35 – c 99)

“For what reason did God send Him to preach to the poor?
“To preach release to captives.”
We were the captives.
For many years Satan had bound us
and held us captive and subject to himself.
Jesus has come
“to proclaim release to captives and sight to the blind.”
By His word and the proclamation of His teaching,
the blind see.”

Origen (c 185-253)

“On each occasion I say:
‘Lord, Thy will be done!
It’s not what this, or that one, wants
but, what You want me to do.’
This is my fortress,
this is my firm rock,
this is my sure support.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

“He did not treat us as our sins deserved.
For we are now sons of God.
How do we show this?
The only Son of God died for us,
so that He might not remain alone.
He who died as the only Son,
did not want to remain as the only Son.
For the only Son of God made many sons of God.
He bought brothers for Himself by His blood,
He made them welcome by being rejected,
He ransomed them by being sold,
He honoured them by being dishonoured,
He gave them life by being put to death.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Bishop, Great Western Father and Doctor of Grace

An excerpt from his Sermon 171

“You have the words of eternal life”

John 6:68

“These words surely make quite obvious to us
the necessity for sitting at the feet of Christ,
taking Him as our one and only teacher
and giving Him our constant and undivided attention. …
Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then,
just as not leaving Christ is ours now.
… We will stay with You always and hold fast to Your commandments.
We will receive Your words without finding fault,
or thinking Your teaching hard,
as the ignorant do but thinking rather:
“How sweet are Your words to my throat!
Sweeter to the mouth are they, than honey or the honeycomb!”

“Our lives are all controlled by the Spirit now
and are not confined to this physical world
that is subject to corruption.
The light of the Only-begotten has shone on us
and we have been transformed into the Word,
the source of all life.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“He is the one who teaches
the truth of prophecy
through His presence
and makes obedience
to the commandments possible,
through grace.”

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

Heal us Lord God
Prayer of St Albert of Trapani O.Carm. (c 1240-1307)

O my God,
You have created the human race
by Your wonderful power.
It is an act of Your clemency that has called us
to share Your glory and eternal life.
When the first sin condemned us to suffer death,
out of Your goodness,
You wished to redeem us
through the blood of Your Son,
To unite us to You through our faith
and Your great mercy.
You have brought us back
from the shame of our sin,
You have veiled our dishonour
in the brightness of Your glory.
Look now and see that what You have created,
giving it subtle limbs and joints
and made beautiful through its immortal soul,
is now subject to the attack of Satan.
Be pleased Lord
to reconstitute Your work and heal it.
May Your power be glorified
and may the malice of the enemy be stunned.
Amen

St Albert of Trapani (c 1240-1307)

“Even to the present time
I have not stopped speaking to all men
but many are deaf and obstinate in response.
… He who possesses my words
yet spurns them,
earns his own judgement on the last day.”

Thomas á Kempis (1380-1471)

The Imitation of Christ

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN the BAPTIST

Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – The Memorial of the Beheading of St John the Baptist

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – The Memorial of the Beheading of St John the Baptist

“John saw a man that was a tyrant
overthrowing the divine commands of marriage.
With boldness, he proclaimed in the midst of the forum,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother Philip’s wife.”
So we learn from him to admonish our fellow servant as an equal.
Do not shrink from the duty of chastising a brother,
even though one may be required to die for it.
Now do not make this cold reply:
“What does it matter to me? I have nothing in common with him.”
With the devil alone we have nothing in common
but with all humanity, we have many things in common.
All partake of the same nature with us.
They inhabit the same earth.
They are nourished with the same food.
They have the same Lord.
They have received the same laws.
They are invited to the same blessings with ourselves.
Let us not say then that we have nothing in common with them.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

(Concerning the Statues, 1)

“He preached the freedom of heavenly peace,
yet was thrown into irons by ungodly men.
He was locked away in the darkness of prison,
though he came bearing witness to the Light of life
and deserved to be called a bright and shining lamp
by that Light itself, which is Christ.”

“John was baptised in his own blood,
though he had been privileged
to baptise the Redeemer of the world,
to hear the voice of the Father above him
and to see the grace of the Holy Spirit descending upon Him.
But to endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth
was not a heavy burden for such men as John;
rather it was easily borne and even desirable,
for he knew eternal joy would be his reward.”

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

“He chose to despise the commands of a tyrant,
rather than those of God.
His example teaches us,
that nothing should be dearer to us, than the will of God.
Pleasing other people is of little value,
indeed, it often causes great harm…
Therefore, let us die to our sins and anxieties
with all God’s friends,
tread underfoot our misguided self-will
and be careful to allow fervent love for Christ,
to grow within us.”

Lanspergius the Carthusian (1489-1539)
Monk, Theologian

Sermon for the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Opera omnia, t 2

[Like St John the Baptist did -]
“Prepare a path for God
so that He can enter your heart.”

St John Baptiste de la Salle FSC (1651-1719)

“The true secret of love consists in this:
we must forget self
like St John the Baptist
and exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus.”

St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MIRACLES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August –

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 56,1.6-7. Psalms 67(66),2-3.5.6.8, Romans 11,13-15.29-32, Matthew 15,21-28

“Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.”

Matthew 21:28

matthew 21 28 great is your faith be it done for you - 16 aug 2020 (1)

“See her humility as well as her faith! …
Behold the woman’s wisdom! …
Behold her constancy!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

see her humility as wellas her faith behold - st john chrysostom 16 aug 2020

“I will suggest a means
whereby you can praise God all day long…
Whatever you do,
do it well
and you have praised God.”

I will suggest a means whereby you can praise god - st augustine 16 aug 2020

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Gracepatience is the ciompanion of wisdom - st augustine 16 aug 2020

“Aspire to God with short
but frequent outpourings of the heart, 
admire His bounty,
invoke His aid, 
cast yourself in spirit at the foot of His Cross,
adore His goodness, 
treat with Him of your salvation,
give Him your whole soul  –
a thousand times in the day.”

aspire to god - st francis de sales - 16 aug 2020

“He who trusts in God
can do all things.”

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

he who trusts in god - st francis de sales 16 aug 2020

“Turn to God.
Believe in God.
Trust Him for a miracle.”

turn to god believe in god trust him for a miracle - st padre pio - 16 aug 2020

“God will not allow you to be lost
if you persist in your determination
not to lose Him.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina/Padre Pio (1887-1968)

god will not allow you to lost - st padre pio 16 aug 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 August – ‘See her humility as well as her faith! …Behold the woman’s wisdom! …Behold her constancy. ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 August – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 56,1.6-7. Psalms 67(66),2-3.5.6.8, Romans 11,13-15.29-32, Matthew 15,21-28 and Saint Armel of Brittany (Died c 570)

“She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” … Matthew 15:27.

REFLECTION – “See her humility as well as her faith!   For He had called the Jews “children” but she was not satisfied with this.   She even called them “masters,” so far was she from grieving at the praises of others.   She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”   Behold the woman’s wisdom!   She did not venture so much as to say a word against anyone else.   She was not stung to see others praised, nor was she indignant to be reproached. Behold her constancy.   When He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” she said, “Yes, Lord.”   He called them “children” but she called them “masters.”   He used the name of a dog but she described the action of the dog.   Do you see this woman’s humility?

Then compare her humility with the proud language of the Jews:  “We are Abraham’s seed and were never in bondage to any man.” “We are born of God.”   But not so this woman.   Rather, she calls herself a dog and them masters.   So for this reason she became a child.   For what does Christ then say? “O woman, great is your faith.”

So we might surmise that this is the reason He put her off, in order that He might proclaim aloud this saying and that He might crown the woman:  “Be it done for you as you desire.”   This means “Your faith, indeed, is able to effect even greater things than these.   Nevertheless be it unto you even as you wish.”  This voice was at one with the voice that said, “Let the heaven be” and it was.

“And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”   Do you see how this woman, too, contributed not a little to the healing of her daughter?   For note, that Christ did not say, “Let your little daughter be made whole,” but “Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.” These words were not uttered at random, nor were they flattering words but great was the power of her faith and for our learning.

He left the certain test and demonstration, however, to the issue of events.   Her daughter accordingly was immediately healed.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor – The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 52.matthew 15 27 please lord for even the dogs eat the scraps - and her daughter was - st john chrysostom 16 aug 2020

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart. Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy. May the intercession of Your faithful servant, St Armel, bring us strength and courage. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, God now and for all eternity, amen.st armel of brittany pray for us 16 aug 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 August – “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

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One Minute Reflection – 9 August – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13, Psalms 85:9-14, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33 and the Memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942) Martyr

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” … Matthew 14:31

REFLECTION – “Once again the disciples are a plaything of the waves and a storm, similar to the first one (Mt 8:4), hurls itself against them. The first time, however, they had Jesus with them, whereas this time they are alone and left to themselves. …  I think this was because our Saviour wanted to stir their sleeping hearts and, by throwing them into a panic, he inspired in them a strong desire for His presence and kept the remembrance of Him constantly in their mind.   Hence, He did not come to their help at once but “during the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea”. …

Peter, ever volatile, always getting in before the other disciples, said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” …   He didn’t say, “Command me to walk on the water” but “come to you,” for there was none who loved Jesus so much as he.   He did the same thing after the Resurrection – unable to bear moving as slowly as the others in the boat, he jumped into the water to get there before them and satisfy his love for Christ. …  Getting out of the boat, then, Peter went towards Jesus, more delighted to be going towards Him than to be walking on the water.   But after confronting the greatest danger, that of the sea, he was to give in to a lesser, that of the wind.   Such is human nature!   Often, having overcome serious dangers we are conquered by lesser ones …  Peter had not yet been set free from all his fear … in spite of Christ’s presence beside him.   For it is of no use to be beside Christ if one is not close to him by faith.   This is what emphasises the distance separating master from the disciple …

o man of little faith why did you doubt matthew 14 31 - getting out of the boat, then - st john chrysostom 9 aug 2020

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”   So if Peter’s faith had not faltered he would have resisted the wind without difficulty.   And the proof of this is that Jesus grasped Peter while leaving the wind to continue blowing …   Just as the mother bird supports with her wings, as it is about to fall, the fledgling that has prematurely left the nest and draws it back into the nest, so does Christ with regard to Peter.” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no. 50, 1-2

st teresa benedicta pray for us.2

PRAYER – Lord our God, the Light and Creator of Light, grant that faithfully pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of Your presence.   May we live in Your Presence, withstand the winds of the world and grow daily in faith.   By the help and intercession of St Teresa Benedicta, You may never permit us to separate ourselves from You and thus we may come, to completion in You, Through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – The disposition of the ground …

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One Minute Reflection – 24 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Jeremiah 3:14-17, Responsorial psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23 and the Memorial of St Charbel Makhluf (1828-1898)

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it;  he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty.”...Matthew 13:23

REFLECTION – “And yet, if both the land be good and the Sower one and the seed the same, wherefore did one bear a hundred, one sixty, one thirty?
Here again the difference is from the nature of the ground, for even where the ground is good, great even therein, is the difference.
Understand that not the Sower is to be blamed, nor the seed but the land that receives it? not for its nature but, for its disposition.
And herein too, great is His mercy to man, that He does not require one measure of virtue.
… And these things He says, lest they that followed Him should suppose that hearing is sufficient for salvation.
… Yes, both vainglory and all the rest belong to this world and to the deceitfulness of riches, such as pleasure and gluttony and envy and vainglory and all the like.

But He added also the “way” and the “rock,” signifying that it is not enough to be freed from riches only, but we must cultivate also the other parts of virtue.
But what if you are free indeed from riches, yet are soft and unmanly? and what if you are not indeed unmanly but are remiss and careless about the hearing of the word?
No one part is sufficient for our salvation but there is required first, a careful hearing and a continual recollection, then fortitude, then contempt of riches and deliverance from all worldly things.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctormatthew 13 23 - parable of the seed - but what if you are free indeed from riches - st john chrysostom 24 july 2020

PRAYER – A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me! (Ps 50[51]) Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace to us.   Keep us within in the path of Your commandments, help us to work on the earth of our souls, rooting out the weeds and casting forth the stones of malice.   Grant that by the prayers of St Charbel Makhluf, who by Your grace triumphed in all virtues, we may succeed in attaining sanctity.   Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st-charbel-pray-for-us-24-july-2017-2018-and-2019 and 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, POETRY, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – Firmly I Believe

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year “A”, Readings: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 12:38-42

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Mark 8:12

“But for what sign from heaven were they asking?
Maybe that He should hold back the sun,
or curb the moon,
or bring down thunderbolts,
or change the direction of the wind,
or something like that?
In Pharaoh’s time there was an enemy
from whom deliverance was needed.
But for one who comes among friends,
there should be no need of such signs.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)

Father & Doctor of the Church

mark 8 12 why does this generation seek a sign -but for what sign from heaven were they asking - st john chrysostom 20 july 2020

Firmly I Believe and Truly
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is One
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.
And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.
Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings, as His own.
And I take with joy whatever
Now besets me, pain or fear
And with a strong will I sever
All the ties which bind me here.
Adoration aye be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

firmly i believe and truly st john henry newman 29 oct 2019 and this one 20 july 2020

“… Only by faith is He known to be present…
He removed His visible presence
and left but a memorial of Himself.
He vanished from sight that He might be present
in a Sacrament and, in order to connect His visible presence
with His presence invisible,
He for one instant, manifest Himself to their open eyes;
manifested Himself, if I may so speak,
while He passed from His hiding-place
of sight without knowledge,
to that of knowledge without sight.”

luke-24-30-broke-the-bread-only-by-faith-knowledge-without-sight-st-john-henry-newman-15-apil-2020 and 20 july 2020

The Sign of the Cross

WHENE’ER across this sinful flesh of mine
I draw the Holy Sign,
All good thoughts stir within me and renew
Their slumbering strength divine,
Till there springs up a courage high and true
To suffer and to do.

And who shall say but hateful spirits around,
For their brief hour unbound,
Shudder to see and wail their overthrow?
While on far heathen ground
Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though
Its source he cannot know.

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

the-sign-of-the-cross-st-john-henry-newman-poem-10-april-2020-good-friday and 20 juy 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 15 July – “You have revealed them to the childlike.” … Matthew 11:25

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One Minute Reflection – 15 July – Monday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, YearA, Readings: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16, Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15, Matthew 11:25-27 and the Memorial of St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)

“You have revealed them to the childlike.” … Matthew 11:25

REFLECTION – “I give praise to you,” Jesus says, “because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned.”   What?   Is He glad at the loss of those who don’t believe in Him?   Certainly not.   How wonderful are God’s designs for people’s salvation!   When they turn away from the truth and refuse to accept it, God never forces them but lets them be.   Their wandering away stimulates them to find the path again.   Returning to their senses, they hastily seek out the grace of the call to faith they had rejected before.   As for those who had remained faithful, their devotion becomes even stronger like this.   So Christ is glad these things are revealed to some but saddened they are hidden from others.   This is made known when He weeps over the city (Lk 19:41).   Saint Paul writes in the same spirit:  “Thanks be to God!   You were once slaves of sin but you have become obedient from the heart” to the Gospel (Rom 6:17). …

Who are the wise Jesus is talking about here?   The scribes and the Pharisees.   He says this to hearten His disciples, by showing them of what privileges they have been accounted worthy.   Simple fishermen that they are, they have received the illumination that the wise and learned despised.   These latter are wise in name only, they think themselves wise but are false scholars.   That is why Christ did not say: “You have revealed them to the ignorant” but to “the childlike,” that is to say, simple, honest people. …   In this way, He teaches us to utterly renounce important things and seek out simplicity.   Saint Paul goes even further:   “If anyone considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise” (1Cor 3:18).” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) – Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermons on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no.38, 1matthew 11 25 - you have revealed to the children-who are the wise - st john chrysostom 15 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your Providence, You rule us. Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service and childlike trust in You.   Grant that we may always follow behind Your Son and grasp His hand, to lead us to You.   May we grow in faith and love daily, by the intercession of Saint Bonaventure and may be a light of love, to all around us, as he was.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st bonaventure seraphic doctor pray for us 15 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 12 July – Prayer before Holy Mass By St John Chrysostom

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Our Morning Offering – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A

Prayer before Holy Mass
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O God, loose, remit and forgive
my sins against You.
Whether in word, or in deed, or in thought,
willingly or unwillingly,
knowingly or unknowingly, committed,
forgive them all,
for You are good and love mankind.
And through the prayers of Your most holy Mother,
of Your heavenly servants and holy powers
and of all the saints
who have found favour in Your sight,
enable me to receive, without condemnation
Your holy and immaculate Body
and Your Precious Blood,
to the healing of my soul and body
and to the driving away of all evil imaginations,
for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and forever
and to ages of ages.
Amenprayer before holy mass by st john chrysostom 12 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – ‘… The most precious of His creatures’

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One Minute Reflection – 11 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 93:1-2, 5, Matthew 10:24-33 and the Memorial of St Benedict of Nursia OSB (c 480-547) Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism and St Olga Queen of Kiev (c 890-969)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?   Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.   Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” … Matthew 10:29-30

REFLECTION – “If God shows such a solicitous care even for things of modest value (grass and flowers, for example), how can He forget you, that you are the most excellent of His creatures?   Why then did He create such beautiful things?   To manifest His wisdom and the greatness of His power, so that we might know all His glory.

Not only the heavens narrate the glory of God (Ps 18,2) but also the earth, as David points out, when he sang:   Praise the Lord, fruit trees and all cedars (Ps 148,9).   In fact, some creatures praise the Creator with their fruits, others with their greatness, still others with their beauty.

Another demonstration of the great wisdom and power of God resides in the fact that He adorns even the most vile objects of such beauty (what is, in fact, more vile than what exists today but tomorrow will no longer be?)   If, then, God has also given hay to what was not necessary at all (what good is it, in fact, it’s beauty?   To feed the fire?) how can He not give you what you need?   If the Lord has generously decorated the most vile thing of all and not for some purpose but only for beauty, much more He will honour you, the most precious of His creatures, in those things that are necessary to you. ” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on the Gospel of St Matthew, 22.1matthew 10 29-30 are not two sparrows sold - if the Lord has decorated ...how much more He will honour you - st john chrysostom 11 july 2020

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me to have a true fervour in Your service.   Let me never tire of following Your Son’s example and avoiding evil.   Teach me to reside in total peace in Your wisdom and power and thus to trust You above all.   Grant that by the intercession of St Benedict and St Olga, we may grow in holiness and attain our eternal home with You.   We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-benedict-pray-for-us-11-july-2017-3

st olga of kiev pray for us 11 july 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Doubt or Faith?

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ

Speaking of:  Doubt or Faith?

Jesus said to him,
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

John 20:28-29

john 20 29 blessed are those who have not seen and have believed - 3 july 2020

“Men imitate the gods whom they adore
and to such miserable being,
their crimes become their religion.”

St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop of Carthage and Martyr
Father of the Church

men imitate the gods whom they adore st cyprian of carthage 3 july 2020 doubt

“For by your doubting, I am taught to believe,
by your forked-tongue, that revealed the wound
on the divine body that was pierced,
I harvest the fruit for myself without pain.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

for by your doubting i am taught to believe - st joh chrysostom 3 july 2020 thomas

“Do you desire security?
Here you have it.
The Lord says to you, “I will never abandon you,
I will always be with you.”
If a good man made you such a promise,
you would trust him.
God makes it and do you doubt?
Do you seek a support, more sure
than the word of God, which is infallible?
Surely, He has made the promise,
He has written it,
He has pledged His word for it, it is most certain!”

do you desire security - st augustine faith or doubt 3 july 2020

“If you believe what you like in the Gospels
and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the Gospel you believe
but yourself.”

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

if you believe what you like - st augustine 26 nov 2019

“I believe
though I do not comprehend
and I hold by faith,
what I cannot grasp
with the mind.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

i believe though i do not comprehend - st bernard - 3 july 2020

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.”

to one who has faith no explanation is necessary - st thomas aquinas 3 july 2020

“Believing is
an act of the intellect
assenting to the divine truth,
by command of the will,
moved by God through grace.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Communis

believing-is-an-act-of-the-intellect-st-thomas-aquinas-28-jan-2018 and 3 july 2020 - Copy

“You cannot be half a saint,
you must be a whole saint
or no saint at all.”

St Theresa of the Child Jesus/Lisieux (1873-1897)
Doctor of the Church

you-cannot-be-half-a-saint-st-therese-lisieux-11-june-2018-seeking-sainthood

“Divine truth [is not] ours
to summon at will.
If we determine that
we will find it out,
we shall find nothing ….
Let us believe,
evidence will come,
after faith, as it’s reward,
better than before it,
as it’s groundwork.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

divine truth is not ours to summon at will - st john henry newman 3 july 2020 doubt or faith

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One Minute Reflection – 2 July – “Thy sins are forgiven thee.”

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One Minute Reflection – 2 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Amos 7: 10-17, Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11, Matthew 9: 1-8 and the Memorial of St Swithun (c 800-863) Bishop

“Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” … Matthew 9:2

REFLECTION – “The scribes declared that God alone can forgive sins. But Jesus, even before He forgave sins, revealed the secrets of the heart, thereby showing, that He also possessed that other power reserved to God …  For it is written:  “You alone, O Lord, know the secrets of humankind” and “Man sees the outward appearance but God sees the heart” (2 Chr 6:30; 1 Sam 16:7).   In this way Jesus reveals His divinity and equality with the Father, uncovering the depths of their hearts to the scribes and making known those thoughts, they are afraid to speak openly for fear of the crowd.   And this He did with great gentleness. …
The lame man might have made his disappointment known to Christ by saying:  “OK! You have come to cure another kind of sickness and heal another kind of evil – sin.   But what proof am I going to get that my sins are forgiven?”   Yet he said nothing of the sort but put his trust in the One who had the power to heal him. …
To the scribes, Christ said:  “Which is easier?   To say:  Your sins are forgiven, or rather:  Take up your stretcher and go home?”   In other words:  ‘What seems easier to you?   To strengthen a paralysed body or put aside the sins of the soul?’   Obviously, to heal a body since forgiveness of sins goes as much beyond the healing, as the soul is above the body.   But since one of these works is visible and the other not, I am equally going to carry out the work that is visible and lesser, in order to prove, that which is greater and unseen.   At that very moment Jesus witnessed by His works that He is “He who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29).” … St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) – Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no. 29, 2 ; PG 57, 359matthew 9 2 be of ood heart son thy sins - which ios easier - st john chrysostom 2 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, be the beginning and the end of all that we are and do and say.   Prompt our actions with Your grace, may Your light be our only way, may Your commands be our only need and complete all, with Your all-powerful help.   St Swithun, your love of God in all things proved by Him in your countless miracles, pray for us!   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.

st swithun pray for us 2 july 2020