Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – “Beware of practising your piety before men …”

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14, Psalm 31:20, 21, 24, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:  “Beware of practising your piety before men in order to be seen by them;  for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:1

matthew 6 1 bewae of practising your piety 17 june 2020

“Christianity is not a matter
of persuading people of particular ideas
but of inviting them to share
in the greatness of Christ.
So pray, that I may never fall into the trap,
of impressing people,
with clever speech but instead,
I may learn, to speak with humility,
desiring only to impress people
with Christ Himself.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107)
Father of the Church, Martyr

christianity-is-not-a-matter-of-persuading-people-st-ignatius-of-antioch-16-oct-2019 and 17 june 2020

“Do not boast of yourself
if you have served well,
as you should have done.
The sun obeys,
the moon complies
and the angels serve.
Let us not require praise for ourselves…”

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

do not boast - st ambrose 17 june 2020

”Vainglory can find a place,
not only, in the splendour and pomp of worldly wealth
but even in the sordid garment of sackcloth as well.
It is then all the more dangerous
because it is a deception,
under the pretence of service to God.”

vainglory can find a place - st augustne 17 june 2020

“Do you wish to RISE?
Begin by DESCENDING.
You plan a tower
that will pierce the CLOUDS?
Lay first the foundation
of HUMILITY.”

do you wish to rise, begin by descending - st augustine - 28 aug 2018

“God looks at what is within,
it is there He assesses,
there He examines.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

god resists the proud - god looks at what is within - st augustine - 29 sept 2019

“True humility
scarcely ever
utters words
of humility.”

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

true humility scarcely ever utters words of humility st francis de sales-17 june 2020

“The truly humble
reject all praise for themselves
and refer it all to God.”

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

the truly humble - 2018 and 17 june 2020

“God who is infinite, all powerful,
has become man,
the least of men.
My way is always to seek the lowest place,
to be as little as my Master,
to walk with Him,
step-by-step as a faithful disciple.
My way, is to live with my God
who lived this way all His life
and, who has given me,
such an example,
from His very birth.

Blessed Charles of Jesus de Foucauld

(1858-1916)

god-who-is-infinite-all-powerful-has-become-man-bl-charles-de-foucauld-1-dec-2019-17 june 2020

“I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple.
But God declared
“Go down again –
I dwell among the people.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

i-sought-to-hear-the-voice-of-god-bl-john-henry-newman-29-march-2019 and 30 oct 2019

“The humble man receives praise,
the way a clean window
takes the light of the sun.
The truer and more intense the light is,
the less you see of the glass.”

Thomas Merton OCSO (1915-1968)

the-humble-man-receives-praise-thomas-merton-13-march-2019 and 30 oct 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIOLENCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 June – ‘But I say to you …’

Quote/s of the Day – 15 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16, Psalm 5:2-3, 4-7, Matthew 5:38-42 and the Memorial of St Germaine Cousin (1579–1601)

“But I say to you,
offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.”

Matthew 5:39

but-i-say-to-you-offer-no-resistance-to-one-who-is-evil-matthew-5-39-17-june-2019 and 15 june 2020

“But I say to you,
love your enemies
and pray for those
who persecute you”

Matthew 5:44

matthew-5-44-but-i-say-to-you-love-your-enemies-4-aug-2018 and 15 june 2020

“We are treated as deceivers and yet, are truthful,
as unrecognised and yet, acknowledged,
as dying and behold we live,
as chastised and yet, not put to death,
as sorrowful yet, always rejoicing,
as poor yet, enriching many,
as having nothing and yet, possessing all things.”

2 Corinthians 8-10

2-corinthians-8-10-we-are-treated-as-deceivers-and-yet-are-truthful-17-june-2019 and 15 jue 2020

“You don’t love in your enemies
what they are
but what you would have them become,
by your prayers!”

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor

you don't love in your enemies what they are but what you would have them become by your prayers - st augustine - 18 june 2018

“For true charity, beloved brethren,
is the soul of the whole of Scripture,
the strength of prophecy,
the structure of knowledge,
the fruit of faith,
the wealth of the poor,
the life of the dying.
So keep it faithfully;
cherish it with all your heart
and all the strength of your soul (cf Mk 12:30).”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Bishop and Monk

(Sermons to the people, no. 23, 4-5,
which draws its inspiration from Saint Augustine)

mt-5-38-39-an-eye-for-an-eye-discourse-for-true-charity-dear-brethren-st-caesarius-of-arles-18-june-2018 and 15 june 2020

“This Gospel passage is rightly considered,
the magna carta of Christian non-violence.
One then understands that for Christians,
non-violence is not merely tactical behaviour
but a person’s way of being,
the attitude of one who is so convinced
of God’s love and power
that, he is not afraid to tackle evil
with the weapons of love and truth alone.
… Here is the newness of the Gospel
which silently changes the world!
Here is the heroism of the “lowly”
who believe in God’s love and spread it,
even at the cost of their lives.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Angelus, St Peter’s Square,
Sunday, 18 February 2007

matthew 5 44 but i say to you love your enemies this gospel passage magna carta - pope benedict 23 feb 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 June – “Freely you have received, freely you are to give.”

Quote/s of the Day – 11 June – Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Acts: 11:21b-26; 12:1-3, Psalm 98(97),1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6, Matthew 10:7-13 and the Memorial of St Barnabas, Apostle of Christ

“Freely you have received,
freely you are to give.”

Matthew 10:8 (DR)

matthew 10 8 freely you have received freely give 11 june 2020

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men,
I also will acknowledge before my Father,
who is in heaven…”

Matthew 10:32

matthew-10-32-so-everyone-who-acknowledges-me-13-july-2019 and 27 nov 2019

“Pray as though everything depended on God.
Work as though everything depended on you.”

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

pray as though - st augustine - speaking of seeking sainthood - 11 june 2018

“He should first
show them,
in deeds,
rather than words,
all that is good and holy.”

St Benedict (c 480-547)

show them in deeds - st benedict - 11 july 2019

“Someone who truly follows the Lord
wants everyone to follow Him,
which is why he turns to his neighbour
with kind attentions, prayers
and proclamation of the Gospel.
… Jesus loves the one who follows Him.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor

someone who truly follows the lord wants everyone to follow him - st anthony of padua 11 june 2020

“Teach us to give
and not to count the cost.”

teach us to give and not to count the cost - st ignatius 1 jan 2019

“It is not hard to obey
when we love the one,
whom we obey.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

it is not hard - st ignatius - 11 june 2018 - seeking sainthood

“Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which, the compassion of Christ, looks out to the world.
Yours are the feet,
with which, He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands,
with which, He is to bless others now.”

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

christ has o body on earth but yours no hands but yours -st teresa of avila 11 june 2020

“Let us renew our faith in Him
and put all our hope in His promises!
… Working to enrich … society and culture
with the beauty and truth of the Gospel
and never losing sight of that great hope
which gives meaning and value
to all the other hopes which inspire our lives.”

Pope Benedict XVI

john-14-12-whoever-believes-in-me-let-us-renew-our-faith-pope-benedict-10-may-2020 and 11 june 2020

“God will put someone in your path today
who doesn’t necessarily need you…
but who desperately needs Christ in you.”

Mark Hart

Executive Vice President for Life Teen International.

god will put someone in your path today-mark hart 18 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SPEAKING of ....., The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 June – Old and New

Quote/s of the Day – 10 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 18:20-39, Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11, Matthew 5:17-19

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.”

Matthew 5:17

“In the first instance,
the finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone
but now, it is in human hearts,
that He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3).

matthew-5-17-think-not-that-i-have-come-to-abolish-the-law-st-augustine-in-the-first-instance-27march2019-1-and-18-march-2020 and 10 june 2020

“The New Testament lies hidden, in the Old;
the Old is made accessible, by the New.”

the new testament lies hidden n the old - the old is made - st augustie 10 june 2020

“His mother is the whole Church,
since it is she, who, by God’s grace,
gives birth to Christ’s members,
that is to say, those who are faithful to Him.
Again, His mother is every holy soul
who does the Father’s will
and whose fruitful charity is made known
in those, to whom she gives birth for Him,
“until he has been formed in them” (cf Gal 4:19)”

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

for-whoever-does-the-will-of-my-father-matthew-12-50-his-mother-is-the-whole-church-st-augustine-24-july-2018 and 10 june 2020

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

he is the one who teaches the truth of prophecy - st pope leo the great 10 june 2020

“When it comes to obeying the commandments
or enduring adversity,
the words uttered by the Father
should always echo in our ears –
“This is my Son, the beloved,
in whom I am well pleased,
listen to Him.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Churchwhen it comes to obeying the commandments - st pope leo the great 10 june 2020

“The Old Testament is like a radio
with its hidden voice
announcing the One to come.
The New Testament is like a television
because the Word became both
audible and visible.”

Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

the old testament is like a radio - ven fulton sheen 10 june 2020

” Christ instituted this new covenant,
the new testament, that is to say, in His Blood, (1 Cor 11:25) c
alling together a people made up of Jew and gentile,
making them one, not according to the flesh but in the Spirit.
This was to be the new People of God … :
“a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
… the people of God” (1 Pt 2:9).”

Vatican Council II –
Constitution on the Church
“Lumen gentium” # 9

matthew-5-17-do-not-think-that-i-have-come-to-abolish-christ-instituted-lumen-gentium-16-feb-2020 and 10 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MINI SERIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SPEAKING of ....., The BEATITUDES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Part One: The Beatitudes

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 17:1-6, Psalm 121:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12

Part One:  The Beatitudes (a tiny beginning)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3

matthew 5 3 blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kigndom of heaven 8 june 2020

“…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself, will be exalted.”

Luke 18:14

LUKE 18-14

“Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues,
hence, in the soul in which this virtue does NOT exist,
there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.”

“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending.
You plan a tower, that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first, the foundation of humility.”

” There never can have been
and never can be
and there never shall be,
any sin without pride.”

St Augustine (354-430) Doctor of the Church

st augustine - 22 march 2018 - speaking of humility -humility is the foundation, do you wish to rise, there never can be

“Humility is the only virtue
that no devil can imitate.
If pride made demons out of angels,
there is no doubt,
that humility could
make angels out of demons.”

humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate - st john climacus-30 march 2020

“The one who requests less than he deserves from God
will surely obtain more than he deserves.   
This is clearly shown by the tax-collector
who requested forgiveness but obtained justification.   
And the thief merely requested
to be remembered in His Kingdom
but he inherited Paradise.”

St John Climacus (c 525-606)
Father of the Church

te-one-who-requests-less-st-john-climacus-30march-2019 and 21 march 2020

“‘… Choose the same things as Himself…’”
That which is small and despised,
that is what He has chosen,
my Saviour and God,
who put on our flesh
to confound human fame and wealth.”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk and Theologian at Constantinople

Catechesis 78

choose the same things as himself-st theodore the studite 7 may 2020

“Your Master is not disturbed by mockery and do you get upset?
He bears spittle, blows, strokes of the lash
and can you not take a harsh word?
He accepts the cross, a humiliating death,
the torture of the nails
and can you not undertake to carry out the lowliest of tasks?
How can you become a sharer in His glory (1 Pt 5:1)
if you will not consent to become a sharer in His humiliating death?”

St Simeon the New Theologian (949-1022)

Catechesis 27

how can you become a sharer in his glory - 28 march 2019 st simeon the new theologian 28 march 2019

“We are ever but beginning,
the most perfect Christian,
is to himself but a beginner,
a penitent prodigal
who has squandered God’s gifts
and comes to Him,
to be tried over again,
not as a son
but as a hired servant.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

we-are-ever-but-beginning-bl-john-henry-newman-16-aug-2019-and-27-oct-2019 and 14 march 2020

 

 

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Speaking of: Belonging to God

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16, Mark 12:13-17

Speaking of: Belonging to God

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
and to God, the things that are God’s.”

Jesus

John 12:17

john 12 17 render to caesar 2 june 2020

“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord
and our hearts are restless
until they rest in You.”

you have made us for yourself - st augustine 14 feb 2019

“Love God, then do what you will.”

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

love god then do what you will - st augustine - belonging to god 2 june 2020

“Love God, serve God,
everything is in that.”

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

love-god-serve-god-everything-is-in-that-st-clare-1-jan-2019 and 2020

“Lord, take me from myself
and give me to Yourself.”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctorof the Church

lord take me from myself and give me to your yourself - st catherine of siena - 30 april 2020

“If you wish to enter into life,
keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth,
believe in Me.
If you will be perfect,
sell all.
If you will be My disciple,
deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life,
despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven,
humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me,
carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross
find the life of blessedness
and of true light.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ Chapter 56

if you wish to enter into life keep my commandments - thomas a kempis 2 june 2020 belonging to god

“I am the king’s good servant
but God’s first.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

i am the kings good servant but god's first - st thomas more 29 jan 2019

“God gave Himself to you,
now give yourself to God.”

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)

god gave himself - st robert southwell - 21 feb 2018

“Jesus will be in agony
even to the end of the world;
we must not sleep
during that time”

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

(Pensées, 553)

jesus will be in agony even to the end of the world - we must not sleep during that time blaise pascal 2 june 2020

“Who except God can give you peace?
Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

St Gerard Majella C.Ss.R. (1726-1755)

who except god can give you peace - st gerard majella 2 june 2020

“We are like the penny,
because we have the image of the king stamped on us,
the divine King.”

we are like the penny - gk chesterton 30 april 2020

“A Catholic is a person,
who has plucked up courage,
to face the incredible and inconceivable idea,
that something else may be wiser than he is.”

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

a catholic is a person - seeking chesterton - part two - 8 may 2018

“What you are is God’s gift to you,
what you become,
is your gift to God.”

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

what you are is god's gift to you what you become is your gift to god - hans urs von balthasar 20 april 2020

“If you truly love God and His will,
then doing what you will,
will, in fact,
be doing what God wills.”

Peter Kreeft

if you truly love god and his will then doing what you will - peter kreeft 2 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, POETRY, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Quote/s of te Day – 1 June – Mater Ecclesiae and St Annibale Maria di Francia

Quote/s of te Day – 1 June – The Memorial of Mary, the Mother of the Church/Mater Ecclesiae and St Annibale Maria di Francia (1851-1927)

“…She is clearly the Mother
of his members;
that is, of ourselves,
because she cooperated
by her charity,
so that faithful Christians,
members of the Head,
might be born in the Church.
As for the body,
she is the Mother of its Head…
Mary gave birth to our Head;
the Church gave birth to you.
Indeed, the Church also,
is both virgin and mother,
mother, because of her
womb of charity,
virgin, because of the integrity
of her faith and piety.”

she-is-clearly-the-mother-of-his-members-st-augustine-first-memorial-of-mother-of-the-church-21-may-2018 and 1 june 2020

“Gracious Lady,
you are a Mother and Virgin,
you are the Mother
of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer,
you are also truly Mother
of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through your love,
you have co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
you are Mother and Mirgin,
Mother of Christ and Mirgin of Christ.
You are the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
You are, forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came life,
yes, through you, O Mother of God.

St Augustine (354-430) Doctor of Grace

gracious lady you are a mother and virgin - mater ecclesiae 1 june 2020 st augustine

“He had one other to send, a beloved son”

Mark 12:6

“So bread upon the table might not lack,
I brave the cold, the dripping sweat on back…
Oh, here it is today the food my children need,
Tomorrow’s dole our Father sure will speed.
I’ve often knocked on doors, a scant welcome bidden
My sentence stiff has scarce been hidden –
“Beware of him, the pest, he’s lost his mind.
Now let him suffer fate unkind!”
Discern My martyrdom, My flaming core,
No father loved His children more…
For You, I, God and man implore!”

St Annibale Maria di Francia (1851-1927)

he had one other to sen mark 12 6 - so bread upon the table - st annibale di francia 1 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES of the SAINTS, St PAUL!, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – Come, O Holy Spirit, come!

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – The Solemnity of Pentecost

“But it is God,
who establishes us, with you in Christ
and has anointed us,
by putting his seal on us
and giving us his Spirit in our heart,
as a first instalment.”

St Paul
2 Corinthians 1:21

2-cor-1-21-but-it-is-god-who-establishes-us-6-june-2019 and 31 may 2020 pentecost

“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

accordingly in the church one god is preached - st athanasius 31 may 2020 pentecost

“Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.”

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

remember-then-that-you-received-a-spiritual-seal-st-ambrose-5-june-2019 and 31 may 2020

“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.
Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling
and scatter there Your cheerful beams.”

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

o-holy-spirit-descend-plentifully-st-augustine-3-june-2019 and 31 may 2020

“As the soul
is the life of the body,
so the Holy Spirit
is the life of our souls.”

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

as the soul is the life of the body so the holy spirit is the life of our souls st peter damian 31 may 2020 pentecost

“Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God –
The Father is your table,
the Son is your food
and the Holy Spirit waits on you
and then makes His dwelling in you.”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

enrich your soul - st catherine of siena 31 may 2020 pentecost

“The Holy Spirit leads us like a mother.
He leads His child by the hand…
as a sighted person leads a blind person.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

the holy spirit leads us like a mother - st john vianney 31 may 2020

“We ought to pray and invoke the Holy Spirit,
for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help.
The more we are lacking in wisdom,
weak in strength,
burdened with trouble,
prone to sin,
the more we should turn to Him,
Who is the never-ceasing fount
of light, strength, consolation and holiness.”

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

we-ought-to-pray-and-invoke-the-holy-spirit-pope-leo-xiii-31-may-2019 and 2020 pentecost

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – ‘ All should Him speak with the one voice…’

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – “Mary’s Month” – Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 25:13-21, Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20, John 21:15-19 and the Memorial of St Pope Paul VI (1897-1978) and Bl Rolando Maria Rivi (1931-1945) “I belong to Jesus,” Seminarian, Martyr

“Do you love me?” … John 21:17

REFLECTION – “Here I find all good shepherds in the one shepherd (Jn 10:14).   Good shepherds are not lacking but they are in the one.   To speak of many. implies division …  If the Lord entrusted them at the time we speak of, it was because He found Peter – indeed, in Peter himself, He recommended unity.   There were many apostles but to one is said:  “Feed my sheep” …  When He entrusted His sheep to Peter, as one to another, He wished to make him one with Himself and, so to entrust the sheep to him, as to be Himself the Head, while Peter assumed the figure of the body (Col 1:18) …  What, then, does He first say to Peter, in order to entrust the sheep to him yet avoid entrusting them as if to another?   “Peter, do you love me?”   And he answered:  “I do love you.”   And again:  “Do you love me?”   And he answered:  “I do love you.”   And a third time: “Do you love me?”   And he answered a third time:  “I do love you”  He makes sure of love so as firmly to establish unity.

Jesus, the one shepherd, feeds His sheep in these shepherds and they in the Him …  It was not because of a scarcity of shepherds (as though the prophet were foretelling bad times to come) that He said:  “I will feed my sheep myself” as though He had no-one to whom to entrust them.   Even when Peter himself was alive and the apostles were still alive in the flesh, He, the one in whom all the shepherds are one reality, said:  “I have other sheep, that are not of this fold;  them also must I bring, that there may be one flock and one shepherd” (Jn 10:16).   So let them all be in the one Shepherd and speak with the one Shepherd’s voice…   All should Him speak with the one voice and not with different voices.   “I beseech you, brethren, that you all say the same thing and there be no divisions among you” (1Cor 1:10).   Let the sheep hear this voice, cleared of all division and cleansed of all heresy and let them follow their shepherd as He says:  “Those who are my sheep hear my voice and follow me” (Jn 10:27).” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Sermon 46, On the Shepherds, #30john 21 17 do you love me - when he entrusted his sheep to peter - st augustine 29 may 2020

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us to accept the tasks you have given us to do in life. Let us be faithful all our days and be able to attain Your eternal reward in heaven.   May our Blessed Mother, St Paul VI and the Blessed little Rolando Rivi, who so diligently showed their love for Your Son, pray for us that we may always praise Your glory and be faithful at all times and in all circumstances, amen.st pope paul vi pray for us 30 april 2019

BL ROLANDO RIVI PRAY FOR US 29 MAY 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SPEAKING of ....., The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 May – ‘That they may be one’

Quote/s of the Day – 24 May – “Mary’s Month” – The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 1:12-14, 1 Peter 4:13-16, Psalm 27(26):1.4.7-8a, John 17:1-11

“I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world
but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours.
All mine are yours and all yours are mine
and I am glorified in them.
… Holy Father, keep them in your name,
which you have given me,
that they may be one,
even as we are one.”

John 17:9-11

john 17 9-11 i pray for them i do not pray for the world - 24 may 2020

“… Rather, we pray in public as a community
and not for one individual but for all.
For the people of God are all one.
… The urgency and the unity of their prayer declares that God,
who fashions a bond of unity among those who live in His home,
will admit into His divine home, for all eternity,
only those who pray in unity.
…Profess your belief that you are sons of God by giving thanks.
Call upon God who is your Father in heaven.”

we-pray-in-public-as-a-community-st-cyprian-on-the-lords-prayer-part-one-20-june-2019 and 24 may 2020 ascension in the name of the father

“The Lord’s words were spoken about His own Church
and addressed to members of the Church.
If they are agreed, if, as He commanded
but two or three are gathered together
and pray with one mind, then, 
although they are but two or three,
they can obtain from the divine majesty what they ask.
… That means, of course,
with the single-hearted and peaceable,
with those who fear God
and keep His commandments.”

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

the lord's words were spoke about his own church - st cyprian of carthage 24 may 2020

“Out of compassion for us He descended from heaven
and although He ascended alone,
we also ascend, because we are in Him by grace.
Thus, no-one but Christ descended
and no-one but Christ ascended,
not because there is no distinction
between the head and the body
but because the body, as a unity,
cannot be separated from the head.”

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

out of compassion for us he descended - st augustine on ascension day 24 may 2020

“A Christian has
a union with Jesus Christ –
more noble,
more intimate
and more perfect
than the members of a human body
have with their head!”

St John Eudes (1601-1680)

a christian has a union with jesus christ - more noble - st john eudes 24 may 2020

“Let us consider that mosaic
of Jesus in Monreale Cathedral.
Each of us is like a little glass tile in that great mosaic.
Therefore, each of us must understand our role
and help others understand theirs,
so that together,
we can make up the unique face of Christ.”

Blessed Giuseppe “Pino” Puglisi (1937-1993)

let-us-consider-that-mosaic-of-jesus-bl-pino-puglisi-21-oct-2019 and 24 may 2020 ascension on unity

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 May – ‘… He will give you another Advocate’ – John 14:16

Quote/s of the Day – 17 May – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21

“And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it.
But you know it, because it remains with you and will be in you.”

John 14:16-17

john 14 16-17 and I will ask the father and he will give you anpther advocate - 17 may 2020

“Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.”

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

Remember then that you received a spiritual seal - st ambrose - 5 june 2019

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.

Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling

and scatter there Your cheerful beams.”

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

o holy spirit descend plentifully - st augustine - 3 june 2019

“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
Doctor of the Incarnation

our lives are all controlled by the spirit now - st cyril of alex doctor of the incarnation 17 may 2020

“The Holy Spirit leads us along,
as a mother leads her two year old child by the hand,
as a sighted person leads a blind one.
We should say each morning:
“Oh my God, send me Your Holy Spirit
who will make me understand
what I am and what you are …”
A soul who possesses the Holy Spirit
enjoys an exquisite taste in prayer,
it never loses the holy presence of God.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

the-holy-spirit-is-like-a-mother-st-john-vianney-4-june-2019-no-2 and 17 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 May – “You are not of the world …”

Quote/s of the Day – 16 May – Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 16:1-10, Psalm 100:1-3, 5, John 15:18-21

“If you were of the world,
the world would love you as its own
but because you are not of the world
but I chose you out of the world,
therefore, the world hates you.”

John 15:19

” The Lord’s Passion
depicts for us our present life of trial—
shows how we must suffer
and be afflicted and finally die.
The Lord’s Resurrection
and glorification
show us the life
that will be given to us in the future.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

john 15 19 if you were of the world - the Lord's Passion depicts for us - st augustine 16 may 2020

“…We mix with the world
without loving it,
for our affections
are given to another.
We can bear to look
on the world’s beauty,
for we have no heart for it.
We are not disturbed at it’s frowns,
for we live not
in it’s smiles.”

we mix with the world without loving it - st john henry newman 16 may 2020 we are not disturbed at it's frowns

“We are patient
in bereavement,
adversity,
or pain,
for they are Christ’s tokens.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

we are patient in bereavement, adversity or pain - st john henry newman 16 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The TEN COMMANDMENTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 May – “Do what I command you” – John 15:14 and St Augustine

Quote/s of the Day – 14 May – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113:1-8, John 15:9-17

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. “

John 15:14

“It is not that we keep His commandments first
and that then He loves
but that He loves us
and then we keep His commandments.
This is that grace which is revealed to the humble
but hidden from the proud.”

john 15 14 you are my friends if you do what I command you - it is not that we keep - st augustine 14 may 2020

“God provides the wind
but man must raise the sails.”

god provides the wind but man must raise the sails - st augustine 14 may 2020

“A man may lose the good things of this life against his will
but, if he loses the eternal blessings,
he does so with his own consent.”

a man may lose the good things of this life - st augustine 14 may 2020

“Christ is not valued at all,
unless He is valued above all.”

christ is not valued at all unelss he is valued above all - st augustine 14 may 2020

“He who created you, without you,
will not justify you, without you.”

he who created you without you will not justify you without you st augustine 14 may 2020

“If we live good lives, the times are also good.
As we are, such are the times.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

if we live good lives the times are also good as we are, such are the times - st augustine 14 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MOTHER of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, To JESUS through MARY

Thoughts of Mary – 12 May – To Jesus Through Mary

Thoughts of Mary – 12 May – “Mary’s Month”

To Jesus Through Mary
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

The simple words of the first page of Matthew’s Gospel:  “Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (Mt 1:16) suffice for me, to establish the fundamental principle of all the great theological teaching which illustrates the connection between the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady.

Christian piety has rejoiced to learn from the Book of Acts, that Mary was present at the first gatherings of the faithful, when they broke read together as brothers and spent long hours in prayer.
And modern art has often portrayed the heavenly Mother in the act of receiving, from the hand of St John, the beloved apostle, the Communion of the Body and Blood of her Son.
But all this is superfluous and unnecessary for our convinced belief.

When we say, that in the Eucharist, we have the Son and in Mary, we have His Mother, have we not said all?
The great genius of Hippo, St Augustine, with his eagle-eyed power of vision, found the words which so brilliantly contain the Doctrine – Ave corpo vero, nato de Maria VirgineHail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary!

In this way – a delightful thing to say, a sublime thing to contemplate – the terms of this twofold mystery are merged into one, so that Mary appears to us radiant in the light of the Eucharistic mystery;  they are merged and yet they are the two extreme points, between which is evolved and developed, the whole Catholic Dogma of the Incarnation and of the continuing life of the Church.

when we say that inthe eucharist we have the son - to jesus through mary - st john XXIII 12 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 12 May – Gracious Lady, Mother and Virgin

Our Morning Offering – 12 May – “Mary’s Month” Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Gracious Lady, Mother and Virgin
By St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

Gracious Lady,
you are a Mother and Virgin.
You are the Mother of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer.
You are also truly Mother
of all the members
of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through your love,
you have co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
you are Mother and Virgin,
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ.
You are the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
You are forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came life,
yes, through you, O Mother of God.
Be with us through this life.
Amen

gracious lady mother and virgin - st augustine 12 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Search for God

Thought for the Day – 11 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Search for God

“There was a man who left home in order to travel.
For many months, he wandered on and on, sometimes along broad highways, sometimes on rocky by-roads.
Often he travelled in hail, rain and snow, often beneath a burning sun but no matter what the weather, he journeyed on and on.
He climbed the peaks of the highest mountains and came down again into the valleys.
It seemed as if his journey would never end.
One day, however, he grew very tired and sat down pensively by the side of the road.
A passer-by approached him in a friendly fashion, “You look very tired,” he said. “Have you been a long time travelling?”
“A very long time,” came the answer. “I don’t seem to have any energy left.”
“But where are you going?” his new friend enquired.
The traveller almost started.
After a moment’s consideration, he replied in a toe of wonder:  “Where am I going?   I’m afraid I don’t know!”

Many men, unfortunately, are like the traveller in this story.
They have been a long time on the road.
They can hardly remember when they first set out in search of a distant dream.
They are looking anxiously but often unconsciously, for happiness.
But they cannot find it, for happiness is a name for something greater, for God Himself.
It is God whom we must seek if we wish to find happiness.
Otherwise, our earthly journey will have no purpose and no goal.
Life is unintelligible without God.
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord,” cried St Augustine “and our heart is restless until it rest in You” (Confessions I, 1:1).
Jesus understands the problem of our human nature.
“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened,” He says “and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote of the Day – 10 May 2020 – How to get to Christ through Christ?

Quote of the Day – 10 May 2020 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter

“Let us listen to the Lord:
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6).
If you are looking for the Truth,
follow the Way which is also the Truth.
This is where you are going and it is how you go.
It is not by another thing that you go to something;
it is not by anything else that you come to Christ;
it is through Christ that you come to Christ.
How to Christ through Christ?
To Christ God through Christ man;
through the Word made flesh,
to the Word who was with God, from the beginning;
through what we have eaten to what the angels eat daily.
In fact it is what is written:
“He gave them bread from heaven; man ate the bread of angels” (Ps 77[78]:24-25).
What is the bread of angels?
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was in God and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1-3). How has man eaten the bread of angels?
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

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

let us listen to the lord i am the way and the truth - st augustine 10 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – “A servant is not greater than his master…”

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – Thursday Fourth week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27, John 13:16-20

“A servant is not greater than his master…”

John 13:16

john 13 16 a servant is not greater than his master 7 may 2020

“It is not that I want merely,
to be called a Christian
but to actually be one.
Yes, if I prove to be one,
then I can have the name.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
Martyr, Father of the Church

it is not that i want merely to be called a christian - st ignatius of antioch 7 may 2020

“Do not follow any road
but that which Christ trod.
This road seems hard but it is safe.”

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

do not follow any road but that which christ trod - st augustine 7 may 2020

“There is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things.
For it is the way of few perfect men to leave all things,
that is, to cast behind them the cares of the world
but it is the part of all the faithful, to renounce all things,
that is, so to hold the things of the world
instead of by them being held in the world.”

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

there is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things st bede 18 april 2020

“‘… Choose the same things as Himself…”
That which is small and despised,
that is what He has chosen,
my Saviour and God,
who put on our flesh
to confound human fame and wealth.”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk and Theologian at Constantinople

Catechesis 78

choose the same things as himself-st theodore the studite 7 may 2020

“When it comes to following Jesus,
it’s usually not more information that we need
but more guts.”

Father Mike Schmitz

when it comes to following jesus - fr mike schmitz 7 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – ‘ …Discover a Presence …’

Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – Monday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-29 and the Memorial of Bl Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)

“Do not labour for the food which perishes
but for the food which endures to eternal life,
which the Son of man will give to you…”

John 6:27

do not labour for the food which perishes - john 6 27 - 6 may 2019

“This very moment,
I may,
if I desire,
become the friend
of God.”

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

this very moment - st augustine - friend of god - 6 may 2019

“In this daily life which is doubtlessly your own,
Listen to your heart… ..
Discover a Presence which is more real than
this visible presence,
which dazzles you
and attracts your whole being…”

in this daily life - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“Take a higher flight,
giving yourself completely
to the unique Goodness and Beauty.
Be content with God,
He will be your light,
your strength, your shelter at all times.”

take a higher flight - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“Ask God to lead you by Faith,
Only God, seek only Him.”

Bl Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)

ask god to lead you by faith only god, seek only him - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“Jesus Christ came to this earth to reign here
but not, says Saint Augustine, as other kings do,
to raise tribute, enrol armies and visibly do battle
against His enemies, for Jesus Christ assures us
that His kingdom is not of this world
but to establish His reign within our souls,
according to what He Himself says,
in the holy Gospel, that His kingdom is within us.”

St John Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719)

jesus christ came to this earth to reign here - st john baptiste de la salle 27 april 2020 on the mem of bl nicolas roland

“You leave the land
just as it is when you depart,
you do not carry anything away.
Our first aim is to go to God,
we are not on earth for anything but this!”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

you leave the land just as it is-stjohn vianney 6 may 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 April – ‘ Trust, be faithful and He is with you…’

One Minute Reflection – 26 April – Third Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, 1 Peter 1:17-21, Luke 24:13-35 and the Memorial of St Rafael Arnáiz Barón (1911-1938)

“Stay with us” … Luke 24:29

REFLECTION – “My brethren, when was it that the Lord made Himself recognised? When He broke the bread.   So we ourselves are convinced, too, that when we break the bread we recognise the Lord.   If He hadn’t wanted to be recognised until that moment, it was for our sakes, we, who were not to see Him in the flesh but who were yet to eat Him in the flesh.   So you who believe in Him, whoever you are, you who do not bear the name of Christian in vain, who do not come casually into church, who hear the word of God in fear and hope – for you the broken bread will be a consolation.   Our Lord’s absence is not a real absence.   Trust, be faithful and He is with you even if you do not see Him.

When the Lord hailed them, the disciples had no faith.   They did not believe in His Resurrection, they did not even hope that He might be raised.   They had lost faith, they had lost hope.   They were dead men walking alongside a living one, they were walking, dead, with life.   Life was walking with them but, in their hearts, life was not as yet renewed.

And do you long for life?   Imitate the disciples and you will recognise the Lord.   They offered hospitality, our Lord seemed determined to proceed on His way but they held Him back …   You too, then, keep hold of the stranger if you wish to recognise your Saviour …  Learn where to look for the Lord, where to possess Him, where to recognise Him – in breaking bread with Him!” … St Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Lord God, grant Your people constant joy in the renewed vigour of their souls. They rejoice because You have restored them to the glory of Your adopted children, let them look forward gladly to the certain hope of the resurrection.   May the prayers of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Good Counsel, be of assistance to us amidst the storms of this mortal life.   We make our prayer through our Resurrected Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen, alleluia!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 25 April – Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary! by St Augustine

Our Morning Offering – 25 April – Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you
with praise and thanks
for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude and by your prayers
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary,
help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you feel now, your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us, the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God,
for you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear
the Redeemer of the world,
who lives and reigns forever.
Amenblessed-virgin-mary-holy-mary-by-st-augustine-4-may-2019 and 25 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection -– 16 April – “You are witnesses of these things”

One Minute Reflection -– 16 April – Easter Thursday, Readings: Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Luke 24:35-48

“You are witnesses of these things” ... Luke 24:48

REFLECTION – “After His Resurrection, the Lord appeared to His disciples and greeted them, saying:  “Peace be with you!”   Peace is what this saving salutation truly is, since the word “salutation” derives from the word for “salvation.”   What more could one hope for?   Man receives greetings of salvation in person, for our salvation is Christ.   Yes, He is our salvation, He who was wounded for our sake and nailed to the tree, then descended from the tree and placed in a tomb.   But He is risen from the tomb and His wounds are healed, although still keeping their scars.   That His scars remain, is a help to His disciples, so that the wounds in their hearts, might be healed.   What wounds are these? The wounds of their unbelief.   He appeared before their eyes in a genuine bodily form and “they thought they were seeing a ghost.”   This is no light wound to their heart. (…)
But what does the Lord Jesus say?   “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”   It is good for man, not that thoughts should arise in his heart but that his heart should arise – arise, that is to say, to where the apostle Paul wanted to set the hearts of the faithful, when he said to them:  “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:1-4).   What glory is this? The glory of the resurrection. (…)
As for us, we believe in the word of these disciples without their having shown us the Saviour’s risen body. (…)   But at that time, such an event seemed unbelievable.   And so, our Saviour led them to believe, not by sight alone but by touch, so that by means of the senses, faith might enter their hearts and be preached throughout the world, to those who had neither seen nor touched but who, nevertheless, would believe unhesitatingly (cf. Jn 20:29).” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 116; PL 38, 657luke 24 48 you are witnesses - as for us we believe in the word of these disciples - st augustine 16 april 2020

 

PRAYER – Lord God, let there be one faith in our hearts, one love for You, one Way in You, for You are the One Truth and the only Way. We linger in Your light and beg Your unending kindness. Grant that by the prayers of Your saints we may obtain Your strength and may Your Mother and ours, walk by our side and hold fast to our hand.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.

blessed virgin queen and mother pray for us 5 may 2019

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – Emmaus

Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – Easter Wednesday, Readings: Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Luke 24:13-35

“And their eyes were opened and they recognised him.”

Luke 24:31

luke 24 31 and their eyes were opened and they recognised him - 15 april 2020 easter wed

“Have faith and the one you cannot see is with you.”

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

(Tractates on the Gospel of John, 2.)

have faith and the one you cannot see is with you - emmaus - st augustine 15 april 2020

“If we encounter Jesus on our road to Emmaus,
He will send us back to our Jerusalem.”

Msgr Alex Rebello

Diocese of Wrexham, Wales

if we encounter jesus on our road to emmaus - msgr alex rebello 15 april 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 April – Love calls your name

Quote/s of the Day – 3 April – Tuesday in the Easter Octave

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you,
I have called you by name, you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

isaiah 43 1 fear not for i have redeemed you i have called you by name you are mine 14 april 2020 easter tuesday

“Since love grows within you,
so beauty grows.
For love is the beauty of the soul.”

since love grows within you - st augustine - 3 april 2018

“A Christian is:
a mind through which Christ thinks,
a heart through which Christ loves,
a voice through which Christ speaks
and a hand through which Christ helps.”

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

a chrisitan is a mind through which christ thinks - st augustine 14 april 2020 easter tuesday

“He will be with you also,
all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken
to the old and tolerable pain,
at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty,
on, to the judgement seat,
the same Christ there as ever,
still loving you,
still sufficient for you, even then.
And then, on through all eternity.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

he will be with you also all the way - thomas a kempis 14 april 2020

“Think of the Cross when you rise and when you lie down,
when you go out and when you come in,
when you eat and when you walk and when you converse,
when you buy and when you sell,
when you labour and when you rest,
consecrating and sealing all your doings with this one mental action –
the thought of the Crucified.
Do not talk of it to others – be silent, like the penitent woman,
who showed her love in deep subdued acts.
She “stood at His feet behind Him weeping
and began to wash His feet with tears
and did wipe them with the hairs of her head
and kissed His feet and anointed them with the Ointment.”
And Christ said of her,
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved much
but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” [Luke vii. 38, 47.]”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Parochial Sermons V 23

think of the cross - st john henry newman 14 april 2020 easter tuesday

“Mary –
the revolution of her life,
the revolution destined
to transform the existence
of every man and woman,
begins with a name
that echoes in the garden
of the empty tomb…”

Pope Francis

Feast of St Mary of Magdalamary the revolution of her life - pope francis - 14 april 2020 easter tuesday

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 April – Sabbatum Sanctum – I am the Christ.

Quote/s of the Day – 11 April – Sabbatum Sanctum – Holy Saturday –

Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

“Darkness is not dark for you and night shines as the day” (Ps 138:12)

“…He slept so that we might be awakened,
He died so that we might live.”

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

psalm 138 12 darkness is not dark - he slept so that we might be awakend - st augustine holy sat 20 april 2019

In Praise of Christ

Born as a son,
led forth as a lamb,
sacrificed as a sheep,
buried as a man,
He rose from the dead as a God,
for He was by nature God and man.

He is all things:
He judges and so He is Law,
He teaches and so He is Wisdom,
He saves and so He is Grace,
He begets and so He is Father,
He is begotten and so He is Son,
He suffers and so He is Sacrifice,
He is buried and so He is man,
He rises again and so He is God.
This is Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs glory for all ages.

in praise of christ born as a son led forth as a lamb st melito of sardis 11 april 2020

“The Lord, though He was God, became man.
He suffered for the sake of whose who suffer,
He was bound for those in bonds,
condemned for the guilty,
buried for those who lie in the grave
but He rose from the dead and cried aloud:
“Who will contend with me? Let him confront me.”
I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life,
raised men from their graves.
Who has anything to say against me?
I, He said, am the Christ, I have destroyed death,
triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot,
bound the strong one and taken men up to the heights of heaven.
I am the Christ.
Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you.
I am your forgiveness.
I am the Passover that brings salvation.
I am the lamb who was immolated for you.
I am your Ransom, your Life, your Resurrection, your Light, I am your Salvation and your King.
I will bring you to the heights of heaven.
With my own right hand I will raise you up
and I will show you the eternal Father.”

– from a letter by Saint Melito of Sardis

Saint Melito, Bishop of Sardis (Died c 180)
Early Church Father

 

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – The Sign of the Cross

Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – Friday of the Passion of the Lord

“Great thing is the knowledge of the crucified Christ.
How many things are enclosed inside this treasure!
Christ crucified!
Such is the hidden treasure of wisdom and science.
Do not be deceived, then, under the pretext of wisdom.
Gather before the covering and pray, that it may be uncovered.
Foolish philosopher of this world, what you are looking for is worthless…
What is the advantage of being thirsty, if you despise the source? …
And what is His precept but that we believe in Him and love each other?
In whom? In Christ crucified.
This is His commandment – that we believe in Christ crucified …
But where humility is, there is also majesty,
where weakness is, there shall one find power,
where death is, there shall be life as well.
If you wish to arrive at the second part, do not despise the first!“

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

Sermon 160, 3-4

this is his commandment that we believe - st augustine good friday 10 april 2020

“Come, kneel before the Lord:
He shed for us His Blood.
He died the victim of pure love,
To make us one with God.”

Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

(15 July 1814 – 2 January 1878) was an Anglican clergyman and hymn writer
who converted to Roman Catholicism and became a Oratorian under St John Henry Newman.

come kneel before the lord - edward caswall - orat st john henry - good friday 10 april 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)

Oxford – 25 November 1832

the sign of the cross st john henry newman poem 10 april 2020 good friday

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Love, or the Name of God

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Maundy Thursday, Evening Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Love, or the Name of God

“Once for all, then,
a short precept is given you –
Love and do what you will,
whether you hold your peace,
through love, hold your peace;
whether you cry out,
through love cry out;
whether you correct,
through love correct;
whether you spare,
through love do you spare.
Let the root of love be within,
of this root, can nothing spring
but what is good.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Great Western Father ad Doctor of the Church

Homily 7 on John

love and do what you will - st augustine -9 april 2020 maundy holy thursday

“He came from His royal throne,
the stern Conqueror of error
and the gentle Apostle of love.”

Saint Thierry (c 1075-1148)

he-came-from-his-royal-throne-william-of-saint-thierry-16-dec-2019 and 9 april 2020 maundy holy thursday

“The masterpiece of Jesus Christ’s love for humanity is the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is within our reach.
We can all get close to Christ the guest and talk with Him
and perceive the warmth of His word.
The word! How it inflames the spirits!
How will the word of Christ inflame them!
We can all get to the altar when He immolates Himself and shouts at us:
Look how much I have loved and loved you!
And we can all sit at His table
and eat the bread
and drink the intoxicating wine of charity. “

Blessed Marcelo Spínola y Maestre, Cardinal-Priest (1835-1906)

he-immolates-himself-and-shouts-at-us-bl-marcelo-spinola-19jan2019.and-19-jan-2020jpg and maundy holy thursday 9 april 2020

“I love Him, even if it costs much,
I love Him, because, it is worth much,
I love Him, at all cost.”

Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce (1881-1947)

i-love-him-bl-maria-teresa-fasce-18-jan-2019-and-2020 and 9 april 2020 maundy holy thursday

“If men sincerely loved one another, not merely as brothers
but as much as they love themselves, what problems would be solved!
Who can say how many evils would be abated
and how many sorrows would be assuaged?
To transform the world, it would be enough
to put into practice the first great commandment of the Gospel,
which is the commandment of charity.
Admittedly, the world would not become an earthly paradise,
for any such Utopia is an impossibility.
But, it would become a dignified dwelling place of brothers,
loving and helping one another.
“Love is the fulfilment of the law,” St Paul very truly says (Rom 13:10).
“Have charity, which is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

if-men-sincerely-loved-one-another-bacci-11-feb-2020 and maundy thursday holy - quotes 9 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2020, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 April – “Then they tried to seize him.”

One Minute Reflection – 3 April – Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18:2-7, John 10:31-42

“Then they tried to seize him.” … John 10:39

REFLECTION “If the Law calls them gods to whom the word of God came and scripture cannot be set aside,how can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?”   Yes indeed, if God has spoken to us so that we might be called ‘gods,’ how could the Word of God, the Word that is in God, not be God?   If we have been made sharers in His nature and have become gods because God speaks to us, how could this Word, through which this gift comes to us, not be God? …   As for you, you approach the Light and receive it and are counted among the children of God but if you draw back, you become dark and are counted among the children of darkness (cf. 1 Thes 5:5). …

“Believe the works, so that you may realise and understand, that the Father is in me and I in the Father.”   The Son of God does not say “the Father is in me and I in the Father” in the same sense as we are able to do.   In effect, if our thoughts are good, we are in God;  if our lives are holy, God is in us.   When we are sharers in His grace and enlightened by His light then we are in Him and He in us.   But … recognise what is proper to the Lord and what is a gift made to His servant.   What is proper to the Lord is His equality with the Father but the gift granted to His servant, is to participate in the Saviour.

“Then they tried to seize him.”   If only they had seized Him!   But by faith and intellect, not so as to mock and put him to death!   At this very moment, as I speak to you …, all of us, both you and I, are wanting to seize Christ.   To ‘seize’, what does that mean?   You have ‘seized’ when you have understood.   But Christ’s enemies were looking for something different.   You have seized in order to possess but they wanted to seize Him in order to get rid of Him.   And because this was how they wanted to seize Him, what does Jesus do?   “He escaped from their power.”   They were unable to seize Him because they did not have the hands of faith. …   We truly seize Christ if our minds grasp the Word.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermons on the Gospel of John, no 48, 9-11john 10 39 then they tried to seize him - to seize what does that mean st augustine 3 april 2020

PRAYER – Holy Father, our Father, help us to lay down the stones of hate and embrace Your Son who stands before us in need.   Give us the hands of faith and minds to grasp the Word, teach us to see His Face in those who cry out to us.   Teach us compassion and love.   Mary, your Immaculate Heart is our school.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.immaculate heart pray for us 3 april 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 2 April – “Before Abraham was made, I am.” 

One Minute Reflection – 2 April – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Readings: Genesis 17:3-9, Psalm 105:4-9, John 8:51-59

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM. ”   So they took up stones to throw at him but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. … John 8:58-59

REFLECTION – “Before Abraham was made, I am.”   Recognise the Creator-distinguish the creature.   He who spoke was made the seed of Abraham and that Abraham might be made, He Himself was before Abraham.
Hence, as if by the most open of all insults thrown at Abraham, they were now excited to greater bitterness.   Of a certainty it seemed to them, that Christ the Lord had uttered blasphemy in saying, “Before Abraham was made, I am.”   “Therefore took they up stones to cast at Him.”   To what could so great hardness have recourse, save to its like?   “But Jesus” [acts] as man, as one in the form of a servant, as lowly, as about to suffer, about to die, about to redeem us with His blood, not as He who is-not as the Word in the beginning and the Word with God.   For when they took up stones to cast at Him, what great thing were it had they been instantly swallowed up in the gaping earth and found the inhabitants of hell in place of stones?   It were not a great thing to God but better was it that patience should be commended than power exerted.   Therefore “He hid Himself” from them, that He might not be stoned.   As man, He fled from the stones but woe to those from whose stony hearts God has fled?”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctorjohn-8-58-59-and-they-picked-up-stones-as-a-man-jesus-fled-st-augustine-11-april-2019 and 2 april 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, break the bonds of our sin which our weakness have forged to enchain us and in Your loving mercy, forgive Your people’s guilt.   Never flee from us in our weakness O Lord and grant us Your salvation.   Help us Holy Mother to be the imitators of your Son.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God for all time and eternity, amen.blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-26-nov-2018 and 26 nov 2019

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Lenten Reflection – 1 April – Let us then recognise both our voice in His and His voice in ours. 

Lenten Reflection – 1 April – Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent, Readings: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95, Responsorial psalm Daniel 3:52-56, John 8:31-42

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples
and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”…John 8:31-32

john-8-39-40-if-you-were-abrahams-children-wedfifthweeklent-10-april-2019 and 1 april 2020

Daily Meditation:
Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts.

“God could give no greater gift to men than to make His Word, through whom He created all things, their head and to join them to Him as His members, so that the Word might be both Son of God and son of man, one God with the Father and one man with all men.   The result is that when we speak with God in prayer, we do not separate the Son from Him and when the body of the Son prays, it does not separate its head from itself, it is the one Saviour of His body, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who prays for us and in us and is Himself the object of our prayers.
He prays for us, as our priest, He prays in us, as our head, He is the object of our prayers, as our God.
Let us then recognise both our voice in His and His voice in ours.   When something is said, especially in prophecy, about the Lord Jesus Chris,t that seems to belong to a condition of lowliness, unworthy of God, we must not hesitate to ascribe this condition to one who did not hesitate to unite Himself with us.   Every creature is His servant, for it was through Him that every creature came to be.” … Saint Augustine (354-430) Bishop and Great Western Father of the Church

he prays for us - st augustine - 1 april 2020

Intercessions:
Blessed be God, the giver of salvation,
who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in Himself,
when all would be made new.
With great confidence let us ask Him:
Lord, renew us in Your Spirit.

Lord, You promised a new heaven and a new earth,
renew us daily through Your Spirit,
– that we may enjoy Your presence forever in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Help us to work with You to make this world alive with Your Spirit,
– and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace.
Free us from all negligence and sloth,
– and give us joy in Your gifts of grace.
Deliver us from evil,
– and from slavery to the senses,
which blinds us to Your love, freedom and truth.

Closing Prayer:

Grant that I may love You
and be loved by You
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)

O God of love,
You are
and shall be forever,
the only delight of my heart
and the sole object of my affections.
Since Jesus said,
‘Ask and you shall receive,’
I do not hesitate to say,
‘Give me Your love
and Your grace.’
Grant that I may love You
and be loved by You.
I want nothing else.
Amen

grant-that-i-may-love-you-and-beloved-by-you-st-alphonsus-liguori-1-april-2019 and 1 april 2020