Tag: tenvirgins

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – ‘ … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him!” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “My brothers, there is a time for sowing and a time for harvesting, a time for peace and another for war, a time for labour and another for rest (Cf Eccl 3). But, for the salvation of the soul, all times are right and every journey is worthwhile, at least, if we wish it to be. Therefore, let us always be moving towards the good, ready to move, full of eagerness, putting words into deeds. For, says the Apostle Paul, “it is not those who hear the law, who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law, will be justified” (Rom 2:13) … Is this the time for spiritual warfare? Then we should fight vigorously and pursue, with God’s aid, the devilish thoughts that rise up inside us. If, on the other hand, it is time for spiritual harvest, we should enthusiastically gather in the crops and collect together, into spiritual barns, provisions for eternal life…

It is always the time for prayer, for tears, for repentance after a failing, always time to take the Kingdom of Heaven by storm! Why delay? Why set aside till later? Why put off our improvement, from day to day? “For the world, in its present form, is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31) … Are we going to live forever? … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? “The Bridegroom is coming,” says the Gospel, “go out to meet Him.” And the wise virgins went out to meet him with lamps alight and went into the wedding feast — whereas, the foolish virgins, delayed by their lack of good works, cried out: “Lord, Lord, open the door for us. But He said in reply: Amen, I say to you, I do not know you” and He added: “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” So we should stay awake and rouse the soul to soberness, compunction, holiness, purification and illumination, so as to prevent death from shutting the door and no-one being there to open it to us or help us!” – St Theodore the Studite (750–826) Father, Abbot, Theologian, Writer at Constantinople (Small Catechism No 130).

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD, Uncategorized

One Minute Reflection – 25 November – ‘…Christ enters at the open door. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Catherine of Alexandria (Died c305) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Watch, therefore because you know not the day, nor the hour.” – 25:13

REFLECTION – “You are one of the virgins who illumine the beauty of your body with the light of the mind, you are all the more fit to be compared with the Church. In the hours of the night, think always on Christ and hope for His coming at every moment. …
Christ enters at the open door. He will not fail to do so, for He has promised to enter. Embrace Him, Whom you have sought. Approach Him and be illumined.
Hold Him and ask Him not to go away quickly. Beg Him not to depart. For “His Word runs swiftly” (Ps 147:15) and will not be held by the slothful or negligent soul. Let your soul run to His call and follow closely, the sound of His heavenly Voice, for His passing is swift. …

With what ties is Christ to be held?
Not by force, not by chains but rather, by the bonds of charity.
He is kept and held by the ties of the mind, by the love of the heart.
So, if you wish to hold Christ, seek Him continually and fear no fatigue.
It is often in pain of body, amid the very hands of the persecutors that Christ may really be found. … In a little while, in a brief moment, when you have escaped the hands of your persecutors and have not succumbed to the powers of the world, Christ will meet you and will not allow you to be tempted further.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Archbishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (De virginitate, PL 16, 283-286 – The Nun’s Ideals).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave the law to Moses on Sinai’s height and through Thy holy Angels, miraculously placed there, the body of blessed Catherine, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant, we beseech Thee that by her merits and intercession, we may reach that towering eminence which is Christ our Lord.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HOLY CROSS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – “ … The Bridegroom came and they, who were ready, went in with Him … ” – Matthew 25:10

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One Minute Reflection – 30 August – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin – 2 Cor inthians10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ … The Bridegroom came and they, who were ready, went in with Him … ” – Matthew 25:10

REFLECTION – “In this world, which is to say, in the Church, wholly following Christ, He says to all of us: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself.” This command is not being directed to virgins but not married women, to widows but not wives, to Monks but not husbands, to Priests but not laity. It is the whole Church, the whole Body of Christ with all its members, differentiated and divided according to their proper functions that is, to follow Christ. May she wholly follow Him, she who is one alone, the dove, the bride (Sg 6:9); may she follow Him, she who has been redeemed and endowed with the Blood of her Bridegroom. Virginal purity has its place here; the continence of widows has its place here; wedded chastity has its place here…

These members who have their place here should follow Christ, each according to their category, each according to their status, each after its fashion. Let them deny themselves, that is to say, let them not rely on themselves. Let them carry their cross that is to say, bear, for Christ’s sake in the world, all that the world inflicts on them. May they love Him, He, the Only One, Who never deceives or is deceived, the Only One ,Who is not mistaken. May they love Him because, what He promises is true. Yet because, He does not give it to us now, our faith falters. Keep going, persevere, bear and accept this delay and you have carried His Cross!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 96:9)

PRAYER – Almighty God, Giver of all good things, Who willed that blessed Rose, imbued in early life with the dew of heavenly grace, should bloom among the Indians with the beauty of virginity and patience, grant unto us, Thy servants that, following the fragrance of her sweetness, we may be found worthy to become a sweet savour of Christ. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – Behold the Bridegroom comes.

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matt 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Behold the Bridegroom comes.” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “Behold the time is now here for us, dearest brethren, when we are to “sing of kindness and judgement to the Lord” (Ps 100:1). This is the Lord’s Coming, the arrival of the Lord of all, Who comes and is to come (Apoc 1:8). But how and where is He to come? How and when is He coming? Has He not said: “I fill the Heaven and the earth?” (Jer 23:24). How, then is He, Who fills Heaven and earth, coming to Heaven and earth? Listen to the Gospel: “He was in the world and world was made by Him and the world did not know Him“ (Jn 1:0). Therefore, He was both present and absent ,at the same time – present in that He was in the world; absent because the world did not know Him… How could He, Who was not recognised, not be far away, He, in Whom people did not believe, Who was not feared, Who was not loved?…

He comes, then, so that He, Who was not known might be recognised; He in Whom no-one believed might be believed; He, Who was not loved might be loved. He, Who was present according to His nature, is coming in His mercy… Think on God a little and see what it means that He should transfer so great a might; how He humbles so great a power, weakens so great a strength, makes feeble so great a wisdom! Was this a requirement of justice towards us? Most certainly not!…

In truth, my Lord, not my righteousness but Thy mercy guided Thee; not Thy necessity but my need. As Thou hast said: “My mercy is established in the heavens” (Ps 89[88],3). Rightly so, for our neediness abounds on earth. That is why “I shall sing forever of Thy love, O Lord,” which Thou manifested at Thy coming. When He showed Himself humble in His humanity, powerful in His miracles, strong against the tyranny of the demons, gentle in His welcome of sinners: all these things came from His mercy, all came from His inmost goodness. That is why “I shall sing Thy love, O Lord“ made known at Thy First Coming. And rightly so, for “the earth is filled with the mercy of the Lord” (Ps 118:64).” – St Aelred of Rielvaux (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk [Sermon for Advent (Durham collection)].

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. Through tesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 January – Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him! – Matthew 25:6

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One Minute Reflection – 30 January – St Martha (1st Century) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him!” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “When it seemed to God that the right time had come and He took pity on His beloved in her suffering, He sent His Only-begotten Son to earth into a magnificent palace and a glorious temple, that is, into the body of the glorious Virgin Mary. There the Son wedded this bride, our nature and united her with His Own Person through the purest blood of the noble Virgin. The priest who witnessed the bride’s marriage was the Holy Ghost. The Angel Gabriel brought the message. The glorious Virgin gave her consent. Thus did Christ, our faithful Bridegroom, unite our nature with Himself. He came to us in a strange land and taught us through a heavenly way of life and with perfect fidelity.

He worked and struggled as our Champion against our enemies, broke open the bars of our prison, won the struggle, vanquished our death through His Own, redeemed us through His Blood, freed us through His water in Baptism and made us rich, through His Sacraments and His gifts, so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6), we might “go out” with all virtues to, “meet Him” in the palace of His glory and enjoy Him forever in eternity.” – Bl Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381) Canon Regular (The Spiritual Espousals, Prologue).

PRAYER – O God, Who among the other miracles of Thine power have bestowed the victory of Martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we, who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Martha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to Thee by the path of her example. ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck’s life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-blessed-john-van-ruysbroeck/

Posted in "Follow Me", ACT of CONTRITION, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – Our Lamps are going out – Matthew 25:8

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:1-8, 12, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Our lamps are going out.”

Matthew 25:8

“I have not become as wise
as those five wise Virgins.
… But I have become the most wretched of the foolish ones
by failing to keep some oil for my lamp,
namely, mercy together with virginity
or, still more, the anointing from Baptism’s Sacred fount…

Therefore, the doors of the wedding hall
are closed to me too, in my negligence.
But, O my Bridegroom,
while I am still in my body here below,
listen to my soul, Your Bride…
From now on, I will cry aloud piteously,
“Oh, open to me Your Heavenly Door,
bring me into Your Wedding Chamber on high,
make me worthy of Your Holy Kiss,
Your pure and spotless Embrace.
Oh let me not hear the Voice saying
it does not know me!
I am blind; set alight with Your own Light
my spirit’s extinguished flame!”

St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
Armenian Bishop

“Remove from your lives
the filth and uncleanness of vice.
Your upright lives must make you
the salt of the earth for yourselves
and for the rest of humankind…”

St John of Capistrano OFM (1386-1456)

O Infinite Goodness – Act of Contrition
By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) – Doctor of the Church

O my God,
I am exceedingly grieved,
for having offended Thee
and with my whole heart,
I repent of the sins I have committed.
I hate and abhor them above every other evil,
not only because, by so sinning,
I have lost heaven and deserved hell
but still more because I have offended Thee,
O infinite Goodness,
who art worthy to be loved above all things.
I most firmly resolve,
by the assistance of Thy grace,
never more to offend Thee for the time to come
and to avoid those occasions
which might lead me into sin.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – “Charity never fails!”

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – St Cecilia Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:13-17, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil in their vessels”

Matthew 25:4

“The Apostle says,
“I will show you a still more excellent way.”
“If I speak with the tongue of mortals
and of angels but do not have love,
I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
This is charity.
It is “that way above the rest,” which is,
with good reason, signified by the oil.
For oil swims above all liquids.
Pour in water and pour in oil upon it,
the oil will swim above.
If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost,
if you change the order, it will be uppermost.
“Charity never fails!”

“Love the Lord and so,
learn to love yourselves
that when, by loving the Lord,
you shall have loved yourselves,
you may securely love
your neighbour as yourselves. …
So then, have faith with love.
This is the “wedding garment!”

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

“Charity is the sweet and holy bond
which links the soul
with its Creator;
it binds God with man
and man with God.”

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

“My dear souls, let us recognise, I pray you,
Christ’s infinite charity towards us
in the institution of this Sacrament of the Eucharist.
In order that our love be a spiritual love,
He wills a new heart, a new love, a new spirit for us.
It is not with a carnal heart but with a spiritual one,
that Christ has loved us with a gratuitous love,
a supreme and most ardent love,
by way of pure grace and charity.
Ah! One needs to love Him back
with one’s whole, whole, whole,
living, living, living
and true, true, true heart!”

St Lawrence of Brindisi(1559-1619)

“Humility and charity
are the two master chords –
one, the lowest;
the other, the highest;
all the others are dependent on them.
Therefore, it is necessary, above all.
to maintain ourselves in these two virtues,
for observe well,
that the preservation of the whole edifice
depends on the foundation and the roof!”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“A word or a smile,
is often enough,
to put fresh life
into a despondent soul.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 November – “Charity never fails!”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 November – St Cecilia Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:13-17, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil in their vessels” – Matthew 25:4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies. Do you think it might be charity? If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement. I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil. The Apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.” “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This is charity. It is “that way above the rest,” which is, with good reason, signified by the oil. For oil swims above all liquids. Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above. If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost. “Charity never fails!” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 93).

PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us by the annual feast of blessed Cecilia, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may by virtuous conduct follow her, whom we venerate in this sacred rite. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 April – ‘ … Then is celebrated the wedding … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 30 April – The Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Virgin, Doctor of the Church – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13

“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “The souls’ husband is the Holy Spirit, by His grace. When His interior inspiration calls the soul to repentance, then every enticement of vice is in vain. The pride that wants command, the greed and lust that consumes everything: this was the master that used to control and ravage the soul. Their very names have been removed from the repentant sinner’s mouth… When grace is poured into the soul and gives it light, God makes a covenant with sinners. He is reconciled with them… Then is celebrated the wedding of the Bridegroom with His bride, in the peace of a pure conscience.” – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we which do keep the birthday of Thy blessed Virgin Catherine and do year by year renew her memorial with solemn gladness in Thy presence, may likewise be conformed to the pattern of her saintly walk with Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – “Our lamps are going out.” – Matthew 25:8

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – The Memorial of St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr – Ecclus 51:1-8, 12; Matthew 25:1-13

“Our lamps are going out.”

Matthew 25:8

“I have not become as wise
as those five wise Virgins.
… But I have become the most wretched of the foolish ones
by failing to keep some oil for my lamp,
namely, mercy together with virginity
or, still more, the anointing from Baptism’s Sacred fount…

Therefore, the doors of the wedding hall
are closed to me too, in my negligence.
But, O my Bridegroom,
while I am still in my body here below,
listen to my soul, Your Bride…
From now on, I will cry aloud piteously,
“Oh, open to me Your Heavenly Door,
bring me into Your Wedding Chamber on high,
make me worthy of Your Holy Kiss,
Your pure and spotless Embrace.
Oh let me not hear the Voice saying
it does not know me!
I am blind; set alight with Your own Light
my spirit’s extinguished flame!”

St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
Armenian Bishop

(Jesus, the Father’s beloved Son 688-693, SC 203)

“Give me grace,
to amend my life
and to have an eye to mine end,
without grudge of death,
which, to them,
who die in You,
good Lord,
is the gate of a wealthy life.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

My Lord Jesus Christ,
You have made this journey
to die for me, with love unutterable
and I have so many times unworthily abandoned You
but now I love You with my whole heart
and because I love You,
I repent sincerely for having ever offended You.
Pardon me, my God
and permit me to accompany You on this journey.
You go to die for love of me,
I wish also, my beloved Redeemer,
to die for love of Thee.
My Jesus, I will live
and die always united to You.”
Amen

St Alphonsus Mary Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church