#oneminutereflectionnovember16

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – The Memorial of St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

My dear friends, do not be taken aback at the testing by fire which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you; but in so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, so that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed….1 Peter 4:12-13

REFLECTION – “Bodily and spiritual affliction are the surest sign of Divine predilection. Gratitude for suffering is a precious jewel for our heavenly crown… Man should always firmly believe that God sends just that trial which is most beneficial for him.”... St Gertrude the Great

PRAYER – Lord God, You made the heart of St Gertrude the dwelling-place of Your love. Grant to us that the power of Your protecting hand may keep us unshaken in the face of our ancient enemy and all his hidden snares. Lighten our way so that, through the prayers of intercession by St Gertrude, we may experience the joy of Your presence in our hearts and courage at times of suffering. Amen

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – Today’s Gospel: Luke 17:26–37, Friday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year B and the memorial of St Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) and St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302).

“Whoever seeks to gain his life, will lose it but whoever loses his life, will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.”…Luke 17:33-34

REFLECTION – “Today the Church, the Lord, with His goodness, tells each one of us, ‘Stop, stop, not every day will be so.   Do not get used to this as if it were eternity.   There will be one day that you will be taken, while the other one will remain, you will be taken, you will be removed.’    It means going with the Lord, thinking that our life will end.”…Pope Francis Santa Marta, 17 November 2017

“So you see, my brothers, that we have been given every inducement, to amend our lives. We have been called by God and now it is up to us to return to Him, while we still have time to One, who is ready to receive us.   For if we renounce sinful pleasures and practice self-control, by refusing to yield to our evil desires, we shall share in the mercy of Jesus. You must know, however, that the day of judgement, like a flaming furnace, is already approaching.   Sun, moon and stars will be consumed and the whole earth will become like lead melting in the fire.   All that each man has done, whether openly or in secret, will then be brought to light.   Therefore, a very good way of atoning for our sins is by being generous to the poor.   Fasting is better than prayer but almsgiving surpasses both, for love covers a multitude of sins.   Nevertheless, prayer delivers the soul from death, if it proceeds from a good conscience.   Happy the man who is found rich in these virtues; by relieving the poor, he himself will be relieved of his sins. To make sure that none of us is lost, we must repent from the bottom of our hearts.”…Anonymous author, second century, An Ancient Christian Writer – An excerpt from A Homily

PRAYER – Lord God, grant to us that the power of Your protecting hand may keep us unshaken in the face of our ancient enemy and all his hidden snares.   Lighten our way so that, through the prayers of intercession of St Gertrude and St Margaret of Scotland, we may experience the joy of Your presence in our hearts and courage at times of suffering.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.

(via One Minute Reflection - 16 November - Today's Gospel: Luke 17:26–37)

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – November 16 

Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?……………..1 Cor 10:16

REFLECTION – I understand that, each time we contemplate with desire and devotion the Host in which is hidden Christ’s Eucharistic Body, we increase our merits in heaven and secure special joys to be ours later in the beatific vision of God……….St Gertrude the Great

PRAYER – Lord God, give me the light of faith and enlighten my heart with undersdtanding and gratitude for the greatest of all gifts, my Lord and my God in the Holy Eucharist. St Gertrude Pray for us! Amen