Category: Quotation

Waters of Baptism

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John Loncar recently posted a great quotation on Shameless Popery that I found really touching and wanted to share. This is an extract from a letter written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century theologian and a Doctor of the Church, which he wrote to a couple who had suffered the tragedy of a miscarriage:

“Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb — were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.” – St. Bernard of Clairvaux

baby-ultrasound

Wise Words on Wednesday: Welcoming Party

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Today’s quotation seems very appropriate since I arrived back into San Diego last night. Who would you like in your heavenly welcoming party?

Communion of Saints

Just in case God asks who I want to [meet me in Heaven], I’ve got my list ready.

My desired greeting team includes not only my father and grandmother, but also John Fisher and John Paul II, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Sienna , Fr. Caj, Sr. Rose, Sr. Diane, Blessed Mary, and Jesus Himself.  All waiting to receive me as the newest arrival into the family of God once and for all. Waiting to say, “Welcome home!”

– Jeff Cavins, “I’m not being fed!”

Wise Words on Wednesday: Democratic Church

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Houses of Parliament

For those who come to theological conclusions by putting their finger in the air to test the various options, Jesus gives us an example by first asking the Apostles what others think of him. Notice that all their answers were wrong. How often do we look to the opinion of others rather than seek out His authority for answers? Knowing that the Father would reveal the correct answer, Jesus asks them the most important question, “But who do you say that I am?”

– Jeff Cavins, “I’m not being fed!”

Trial and Salvation

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As today is the last of the Desert Father quotations I’m going to be doing for a while, I’m going to end with my favourite, the Desert Mother Syncletica:

Metal Refining

[Syncletica] also said, “When the devil does not use the goad of poverty to tempt us, he uses wealth for the same purpose. When he cannot win by scorn and mockery, he tries praise and flattery. If he cannot win by giving health, he tries illness. If he cannot win by comfort, he tries to ruin the soul by vexations that lead us to act against our monastic vows. He inflicts severe illness on people whom he wants to tempt and so makes them weak, and thereby shakes the love they feel towards God…

Iron is cleaned of rust by fire. If you are righteous and suffer, you grow to a higher sanctity. Gold is tested by fire.

When a messenger from Satan is given to you to be a thorn in your flesh, lift up your heart, for you have received a gift like that of St. Paul.

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

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