SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

 Alphonsus Liguori went to law school at age sixteen, becoming a very well-known lawyer. He was thinking of leaving the profession, and wrote to someone: "My friend, our profession is too full of difficulties and dangers; we lead an unhappy life and run risk of dying an unhappy death. For myself, I will quit this career, which does not suit me; for I wish to secure the salvation of my soul." At the age of twenty-seven, after having lost an important case - the first he had lost in eight years of practicing law - he made a firm resolution to leave the profession of law.

He who does not give up prayer cannot possibly continue to offend God Habitually. Either he will give up prayer, or he will stop sinning. -- St. Alphonsus Liguori


"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." --Luke 11:23

"Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:23)

Harden not your hearts, as on the day when your fathers tested me, and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.  (Psalm 95:8-9).

Father in heaven, I come into your presence with thanksgiving with a joyful noise and songs of praise!

In worship, I humbly bow down and kneel before you my Lord, my maker. You are my God and I am the sheep of your hand. I listen to your voice, for you alone is all I need.

With much love and gratitude I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

Nothing but self-will 

can separate us from God. 

St. Alphonsus Liguori

"He who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." --Matthew 5:19

I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the LORD my God commanded me (Deuteronomy 4:5).

"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them" (Matthew 5:17).

He declares his word, his statutes and ordinances (Psalm 147:19).  He sends forth his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. (Psalm 147:15).

"For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18).

Give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live (Deuteronomy 4:1).  Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding  (Deuteronomy 4:5).

Take heed, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children's children  (Deuteronomy 4:9).

Praise the LORD! Praise my God! (Psalm 147:12)

There has never been a God so near to me as you my LORD, whenever I call upon you (Deuteronomy 4:7).

Deal with me according to your word (Psalm 147:20). So righteous is your law, statutes and ordinances which you have set before me this day (Deuteronomy 4:8).

Praise the LORD!

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Life is full of Temptations

"Should not you have had mercy 

on your fellow servant, 

as I had mercy on you?"

Matthew 18:23

We are reduced, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins (Daniel 3:37).

Earthly life is a pilgrimage, and as such it is full of temptations. But our spiritual growth is worked out in temptation. By experiencing temptations, we know ourselves. By fighting them we have a chance to become winners. By overcoming them, we are crowned victors. Lord, you are our physician, healing the ills of all. -- St. Augustine

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way (Psalm 25:8-9).

Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness' sake, O LORD! (Psalm 25:7)

But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. (Daniel 3:39-40).

Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old (Psalm 25:6). Do not take away your mercy from us (Daniel 3:35). Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy (Daniel 3:42).

For your name's sake, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant (Daniel 3:34). Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord. (Daniel 3:43)

And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you (Daniel 3:41).

In Jesus Name. Amen.

SERVICE OF GOD

These many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends (Luke 15:29). And he said to him,

"Son, you are always with me, 

and all that is mine is yours. 

It was fitting to make merry and be glad, 

for this your brother was dead, and is alive; 

he was lost, and is found."

Luke 15:31-32

Alas, my dear brethren, the man who lives according to the direction of his passions and abandons the service of God is both unhappy and capable of so little! Put an army of one hundred thousand men around a dead man and let them employ all their power to bring him back to life. No, no, my dear children, he will not come to life again. But let someone who is despised by the world, but who enjoys the friendship of God, command this dead man to take up life again; immediately you will see him arise and walk. We have other proofs of this too. If it were necessary to be wealthy or to be very learned to serve God, a great many people would be unable to do it. But, no, my dear children, extensive learning or great wealth are not at all necessary for the service of God. On the contrary, they are often a very big obstacle to it. Yes, my dear brethren, let us be rich or poor, in whatever state we may be, learned or otherwise, we can please God and save our souls. -- St. John Vianney

God does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love (Micah 7:18). He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger for ever (Psalm 103:9). He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities (Psalm 103:10).

He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. He will show faithfulness and steadfast love, as He had sworn to our fathers from the days of old (Micah 7:19-20).

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:11-12).

I will show them marvelous things. -- Micah 7:15

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! -- Psalm 103:1

Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? -- Micah 7:18

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. -- Psalm 103:2-4

Shepherd thy people with thy staff, the flock of thy inheritance, who dwell alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land -- Micah 7:14

Thought that brings Delight

"With God nothing will be impossible."

Luke 1:37

"Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." -- Isaiah 7:11

The thought follows the look; delight comes after the thought; and consent after delight. -- St. Augustine

Look
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." -- Isaiah 7:14

Thought
And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.

Delight
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." -- Luke 1:28-32

Consent
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. -- Luke 1:38

Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me; I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart."

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; lo, I have not restrained my lips, as thou knowest, O LORD. I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness from the great congregation.

Do not thou, O LORD, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me! -- Psalms 40:7-11

Deliver our Souls from Death

"If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, 

neither will they be convinced 

if some one should rise from the dead."

Luke 16:31

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away (Psalm 1:4). For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:6).

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom (Luke 16:22-23).

And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment' (Luke 16:27-28).

Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD (Jeremiah 17:5).

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death. -- Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition, August 15th

Path of Repentance

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, 

and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:12

A third path of repentance consists of prayer that is fervent, careful and comes from the heart. A fourth path of repentance is almsgiving, whose power is great and far-reaching. A fifth way, moreover, if a man lives a modest humble life, takes away sin. -- St. John Chrysostom

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow (Isaiah 1:16-17).

He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God! (Psalm 50:23)

Father in heaven, please forgive me for I have sinned.

Though my sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool (Isaiah 1:18).

I hear your word my LORD, and give ear to your teaching my God (Isaiah 1:10). Teach me to be willing and obedient, that I may eat the good of the land (Isaiah 10:19).

Advancement of Spiritual Life

"Give, and it will be given to you; 

good measure, pressed down, 

shaken together, running over, 

will be put into your lap.

For the measure you give 

will be the measure you get back." 

Luke 6:38

In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind blows it back. Fix the time, the length of your meditation, and do not rise from your place until you have finished even at the cost of being crucified. -- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

We thy people, the flock of thy pasture, give thanks to thee for ever; from generation to generation we will recount thy praise (Psalm 79:13).

Die to Oneself

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; 

condemn not, and you will not be condemned; 

forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Luke 6:37

Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: because of their treachery toward you. O LORD, we are shamefaced, for having sinned against you. -- Daniel 9:7-8

To be clothed with Jesus Christ it is necessary to die to oneself. That which comes from Satan begins with calmness and ends in storm, indifference, and apathy.  -- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets (Daniel 9:9-10).

Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let thy compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low (Psalm 79:8).

Let the groans of the prisoners come before thee; according to thy great power preserve those doomed to die! -- Psalm 79:11

Clothed with Jesus Christ

"Be merciful, 

even as your Father is merciful."

Luke 6:36

I prayed to the LORD, my God, and confessed, "Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments! -- Daniel 9:4

The field of battle between God and Satan is the human soul. It is in the soul that the battle rages every moment of life. The soul must give free access to the Lord so that it may be fortified by Him in every respect and with all kinds of weapons; that His light may enlighten it to combat the darkness of error; that it may be clothed with Jesus Christ.  -- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name. -- Daniel 9:5-6

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name's sake! -- Psalm 79:9

Charity introduces us into the Promised Land

"She will bear a son, 

and you shall call his name Jesus, 

for he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 1:21

Salvation is shown to faith, it is prepared for hope, but it is given only to charity. Faith points out the way to the land of promise as a pillar of fire, hope feeds us with its manna of sweetness, but charity actually introduces us into the Promised Land. -- St. Francis De Sales

The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13).

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants -- not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist (Romans 4:16-17).

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, "So shall your descendants be" (Romans 4:18).

That is why his faith was "reckoned to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:22).

Would you build me a house to dwell in? (2 Samuel 7:5)

Let the heavens praise thy wonders, O LORD, thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! (Psalm 89:5)

For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens (Psalm 89:2).

Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: `I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations'" (Psalm 89:3-4). And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth (Psalm 89:27). I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of the heavens (Psalm 89:29).

Am I Better than Others?

"I tell you, unless your righteousness 

exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, 

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:20

Believe that others are better than you in the depths of their soul, although outwardly you may appear better than they. -- St. Augustine

But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does the same abominable things that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds which he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, he shall die (Ezekiel 18:24).

Out of the depths I cry to thee, O LORD! Lord, hear my voice! Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If thou, O LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning (Psalm 130:1-6).

Jesus is our Strength

"Ask, and it will be given you; 

seek, and you will find; 

knock, and it will be opened to you. 

For every one who asks receives, 

and he who seeks finds, 

and to him who knocks 

it will be opened." 

Matthew 7:7-8

On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase (Psalm 138:3).

We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that's all right, everything is all right. We must say, "I belong to you. You can do whatever you like." And this ..is our strength, and this is the joy of the Lord. -- Blessed Mother Teresa

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands (Psalm 138:8).

I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise; I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word (Psalm 138:1-2).

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you (Esther C:14). Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me (Psalm 138:7). Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness (Esther C:25).

PIETY IN THE HOME

"This generation is an evil generation; 

it seeks a sign, 

but no sign shall be given to it 

except the sign of Jonah. 

For as Jonah became a sign 

to the men of Nin'eveh, 

so will the Son of man be 

to this generation." 

Luke 11:29-30

The home must be in accord with the Church, that all harmful influences be withheld from the souls of children. Where there is true piety in the home, purity of morals reigns supreme. - St. John Vianney 

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nin'eveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you" (Jonah 3:1-2).

And the people of Nin'eveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them (Jonah 3:5).

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it (Jonah 3:10).

Father in heaven, I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment (Psalm 51:3-4).

Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee (Psalms 51:12-13).


With my love and respect I pray, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Condemn your own Sins

"Forgive us our debts, 

As we also have forgiven our debtors; 

And lead us not into temptation, 

But deliver us from evil."

Matthew 6:12-13

A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: I said: I will accuse myself of my sins to the Lord and you forgave the weakness of my heart. Therefore, you too should condemn your own sins; that will be enough reason for the Lord to forgive you, for a man who condemns his own sins is slower to commit them again. Rouse your conscience to accuse you within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord. -- St. John Chrysostom

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:17-18).

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:10-11).

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles (Psalm 34:6).

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Love for One Another

"Truly, I say to you, 

as you did it 

to one of the least 

of these my brethren, 

you did it to me." 

 Matthew 25:40

Some say it is unreasonable to be courteous and gentle with a reckless person who insults you for no reason at all. I have made a pact with my tongue; not to speak when my heart is disturbed. -- St. Francis de Sales

You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand forth against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD (Leviticus 19:16-18).

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb (Psalms 19:8-10,15).

Spiritual Progress

"Those who are well 

have no need of a physician, 

but those who are sick; 

I have not come to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance." 

Luke 5:31-32

Let each one remember that he will make progress in all spiritual things only insofar as he rids himself of self-love, self-will, and self-interest. -- St. Ignatius of Loyola

"If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken" (Isaiah 58:13-14).

Incline thy ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save thy servant who trusts in thee. Thou art my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to thee do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; hearken to my cry of supplication (Psalms 86:1-6).

Daily Actions and Behavior

The days will come, 

when the bridegroom 

is taken away from them, 

and then they will fast. 

Matthew 9:15

They seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God (Isaiah 58:2).

In the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. You fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high (Isaiah 58:3-4).

Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? (Isaiah 58:5)

Let us detach ourselves in spirit from all that we see and cling to that which we believe. This is the cross which we must imprint on all our daily actions and behavior. -- St. Peter Damian

Father in heaven, I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Please forgive me for I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight. You desire truth in my inward being, teach me wisdom in my sacred heart (Psalm 51:3-6).

WORLD AND ITS PLEASURES

 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, 

he must deny himself, 

and take up his cross 

and follow Me."

Matthew 16:24

"He who does not take his cross 

and follow after Me 

is not worthy of Me." 

Matthew 10:38

The cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4:19).

I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the Cross than in serving the world and its pleasures. -- St. John Vianney

Lord, teach me to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12).

Christ and the Church

"I also say to you that you are Peter, 

and upon this rock 

I will build My church; 

and the gates of Hades 

will not overpower it." 

Matthew 16:18

That He might present the Church to Himself a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and unblemished (Ephesians 5:27).

Christ, indeed, always associates the Church with himself in this great work in which God is perfectly glorified and men are sanctified. The Church is his beloved Bride who calls to her Lord and through him offers worship to the eternal Father. -- Sacrosanctum concilium

Our Lady's Love

"But whoever drinks of the water 

that I will give him shall never thirst; 

but the water that I will give him 

will become in him a well of water 

springing up to eternal life." 

John 4:14

Our Lady's love is like a stream that has its source in the Eternal Fountains, quenches the thirst of all, can never be drained, and ever flows back to its Source.

-- St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

Confession of Sins

I acknowledged my sin to You, 

And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, 
"I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; 

And You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5

A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: I said: I will accuse myself of my sins to the Lord and you forgave the weakness of my heart. Therefore, you too should condemn your own sins; that will be enough reason for the Lord to forgive you, for a man who condemns his own sins is slower to commit them again. Rouse your conscience to accuse you within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord.

-- St. John Chrysostom