ARE YOU INVITED?

COME AND EAT BREAD. COME AND DRINK RICH WINE. 

"Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:

“They shall all be taught by God.

“Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.

“Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; 

“this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6: 44 - 51).

Thursday April 18th 2024 in 3rd Week in Easter Season.

According to St Athanasius, the early Church Father and Martyr, Easter is a 50-Day Sunday. Because of the Resurrection of His dear Son Jesus Christ, God's sweetness towards us in this holy and joyful Season is boundless. The image of the Eucharist permeates the whole Eastertide. 

"Come and eat bread without money. Come and drink rich wine." (Cf Isaiah 55: 1 - 2). 

I love the Easter Season. This is my best liturgical Season. Because Jesus Christ has risen from the grave, I indulge myself in the 50-Day festivities: Ice cream, donut, walnut, movies, music, etc. 

I delighted today from this joyful noise from the Altar. 

Have you heard the above words before Holy Communion? Are you invited to the Supper of the Lamb? 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE SOURCE, CENTER AND SUMMIT OF THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

EAT MY FLESH AND YOU SHALL LIVE FOREVER.

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. 

"Jesus said to the crowds,

“I am the bread of life; who­ever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

"But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe.

"Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

"And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. 

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (John 6: 35 - 40).

Wednesday 17th April 2024 in the 3rd Week in the Easter Season. 

Jesus continues the BREAD of LIFE DISCOURSE. 

"I am the bread of life; who­ever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

The Eucharist is the soul, center and summit of the life of the Church. This is why the Church offers us the whole Month of April to reflect on this great mystery and deepen our knowledge and love of this great Sacrament. 

I can say without fear of contradiction that all the saints in the Roman Calendar are Eucharistic Saints. They could never be Saints without the Eucharist. Here is what a sample of the Saints say about the Holy Eucharist. 

1.     “In an ever-changing world the Holy Eucharist is a constant reminder of the great reality of God’s changeless love.” – Saint Teresa of Avila 

 2.    “Holy Communion is the most efficacious means of uniting one’s self to God.” – Saint Paul of the Cross  

3.     “The Holy Eucharist is the perfect expression of the love of Jesus Christ for man.” – Saint Maria Goretti

4.     “The Eucharist is a fire that inflames us, that, like lions breathing fire, we may retire from the altar being made terrible to the devil.” – Saint John Chrysostom

5.     “This is the bread of everlasting life which supports the substance of our souls.” – Saint Ambrose

6.     “The Eucharist is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is nothing more but Heaven itself.” – Saint Peter Julian Eymard

THE HOLY EUCHARIST MAKES THE CHURCH. 

Honor the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

MY BODY IS REAL FOOD.

THIS IS MY BODY. 

"The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:

He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6: 30 - 35).

Jesus is truly the Bread of life who comes to us in Holy Communion. 

One month every year, the Church inspired by the Holy Spirit gives us the opportunity to reflect on the immense Gift of the Holy Eucharist and to renew our faith and gratitude.

The Eucharist = Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of Jesus Christ. Food for the Journey. 

Sacred Heart = Physical Heart of Jesus, a Demonstration of His love. 

The Church dedicates ALL APRIL to honoring the Most Holy Eucharist 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1 

THE TRIAL OF ST STEPHEN THE DEACON.

STEPHEN FILLED WITH GRACE AND POWER. 

"Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.

"Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

"Then they instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 

"They presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

"All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6: 8 - 15).

Monday 15th April 2024 in the 3rd Week in the Season of Easter. 

St Stephen was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles (Acts 6: 1 - 6) and was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit," and was "full of fortitude" (Acts 6: 5, 8). Stephen died praying for his executioners. The similarities between Stephen's martyrdom and the crucifixion of Our Lord emphasize his imitation of Christ even up to the complete gift of self." (Roman Missal).

We learn from the brief summary of the life of St Stephen from the Roman Missal that Stephen must have been a very important witness in the early Church. Consider why:

#1 Stephen's life and experience shows that the promises of Jesus are true. 

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." (Matthew 10: 19).

#2 Stephen died like Jesus forgiving his executioners.

This vindication of the promises of Jesus and fearless embrace of martyrdom made a deep impression on the early Church. The Church included the name of St Stephen in the Canon of the Mass to intercede for the Church.

How soon after His Ascension was Christ's prediction vindicated when He said in the course of instructing His disciples:  

"But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." (Matthew 10: 17 - 19).

We observe the power and faithfulness of Jesus in the trial and death of Stephen. What Jesus did for Stephen during his trial and execution, He has done for every single one of His martyrs. He has stood by their sides and sustained them to the last.

Do not be afraid. Jesus will do the same for us should the occasion arise.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED.

WHY ARE YOU TROUBLED? 

"The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

"While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

"But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

"Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?

“Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

"And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them,

“Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

"He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

"And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24: 35 - 48).

Sunday April 14th, 3rd Sunday in the Season of Easter.

As I reflect on the Sunday Gospel from Luke 24: 35 - 48, I was struck by this:

“Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?"

Earlier this afternoon, I felt sick and wobly and asked the Lord Jesus for healing. I reminded Him of the powerful promise of today: "It is I. Do not be afraid."

"Lord if You initiate or authorize this illness, remove it because I have work to do."

Then I went to the kitchen to brew tea and heard from the Audible book I was listening to: "Your problem is that you walk by sight and feeling and not by faith." I knew immediately that Jesus has spoken to me through the book. I was hilarious with delight. 

This is my spiritual problem. I want to see and touch like the Apostles. I have not learned to accept the word of Jesus as truth even when it is contradicted by circumstances. 

"Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?"

Lord Jesus deepen my faith. Remove the fears, worries and doubts in my heart. Amen! 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR.

Feast of St Martin I, Pope & Martyr.  

"When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.

"It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 

"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. 

"But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

"They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading." (John 6: 16 - 21).

Saturday 13th April 2024, in the 2nd Week of Easter is the feast of Pope St Martin 1. Italian. Pope and Martyr. 

St Martin suffered martyrdom because of his defense of the truth that Jesus Christ is 100% God and 100% Man. Emperor Constans II got him arrested and exiled him to Crimea where he suffered much abuse and humiliation. Martin wrote from prison: “For forty-seven days, I have not been given water to wash in. I am frozen through and wasting away…. But God sees all things and I trust in him.”

One of the most consoling verses uttered by Jesus in the Gospels is: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

In today's Gospel from (John 6: 16 - 21), the Disciples of Jesus were very frightened when they saw Jesus walking on the sea along their boat.

The sea in the Scriptures represent the world, unpredictable and menacing. We are the disciples without the least control over the incidents in our lives.

Companies rise and fall in the stock market. Russia attacks Ukraine. Hamas seizes captives. Flood devastates California. Election is won and lost.

Man does not control his destiny. 

Yet the Lord can say calmly:

“It is I. Do not be afraid.”

What does this mean? It means: You are not God. I AM. 

When we learn that God controls all events and that what God permits to happen in our lives is for our good and not our woes, we begin to appreciate and enjoy the truth and power of Religion. 

God is in control. You are not. 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1