The Feast of St Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

Feast of St Jerome, Priest and Doctor Of the Church. 

"Blessed indeed is he who ponders the law of the Lord day and night:

he will yield his fruit in due season."

 (Cf Psalm 1: 1 - 2. Entrance Antiphon on the Feast of St Jerome).

Saturday 30th September 2023 of the 25th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jerome (342 - 420).

"St Jerome was from Dalmatia in former Yugoslavia. Priest, Doctor of the Church. Jerome translated the Bible into the Latin Vulgate, which became the official version of the Bible for the Church for over 1000 years.

We chose our key Scripture for today from Psalm 1, the great promise of God for those who love His word and study it season and out of season. 

Note that a similar promise is made to Joshua:

"Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed." (Joshua 1: 8).

If you are still not excited by the promises of investing time and resources in the word of God, consider this:

"When I found your words, I devoured them; your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart." (Jeremiah 15: 16).

When Jeremiah devoured the word of God, what did he find? Incomparable sweetness, happiness and joy.

I too discovered the word of God in a career crisis while working for a large  company. The word that was waiting for me to discover was Exodus 14: 13 - 14. I was blown away by God's utter faithfulness to His gracious promise. I resolved to read the Scriptures everyday from that day.

I am delighted by this quote from St Jerome:

+  "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."

Lord, help us to follow the example of St Jerome in reflecting on Your word day and night. May Your word prepare us to offer You a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving always and everywhere. Amen.

September 30. End of September. The Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary today September 30. May the Most Sorrowful Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary obtain for us peace and serenity and prosperity. Amen. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

The Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Raphael Gabriel.

"Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

"Nathanael ­answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

"And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1: 47 - 51).

Friday 29th September 2023 of the 25th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Angels are mentioned many times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus' encounter with Nathanael (Bartholomew) in the Gospel of today confirms the existence of angels. A fact that is known in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Here is the meaning of the names of the Archangels:

Micha-El: Who is like God?

Gabri-El: God’s strength” or “Power of God”

Rapha-El: “God heals”

El means God.

By the ministry of the angels, our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving come before the presence of Almighty God.

The Archangel Michael is assigned to guard the Church. ( Cf Daniel 12: 1). 

Pope Leo XIII who had a vision of this in the Sanctuary of his Church composed the Prayer to St Michael which became an inspired and principal prayer in spiritual warfare. Many Catholics say this prayer daily.

United with the angels, we will conquer the Great Deceiver by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Cf Revelations 12: 7 - 12).

How do we enter into personal relationship with the angels?

Exactly the same way we enter into relationship with our patron saints. We honor the saints by praying to them, asking them favors and their protection. We celebrate their feast as we do this day. 

Jesus Christ, the Prince of Saints says that when we honor the saints and angels, we glorify Him. Besides the three Archangels we honor today, each human being is assigned a Guardian Angel when he is created. We celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2nd.

Click the link below for the St Michael the Archangel Prayer:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/09/st-michael-archangel-prayer.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Saints Wenceslaus and Lawrence, Martyrs.

Feast of Saints Wenceslaus & Laurence Ruiz, Martyrs. 

"Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

"But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.." (Luke 9: 7 - 9).

Thursday September 28th of the 25th week of Ordinary Time. Feast of Saints Wenceslaus & Lawrence (Lorenzo) Ruiz, Martyrs.

 St Wenceslaus (907 - 927). King and Martyr. Saintly monarch. Murdered by his own brother in a sibling rivalry that reminds us of Cain and Abel. 

St Lorenzo Ruiz (+1630). Filipino layman and his companions were martyred in Japan with other Christian missionaries.

Faith comes from what you hear.

Hearing and believing the testimony of a faithful and credible witness is God's plan for transmission of faith.

"Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen." (Mark 16: 14).

Those who have desperate needs come to faith much easily than people with no problems.

King Herod heard about the miracles of Jesus and was greatly perplexed. He did not believe that something supernatural was happening in his backyard. Why? He felt he had no necessities that Jesus could relieve. 

See below people who heard about Jesus and believed. They all have desperate needs:

#1. Syrophoenician woman: The woman heard about Jesus from neighbors or friends and went in search of Jesus. (Mark 7: 26, Matthew 15: 22).

#2. Zacchaeus:  The diminutive and very wealthy Tax collector Zacchaeus heard about the miracles and teaching of Jesus and cast aside all self respect, climbed a sycamore tree to get a good view of Jesus. (Luke 19: 1 - 2 10)

#3. Timaeus: Timaeus the blind man heard so much talk about Jesus probably from his family members. He prayed earnestly that Jesus would pass by his way. His prayer was answered. (Mark 10: 46 - 52).

#4. Father of the Demoniac: The father of the Demoniac heard about Jesus, walked a long way to see Jesus. He believed that where the disciples failed, Jesus will certainly succeed. (Matthew 17: 14 - 20, Mark 9: 14 - 29, Luke 9: 37 - 43).

#5. Jairius: Jarius, the civil servant heard about the miracles of Jesus and hastened to meet Jesus. (Mark 5: 21 - 43, Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Luke 8: 40 - 56).

#6. "The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant." (Luke 7: 3 NIV).

All the people above heard about Jesus and believed because they had desperate needs and they trusted the people who witnessed to them about Jesus.

Principle: These people had serious needs. They heard about the miracles of Jesus. They believed. They sought out Jesus. They obtained their miracle. Jesus is still in the business of miracles.

"Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

Herod did nothing and died in his sins.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Vincent de Paul.

Feast of St Vincent de Paul, Priest. 

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them,

“Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.

"Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.

"And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” 

"Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere." (Luke 9: 1 - 6).

Wednesday 27th September 2023 in the 25th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Vincent de Paul. 

Priest (1581 - 1660). French.

For many people around the world, St Vincent de Paul needs no introduction. His name and prestige blesses the world-wide charitable organization that ministers spiritually and materially to the needs of the poor, the homeless and the very needy. 

St Vincent de Paul is known in history for his love of the Poor and for deep humility.  He also had great interest in the formation of priests.

St Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity with St Louise de Marillac. After this, he founded the Congregation of the Mission.

St Vincent de Paul discerned after his ordination to the priesthood that the greatest need of the Church in France was the training and formation of the clergy. He threw himself into preparation for this ministry.

Imagine his dismay when his Bishop sent him hundreds of miles from Paris to the provinces to the home of a prince, the Gondi family, a friend of the king of France. Vincent de Paul remained in the castle for several years teaching the two young sons of the prince.

St Vincent de Paul went to this mission in obedience. For the years he spent in the castle trying to teach the boys who did not want to learn anything, he wondered the strange ways of Divine Providence. He was soon to learn on his return to Paris.

St Vincent de Paul soon learned that in the eyes of God true greatness is: humility, a loving concern for the little ones, the poor and the needy and homeless. This became the new ministry of St Vincent de Paul in Paris. Because of the connection with the Prince and his family, St Vincent de Paul got to know who is who in the court of the king of France.

These nobles later provided the funds for the ministry of St Vincent de Paul to the poor and downtrodden of Paris. St Vincent de Paul did not forget the second love of his life: the formation of the clergy.

Throughout his life, Vincent marveled and then trusted God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. St Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of the St Vincent de Paul Society founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam.

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." 

Our Gospel of this Wednesday finds great application in the life of St Vincent de Paul: Trust in God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence which governs all things. St Vincent de Paul did this. This is what makes him a great Saint. 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs.

Feast of Sts Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs. 

"The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 

"He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.”

"He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8: 19 - 21).

Tuesday 26th September 2023, 25th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian. 

Cosmas and Damian are biological twins. Both distinguished themselves as great Physicians.

Cosmas and Damian combined a supernatural gift of healing with sound medical training and practice. What is extraordinary about these two doctors is that they offered their services completely free of charge. Because they did so, it pleased Christ, the Divine Physician to work through them. He crowned their life with a martyr's crown and raised them to eternal glory.

Cosmas and Damian were martyred under Emperor Diocletian +305. 

In the Gospel of today, we hear:

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

What is the word of God?

#1. The word of God is the written word of God in the Sacred Scriptures.

#2. The word of God is decrees of God through the Sacred Tradition.

#3. The living word of God comes to us through the living and Sacred Magisterium, that is the teaching authority of the Church.

In the Scriptures, the word of God is also called the promise, will, command, precepts, ordinances law and decrees of God. 

In the Gospel for today, Jesus teaches that those who hear the word of God and observe it belong to a new family. A new family where blood is thicker than water. Jesus gives to those who listen to His voice and accepts His teaching the power to become the children of God.

Do we have an example of where the word of God forms close  and tight families?

From the beginning of the Church, this divine teaching of Jesus has been vindicated in the early Christian communities of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. 

Today we have several religious communities, viz: Benedictines, Dominicans, Franciscans, the Poor Clares, etc. The members of these communities love and cherish one another and are closely knit as a family more than most families in the world.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Believe the word of God. Share the word of God.

Believe & Share the Word of God. 

"Jesus said to the crowd: 

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

"For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. 

"Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 16 - 18).

The Seed is the word of God. 

Believe in the word of God. 

Share the word of God. 

Practice the word of God. 

"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 18).

In our Baptism, we receive the light of Christ and a variety of supernatural graces. If we show ourselves good managers of this treasure, they grow like a mustard seed. If we neglect these gifts, they shrivel until one day, they die. Look! People do not suddenly stop believing or stop coming to Church. Their faith has been dying slowly long before that final gasp of breath. What are the signs of a dying faith?

#1 Doubts of the truths of faith.

#2 Critical attitude of things of God.

#3 Severe and critical attitude of the Church.

#4 Hostility against sacred Ministers.

#5 Witholding contributions to the Church.

These are just a few. When you notice these signs in family members or friends, you are obligated under the Spiritual Laws of Mercy to:

#1 Instruct the ignorant.

#2 Counsel the doubtful.

Do not forget to apply the universal remedy of prayer. St Monica, mother of St Augustine prayed for St Augustine for many years before his conversion. See what St Augustine turned out to be.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Vineyard of the Lord is the Church.

The Parable of the Landowner & the Vineyard. 

"Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 

"Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off.

"And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 

"Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’

"When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

"When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.

"And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

"He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 

"Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20: 1 - 16a).

Sunday 24th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our spiritual food today is the Parable of the Landowner and the Vineyard. Where is the meat in this Parable? First, it is easy to tell that the Landowner is God. The Vineyard is the Church. The Catechism teaches that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God in this world. (Cf CCC 541).

The Laborers in the Vineyard are you and me. 

The Parable teaches us that the Landowner is a just Employer. He is like a Father to all the laborers. If we know that our Employer is kind, fair and just, it will be well for us. Many employees adopt an adversarial posture with regard to their employers. Unfortunately too, many people fear God. God wants His children to love Him, not fear Him. Reverence is the right attitude towards God and not sevile fear. 

Those who know their God shall stand up and be recognized. (Cf Daniel 11: 32).

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways," (Isaiah 55: 8).

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Padre Pio, the Priest who Prays.

Feast of St Padre Pio, Capuchin Priest & Mystic. 

"When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

"Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture.

"Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

"And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a ­hundredfold.” 

"After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

"Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 

"He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable.

"The seed is the word of God." 

"Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. 

"Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.

"As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” (Luke 8: 4 - 15).

Saturday 23rd September 2023 of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Pio Pietrelchina better known as Padre Pio. (1887 - 1968). 

Italian Capuchin Priest. Stigmatist. A highly gifted confessor and counseling guru. Padre Pio died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002 by Pope St John Paul II in the lifetime of many people reading this.

Padre Pio entered the Capuchin Monastery at the age of 15. A mere boy, he had little in the way of this world's goods, education or spiritual riches. He soon showed immense appetite for genuine riches or spiritual treasures. And in accordance with the spiritual law laid down by Jesus, Padre Pio grew into a giant.

"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 18).

“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 22).

Padre Pio knew what it is to suffer. He suffered almost constantly from ill-health throughout his long life. He was maligned by some members of the Church hierarchy and even by his confreres.

In all these sufferings, Padre Pio never doubted for a moment his faith in Divine Providence. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary sustained him in the many crisis of his life. He describes himself as "a priest who prays." St Padre Pio is one of the most popular saints in the Roman calendar.

"PRAYER IS THE BEST WEAPON WE HAVE; IT IS THE KEY TO GOD'S HEART." (ST PADRE PIO). 

Pray for the grace of Perseverance especially in Prayer. 

In the Parable of the Sower, we note that although the Sower is an experienced Farmer, he did not eliminate from sowing on all the adverse soils and go straight to the good soil. God's merciful love touches every creature. 

"My way is one of gentleness, of mercy, and of compassion. I offer My Cross to souls, but I never impose it, and when a soul begins to say “Yes” to the sweet and terrible exigencies of My love, I fit My Cross to her shoulders, and then help her to carry it step by step, increasing its weight only as that soul grows in love and in the fortitude that comes from the Holy Spirit." (IN SINU JESU, September 23, 2011, Feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com