WHO ARE MY BROTHER, SISTER, MOTHER AND FRIENDS?

SUNDAY 9th JUNE IN THE 10th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME. 

"Jesus came home with his ­disciples. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

"The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul, ” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

"Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. 

"But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house.

"Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

"His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. 

“A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 20 - 35).

Sunday 9th June in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Jesus concludes this Sunday's catechesis on evil spirits, man's evil will, insults on the Holy Spirit by saying:

"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Jesus founded a Church where blood no longer qualifies as who is your brother or sister. The new rule today is who is baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and is in fellowship with you. 

Be careful that you do not reject the brother or sister of Jesus Christ by discrimination or by blindly rejecting immigrants. In the Last Judgment, you do not want to hear: "I was an immigrant with my little children at the border. I was hungry and cold. You chased us away." 

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June. 

Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.

THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. 

"Beloved: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power:

"Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.

"But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance." (2 Timothy 4: 1 - 8).

Saturday 8th June 2024 in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

After the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (always on Friday in the Octave of Corpus Christi), Saturday is the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

We choose to reflect today on the second Reading from 2 Timothy 4: 1 - 8.

Why? Because the Reading deals with Evangelization. And Mary is the Star of Evangelization. I invoke the Blessed Mary every day for her help in the work of Evangelization. Apart from being the Star of Evangelization, Mary is Mediatrix of all graces. The Church teaches that every single grace that God has willed for us must pass through the hands of Mary. Finally, with regard to her Immaculate Heart, Mary declares in a prophetic tone: "In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph!" There is no doubt about this, since Mary is the Mother of God, the Incarnate Word of God. 

Jesus said to a Benedictine mystic in IN SINU JESU :

"Turn to My Mother in every need of yours. I have made her the Immaculate Mediatrix of all My graces. All that I would give you, I want you to have through her." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 3, 2008 The Holy Name of Jesus). 

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June. 

Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS.

SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. 

"Since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. 

"So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be ­fulfilled:

"Not a bone of it will be broken.

"And again another passage says:

They will look upon him whom they have pierced." (John 19: 31 - 37).

Friday June 7th 2024 in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

Jesus requested St Margaret Mary Alacoque to have a solemn feast instituted the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi to honor His Sacred Heart. Jesus providentially placed St Claude de la Colombiere of the Society of Jesus to be Margaret's confessor and spiritual director to help her with this assignment.

Why the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? The heart of Jesus was pierced on the cross for love of us. Men's hearts have grown very cold towards Jesus.

Jesus chose to dwell in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar round the clock all year round for the sake of His love for us. He waits for visitors but no one comes. Most churches are locked up during the day like a security prison.

The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was instituted to counter this irrational apathy and chill towards Jesus. Jesus is the King of mercy who delights in mercy. He yearns to pour out His mercy on sick souls.

Speaking to a Benedictine mystic in IN SINU JESU, Jesus says:

"Nothing so grieves My divine Heart as the doubt of My merciful love. Sin in all its forms and manifestations offends Me and grieves My most loving Heart, but one who doubts of My merciful love grieves Me in a way that you cannot imagine. It is because I am love, and all love; it is because My mercy is the expression of My love towards sinners, that My Heart suffers when these same sinners close themselves to Me by doubting that I am all love and ready to forgive all." (IN SINU JESU).

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June. 

FRIDAY 7TH JUNE IS THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. 

Plan to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

FEAST OF ST NOBERT, BISHOP AND FOUNDER OF A RELIGIOUS ORDER.

St NOBERT, BISHOP AND FOUNDER OF A RELIGIOUS ORDER. 

"One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

"Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

"The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

"And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” 

"And no one dared to ask him any more questions." (Mark 12: 28 - 34).

Thursday 6th June 2024 in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Nobert (1080 - 1134), Bishop.

Nobert started life as a prodigal of some sort. The grace of Christ knocked him off his horse and then embraced him. Nobert quickly rose from the rubbles and showed his true colors. He became a priest and then a Bishop and worked hard to implement the reforms of Pope St Gregory VII. He was a noted preacher. He died as Archbishop of Magdeburg in Germany.

What does it mean that "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." 

For some the Greatest Commandment may mean:

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and God will provide you with all you need." (Cf Matthew 6: 33). 

We love God because God loves us first. Our love for God is in direct proportion to our awareness of God’s love for us. For example, if all you know is that God loves you 10 kilos for example, you endeavor to love Him back 10 kilos. What if your perception and awareness of God's love for you is 100 kilos, your love for God grows in direct proportion to 100 kilo love. 

The Liturgy of the Hours (LOTH) has this maxim which transformed my life:

"It's not from chance springs any of our comforts but from Your gracious ordaining O most gracious Father" (My equivalent translation). 

When I became aware that nothing that happens to me is an accident, I started to pay attention. For example: Today, my bus was on time. Thank You Father. I got a refreshing soda from QuickTrip. Thank You Father. I enjoyed a good nap. Thank You Father. As the day goes on, the thanks multiply. By the time I go to bed about 11 pm, there will be lots of things to thank the Heavenly Father for.

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June. 

FRIDAY 7TH JUNE IS THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS. 

Plan to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

FEAST OF ST BONIFACE, BISHOP & MARTYR. THE APOSTLE OF GERMANY.

ST BONIFACE, BISHOP AND MARTYR.  

"Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

"I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 

“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

"He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher.

"On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day." (2 Timothy 1: 1 - 3, 6 - 12).

Wednesday 5th June 2024 in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Boniface, Bishop and Martyr.

The well educated English Benedictine priest was sent by Pope Gregory II to evangelize the German tribes. Boniface was consecrated the first Bishop of Germany. He organized the Church in Germany and was martyred in Friesland (present day Netherlands) when he went to preach there. St Boniface is the patron saint of Germany.

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands." 

How do we stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit we all received in Baptism and Confirmation?  The answer is below in 2 Peter 3: 18.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3: 18).

We grow in grace, knowledge and truth of our Savior Jesus Christ by a daily plan of devotion encompassing the following 7-Way Plan:

1. Prayer.

2. Word of God.

3. Eucharist.

4. Reconciliation.

5. Examination of Conscience.

6. Spiritual Reading.

7. Faith-sharing or Ministry.

It may seem a challenging program. In fact, it is very easy to implement. For the elements of the Plan that involves a daily action, is two hours sliced up into segments too much for the incomparable benefits you can derive from the plan?

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June. 

Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

ALL AUTHORITY FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO JESUS.

ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY COME FROM GOD. 

"Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

"Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”

"Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” 

"They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” 

"So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him." (Mark 12: 13 - 17).

Tuesday 4th June 2024 in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time. 

"Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” (Mark 12: 14).

After examining the coinage in use for transactions in Israel, the Pharisees and Herodians were caught in their own trap when Jesus asked them: "Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied him, “Caesar’s.”

"Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God’. This reply took them completely by surprise."

Caesar has a right to his taxes because he got his power from God. Do not deny God what rightly belongs to God, viz: Sunday worship, keeping His commandments, knowing, loving and serving Him and paying your tithes. Jesus' "reply took them completely by surprise."

Some great lessons from today's Gospel:

1. Every authority on earth comes from God: Parents, teachers, Pontus Pilate, Judges, Prime Ministers, Presidents, etc. 

2. Our duty and obligation is to pray for these authorities especially the top guns like presidents and prime ministers. Why? Because they have authority over life and death, war and peace. 

3. Be wise and do not mess with legitimate authority. 

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every June. 

Read of the abundant promises made to people who honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in June. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1