A BLIND PERSON CANNOT GUIDE A BLIND PERSON.

A BLIND PERSON CANNOT GUIDE A BLIND PERSON. 

"Jesus told his disciples a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?

No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?

You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.

For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. 

A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6: 39 - 45).

Whom did Jesus call the blind in today's Gospel?

"Let them alone; they are blind guides. If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15: 14).

Do you know any  Pharisees in your community? 

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6: 6).

When a blind judge guides another blind judge, will not the two judges fall into the ditch? Jesus defines His mission thus:

"I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me." (John 18: 37).

We all have tendencies to pharasaical attitude by being overbearing in our scrutiny and criticism of other people.

Use the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lent 2025 to erode the inclination to criticism, complaining and condemnation of our neighbors. No criticism. No complaints. No condemn. Say: NO CCC when tempted to say or think of anything negative of another person. 

"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU Monday, October 29, 2007). 

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

The Church considers St Joseph the greatest Saint after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph is so fittingly named the Patron of the Universal Church.  Remember that he was the Guardian of Jesus and in his intercessory role, you can believe that Jesus will deny nothing to Joseph.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

ALLOW THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME TO ME.

LITTLE CHILDREN 

Mere Children

THE GOSPEL:

"People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.

When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them." (Mark 10: 13 - 16).

God loves the little ones, the “mere children.” What is Christ’s teaching on little children? 

1. “See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18: 10)

2. Allow the little children to come to me, for it such as these that belong the kingdom of God.

3. Unless you receive the kingdom of heaven as these little ones, you shall not see it.

4. Whoever corrupts these little ones will suffer dearly for it.

5. Do not despise any of these little ones.

It is clear that Jesus has a preferential option for little children. Which of the above five precepts is difficult to do? What is our attitude to little children? Is it marked by impatience, prejudice and even cruelty?

Lord teach us to love little children as you do.

The Church honors St Joseph, the holy spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of March. 

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

Joseph is a man of high purity and chastity. God chose him to be the husband of Mary because God had fitted him with the appropriate graces to protect the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Church considers St Joseph the greatest Saint after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph is so fittingly named the Patron of the Universal Church.  Remember that he was the Guardian of Jesus and in his intercessory role, you can believe that Jesus will deny nothing to Joseph.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

THE WILL OF THE ALMIGHTY FOR MARRIAGE.

THE WILL OF GOD IN MARRIAGE.

"Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 

The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.

He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”

They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”

But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined ­together, no human being must separate.”

In the house the ­disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her ­husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10: 1-12). 

Friday 28th February 2025 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.

“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10: 2).

This is the big question in today's Gospel.   Jesus responds:

"But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife],  and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh."  (Mark 10: 6 - 8).

And then Jesus adds:

"Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”  (Mark 10: 9).

Marriage and Holy Orders are two Sacraments of Service in the Church.

Through these Sacraments, married people and clergy, viz: bishops, priests and deacons are equipped by grace to build up the Church.  Both Holy Orders and Matrimony are in dire crisis today.  Less than 40% of married couples who have been married for 35 years or more are still married to the same person.  We can do better because the grace of the Sacraments are there to support fully the state of married life. The grace is not ineffectual. You cannot force the grace on people. God the Father told St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church in her book the DIALOGUE that you cannot force people to go to Heaven.

"The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him."  (Genesis 2: 18).

The Holy Spirit, the Ultimate Helper walks along us in the Journey of life. He is a shy Spirit and will not force Himself upon us

"Most Holy Family of Nazareth, perfection of family love grew strong in your school of love. Please bestow upon me, my family, and all families the grace needed to more fully imitate the love you shared, so that families will remain the fundamental building block of the world. Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us and have mercy on all. Jesus, I trust in You." (Cf Roman Missal). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

THE FEAST OF ST GREGORY NAREK, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE FEAST OF ST GREGORY NAREK. 

ETERNAL REWARD FOR A CUP OF COLD WATER. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” (Mark 9: 41 - 50).

Thursday 27th February in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Gregory Narek. Gregory was an Armenian priest and monk. He was born around 950 and died about 1003.

He is a Doctor of the Church who achieved fame through his writings on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation history. 

Pope St John Paul II praised his writings. 

Tough talk in today's Gospel message. What caught your attention? 

This is what caught my attention:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward." 

A cup of water is not a very 

 expensive thing to procure. 

Jesus says to us that there are many things you can do everyday that have eternal consequences. This reminds me of the spirituality of St Therese of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church. 

Do not overlook small hospitalities. If you cannot be a missionary by traveling far from your home, be a missionary by contributing your widow's mite to mission work from your house. 

St Therese of the Child Jesus is the patron saint of missionaries. How? By praying for the success of mission work from her monastery. She offered up little sacrifices for the success of mission work. 

"May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character. Let us learn from Nazareth that the formation received at home is gentle and irreplaceable. Let us learn the prime importance of the role of the family in the social order." (Pope St Paul VI). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS. 

THE GOSPEL:

"John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”

"Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9: 38 - 40).

Wednesday February 26th in the 7th Week in Ordinary. 

In the Gospel of today from Mark 9: 38 - 40, we are served with a glimpse of the power of the mighty Name of Jesus. 

1. "John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”

2. "There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me." 

Do you know the power of the Name of Jesus? If you do not know, you may be missing one of the most powerful revelations in the Scriptures. This revelation is for our good and protection.

"The name Jesus is Hebrew and means "God saves" 

The name signifies that God's name is present in Jesus 

The name was given to Jesus by God to show that he would save people from their sins 

Significance of the name Jesus Christ

The name Jesus Christ contains God and man, and the economy of creation and salvation 

The name Jesus Christ is the only name that contains the presence it signifies 

The name Jesus Christ is the name that contains everything 

The name Jesus Christ is the name that is above every other name 

The name Jesus Christ is the name that is intimately bound up with salvation." (CCC).

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

"May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character. Let us learn from Nazareth that the formation received at home is gentle and irreplaceable. Let us learn the prime importance of the role of the family in the social order." (Pope St Paul VI). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF TRIALS. GOD WILL HELP YOU.

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR TRIALS. 

"Preparation is the Secret of success in life. 

THE WORD OF GOD:

"My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials.

"Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity.

"Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not;

thus will you be wise in all your ways.

"Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient;

For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.

"Trust God and God will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein.

"You who fear the LORD," wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.

You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.

You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.

You who fear the LORD, love him, and your hearts will be enlightened.

"Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed?

Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken?  

Has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?

Compassionate and merciful is the LORD;

he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth." (Sirach 2: 1 - 11)."

Our first Reading from Sirach 2: 1 - 11 is the crème de la crème of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament. 

The message of the passage is simple:

The Key to Success in any walk of life, in any endeavor is Preparation, Preparation and Preparation. 

This message is so relevant now because Lent 2025 begins March 5th and runs to April 17.

Jesus spent 40 Days in the Wilderness to prepare for His ministry. 

By the great Providence of God, the Church instituted the Season of Lent as a Preparation time for her children on the journey to eternal life. Our Scripture today from Sirach teaches us everything we need for a good preparation. 

"Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed?" 

Historians of Salvation history will answer the above question: No one has ever been disappointed who placed his hope in God. In every transition, every change in life, God will be there and He remains faithful. 

"To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others." (Pope John Paul II). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

JESUS, INCREASE OUR FAITH!

UNTESTED FAITH LIKE AN UNTESTED SOLDIER IS UNRELIABLE. 

THE GOSPEL:

"As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, and John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.

Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. 

He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 

Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” 

They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. 

Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” 

Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” 

Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!”

Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. 

When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” (Mark 9: 14 - 29).

Monday February 24th, 2025 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time. 

We have a lot to chew from Today's Gospel.  Jesus appeared to be annoyed when He chided the disciples and the father of the epileptic boy of lack of faith. The father of the epileptic boy answered:

”But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  "If you can!" Jesus said to him in the Gospel of today from Mark 9: 14 - 29. The father of the epileptic boy was desperate to see his son healed at all cost. 

”But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

The Bible has a lot to teach about the necessity of Faith:

#1 Without faith, we cannot please God.

#2 Although man cannot live on bread alone, the just man lives by faith.

#3 This world is in a bitter and deadly conflict between good and evil. Victory must come to the side with faith.

UNTESTED FAITH LIKE AN UNTESTED SOLDIER IS UNRELIABLE. 

How do we get this precious faith?

Faith comes from hearing/reading the word of God constantly. To this, add prayer. For prayer and faith are like joined twins that can never be separated. 

Your prayer must be fired by confident and expectant faith for God Himself has promised: Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will swing open for you.

"The Eucharist is transforming for all who receive Me with faith and with confident devotion, but it is especially so for My priests. It is by the reception of My Body and Blood that you will grow in My friendship and in the shining priestly holiness by which I want to be glorified in you and in all My priests." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 3, 2008 The Holy Name of Jesus). 

"To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others." (Pope St John Paul II). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html