SIMON, DO YOU LOVE ME?

DO YOU LOVE ME? 

"After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

"Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 

"Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 

"He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 

"Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” 

"Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21: 15 - 19).

Sunday 4th May 2025 in the 3rd Week in the Easter Season. 

In this dramatic exchange between Jesus and Peter, Jesus asked Peter a point blank question: "Do you love me?”

Jesus asks you and me: "Do you love me?”

'Yes Lord I love You.'

Jesus then said: Show Me that you love Me. 

'Lord Jesus, Your Holy Spirit of love is in me. He helps me to love You. He shows me how to love You. Thank You Jesus for the Holy Spirit You poured into our hearts. Without Him, I can do absolutely nothing.'

Pentecost Sunday is June 8th. Prepare yourself to Receive the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we can not love Jesus. We can do absolutely nothing good. 

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.  

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1 

FEAST OF SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES.

THE FEAST OF SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

"No one comes to the Father except through me.

"If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

"Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?

"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.

"The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” (John 14: 6 - 14).

Saturday May 3rd 2025 in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of the Apostles Philip and James. 

"Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life."

The Way of Jesus is not like a super highway running from South to North America. Jesus Way is an easy Plan for our salvation. That Plan has 7 branches from one big Trunk which is Jesus. 

The Way that is Jesus has these branches:

1. Prayer. 

2. Word of God. 

3. Eucharist. 

4. Penance. 

5. Examination of Conscience. 

6. Spiritual Reading. 

7. Ministry /Faith Sharing. 

Saints walk on this Way. It leads to Jesus who is eternal life.

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1 

HONOR THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ON THE FIRST FRIDAY IN MAY.

First Friday, May 2nd, 2025. 

Jesus promised 12 special graces and favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.  In the 5th month of the year 2025, we look at Promise #5. 

#5.  "I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings."

I like this one very much. 

If you honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jesus will give you as a bonus His foster father, St Joseph patron saint of workers to help you. 

Sacred Heart of Jesus come to our help and prosper the work of our hands. 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving the Holy Communion.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional 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 Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER.

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all.

He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. 

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. 

He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." (John 3: 31 - 36).

May 1st 2025, Feast of St Joseph the Worker.

Jesus teaches in the Gospel of today:

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him."

St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ believed in Jesus. He heard the message of the angel and accepted the message. Then he believed in the integrity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today is the feast of St Joseph the Worker. 

Who is St Joseph?

St Joseph is a humble and upright man chosen and qualified by God from eternity to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He was a carpenter by trade and from the account of mystics, not a very successful one. People took advantage of the goodness of his heart.

God chose Joseph before the world began to be the foster father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this role, Jesus became an apprentice carpenter under Joseph.

Joseph talked little but dreamed much. God used dream to communicate with Joseph. The angel informed Joseph in a dream to accept Mary because her pregnancy is from God.

As patron saint of workers, Joseph teaches us to take work very seriously. God ordained work for every man and woman. Children are not exempt from work. Their schooling is their work.

Let us honor St Joseph and ask for his intercession for our work. Joseph is also the patron saint of a Happy Death and purity.

St Joseph pray for us.

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST PIUS V, OP. SUPREME PONTIFF.

FEAST OF ST PIUS V, OP. POPE

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD.

THE GOOD NEWS:
"God so loved the world that he gave his only-­begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

"Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

"And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." (John 3: 16 - 21).

Wednesday 30th April 2025 is the feast of Pope St Pius V. (1504 - 1572). Italian. Dominican Friar. Pius had tremendous impact in the post Tridentine Church of the 16th century. Some of his accomplishments are: implementing forcefully the decrees of the Council of Trent, building seminaries, publishing the Roman Catechism and revising the Missal and the Breviary. 

Pius V is credited for saving Europe from Islamic domination in 1571 in the Battle of Lepanto. That victory was attributed to the power of the Holy Rosary which was recited continuously by soldiers, lay people and clergy. This is the origin of the Feast of the Holy Rosary celebrated on October 7th.

We have for our reflection one of the most known verses in the Bible.
"God so loved the world that he gave his only-­begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."

The proof of God’s love is the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

Our response to this love is to be constrained or be controlled by this love to love God back.

The beginning of this loving relationship between God and man is Belief. In Baptism, we become the children of God and the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith and not by sight or feeling.

Every Sunday, the Church proclaims the Creed to remind us of what we believe. This repetition of the Credo is life transforming if we enter into it in the spirit of faith.

The Church learns more about the Holy Eucharist every day. APRIL is dedicated to honoring the HOLY EUCHARIST.

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

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

MEMORIAL OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA OP, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA OP, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE GOOD NEWS:

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

"You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3: 7 - 15).

Tuesday April 29th 2025 in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Catherine of Siena OP, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

St Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380). Italian Dominican Tertiary. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Catherine died at the age of 33 and accomplished for the Kingdom of God what most of us could never accomplish even if we live to be 90 years.

She brought about the renewal of the Church in a period of moral laxity. She was instrumental in reuniting the Church during the great Western Schism. She authored a spiritual classic, THE DIALOGUE. Catherine is the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church. She is the patron saint of plagues and Italy and co-patron saint of Europe with St Benedict.

God set St Catherine on fire with divine love and boldness in the service of the Church. And Catherine set the Church on fire with her zeal and service.

"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire." St Catherine of Siena said and lived this maxim.

A few quotes to nourish our faith from St Catherine of Siena:

1. “Love follows knowledge.”
2. “The human heart is drawn by love.”
3. "Humanity is nothing of itself; what we have, we have from God by grace, not because he owes it to us."
4. “God is more willing to pardon than we have been to sin.”
5. “What father ever gave up his son to death for the sake of his slave!”.
6. “God was made man and man was made God.”
7. “Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
8. “All the way to heaven is heaven, because Jesus said, "I am the way.”

Let us note that St Catherine of Siena had no formal education.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

Jesus was born, lived and died to establish the Kingdom of God.

In our Gospel of today, Jesus answered Nicodemus, quoting from the AMP Bible translation, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

The carnal man is incapable of experiencing spiritual things. He is acquainted only with material carnal things. (Cf Romans 8: 6; 1 Corinthians 2: 14). This is what Jesus teaches Nicodemus. This is also a truth anyone can bear witness to by reflecting on his acquaintances.

Everything is created twice. The first creation is from the earth and unsurprisingly earthy. The second creation is from above and is heavenly. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the second birth. And this happens when we are baptized. We become born anew and in fact new creation.

Since we died with Christ when we were immersed into the water of Baptism and raised with Christ, let us seek what is above where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (Cf Colossians 3: 1).

THE EUCHARIST IS THE PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.

The Church 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

TWO GREAT FRENCH SAINTS: LOUIS DE MONTFORT AND PETER CHANEL.

FEAST OF SAINTS LOUIS MARIE DE MONFORT AND PETER CHANEL. 

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. 

THE GOSPEL:

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

He came to Jesus at night and said to him,

"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,

for no one can do these signs that you are doing

unless God is with him."

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

Nicodemus said to him,

"How can a man once grown old be born again?

Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"

Jesus answered,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

What is born of flesh is flesh

and what is born of spirit is spirit.

Do not be amazed that I told you,

'You must be born from above.'

The wind blows where it wills,

and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3: 1 - 8).

Monday 28th April 2025, in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season is the feast of two French saints: St Peter Chanel and St Louis de Monfort. 

Louis de Monfort was born on the 31st of January 1673 in Monfort in France. Louis was ordained a priest in 1700. His great contribution was in fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy Rosary.

In 1715, he founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary. Among his books which are still in print are: TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN; SECRET OF THE Rosary.

Louis de Monfort made the Rosary one of the most popular Catholic devotions throughout the world. Catholics everywhere are indebted to him for articulating the incredible

powers of this simple devotion.

St Peter Chanel (1803 - 1841). Priest and Martyr. St Peter Chanel died a martyr in the island of Futuna in the Oceania.

Jesus was born, lived and died to establish the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus answered Nicodemus in the AMP Bible translation, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” 

The carnal man is incapable of experiencing spiritual things. He is acquainted only with material carnal things. (Cf Romans 8: 6; 1 Corinthians 2: 14). This is what Jesus teaches Nicodemus. This is also a truth anyone can bear witness to by reflecting on his acquaintances. 

Everything is created twice. The first creation is from the earth and unsurprisingly earthy. The second creation is from above and is heavenly. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the second birth. And this happens when we are baptized. We become born anew and in fact new creation. 

Since we died with Christ when we were immersed into the water of Baptism and raised with Christ, let us seek what is above where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (Cf Colossians 3: 1). 

THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL. 

"282. How is Christ present in the 

Eucharist?

 Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in 

a unique and incomparable way. He is 

present in a true, real and substantial way, 

with his Body and his Blood, with his Soul 

and his Divinity. In the Eucharist, 

therefore, there is present in a 

sacramental way, that is, under the 

Eucharistic species of bread and wine, 

Christ whole and entire, God and Man."

My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

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