THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE TOP PRIZE.

THE ADVOCATE WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 

You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”(John 14: 23 - 29).

Sunday 25th May 2025, 6th Week of the Easter Season.

Our Savior in the Farewell Discourse continues to reveal to His chosen friends the dynamics of the the Kingdom of God that He is entrusting to them. The Church is the seed of the Kingdom on earth.

The Holy Spirit, the Big Gift of the Father is the Spirit of truth. He will lead and guide the Church to all truth and preserve the integrity of the teachings of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will be our Advocate and constant Helper. The one condition for receiving this free Gift is: "If you love me you will keep my commandments," says Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is the Author of Abundant life. 

WHAT IS ABUNDANT LIFE? 

I DON'T NEED MUCH MONEY TO LIVE WELL. I DON'T NEED MANY TOOLS & POSSESSIONS TO LIVE WELL. I DON'T NEED MUCH VARIETY OF FOOD TO LIVE WELL. 

WHAT I NEED IN ABUNDANCE IS MUCH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. FAITH THAT BELIEVES THAT JESUS LIVES IN ME HERE AND NOW IN THE SACRAMENT OF THE PRESENT MOMENT. THIS IS ABUNDANT LIFE. 

Pentecost Sunday is June 8th, 2025. Novena to prepare to receive this special Gift of the Holy Spirit starts on Friday May 30th . I am excited.

The perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been believed and honored by the Church from the beginning of the Apostolic Age to this day. St Augustine describes it like this: Mary is virgin at birth. She remains virgin all her life. She is virgin forever. 

The Church honors her in the Litany of Loretto with these words:

Virgin most prudent

Virgin most venerable

Virgin most renowned

Virgin most powerful

Virgin most merciful

Virgin most faithful

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 

DO NOT BE TERRIFIED OF PERSECUTION.

NO SLAVE IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER.  

"Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. 

"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. 

"Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’

"If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15: 18 - 21).

Saturday May 24th in the 5th Week in the Easter Season.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus utters a truth which is still absolutely authentic today:

NO SLAVE IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER.  

Before God we are all slaves. We are slaves because our limited freedom and capacity depend entirely on God. (Cf John 15: 5).

The Scripture further says: everything you have comes from God. Why do you boost? (Cf 1 Corinthians 4:7).

Brothers and sisters, do you know that this world is very hostile to God? The world is ready to trample the slaves of God under foot. Be real. Be authentic. Do not love this world and all that it parades as ultimate pleasure and goodies. 

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 RITA OF CASCIA.

THE FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA, AUGUSTIAN NUN. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” (John 15: 9 - 11).

Thursday May 22nd 2025 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Rita of Cascia.  (1381 - 1457), Augustinian nun. Rita was able to stop a vendetta between the relations of her murdered husband and the murderers. That was a feat in those days. Rita subsequently entered an Augustunian convent where she spent 40 years in contemplation, austerities and service to the poor and sick.

St Rita of Cascia is known as the patron saint of desperate and impossible situations. 

 "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love." (Cf John 15: 9 - 11).

It is not possible to divorce the love of Jesus from keeping His Commandments. What are these Commandments?

The Ten Commandments, 

the Commandments of the Church.

All the statutes in Sacred Scripture.

Let us not fool yourselves. All the Commandments are important. Every one of them will be accounted for in the last judgment.

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

MY FATHER WANTS YOU TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT.

IF YOU WANT TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT, REMAIN IN ME. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. 

"You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.

"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. 

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

"Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15: 1 - 8).

Wednesday May 21st 2025 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season. 

IF YOU WANT TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT, REMAIN IN ME. Says Jesus. 

Every Christian wants to bear some fruit. Some desire to bear 30%, others 60% and yet others 100%. 

You can not bear any fruit if you do not remain in Jesus. How do you remain in Jesus so that you can bear much fruit like the Pros of our faith? 

We learn from examples. Who are the Pros of our faith who bore 100% fruit. Consider some of these saints and then we look at how they lived to become highly productive in the Vineyard of the Lord. 

Saints Peter and Paul, John, Benedict, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Therese of the Child Jesus, Catherine of Siena, St John Paul II, and many more. 

They abided or remained in Jesus through the daily consumption of His word. It is said that St Anthony of Padua could quote the entire Bible. He is not the only Pro that achieved this feat. 

Why is the word of God very important if you want to be very productive in the Kingdom of God? 

To quote St Ambrose of Milan, a Pro in his own right, "Know the Heart of God from the word of God."

The word of God is primus inter pares (first among equals), to become a Pro, you need a plan of life that consists of 7 branches:

1. Word of God.

2. Eucharist.

3. Prayer.

4. Reconciliation.

5. Examination of Conscience.

6. Spiritual Reading.

7. Faith-sharing or Ministry.

Saints do all the above on daily basis.

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

"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."

- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)

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 BERNADINE OF SIENA, OFM.

FEAST OF ST BERNADINE OF SIENA, OFM

MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. 

"Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

"You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 

"I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me." (John 14: 27 - 31).

Tuesday May 20th, 2025 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Bernardine of Siena, OFM. 

 (1380 - 1444). Italian Franciscan Priest. St Bernardine had a great charism for preaching. During his relatively short life, he was able to evangelize all Italy. Below is a snippet from his biography.

"When other priests consulted him for advice, Bernardine gave them a simple rule: “In all your actions, seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory. Direct all you do purely to his honor. Persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others.”

Bernardine came down to us in history for his special love for the holy name of Jesus.

Here is a great quote from St Bernardine on the name of Jesus:

“The name of Jesus, is in fact,

the great foundation of the faith

that turns people into children of God.

The Catholic Faith indeed,

consists in the news of Jesus Christ, as light of the soul, gate of life and foundation of eternal salvation.”

Our key Scripture for today proclaims:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."

Jesus gives a special peace, the Shalom to His disciples and to us the present day disciples. This is the Peace of Christ. It is radically different from the peace of the world. The world claims peace when there is no war, when the stock market and the economy are good. When the family is not at each other's throat. Everyone is in good health. This like Pax Romana, the imposed peace of the Roman empire on conquered people. Peace through strength. 

What is the peace that Jesus Christ gives us? What is His special type of peace? In one word, it is opposite the Pax Romana, the peace of this world. 

Examples of the Peace of Christ:

The martyrs felt immense joy and peace at the moment of their execution. Christians rejoice in suffering.

Paul and Barnabas in the first Reading of today strengthened the spirits of the disciples [at Derbe] and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Cf Acts 14: 19 - 28).

Peace is a special gift of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit takes residence in your heart, He brings the peace of Christ. 

The Holy Spirit brings also love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness and other sweet gifts. 

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

"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."

- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)

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 HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW FOR OUR MISSION.

THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” 

"Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14: 21 - 26).

Jesus said in the Gospel of today: "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14: 21 - 26). 

The Holy spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. He is our best Teacher. If we are docile to the Holy Spirit, He will manifest Himself to us as “All that we need.“ He who has Supreme Wisdom living in him does not need a Master's degree. 

Let us prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost with fervent desire. 

The Holy Spirit was certainly very active in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints. 

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

"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."

- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)

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