DO NOT BE THE RICH FOOL.

YOU RICH FOOL!

"I WILL TEAR DOWN MY BARNS AND BUILD LARGER ONES." "O RICH FOOL. THIS NIGHT, YOU SHALL DIE."

“Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

"Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself,

 ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’

But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”   (Luke 12: 13 - 21).

Sunday August 3rd in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time. 

The Gospel today shows us where prosperity becomes a risk for everlasting life. 

Man's extremity is God's opportunity. Man's prosperity is Satan's opportunity. 

A good example of this maxim in recent history are Poland and Ireland. These two countries were proud to be called Catholic countries.

Both countries registered Sunday Mass attendance over 80%. Then both countries were invaded almost simultaneously by western economic imperialism.

Both countries succumbed to the lies of Satan. To make a long story short, Catholic Mass and devotional practices were abandoned. Vocations plummeted. The promised worldly prosperity was gone with the wind. 

The Scriptures invite us to make the Kingdom of God our first priority, live one day at a time and trust in God's promised protection and provision. 

"How happy are the poor in spirit:

theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 3).

When the Rich Fool discovers that his business has succeeded beyond his wildest expectations, his instinct is not to donate to the local charities. "I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods." 

Many Church Fathers commenting on this parable see the consequences of unbridled materialism.

The Scriptures teach that "Man does not live on bread alone" and points to the impossibity of a man trying to drag a camel through the tiny eye of a needle. God's promise of protection and provision for man is strong and secure. All things are possible for God. All things are easy for God. 

Do not be the rich fool. "This very night your soul will be demanded of you."

The Eucharist kills the temptation to greed and materialism.

"I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will not hunger and whoever believes in me will not thirst." (John 6: 35)

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

THE FEAST OF SAINTS EUSEBIUS VERCELLI AND PETER JULIAN EYMARD.

FEAST OF ST PETER JULIAN EYMARD & EUSEBIUS VERCELLI. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, 

“This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him,

“It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet.

But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. 

His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 

His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Saturday 2nd August 2025 in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop and St Peter Julian Eymard, Priest. 

 St Peter Julian Eymard (1811 - 1868) was French. After his ordination, Peter joined the Marist Congregation in 1840. He then had an intense experience of the merciful love of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament. This experience changed the course of his life and gave him a new mission. 

He fostered Eucharistic Adoration throughout the rest of his life and founded the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament who are priest-adorers of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

August 2nd is also the feast of St Eusebius of Vercelli in Sardinia in Italy.(+ 371). Bishop.   St Eusebius and St Athanasius fought the Arian heresy tooth and nail. The Arians  denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ. The Arians tortured and exiled St Eusebius.

We read in today's Gospel about the Beheading of John the Baptist. 

Who is St John the Baptist?

Let us sketch a profile of St John the Baptist:

+ He is the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Born into a priestly family, he had an educated upbringing and was privileged.

+ His name is John: "God is gracious."

+ He was sanctified in his mother's womb. He kicked his mother hard in the womb with excitement when Mary visited Elizabeth.

+ John was chosen by the Father to be forerunner of Jesus Christ and to prepare His way.

+ John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan.

+ His humility is supreme. He said: "He [Jesus] must increase. I must decrease." And he allowed his disciples to switch allegiance and follow Jesus.

+ John gave his life for Jesus. He was a great martyr for Jesus. 

+ St. John the Baptist understood very well God’s purpose for life, that is, to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. 

+ Without compromise, John fulfilled this mission which was foretold long before his birth by the Prophet Isaiah. 

+ Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest of the prophets.

+ What are his virtues? Courage, wisdom and the spirit of prophecy must be mentioned among many.

+ John died like Christ for the kingdom of God. In dying for Christ, we are most like Christ. This is why the Church honors martyrs very highly. 

If someone asks you:

How do you know that Heaven is real? Your answer could be among others: Look at the martyrs. Intelligent and beautiful men and women! Could they have thrown away the only life they had for nothing?

Think of all the Apostles and Saints:  Cecilia, Agatha, Thomas More, Lawrence, Edmond Campion, Paul Miki, Miguel Pro, Maximilian Kolbe, Charles Lwanga and companions and others.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 28)

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

MEMORIAL OF ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

MEMORIAL OF ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.

They were astonished and said,

"Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?

Is he not the carpenter's son?

Is not his mother named Mary

and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

Are not his sisters all with us?

Where did this man get all this?"

And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them,

"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place

and in his own house."

And he did not work many mighty deeds there

because of their lack of faith." (Matthew 13: 54 - 58).

Friday August 1st 2025 in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the the Memorial of St Alphonsus Liguori CSSR, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787) is Italian.  St Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). The Redemptorists are active today in missionary work all over the world. Alphonsus Liguori was trained in civil and canon law. He was an eminent moral theologian and sought after for his gifts as a confessor and spiritual director. 

St Alphonsus Liguori was also a writer and publisher of many books. He was gifted exceptionally by God. He was a very sick man most of his long life. 

One of the most delightful contributions of St Alphonsus Liguori is his teaching on the precious doctrine of Divine Providence. God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence governs all things. There is no exception to this divine law. 

This teaching can be found in a very small book called: UNIFORMITY WITH GOD'S WILL. 

St Alphonsus Liguori is one of the most eminent Mariologists in the Church. His work on the Blessed Virgin Mary is still a classic today. 

St Alphonsus Liguori is the patron saint of moral theologians.

The home crowd were shocked beyond belief of the wisdom and eloquence of Jesus the Rabbi. But their negative attitude went further into unbelief. This cost them many miracles. 

The Church is infested with clerical envy. Bishops envy Bishops. Priests envy priests. Lay people cast envious eyes on whomever they choose. 

Thou shalt not envy! Give thanks and praise to God for the gifts He bestows on your fellow Christians. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

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

FIRST FRIDAY IN AUGUST 2025 

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

Jesus promised 12 special 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 8th month of the year, we look at Promise #8. 

#8.  "Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection."

Who are the fervent souls? 

Fervent souls are people who hear the word of God and take it to heart. They allow the word to influence their thoughts, words and actions.

They place the Kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing. Even while living in the world raising children and holding down jobs, they experience the peace, joy and contentment of the Blessed.

Because they trust and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, they grow from strength to strength and experience the promised blessings of the Elect. 

Fervent souls have a Plan for the spiritual life. This Plan contains Seven tested Daily Habits of Saints:

1. Daily Prayer. 

2. Daily Scripture Reading. 

3. Daily or Frequent Eucharist. 

4. Daily Examination of conscience. 

5. Weekly or Bi-weekly Reconciliation. 

6. Daily Spiritual Reading. 

7. Daily Faith Sharing or Ministry work. 

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

MEMORIAL OF ST IGNATIUS LOYOLA, PRIEST AND FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST IGNATIUS LOYOLA, PRIEST AND FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

(Matthew 13: 47 - 53).

Thursday 31st July 2025 in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Ignatius Loyola, Priest and Founder of the Society of Jesus. 

St Ignatius Loyola was born in 1491 and died in 1556.    Today is the patronal feast of the Society of Jesus. (Jesuits). The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola has been a potent force for spiritual renewal of individuals and groups in the Church since the 1540s. It is still very popular after 500 years. It has become a pillar of the apostolic ministry of the Society of Jesus today.

St Ignatius Loyola found the pearl of finest value. He abandoned all his ambitions for the vain glories of this world like Saints Francis of Asissi and St Dominic before him and followed Jesus Christ. 

What did St Ignatius Loyola bequeath the Church?

#1. Spiritual Exercises

#2. Methods of examination of conscience

#3. Principles of Discernment of Spirits.

#4. Methodology of Education

This prayer of St Ignatius Loyola shows the inner principles that drove him:

"Lord Jesus, grant that I may know Your heart intimately, love You passionately and follow You everywhere." Amen.

These lofty ideals produced giants of our faith like: Saints Francis Xavier, Peter Canisius, Robert Berllamine, Paul Miki, Edmund Campion, Aloysius Gonzaga, Claude de la Colombière, Peter Clavier, Miguel Pro and so many others. 

St Ignatius is the patron saint of soldiers and retreat masters.

Motto: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam: For the Greater Glory of God.

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus today July 31st.

This concludes the month of July dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. It should not be end of our devotion to the Most Precious Blood. This Devotion can be done every day, once a week or as often as you want. Thursday is not mandatory. Why Thursday? Thursday is the day of the Last Supper and the beginning of the Agony and Passion of Jesus Christ. 

The month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us. 

“It is in this Blood that He has laid up His blessings for us, as in a storehouse. This is true, not only of spiritual blessings, but of all blessings whatsoever.” (St Peter Faber, SJ).

For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1

JESUS CHRIST IS THE PEARL OF THE GREATEST VALUE.

What is the Pearl of the Great Value?

 

MANY SAINTS HAVE SOUGHT THE PEARL OF GREAT VALUE FOR MOST OF THEIR LIFE. THEY FOUND JESUS CHRIST. THEY CLING TIGHTLY TO HIS LOVE COME WHAT MAY. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” (Matthew 13: 44 - 46).

Wednesday 30th July 2025 in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture is about the importance of finding the hidden treasure. Jesus talks constantly about the Kingdom of God. His golden rule is:  Make the Kingdom of God your first priority. 

Consider this question:

What is there about the kingdom of God and the idea of the hiding of very important things? 

Jesus led a hidden life for 30 years. The Blessed Virgin Mary led almost her entire life of about 60 years hidden from the public.

 

Great saints are protected from the prying eyes of the world by hiding them when they are alive. The whole monastic tradition thrive on the idea of hidden life. 

In summary, great things like diamonds are formed in a hidden state. The narrow, hidden way finds the kingdom.

Are you searching for a great treasure?  Faith, love, meaning, peace, contentment?

Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price.  What must we give up in order to acquire in the fullest sense this priceless treasure when we find it?

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29). 

Here are some who heard the promise, believed it and searched and found the great treasure:

St Mary Magdalene: Found the Great Pearl and thereafter got attached to the Pearl.

St Ignatius Loyola: Loved the Pearl passionately and abandoned everything and followed the Pearl everywhere.

St Thomas More:  Gave his life happily for the Pearl.

St Teresa of Kolkata:  Traveled the whole world spreading message about the Pearl.

St Paul the Apostle says:

"More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ"  (Philippians 3: 8). 

When you find the Pearl of Great Price, all these things will be added to you: peace and genuine prosperity, contentment and fulfillment in life.

In July, we honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The Blood that was shed for our salvation. Honor the Precious Blood of Jesus by pleading the Precious Blood over all priests especially those in most need of the mercy of Jesus Christ. 

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus today July 28th. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

THE CHURCH WAS ONCE LIKE A TINY MUSTARD SEED.

THE CHURCH STARTED AS A TINY MUSTARD SEED. 

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field.

"It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

"He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

"All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

"I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13: 31 - 35).

We reflect on the Parable of the Mustard Seed in the Gospel of today. 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed gives us an insight into God's law in creation. Everything is created small.

The tiny mustard seed like the tiny acorn seed is born very small. Its laws or principles of growth are written inside the seed by its Creator.

The seed receives the early and later rain and continues to unfold following the laws of its nature. The farmer does not control the process. When the mustard seed is fully grown, it is ready to fulfill its destiny. It welcomes the birds on its branches.

The Church is the People of God, the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The seed of the Kingdom of God on earth is the Church. (Cf CCC 249). It started very small in a tiny corner of the vast Roman Empire. Today the tiny Acorn has grown branches and spread throughout the world.

The Church as the People of God, the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit needs the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to form it into its destiny.

"The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1: 18).

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus today July 28th. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1