JESUS SET US ON FIRE!

THE FIRE OF JESUS' LOVE. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!

"There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, 

a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother,

a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:  49 - 53).

Some people think that the Gospel of today from Luke 12: 49 - 53 is a hyperbole, that is, a great exaggeration. Do you think so? Then look at a Crucifix.

 Is Jesus nailed to the Cross wearing a crown of thorns a hyperbole? Of course not! 

Jesus proclaimed: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!"

 Jesus said in another passage that the purpose of His life is to proclaim the truth. If you belong to the truth, you will listen to His voice.

 He further said. If you do not belong to the truth, you will oppose Him.

Falsehood always opposes the truth.

 Cain murdered Abel. 

Esau hated his brother Jacob and would have killed him if he had the opportunity.

 The brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery. 

Judas, an intimate companion of Jesus betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. 

This tug of War still plays out relentlessly in families everywhere.

 Do not be afraid of those who oppose you because you have responded to the call of Jesus.

 Be rather afraid of failing to acknowledge Jesus before men. 

Jesus wants us to love our families and friends but never make idols of them.

Do you remember how David slew Goliath?

 Now see what weapons God has given us for the inevitable struggle of the present time:

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

 On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5).

Our God is a consuming fire!

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is honored in the Church in the Month of August. 

Mary says:  "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."

For Prayers and Prayer requests, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN OF HUNGARY.

THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN OF HUNGARY. 

“Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. 

The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, 

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;

 for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

After he placed his hands on them, he went away." (Matthew 19: 13 - 15).

Saturday August 16th 2025 in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Stephen of Hungary. 

St Stephen of Hungary was born in 969 and died on August 15th 1038). He was a monarch.

St Stephen was crowned king of Hungary on Christmas day 1001 by Emperor Otto III by the permission of Pope Sylvester II. 

 

Stephen earned his greatness in Christian history by founding monasteries and organizing dioceses thereby transforming Hungary into a Christian nation.

 St Stephen and his wife Blessed Gisela were the parents of St. Emeric.

St Stephen is the patron saint of: Hungary, kings, bricklayers and masons.

In the Gospel for today the disciples rebuked children and their mothers who prayed that Jesus might lay His hands on them. But Jesus said,

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

 Have you ever been annoyed by unrestrained and noisy children during Mass?

  I discovered something curious and very beautiful about this recently. 

Little children love the house of God in a natural way. 

At first, I thought that little children might mistake the holy Sanctuary for a supermarket like Walmart.

 A little reflection convinced me that this is not the case.  There is something about the solemnity of the assembly gathered for Mass that gets even to little children.

 They see something in the House of God that we distracted adults don't see. Do little children see the angels and saints that attend Mass with us? 

After one Sunday Mass, I saw a young child suddenly detached himself from the gripping hold of the mother and ran to the side Altar, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He gazed at the beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin.

 I have learned to leave the little ones alone in the Sanctuary.

"Blessed are you, Father,

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

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 SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Happy Feast of your Assumption into Heaven O Blessed Virgin Mother! 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. 

For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order:

"Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereign­ty and every authority and power. 

"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

 The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet." (1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 27

Friday 15th August 2025 in the  19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Just as in  the Transfiguration of Jesus, Mary's Son confirms our hope of transformation at the general Resurrection, the Assumption of Mary reveals our hope and destiny. The Church calls the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary A SIGN OF CERTAIN HOPE. 

In heaven, there is a hierarchy of merits. There is also a "proper order" (Order of glory) in the resurrection of the body:

1st. Christ

2nd. Mary

3rd. Then at the end of time, everyone who belongs to Christ.

It is God's plan and wisdom that Mary will be raised body and soul into heaven before the general resurrection of the body. 

This is an ancient belief of the Church. The Church made this teaching a doctrine of faith on 1st November 1950. Pope Pius XII in an Apostolic Constitution defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  As it is bound on earth, so it is in heaven.

The Assumption of Mary fulfilled one of the prayer intentions of Jesus in the Last Supper:

"Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world." (John 17: 24).

The Blessed Virgin Mary is primus inter pares, ie first among equals in the order of privileges.  Mary our Mother goes before us. Where she is, there shall we be.

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 MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE OFM, PRIEST AND MARTYR.

MEMORIAL OF ST MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE OFM, PRIEST AND MARTYR. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 

That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.

 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in ­payment of the debt.

 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 

Moved with compassion the ­master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. 

He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

Falling to his knees, his ­fellow servant begged him,

 ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

 But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. 

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and ­reported the whole affair.

 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.

 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 

Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.

 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan." (Matthew 18: 21 - 19: 1).

Thursday 14th August 2025 in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Maximilian Mary Kolbe OFM, Priest and Martyr. 

Maximilian Kolbe, OFM.

 (1894 - 1941), Polish. Priest and Martyr. 

Maximilian is known for his profound love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He founded the "City of the Immaculate." (Immaculata). An avid evangelizer, he used the press and the written word to propagate the Gospel. He was a missionary in Japan. 

Arrested by the Gestapo in Poland, Kolbe was sent to Auschwitz. St Maximilian took the place of a young father who was condemned for execution by the Gestapo. St Maximilian exhibited a greater love for his co-prisoner who cried about his wife and children who would miss him. The Gestapo executed St Maximilian Kolbe and made him a martyr.

Why did Jesus conclude the teaching on Our Father, the Lord's Prayer by stating unequivocally a precondition for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father? 

This is obviously an important theme for Jesus because He taught it again in today's Gospel in Matthew 18:21–35, which concluded thus: "Then in anger his master handed him [the unforgiving servant] over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Reconciliation is crucial to enjoying the privileges of filial adoption. A girl who ran away from home and lived a lawless life for a couple of years may be hesitant as she approaches home. The prodigal son understands that there are consequences to vagrancy and knows the importance of Reconciliation.

Many people claim that forgiveness of the other person is hard. Really? 

Lessons that help forgiveness:

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.

Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence.

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

FEAST OF SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS.

FEAST OF SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

"If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. 

"If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. 

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 15 - 20).

Wednesday 13th August 2025 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, Martyrs.

 Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, anti Pope (priest). St Pontian was elected Pope in 230 and St Hippolytus challenged him and set up himself as a rival.

By a mysterious design of Divine Providence, both waring clerics found themselves in the the same prison at the same time. They reconciled and were martyred together under the Emperor Maximinus Thrax. (+ 235).

Our heavenly Father must have smiled upon Pontian and Hippolytus as He welcomed them into paradise because they heard the message of His Son, Jesus Christ and forgave "his brother from his heart."

A reflection on the Gospel of today from Matthew 18: 15 - 20.

Jesus Christ founded a Church with broad powers and especially the power to forgive sins. "Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

It is in the ministry of Prayer and Reconciliation that we see priveleges that Jesus entrusted to His Church. 

"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father."

Let us have confidence in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church because it is the Custodian of the immense graces and privileges Jesus Christ bequeathed to humanity.

Mary the Virgin under her  title of Immaculate Heart is honored in August. 

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 ST JANE DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS FOUNDRESS.

THE FEAST OF ST JANE DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS FOUNDRESS. 

THE GOSPEL:

"The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?

 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ­ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” (Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10, 12 - 14).

Tuesday August 12th 2025. 

St Jane Frances de CHANTAL was French. She lived between 1572 and 1641. Religious. 

At the age of 20, Jane married a noble man, Baron de Chantal. After her husband died, Jane settled her children and embraced the ideals of religious life: chastity and poverty. 

Jane cofounded the Order of the Visitation with St Francis de Sales (Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

Jane Frances left Behind a large quantity of letters between her and St Francis de Sales that offer great insight on spiritual direction.

In the Gospel, Jesus praises the humility of a little child.

What is humility?

Just like love, humility is patient and kind.  Humility is not jealous, conceited or proud. It does not keep a record of wrongs. In short, humility is love.

The little child is the face of innocence in whom the Holy Spirit likes to dwell and play. The little child manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Aim to become like a little child and the Kingdom of God will be yours and all the rest as well.

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 CLAIRE OF ASSISI, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST CLAIRE, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them,

 

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

"When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes,” he said.

When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him,

“What is your opinion, Simon?

From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?”

When he said, “From foreigners,”

"Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up.

Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” (Matthew 17: 22 - 27).

Monday 11th August 2025 of the 19th week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Clare. (1193 - 1253). Italian.

At 18, Clare was not only beautiful but her parents were very wealthy. She gave up everything to follow the original Little One, Jesus Christ our Savior. Imitating St Francis of Assisi, the little poor man of Assisi, Clare embraced radical poverty. She founded the Poor Clares and modeled its constitution from what she learned from St Francis of Assisi. The Poor Clares continue to serve the Church today.

I know one Poor Clare Nun, who made a great contribution to the world. Mother Angelica (+ 2016). She founded EWTN which is the only global Catholic Television Network in the world. For me, Mother Angelica is a saint. She prayed and worked. She suffered persecution from inside and outside the Church. She experienced much ill health most of her life. She remained a Poor Clare all her life. "Santo Subito!"

There are two tracks in today's Gospel:

#1. How did Jesus handle tax matters?

#2. How did Jesus handle money?

The first is easy. Jesus paid His taxes.

Throughout His ministry, there is no single incident where we see Jesus handling money directly. Jesus and the Twelve had a bursar who was charged with keeping the donations and buying the necessities for the Group. Jesus seemed to have a disdain for money. He called money  dishonest wealth and the Bible calls it filthy lucre.

Money taints and corrupts everything it touches.

When Jesus sent His disciples to evangelize, He discouraged them from carrying large amounts of cash.

Trust completely in the mighty and merciful Providence of God to provide all your needs.

When the Temple Tax collectors challenged Jesus over tax, Jesus and the Twelve probably had no money in their purse.

Not wanting to delay the payment of the Temple tax, Jesus did an interesting thing.

"But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.

Give that to them for me and for you.”

Jesus knew precisely where the fish with the golden coin in its mouth would be hiding.

In our work for the Gospel, we trust in the mighty and merciful Providence of Jesus, to provide our necessities.

August is dedicated to honoring 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