FEAST OF ST JOHN XXIII, ROMAN PONTIFF.

FEAST OF ST JOHN XXIII, PONTIFF. 

"While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, 

“Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 

"He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11: 27 - 28).

Saturday 11th October 2025 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Pope St John XXIII. (1881 - 1963). Italian. Pontiff.

Pope St John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council which transformed the Church. 

He wrote the popular encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth).

 He was a humble and well beloved Pope and was popularly called the Good Pope. 

I like very much this quote below from him:

"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but what is still possible for you to do." (Pope St John XXIII).

Jesus promises in the Gospel of today that "blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

How to hear the word of God and observe it:

Do you know that you can renew your Baptismal Promises not once a year at Easter but once a day during your morning prayer?

 It takes about a minute. The effect of this ritual is life changing. 

This is an example of how to do it:

"Father in Heaven, I Lucy declare that I am Your child and the adopted sister of Your Son Jesus Christ. I desire to embrace Your holy, mighty and merciful will for me in everything today.

 I renounce sins completely. I renounce Satan and all his lies and tricks and seductions. So help me Father God. Amen." 

One minute a day that can change your life and destiny forever. 

The Seed is the word of God. 

Believe in the word of God. 

Share the word of God. 

Practice what you believe. 

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

JESUS IS STRONGER THAN SATAN.

A KINGDOM DIVIDED WILL COLLAPSE. 

THE GOSPEL:

"When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:

 “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”

 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.

 But he knew their thoughts and said to them,

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.

 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?

 For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?

 Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.

 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.

 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says,

 ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. 

Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,

 and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.” (Luke 11: 15 - 26).

Friday October 10 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. 

A KINGDOM DIVIDED WILL COLLAPSE. 

Do you believe in Demon, Satan, Devil? 

Jesus obviously do believe from today's Gospel. The people who listen to Jesus and follow Him believed in the existence of evil spirits, princes of darkness. 

Called Satan, Devil, Demon, Evil Spirit has been a force of contention for mankind since the Fall of Adam and Eve.

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

 The evil spirits know Jesus. They also know who you are.

The Church has contended with demons since Jesus said to Peter:

"He [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Today, belief in Satan and his cohorts seems to have waned. Why? Because there are people who appear to be more scientific than Dr Albert Einstein and Dr St Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. 

Do not listen to these deniers. 

Listen rather to the Church and the word of God.

"The Church of the Living God is the Pillar and Foundation of the truth." (1 Timothy 3: 15). 

People see evil powers in the mayhem happening now in the Holy Land today. 

What are the rules of engagement with the evil empire? 

The Archangel Michael is assigned to guard the Church. ( Cf Daniel 12: 1).

 Pope Leo XIII who had a vision of this in the Sanctuary of his Church composed the Prayer to St Michael which became an inspired and principal prayer in spiritual warfare. Many Catholics say this prayer daily.

St Joseph, the foster father of the Lord Jesus is the Patron Saint of the Church and Protector of the Church. One of his titles is "Terror of Demons". 

United with the angels, we will conquer the Great Deceiver by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Cf Revelations 12: 7 - 12).

What do you know about demonic attacks and spiritual warfare? Our key Scripture for today gives us the opportunity to reflect on these important realities of Christian life and experience.

 If you are ignorant of these facts, you may accuse yourself of spiritual malpractice against yourself. What does Scripture say about this? 

A couple of examples:

#1. "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens." (Ephesians 6: 12).

Discernment of Spirits can help pinpoint the source and cause of your problem.

#2. "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5: 8).

How do you protect yourself from demonic attacks or engage in spiritual warfare? 

The Church has taught us a number of strategies which have been helpful to people.

#1. Prayer: Exercise your vigilance through constant prayer. Watch and pray that you do not enter into spiritual combat.

#2. Scripture: When Jesus was in the desert facing off the Devil in spiritual warfare, He used Scripture three times to defeat Satan thrice. Ignorance of the word of God is one of the greatest problems of Christians.

"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." (St Jerome). 

#3. Use the Sacraments frequently especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These Sacraments are the heavy weapons in our spiritual arsenal.

"The weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5).

#4. Do not neglect Sacramentals. Example: holy water, crucifix, bible,  chaplet/Rosary, holy pictures, Name of Jesus. If an enemy enters your house and sees these weapons of spiritual combat, the evil spirit may do a tactical withdrawal without engaging in combat.

If you are faithful to the above battle tested strategies from the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of the Church, you may never avoid spiritual warfare but you will win most battles and prove to yourself that these means are effective.

"The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results.” -St. Josemaria Escriva

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

FEAST OF SAINTS DENIS AND COMPANION MARTYRS, JOHN LEONARDI AND JOHN HENRY NEWMAN.

FEAST OF SAINTS DENIS AND COMPANION MARTYRS, JOHN LEONARDI AND JOHN HENRY NEWMAN. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: 

“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 

‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’

 and he says in reply from within,

 ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed.

 I cannot get up to give you anything.’

 I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;

 seek and you will find;

 knock and the door will be opened to you.

 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?

 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, 

how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 5 - 13).

Thursday October 9th 2025 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints John Henry Newman, Denis and Companions Martyrs and John Leonardi, Priest. 

Pope Leo XIV will confer Doctor of the Church on St John Henry Newman on November 1st, 2025.

St Denis and Companions Martyrs were the first Martyrs that died for Christ in France.  (3rd century). 

St John Leonardi (1541 - 1609).

Italian priest. John qualified first as a pharmacist before he decided to become a priest. He founded the Order of Clerics Regular to serve sick people and those in prison. 

The Gospel of today is the master teaching of Jesus on Prayer. 

I love the quote below from St Teresa of Avila:

"YOU PAY GOD A COMPLIMENT BY ASKING GREAT THINGS OF HIM."  (ST TERESA OF AVILA).

Remember that all things are possible for God. All things are also easy for God. God wants us to ask and ask for big things.

Luke gives us Jesus' delightful teaching on prayer. Let us recap the main points:

#1 Each day, ask the Father for what to eat.

#2 Always remember to ask for forgiveness for your sins. He who says he has no sin is a liar.

#3 The Father is committed to forgiving  all our sins. You must likewise forgive your neighbor.

#4 Pray with perseverance. Ask and keep asking.

#5 Believe me if I tell you this: The best thing to pray for is the Holy Spirit.

Ask for the Holy Spirit and keep asking for Him.

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 13).

Prayer is an indispensable condition for being able to obey God's commandments. "[We] ought always to pray and not lose heart." (CCC 2098).

This is a teaching we can use.

"On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:

you have heard the words of my mouth.

In the presence of the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple." (Psalm 138: 1 - 2)

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary?  Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer.

 The Rosary is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. Knowing this, you do not want to ignore the Rosary.

Pray that all priests say the Holy Rosary every day as required by the Church. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

LORD JESUS TEACH US HOW TO PRAY.

LORD TEACH US HOW TO PRAY. 

"Jesus was praying in a certain place,

 and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,

"Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."

"He said to them, "When you pray, say:

"Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread

 and forgive us our sins

for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,

and do not subject us to the final test." (Luke 11: 1 - 4)."

 

In the Gospel of today: Luke 11: 1 - 4, a disciple asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. 

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus responded eagerly and taught them the Our Father or the Lord's Prayer. 

The Church teaches that the Lord's Prayer is the greatest Prayer. This is the Prayer given to us by Jesus as a model prayer of how to approach Our Father in Prayer. 

No wonder the Church incorporated the Lord's Prayer in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and in the Divine Office. 

At the very heart of the Lord's Prayer or Our Father is the personality of Abba Father. Who is Abba Father? 

Abba Father is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The revelation that God is a Father with a Son, Jesus Christ is by far the greatest revelation by Jesus in the Holy Scriptures. 

Jesus taught us that His Father is also our Father.

 We become His Adopted Children through the Rites of Holy Baptism. 

Abba Father takes His duty as a Father seriously. He knows already our daily needs.

 It is a command that we must approach Abba respectfully every day to ask for our Daily Bread. 

Jesus teaches us that "Man does not live by bread alone." 

Man is body, soul and spirit. Abba Father provides needs to respond fully to who we are at every level of our being and life. 

Therefore approach Abba Father with supreme confidence and expectant faith to ask for your every need, knowing full well that He who made the promise is faithful and immensely rich. 

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer.

 The Rosary is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. Knowing this, you do not want to ignore the Rosary.

Pray that all priests say the Holy Rosary every day as required by the Church. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

THE MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY.

MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY. 

"DO NOT HAVE ANY ANXIETY ABOUT THE FUTURE. LEAVE EVERYTHING IN GOD'S HANDS. FOR HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU." (ST JOHN BAPTISTE DE LA SALLE).

Martha, why are you so anxious and distracted?

"Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

 She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? 

Tell her to help me.”

 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

 There is need of only one thing.

 Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10: 38  -  42).

Tuesday October 7th 2025, Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. 

How do we choose the "better part" always and everywhere in life? 

Martha and Mary are sisters and live in the same house.

 Their differences in outlook gives Jesus a teaching opportunity to address a problem that is endemic in our society today.

 Our lives are distracted by too many gadgets, information overload, mindless multitasking and many other things.

Jesus says to Martha and us:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. 

Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

What is the better part that Mary has chosen? 

Mary chose to honor their Guest, Jesus. Mary chose the will of God for her at this moment.

When you choose the will of God for you here and now instead of your own will, you have chosen the better part.

 The will of God is always the better part. In God's will is our peace. Our Shalom!

How do we know the will of God? It is not complicated at all.

 The easiest way is to ask God. "Lord what will You have me do?"

 God is our Father who wants the very best for His children. He can never deceive us. He promises us to ask and we shall receive.

God speaks to us in Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the very word of God. As you sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary each day to listen to Scripture, little by little you begin to know "the better part" for you in everything. St Ambrose taught: "We know the Heart of God through the Mouth of God." The Mouth of God is the Scriptures. 

This is what Scripture calls wisdom. Wisdom is the gift of choosing what God wants you to choose in every given situation.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as Lady under many titles: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, etc. 

 Our Lady of the Rosary celebrates Mary as a powerful intercessor using the instrument of the Rosary Prayer. 

It is obvious that we are in the arena of Spiritual Warfare constantly. If we are not, the Scriptures will not urge us again and again to be vigilant. The devil our enemy never sleeps. 

"The Rosary is the means by which I attach souls to myself. The Rosary assures souls of my presence and of my protection."  (IN SINU JESU). 

Yes. Protection in the spiritual warfare raging everywhere today in: families, work places, schools, offices, roads, etc.

We hear of demonic possessions and infestations. Do not take these happenings lightly. The Church does not ignore the many signs of the activities of evil spirits everywhere today. Neither should you.

 Jesus Christ speaking to one mystic says that the Holy Rosary is one of the most effective offensive and defensive tools against the Enemy of mankind.

Here is what the Church teaches about the Rosary:

"The Rosary is very pleasing to our Mother in heaven; she herself has recommended it.

 There are two elements of the Holy Rosary: meditation on its mysteries and vocal prayer. 

The Rosary surely reaches the motherly heart of Mary and moves her to obtain abundant graces for us." (Roman Missal).

Two recent popes, Pope St Paul VI and Pope St John Paul II have highly recommended the Rosary. 

Most saints since the 1500s have said the Rosary without fail.

"Your Rosary is like a ladder that you climb step by step, drawing you closer to our Lady, which means finding Christ. It is a devotion which leads us to Christ through Mary." (Pope St Paul VI, Marialis Cultus).

 Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is very important in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

FEAST OF ST BRUNO AND BLESSED MARIE-ROSE DUROCHER.

"WHO IS A GOOD SAMARITAN?

“There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. 

They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.

He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’

Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”

Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10: 25 - 37)"

Monday October 6th in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bruno and Blessed Marie Rose Durocher. 

 St Bruno (1030 - 1101). Priest. German. Founder of the Carthusian Order.

Today is also the feast of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher. (1811 - 1849) Virgin. Canadian. Founder of the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary. Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher helped establish the first Canadian parish solidarity for young women. She had a very busy life. 

A scholar of the law tests Jesus with a tricky question.  Our Master and Teacher answers the scholar.

Love of God and love of neighbor is clearly written in the Hebrew Scriptures.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10: 27).

Jesus tells the scholar the parable of the Good Samaritan and ends the story by asking the lawyer:

"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”

Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus concludes by saying to the man: "Do this and you will live."

St James amplifies this in his letter:  "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2: 26).

An insight into what might be going on in the mind of the priest and the Levite is rendered thus:

"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" (Martin Luther  King, JR).

Jesus ends what we call the Parable of the Good Samaritan by saying to the scholar of the law: Go and do as the Good Samaritan. Every person in need is our neighbor.

You may call this Parable a story of mercy.

What is mercy? From the Parable, we may say that mercy is when someone shows you pity in a moment of great need.

Be a good neighbor.

Allow someone to be a good neighbor to you. Jesus is always a good neighbor.

Our neighbor is every person in need.

Jesus gave us the Divine Mercy Devotion through St Maria Faustina to teach us that initiative of mercy starts from God.

This devotion is summarized through the ABC of Mercy:

A = Ask for mercy.

B = Be Merciful.

C = Completely trust Jesus for

mercy.

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary?

 Because the Rosary is a special Prayer that came down from heaven to the Church. St Dominic received the Holy Rosary on behalf of the Church. 

"The whole purpose of the Rosary is to lead to this deep experience of Our Lady, who together with Jesus breathes the Spirit into us."  (Thomas Keating).

Do you have this deep experience with Mary? 

Do you want this deep experience with Mary? 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1