THE PRAYER OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR.

THE PRAYER OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.

 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray;

 one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 

‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—

greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. 

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 

‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;

 for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18: 9 - 14).

Sunday October 26th 2025 in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time 

In the Gospel of today from Luke 18: 9 - 14, Jesus teaches how to be acceptable to God in our prayers. 

"O God, be merciful to me a sinner." 

The attitude and prayer of the Tax Collector becomes our example of the type of prayer that justifies and the prayer that is heard by God.

 Here is what the Church teaches on the Prayer of Humility:

"The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable:

"God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

"It is a prerequisite for righteous and pure prayer. A trusting humility brings us back into the light of communion between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and with one another, so that "we receive from him whatever we ask."

"Asking forgiveness is the prerequisite for both the Eucharistic liturgy and personal prayer." (CCC 2631).

"Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions, " (Psalm 51: 3) cried King David after his sins of adultery, cover up and murder.

The prayer of David was heard by God and David went home justified. The Lord hears the cry of the poor and the humble.

Because of the great mercy of God, God gave the Church Baptism as the great Sacrament of Reconciliation and Regeneration.

 Baptism wipes out our sins and the record of our sins. 

Does Baptism remove concupiscence, our ingrained tendency to certain sins? 

It does not. 

What then happens to sins that are committed after Baptism? 

Jesus Christ gave the Church the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession, Penance) to deal with this crisis and stubbornness of sin.

Those who are humble like the Tax Collector are justified by this Sacrament and enjoy the mercy and peace of God.

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. 

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? 

- Pope St. Pius X: "There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessing upon the family than the daily recitation of the Rosary." 

He emphasized its role in family and spiritual life. 

 

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

THE BARREN FIG TREE.

THIS FIG TREE IS BARREN. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. 

He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? 

By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!

 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—

do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 

By no means! 

But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable: 

“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener,

 ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. 

So cut it down. 

 Why should it exhaust the soil?’

 He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; 

it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13: 1 - 9).

Saturday 25th October 2025 in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our key Scripture is the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. 

This is an allegory for the People of Israel. The People of Israel is the Vineyard of the Lord. The Vineyard of the Lord is the Church. 

God wants a good return on His investment in Israel, in the Church and in you and me. 

How do we bear much fruit in the Church, which is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth?

We remain in Jesus.  What is the principle of productivity in the Church?  We abide in Christ.  How do we abide in Christ? 

We live in Jesus through His word, the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gift. Through it, Jesus shares with us His divine life. Another word for God's divine life in us is sanctifying grace.

Our fruitfulness depends therefore on this dynamic relationship with Christ living inside us.

"Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit."  (John 15: 14, 15).

Fruitfulness is not addiction to activity.

  It is believing God. It is knowing the will of God for you and doing it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will accomplish the work.

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live." (Ezekiel 33: 11).

"I am the source of all fruitfulness in the vineyard that is My Church. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. Come to Me, then. Remain with Me. Act for Me, guided by My Holy Spirit, and return to Me with thanksgiving. This is the secret of a priestly life that will be pleasing to Me, will build up My Church, and will glorify My Father." (IN SINU JESU page 103).

“Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.” (Saint Louis de Montfort).

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 ANTHONY MARY CLARET, MISSIONARY PRELATE AND FOUNDER.

FEAST OF ST ANTHONY MARY CLARET, MISSIONARY PRELATE AND FOUNDER OF A RELIGIOUS ORDER.

THE GOSPEL:

“Jesus said to the crowds,

“When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain

—and so it does;

 

and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot

—and so it is.

You hypocrites!

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;

why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, 

make an effort to settle the matter on the way; 

otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison.

I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Friday October 24th 2025 in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Anthony Mary Claret.

St. Anthony Mary Claret was born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, Spain.

 He died on October 24, 1870, at the Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide in France.

St Anthony Mary Claret was born to poor parents.

He preached in his native Catalonia. 

He founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (the Claretians) 

to further the spread of the Gospel.

In 1850, he was appointed Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba, where in six years he enacted wide-ranging reforms amid harsh opposition.

A knife attack on his life left him severely scarred, yet he forgave his attacker and worked to have the man’s sentence remitted.

Recalled to Spain by Queen Isabella II, he followed her into exile.

Summing up his life, he said,

“I have fulfilled my mission, I have preached the Gospel, I have kept holy poverty.”

We share below the moving Entrance Antiphon and Collect of the Mass of St Anthony Mary Claret:

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON:

"O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him/ who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

COLLECT:

"O God, who for the evangelization of peoples

strengthened the Bishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret

with admirable charity and long-suffering,

grant, through his intercession,

that, seeking the things that are yours,

we may earnestly devote ourselves

to winning our brothers and sisters for Christ.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

In the Gospel of today, we learn of the necessity of interpreting intelligently the signs of the times.

What are the Signs of the Times today? 

Consider a few of these:

1. Divisions in the Body of Christ remains after 500 years.

2. The scandal of the fragmentation of the Catholic Church into conservatives and liberals.

3. Denial of Climate change.

4. Hurricanes and Wild fires.

4. War in Ukraine.

5. War in the Holy Land.

5. Rise in migration and refugees worldwide.

6. Global fear of economic and political tumoil.

Jesus says to us today: 

"You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"

Authentic interpretation of the signs of the times comes from the mind of Christ. 

To know the mind of Christ is a gift of prophecy.

St Paul urges Christians:

"Pray for the higher gifts. Pray for the gift of prophecy." (Cf 1 Corinthians 14: 1).

This injunction is for everyone. We must ask the Lord Jesus to give us this gift here and now and without delay lest we perish. 

Then we must abide in Christ Jesus through:

1. Abiding daily in His word.

2. Abiding In fervent prayer.

3. Abiding in the Communion of the Saints through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints.

King David consulted Architophel because he knew the signs of the times. (Cf 1 Chronicles 12: 32).

Emperors consulted St Jerome, the Scripture guru in Rome because St Jerome was able to interpret the signs of the times for them.

What can we do about these we identified above?

First, understand that these signs point to clear and present dangers.

If you are in litigation and you decide that the outcome will not be favorable to you, you sue for peace. 

"If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison."

Wise counsel from Jesus.

Let us hurry to do something about these grim signs of the times.

If you hear His voice today, harden not your hearts.

 Do not say: I have tomorrow. I will make peace with God tomorrow. 

 "You fool, this night, you face your Judge."

October is the Holy Rosary Month.

“From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things.

 From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. 

From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!

As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” (St John Paul II).

The Holy Rosary has divine power to demolish strongholds. Use it.

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 JOHN CAPISTRANO, OFM.

FEAST OF ST JOHN CAPISTRANO, OFM.

"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).

Thursday 23rd October 2025, 29th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Capistrano.  (1386 -1456).

St John Capistrano was an Italian Franciscan Priest.

John was a successful lawyer before he became a Franciscan priest.

John brought his natural gifts as a lawyer into his preaching ministry and brought about great revivals in various countries of Eastern Europe.

His charismatic preaching brought about great revival in the countries of Eastern Europe.

John was one of the few clerics in history who led an army into battle. He did so to defend Europe against the menacing advances of the Turks and died a few years later.

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!

St. Maximilian Kolbe: 

"The Rosary is a powerful weapon in our hands... through it, you hold the key to countless graces and the sure protection of the Immaculata, who crushes the head of the serpent."

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 JOHN PAUL II, ROMAN PONTIFF.

FEAST OF ST JOHN PAUL II, ROMAN PONTIFF. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: 

“Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 

You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”

 And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? 

Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.

 Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 

But if that servant says to himself, 

‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely;

 and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly.

 Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 12: 39 - 48).

Wednesday 22nd October 2025 in the 29th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Paul II, Pope. 

St John Paul II lived from 1920 to 2005. He was Polish and the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years.

John Paul was beatified on May 1st, 2011 and canonized April 27, 2014. Pope Francis performed both liturgies. 

John Paul was an accomplished writer. He traveled all over the world to promote understanding between nations and between different cultures and religions. 

 Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Regan contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

John Paul II wrote many important encyclicals. His enduring legacy is the Catechism of the Catholic Church which he promulgated in 1992.

My friend, has God given you much in life?

 To answer the question truthfully and comprehensively, consider the following areas of your life:

1. Family. 

2. Health. 

3. Money. 

4. Job. 

5. Possessions. 

6. Food. 

7. Future. 

When I did a similar reflection several years ago, I was astonished by God's generosity to me. 

"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” 

When I read the above, I knew I was in trouble. God is merciful. I threw myself into the merciful love of God.

 That was many years ago. Today I commit myself to make up for lost time and ground. 

Everyday, I engage myself to grow to know Jesus more through:

1. Daily Prayer. 

2. Daily Bible Verse. 

3. Holy Communion or Spiritual Communion. 

4. Frequent Confession. 

5. Daily Examination of conscience. 

6. Daily Spiritual Reading. 

7. Sharing my faith with someone

"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” 

Lord Jesus, I trust in Your merciful love. I cling tightly to this love. I surrender myself completely to You. Take care of everything Your way according to Your Plan for my life. 

October is the Month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. 

"Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” (St. Padre Pio). 

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:

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

ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO ACT AT ONCE.

BE PREPARED TO ACT AT ONCE.

THE GOOD NEWS:
"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.” (Luke 12 : 35 - 38).

READINESS OR THE QUALITY OF BEING VIGILANT ATTRACTS BLESSINGS FROM THE LORD.


Tuesday October 21st in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time.


"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

"Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival." 


How do we wait for the Master and exercise maximum vigilance?

Prayer. If you pray and wait, you will not fall asleep. If you watch and pray, you will open the door at once when the Master knocks on the door.

A word is enough for the wise.

"The Rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who loves His Mother.” (St Louis Marie de Monfort).

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:

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

FEAST OF ST PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST, MYSTIC AND FOUNDER.

FEAST OF ST PAUL OF THE CROSS. PRIEST, MYSTIC AND FOUNDER.

THE GOSPEL:
"Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”

He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”

Then he 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 the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Luke 12: 13 - 21)

Monday 20th October 2025, in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Paul of the Cross. (1694 - 1775).

St Paul of the Cross was Italian, priest, Mystic and Founder of the Passionists.


The charism of St Paul of the Cross is a profound understanding of the mystery of the Cross and translating this understanding into a plan of life.

The Passionists founded by St Paul of the Cross were noted and still noted for preaching and retreat ministry. I have been blessed to attend a Parish Mission preached by a Passionists Priest.

Our key Scripture for today is the self congratulatory words of the foolish rich man whose land produced abundant harvest.

He did not give thanks to God. He did not share his bounty with the poor.


He received a jolting message from God who is our Divine Providence:

"You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?" (Luke 12: 20).

From the beginning of salvation history, God has taught man to trust in Him for all his needs.

Below are a few relevant Scriptures:
#1. Gather the manna you need for one day.  The next day, "I the Lord Your God will supply fresh manna for the new day." (Cf Exodus 16: 21 - 35).

Hoarding is idolatry. Deal with your insecurity with prayer.

#2. "Give us today the food we need."  (Matthew 6: 11).

God who is our Providence knows exactly what we need and when we need it.

#3.  "Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6 : 34).

God says: My Name is: I AM. My Name is not I WAS. My Name is not I WILL BE.
Learn from God's Name that He is always Emmanuel, God with us always. He is in control everywhere, in everything and always.

Do not be fooled by what you consider accidents or coincidences.

Jesus promises that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His holiness, God who knows what we need and when we need it will never fail to provide adequately for us.

Do not allow wealth to be a snare for you.

Rather make your wealth the trusting of God's promises. God wants His faithful promises to be our protection and armor in every situation. (Cf Psalm 94: 4). Not even a single one of His promises has failed.

"The Rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who loves His Mother.”  “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory." (St Louis Marie de Monfort).

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:

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