SHINE YOUR LITTLE LIGHT.

SHINE YOUR LITTLE LIGHT. 

"I will shine my little light.

"Jesus said to his disciples,

“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket

or under a bed,

and not to be placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; 

nothing is secret except to come to light.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

He also told them, “Take care what you hear.

The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, 

and still more will be given to you.

To the one who has, more will be given; 

from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark  4: 21 - 25).

In Baptism, we receive the light of Christ. 

 As we participate in the Sacraments and the life of the Church, the little light we receive in Baptism grows. 

 Where do you place this light?  In the lampstand or in the closet?

To hide your is futile.  Like a barren fig tree, you will be found out.

"For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light."  (Mark 4: 22).

It is more exciting to share the light you have.  Imagine the people who are desperate for it here and now.

 But you may say: I don't know what to say.  

You have the Holy Spirit. Ask Him.

 Do you have the desire? If not, ask the Holy Spirit. 

 Jesus makes two promises with regard to your engagement with His word:

#1.  "The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you." 

#2.  "To the one who has, more will be given."

And a warning:

"From the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”  (Mark 4: 24 - 25).

Friends, just shine your light and it will grow. 

Most people can share messages through their phones.  Why don't you share the word of God?

"A lamp to my feet is your word,

a light to my path."  (Psalm 119:105).

Jesus invites us to "approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust" to participate in the work of Evangelization. (Cf Hebrews 10: 22)

His promise is trustworthy."

 JANUARY 

 "Every time I pronounce the Name of Jesus, it seems to me that my heart is rekindled with a new fire of love and my soul is filled with a singular sweetness." (St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, S.J.). 

 

 "The Name of Jesus is a name of life, of salvation, and of joy. It is a name that strengthens the heart and gives light to the mind." (St. Peter Canisius, S.J.). 

 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name  of Jesus, click the link below 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

MEMORIAL OF ST THOMAS AQUINAS, OP. PRIEST and DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST THOMAS AQUINAS, OP. PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.






THE GOSPEL:
"On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.

A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.

And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.


"And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them,


“Hear this! A sower went out to sow. 

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,

and the birds came and ate it up.


"Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.

It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots



Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain.


"And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.

It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear

And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables.

He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.

But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that


they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”


"Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable?

Then how will you understand any of the ­parables?


"The sower sows the word.

These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.

As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them.


"And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.

But they have no roots; they last only for a time.

Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Those sown among thorns are another sort.

They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit


" But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4: 1 - 20).


Wednesday January 28th in the 3rd WEEK in Ordinary Time.

. 

"The sower sows the word."

Jesus says as He explained the Parable of the Sower to the Twelve and those who were with them.


What is the word? The word here could mean teaching, advice, counsel, commandments, etc.


The word can also mean the various circumstances of daily living that present challenges to our comforts.


God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence governs all things. God speaks to us through various circumstances of our day.

Some of these circumstances are pleasant and others are afflictive.

These beneficent and afflictive circumstances are different words of God to us. How do we handle them?

When you are challenged with difficulties of daily living that make you weary of the word or the promises of God, what do you do?

Pray to Jesus.
Remember the Promise: "It is I. Do not be afraid.."

Allow the power of the word of God to lift the cloud that hangs over you,

Friends, have trust in prayer. Have trust in the word of God.



THE CHURCH HONORS THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS IN JANUARY.

There is power in wielding the Holy Name of Jesus. The early Church continually preached of its saving power. (Cf CCC).


For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS.

FEAST OF ST ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS. 

"The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.

"A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”

"But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 31 - 35)."

Tuesday January 27th 2026 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Angela Merici. (1474 - 1540), Virgin.  Italian.

St Angela Merici founded the Ursuline Order, the first women teaching order in the Church. 

St Angela believed that the formation and education of Christian women is society's greatest investment.

Convinced of this truth, St. Angela Merici founded the Company of St. Ursula,  [Ursulines] a secular institute devoted to educating young women to be Christian wives, mothers, teachers, and catechists.

 The Ursulines are flourishing today in their teaching ministry.

In the Gospel of today from Mark 3: 31 - 35, we discover the truth about the pecking order in the Kingdom of God. Who is Who and why? 

"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” 

Why is the Blessed Virgin Mary Primus Inter Pares (First Among Equals) in the Kingdom of God? 

You now know the reason. 

The Virgin of Nazareth heard the Word of God and received it totally. 

Receive the word of God with all your heart and mind and soul and live the word of God and you too will be happy and great. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

"The name of Jesus is light, and food, and medicine. It is light, when it is preached to us; it is food, when we think upon it; it is the medicine that soothes our pains when we invoke it… For when I pronounce this name, I bring before my mind the man, who, by excellence, is meek and humble of heart, benign, sober, chaste, merciful, and filled with everything that is good and holy, nay, who is the very God almighty—whose example heals me, and whose assistance strengthens me. I say all this, when I say Jesus." (St Bernard of Clairvaux).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS.

FEAST OF SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS,  Bishops. 

THE GOSPEL:

"The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, 

“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and

“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, 

“How can Satan drive out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house is divided against itself, 

that house will not be able to stand.

And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, 

he cannot stand; 

that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property 

unless he first ties up the strong man.

Then he can plunder his house. 

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies 

that people utter will be forgiven them.

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit 

will never have forgiveness, 

but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3: 22 - 30). 

Monday 26th January 2026, in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus.

 Timothy (+ 97). Born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father.

 He was ordained by St Paul as Bishop of Ephesus. 

He was a disciple of Paul and traveled with Paul in some of his missionary journeys.

Titus (+ 96 or 107). Ordained Bishop of Crete by St Paul.

 Both Timothy and Titus had very difficult churches to oversee in Ephesus and Crete respectively.

In our Gospel message today, the Scribes insane with envy about the apostolic successes of the ministry of Jesus lashed out like a boxer that has lost control and strikes out everywhere. 

Jesus ever cool answered them methodically. 

"How can Satan drive out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house is divided against itself, 

that house will not be able to stand.

And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, 

he cannot stand; 

that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property 

unless he first ties up the strong man.

Then he can plunder his house."

My brothers and sisters, are you impressed by Jesus' wisdom and performance? 

Jesus promised that you and I can do the same if we trust in the Holy Spirit living in us. 

We have seen proofs of this from the performances of St Stephen, Saints Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. 

Thank You Abba Father for the Gift of the Most Precious Spirit. May we never doubt that He will do in us according to Your Promises. Amen! 

We are still in January, the month the Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 

St. Peter Canisius, S.J.

 "The Name of Jesus is a name of life, of salvation, and of joy. It is a name that strengthens the heart and gives light to the mind."

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, S.J.

 "Every time I pronounce the Name of Jesus, it seems to me that my heart is rekindled with a new fire of love and my soul is filled with a singular sweetness."

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name  of Jesus, click the link below 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

 

THE CALL OF THE APOSTLES AND THE BEGINNING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH.

THE CALL OF THE FIRST OFFICERS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

JESUS CALLS PETER, ANDREW, JAMES AND JOHN.

"When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,

he withdrew to Galilee.

He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,

in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,

that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet

might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles,

the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death

light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,

Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,

casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

He said to them,

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.

He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father

and followed him.

He went around all of Galilee,

teaching in their synagogues,

 proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,

and curing every disease and illness among the people." (Matthew 4: 12 - 23).

The Call of Simon, Andrew, James and John is significant because it marks the definitive step in laying down the foundation for the Seed of the Kingdom of God on earth, which is the Church of the living God.

Every Kingdom requires Personnel, Laws and Structures.

Jesus is creating a Church that will propagate His Mission and Policy throughout the world to the end of the ages.

Jesus chose simple, uneducated fishermen to be the Officers of this Kingdom. This Kingdom is the Work of God. Its manner of operating will be different from earthly kingdoms.

We gain entrance into this Kingdom through Baptism.

Our Bishops are tte successors of the Apostles.

We grew and take root in the Kingdom through participating in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux:

 "The Name of Jesus is not only light, but also food; it is likewise oil, without which all the food of the soul is dry; it is salt, unseasoned by which, whatever is presented to us is insipid; finally, it is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, rejoicing in the heart."

 St. Bernardino of Siena:

 "The Name of Jesus is the glory of preachers, because the shining splendor of that Name causes His word to be proclaimed and heard. This Name is the brightness of believers, the strength of the doers, and the help of those who suffer."

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name  of Jesus, click the link below 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE MEMORIAL OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

"He [Jesus] came home. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3: 20 - 21).

Saturday, 24th January 2026, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time.

First let us consider the background to today's Gospel.

 Jesus is home in Capernaum. He has a room and board here. 

Simon Peter and brother Andrew also live here.

Where is Mary and the relatives of Jesus? They live in Nazareth, 30 miles away.

 The report they received of the activities of Jesus was so concerning that they decided to make the very long trip to confront Jesus.

For Jesus, constant preaching, teaching and healing was just the normal routine for the the Son of Man who had no time to stand and stare or eat. He was also training His seminarians to show them what ministry after seminary would look like.

The message for us here is not that Master and disciples have no time to eat but the cutting criticism from family and foe: "He is insane."

If you are super sensitive to criticism, forget ministry and look for a profession where you will be applauded always.

 Remember that Jesus says that He does not look for or care for the applause of human beings. Why? He knows who He is and that is enough that His Father and the Holy Spirit affirm Him.

Followers of Jesus should be inspired by this great truth. The praise of human beings are worthless. 

They sing your hosanna today and the next day shout from the top of their lungs "Crucify him. Crucify him."  Only God is worthy of trust. 

If you want to make important decisions in life, ask yourself this question: "Where is the greatest love to be found?"

Pope Francis shared this tip 

in a letter celebrating 400th anniversary of St Francis de Sales whose feast day is today. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“The name of Jesus Christ is terrible for demons, passions of the soul and diseases. Let us adorn and protect ourselves with it.” 

“The devils tremble and fly at the invocation of this holy name… He who in temptation calls upon Jesus shall not fall; and he who constantly invokes Him shall not fall, and shall be saved.”  

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name  of Jesus, click the link below 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

 

THE FEAST OF ST VINCENT SARAGOSSA.

THE FEAST OF ST VINCENT SARAGOSSA, DEACON & MARTYR. 

"Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

"He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 

"And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mark 3: 7 - 12).

Friday January 23 in the 2nd  Week in Ordinary Time 

 23rd January is the feast of St Vincent Saragossa, Deacon.

 (+ 304). Spanish. Vincent tried to shield his Bishop in the fierce persecution of Emperor Diocletian but in vain. St Vincent  underwent one of the severest tortures in the history of martyrdom.

"He [Jesus] had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him," we read in today's Gospel. 

What is it about illness and disease that affect human spirit so profoundly?

In the trial of Job (the Book of Job), Satan said to God:

"But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."  (Job 2: 5 NIV).

When our flesh and bone are touched in illness, we truly become desperate and seek for healing everywhere at all cost. 

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, our bodies are subject to disease and illnesses. They become a football field for the demons. Illness and disease provide opportunities for demons to attack our minds. 

The under-proclaimed Good News is: Jesus is still healing today. He is still healing body, mind and soul every day and everywhere.

The stories of healings in the Gospel are too many to gloss over. 

Stand up. Be bold and claim your healing. 

Why do we read in the first Reading today (Hebrews 7: 25,  8 - 6:

"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." 

The word of God is true and cannot deceive us. Approach Jesus Christ with confident and expectant faith and wrestle with Him about your healing. Those who were healed in the Gospel where not healed by staying at home and dreaming how nice it would feel if Jesus healed them. They made effort to track down Jesus and when they caught up with Him, they fell to the ground, worshiped Him and plead for healing. Can you do the same? 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

"Oh, the name of Jesus! There is power in that name to meet every condition of human need". (Smith Wigglesworth). 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below

THE FEAST OF ST VINCENT SARAGOSSA, DEACON & MARTYR. 

"Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

"He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 

"And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mark 3: 7 - 12).

Friday January 23 in the 2nd year of Week in Ordinary Time 

 23rd Januarye inns the feast of St Vincent Saragossa, Deacon. (+ 304). Spanish. Vincent tried to shield his Bishop in the fierce persecution of Emperor Diocletian but in vain. St Vincent the underwent one of the severest tortures in the history of martyrdom.

"He [Jesus] had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him," we read in today's Gospel. 

What is it about illness and disease that affect human spirit so profoundly?

In the trial of Job (the Book of Job), Satan said to God:

"But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."  (Job 2: 5 NIV).

When our flesh and bone are touched in illness, we truly become desperate and seek for healing everywhere at all cost. 

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, our bodies are subject to disease and illnesses. They become a football field for the demons. Illness and disease provide opportunities for demons to attack our minds. 

The under-proclaimed Good News is: Jesus is still healing today. He is still healing body, mind and soul every day and everywhere.

The stories of healings in the Gospel are too many to gloss over. 

Stand up. Be bold and claim your healing. 

Why do we read in the first Reading today (Hebrews 7: 25,  8 - 6:

"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." 

The word of God is true and cannot deceive us. Approach Jesus Christ with confident and expectant faith and wrestle with Him about your healing. Those who were healed in the Gospel where not healed by staying at home and dreaming how nice it would feel if Jesus healed them. They made effort to track down Jesus and when they caught up with Him, they fell to the ground, worshiped Him and plead for healing. Can you do the same? 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

"Oh, the name of Jesus! There is power in that name to meet every condition of human need". (Smith Wigglesworth). 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name  of Jesus, click the link below 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

 

TAKE YOUR ILLNESSES TO JESUS AND HE WILL HEAL YOU.

JESUS HEALS ALL WHO COME TO HIM WITH FAITH AND CONFIDENCE. 

"Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.

A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.

Hearing what he was doing,

a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,

from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,

and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,

so that they would not crush him.

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases

were pressing upon him to touch him.

And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him

and shout, “You are the Son of God.”

He warned them sternly not to make him known."

(Mark 3: 7 - 12).

 Thursday 22nd January 2026, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time.

Today is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn Children in the United States of America. 

Our Gospel for today shows the robust healing ministry of Jesus. 

"He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases

were pressing upon him to touch him.

And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him

and shout, “You are the Son of God.”

My brothers and sisters, take your illness to Jesus and confidently ask Him for healing. Don't ask Him only once. Keep asking until you hear something from Jesus. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

““All hail the power of Jesus’ name; let heaven fall in worship and crown Him Lord of all."

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, bringing rest and healing to the soul.” 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE MEMORIAL OF ST AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR. 

HEALING ON THE SABBATH. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus entered the  synagogue.

There was a man there who had a withered hand.

They watched Jesus closely

to see if he would cure him on the sabbath

so that they might accuse him.

He said to the man with the withered hand,

"Come up here before us."

Then he said to the Pharisees,

"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,

to save life rather than to destroy it?"

But they remained silent.

Looking around at them with anger

and grieved at their hardness of heart,

. 

Jesus said to the man, 

"Stretch out your hand."

He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel

with the Herodians against him to put him to death."

(MARK 3: 1 - 6).

Wednesday 21st January 2026 in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Agnes (+ 304). Virgin and Martyr.

 Agnes who made a private vow of chastity to Jesus Christ resisted the attempt to force her into marriage.

 She was martyred at the age of 13.

 St Agnes is the patron saint of young girls and purity.

When we suffer with Christ, we can then shout with joy when His glory is revealed.

 No birth pang, no joy of nursing. No trials, no triumph. No cross, no crown. 

St Agnes whose feast is today suffered deprivation and martyrdom for the sake of Christ.

 Today she is enjoying her crown and glory in heaven. Her life is still remembered and celebrated throughout the world.

 Many churches and schools are named after her.

We have today in Mark 3: 1 - 6, another Sabbath controversy. Here we see Jesus on the offensive: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Mark 3: 4).

We know the answer to the question  from the previous Sabbath  controversy. The adversaries of Jesus did not answer the question. 

They knew the answer but they had ill-will and hardness of heart and decided to keep silent. 

The man with the withered hand represents all of us.

 What the Pharisees miss is that the great day of healing is the Sabbath, Lord's Day / Sunday and the Healer is still the same: Jesus Christ healing His ailing sisters and brothers through His word and through the Eucharist.

Jesus speaks to us every day through the Scriptures proclaimed in the Sacred Liturgy.

 The same Scripture, the same Liturgy all over the world. This is the beauty of Catholicism. 

One Faith. One Pope. One Liturgy. Worldwide. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“In the sixteenth century, Saint Ignatius of Loyola had such a strong devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus that he adopted it as his seal as general of his newly founded order of the Jesuits; that monogram remains the Jesuits' official seal today. There is great power in the spoken name of Jesus."

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

 

THE FEAST OF SAINTS FABIAN, SABESTIAN and Blessed Michael.

THE SABBATH IS MADE FOR MAN

"As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 

"He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of ­offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?”

"Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the­ sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the ­sabbath.” (Mark 2: 23 - 28).

Tuesday January 20th  in the 2nd Week in  Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Fabian and Sabestian and Venerable Michael Iwunze. 

In Mark 2: 23 - 28, Jesus is entangled in a Sabbath controversy with the religious leaders.

 Jesus silenced them by saying: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2: 27 - 28).

You, what do you consider lawful to do on the Sabbath [Sunday]? 

The Sabbath Rest is a key aspect of Judaism. The Sabbath day is sacred. The Sabbath Rest is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Christianity being the daughter of Judaism adopted the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Sacred Magisterium of the Church (Teaching Authority) made Sunday the Day of Rest instead of the Sabbath (Saturday) because of the Resurrection of Jesus on Sunday.

Make no mistake about it, the requirement for the Sabbath Rest has not changed under Christianity. "Keep Holy the Lord's Day" is one of the most positive and beneficial commandments of the Decalogue. Let us list a few reasons:

#1 Sunday becomes a Day of Rest for the entire family.

#2 Sunday is the Day of mandatory worship of God in the Holy Eucharist.

#3 Sunday is a Day of exercise of faith in God who ordered the rest and promised to provide fully for the day.

#4 Sunday rest is rehearsal for eternal life. When this life ends, there will be no more work. It will be an eternity of enjoyment of the most beautiful liturgies and music and other things which eyes have not seen, nor eyes heard, nor has it ever entered the mind of man what God has prepared for those who love and obey Him.

Jesus observed the Sabbath scrupulously and desires His followers to do the same.

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living.”

(St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

TO FAST OR TO FEAST.

TO FAST OR TO FEAST, THAT IS THE QUESTION. 

"FASTING GIVES BIRTH TO PROPHETS AND STRENGTHENS THE POWERFUL; FASTING MAKES LAWGIVERS WISE. FASTING IS A SAFEGUARD FOR THE SOUL.... FASTING REPELS TEMPTATIONS... " (ST BASIL THE GREAT). 

“The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.

People came to Jesus and objected,

“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,

 but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered them,

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,

and then they will fast on that day.

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.

If he does, its fullness pulls away,

the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,

and both the wine and the skins are ruined.

Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins" (Mark 2: 18 - 22).

Monday January 19 in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time. 

To fast or not to fast, that is the question. 

The Gospel of today deals with fasting.

 Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving are the 3 pillars of Christian spiritual life.

Do you fast? How often? What do you fast from?

On the three pillars of the spiritual life, the Church teaches:

CCC 1434: "The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways.

 Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others.

 Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins.”

As for the concern of the scribes and the Pharisees with regard to the fasting and prayers of Jesus and His disciples, Jesus has a short answer for His challengers:

"New wine must be poured into fresh wineskins." (Cf Luke 5: 38). Meaning: Open your eyes and see. I am doing New Things!

"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life." (John 8: 12)

Some Christians abstain from meat and alcohol on Friday and Wednesday.

 Others abstain also from television, movies and gambling.

 Fasting and abstinence are not options for a Christian. They are signs of a mature faith. 

"The prayer of adoration at night has the power and efficacy of that prayer made with fasting that I recommended to My apostles as the means of expelling demons from the souls whom they torture and oppress. For this reason, the demons fear and hate adoration made at night, while the angels rejoice over it, and place themselves at the service of the soul who desires to do it." (IN SINU JESU page 240).

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. 

“To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living.”

(St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1