TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME.

Take up your cross & follow Me. 

"Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

"Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

"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.”

"Then Jesus said to his disciples,

 “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 

Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.” (Matthew 16: 21 - 27).

Sunday August 30th 2026 in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. 

Jesus first prediction of His passion, death and resurrection marks a turning point in His ministry. 

The disciples did not understand His prediction. Perhaps they did not even want to hear Him speak of bad news at all, certainly not suffering and death.

“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Peter remonstrated with Jesus.

What is your opinion about the Crucifixion?

 What is your opinion about suffering in your life? Suffering in the world?

The Cross is God's will and path for our salvation. 

No Cross, No Crown. 

“Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 

Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24: 25 - 26).

This is the Full Truth of the Gospel. No More, No Less. 

So we are foolish to imagine that there could be salvation without suffering.

 Suffering is a divine necessity. Look around you and see the truth in nature. A seed must die in the ground before it sprouts to bring new life. 

A woman at childbirth wonders whether her end has come. But soon, she is smiling with the child in her arms.

One of the most powerful truths I learned from the Gospels is this: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 32).

The reverse of this is equally astonishing. You are imprisoned by the falsehood you believe. The Devil is the Father of lies. He sows falsehood and lies everywhere. That is why Jesus rebuked Peter sharply on this occasion.

“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16: 23).

How do we protect ourselves from the deadly lies of the Devil? The answer is in the 2nd Reading today:

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12: 2).

#1 Read and meditate on the word of God every day.

#2 Pray every day.

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." (Romans 8: 18).

How did the Blessed Virgin Mary comprehend the necessity of the Cross and embrace this mystery fully in her life? 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace to embrace all the crosses in our lives. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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 MEMORIAL OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

"John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

"Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

"Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.

"She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.

"Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.

 The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

 He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 

"She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

 She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,

“I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

"The king was deeply ­distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.

 He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

"He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.

 The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb." (Mark 6: 17 - 29).

Saturday 29th August 2026 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist.

Who is St John the Baptist?

John is the son of Zachary and Elizabeth.

When Mary visited Elizabeth, John  leapt in her mother's womb in recognition of Jesus who is in Mary’s womb.

 When he came of age, he retired to the desert to prepare for his exacting and extraordinary ministry.

 In the fullness of time, John came to the River Jordan and began preaching and baptizing people for repentance in preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ. 

HE MUST INCREASE BUT I MUST DECREASE." (St John the Baptist  said.

It was here  at the River Jordan that John condemned the adulterous life of King Herod.

Herodias, the concubine of Herod took revenge on the Baptist and demanded his death when a good opportunity presented itself.

John's martyrdom is a cause of joy and hope for Christians.

John died about the age of 32.

 Was his life in vain? Of course not. You think of the hundreds of martyrs that the Church honors every year.

 We honor them to remind everyone that Heaven is real for the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Hell is also real for those who reject Jesus completely.

If someone asks you:

How do you know that Heaven is real? Your answer could be among others: Look at the martyrs. Intelligent and beautiful men and women!

 Could they have thrown away the only life they had for nothing?

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

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

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

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

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

THE MEMORIAL OF ST AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO. BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST AUGUSTINE. BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

THE FIVE WISE & FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS. 

GOODNEWS:

"Jesus told his disciples this parable: 

“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 

"The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 

Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight, there was a cry,

 ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 

The foolish ones said to the wise,

 ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 

"While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.

 Then the door was locked.

"Afterwards the other virgins came and said,

 ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’

 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”  (Matthew 25: 1 - 13).

August 28th is the Memorial of St Augustine. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. 

Friday August 28th 2026 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.(354 - 430). African. Bishop, Doctor of the Church.

St Augustine was the son of St Monica and Patricius.

Augustine was a prodigal in his youth. He kept a mistress for many years.

 He belonged to the heretical sect, the Manichaens for years. Monica shed bitter tears for his conversion and waited on God for many years before it happened.

 St Augustine was baptized by St Ambrose of Milan, the great Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

St Augustine is a prolific writer and without doubt one of the greatest doctors of the Church.

 His greatest works are: THE CONFESSIONS and THE CITY OF GOD.

His influence on Church doctrine has not diminished with time.

 He is vastly quoted in the Documents of Second Vatican Council.

Our Gospel for today is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five foolish and five wise. 

The bridegroom was delayed in his coming. 

Both the wise and the foolish Virgins did not know that the bridegroom will be delayed. 

The wise Virgins were prudent and brought some extra oil for their lamps. 

Because the foolish Virgins did not anticipate a delay, they provided no extra oil.

How do you deal with the Delay Factor in your life? 

The Second Coming of Jesus has been delayed. 

Most likely than not, the fulfillment of God's precious promises to you will be delayed.

 What do you do?

There are 106 occurrences of WAIT in the Bible.

 The message is uniform: There may be delays. Wait for the Lord. 

 There is an appointed time for the fulfillment of Every Promise. You must wait for this fullness of time. 

“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, 

Because it will certainly come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2: 3 AMP).

"Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you." (Psalm 27: 14 TLB).

Those who waited for the Lord:

Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, David, Elizabeth and Zachary, Simeon and the Prophetess Anna.  St Monica whose feast was yesterday, August 27th waited patiently for God for the conversion of her son, Augustine. 

The Lord does not delay as human beings consider delays.

 All His actions are guided by His mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. 

God cannot be even one second late for His appointments. God is always on time.

"In this Sacrament I wait for you. So many emphasize that they must wait for Me, and yet I am already present, close to them, and disposed to reveal to them the secrets of My Heart. They forget that it is I who wait for them to come to Me. How often did I say to My disciples, “Come to Me.” They understood, at least most of them did, the intensity of My longing for the company of souls. I would have all souls come to Me and remain with Me." (IN SINU JESU page 94).

DELAY IS NOT DENIAL. IT MEANS MORE TIME TO PREPARE. 

Wait for the Lord!

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 MEMORIAL OF ST MONICA.

The MEMORIAL OF ST MONICA, MOTHER OF ST AUGUSTINE. 

Stay Awake and Be Prepared for the Coming of Jesus. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time?

"Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 

"But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” (Matthew 24: 42 - 51).

Thursday August 27th 2026 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Monica, the mother of St Augustine. 

"The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises." (Entrance Antiphon. Cf. Prv 31:30, 28).

Thursday August 27th in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Monica, the Mother of St Augustine, whose feast day is tomorrow August 28th.

The Entrance Antiphon from the Book of Proverbs can be aptly applied to St Monica:

"The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises." ( Cf. Prv 31:30, 28). Entrance Antiphon.

St Monica was born in 331 in Tagaste in modern Algeria in N. Africa and died in 387 near Rome at the age of 56. Monica is the mother of St Augustine, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church.

The Church cannot praise our saint of the day enough. Look at the Entrance Antiphon from the special Mass for St Monica. Look also at the Collect prayer to the Father. Almighty Father accepted the motherly tears of St Monica for the conversion of the once prodigal Augustine and made Augustine a great Shepherd of souls.

St Monica also handled a difficult husband, the once alcoholic and hot tempered Patricius, a pagan and city councilor. He died a baptized Christian!

At a time when wife beating was not considered a crime, Monica counseled her female married friends how to handle their husbands. According to Monica, despite the fact that her husband was both a pagan and alcoholic, Patricius never threatened nor abused her in any way.

The Church made Monica the patron saint of married women and a model for Christian mothers.

Who will doubt that we need many Monicas today. We need women who are strong in Christian virtue and able to mother a Christian household. How can the young preserve purity and chastity today? Maternal advice can go like this:

#1 Daily Prayer: Vital Necessity.

#2 Daily word of God.

#3 Frequent Holy Communion.

#4 Frequent Confession.

#5 Spiritual Reading.

O woman, if you do this, "God will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Cf 1 Corinthians 1: 9).

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. 

SHUN HYPOCRISY.

HYPOCRISY AND UNTRUTH. 

SHUN HYPOCRISY.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

 You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.

"Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’

"Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 

now fill up what your ancestors measured out!” (Matthew 23: 27 - 32).

Wednesday 26th August 2026 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our key Scripture for today deals with hypocrisy.

Jesus accused the Scribes and the Pharisees of being hypocrites.

 They were like actors in a theater clamoring for the cheers and approval of the public. 

Does the Church have a problem of hypocrisy today? 

The World has a huge problem with truth. One may even say with the Truth, who is a person.

 This had been recognized decades ago by modern prophets like Pope Benedict XVI and many sociologists.

Hypocrisy is fundamentally a masking of truth. What are some of its characteristics today? 

No shame in telling lies. 

No shame or apology in lying or being caught lying. 

No hesitation in lying before children. 

Sins of lies, perjury, defamation are minimized and may no longer be adequately covered in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

The Church is the seed of the kingdom of God in the world. Alas, the the Church is no longer immune from the sin of hypocrisy, lies, falsehood, perjury and defamation. 

Pope Francis had to cry out publicly against attacks on him by some Catholic media. 

 We never think we shall see such fulfillment of biblical prophecies in our days. 

"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. 

 But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 3 - 5). 

We live in a time that seems to be marred by open rebellion against truth.

How can you "be self-possessed in all circumstances? 

How can you "put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry."? 

St Philip Neri teaches that frequent Confession will lead us to truth and humility.

The Church teaches that frequent Holy Communion will transform us into the image of the Person we receive in the Eucharist. Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Way and the Life. 

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

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

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

THE FEAST OF SAINTS LOUIS OF FRANCE AND JOSEPH CALASANZ.

FEAST OF SAINTS LOUIS OF FRANCE AND JOSEPH CALASANZ. 

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! 

for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith;

 these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 

 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!  

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity.  

You blind Pharisee! 

first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean." (Matthew 23: 23 - 26).

Tuesday 25th August 2026, in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time.

 We celebrate the lives of two saints today. Remember that in honoring these two saints, we are in fact glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ who is King of all the saints.

 Jesus promised that those who follow Him will reign forever with Him. And those who honor the saints glorify Him. Never miss an opportunity to glorify Jesus through honoring the saints on their feast day.

St Louis of France (1214 - 1270). He lived a simple life characterized by prayer and penance. 

God was pleased with Louis and raised him from the cares of earthly rule to the glory of heavenly kingdom.

We celebrate also today:

St Joseph Calasanz (1557 - 1648). A Spanish Priest who dedicated his life in charity and patience to the education of poor children.

What is the common factor between King Louis and Father Joseph? They were separated by nearly 300 years. The common factor is their love for the poor and demonstrating this love in action. 

St Louis the king of France had eleven children. As king of a great European power in the 13th century, Louis lived a life of penance and prayer and treated the French people as his children just as St Paul treated the Thessalonians. His people loved him very much. St Louis perished near Tunis in North Africa in the 2nd Crusade.

St Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life in charity and patience in the education of poor children. He founded a religious order to cater for the poor and the abandoned children of Rome. His confrères hated him and the problem precipitated the abolition of the religious order St Joseph founded. He surrendered the situation to God. His attitude was: God gives us everything. He takes them away whenever He wants. Blessed be the name of God forever!

Our key Scripture for today deals with hypocrisy and lawlessness. We live in a time that seems to be marred by both vices. St Philip Neri teaches that frequent Confession will lead us to truth and humility. The Church teaches that frequent Holy Communion will transform us into the copy image of the Person we receive in the Eucharist.

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

 Mary's Faithfulness to Eternal Purpose. 

​ Everything created by God has a divine purpose. Mary helps us discover, accept, and fulfill our unique role in His master plan.

​Prayer: 

Father, fulfill in me the divine purpose for which You created me.

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 GREAT FEAST OF AN APOSTLE - ST BARTHOLOMEW. APOSTLE AND MARTYR.

THE FEAST OF ST BARTHOLOMEW. APOSTLE & MARTYR.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Philip found Nathanael and told him,

“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets,

Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

But Nathanael said to him,

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

"Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,

“Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

"Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?

You will see greater things than this.”

And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1: 45 - 51).

Monday 24th August 2026 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr.

St Bartholomew also known as Nathanael in the Gospel is one of the Twelve Apostles.

Tradition says that St Bartholomew worked in India and Armenia where he was martyred. 

The people of Armenia claim St Bartholomew as the Founder of the Armenian Church.

Here is the amazing faith of Philip in Jesus who had just launched His public ministry:

“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

Philip believes that Jesus is the Messiah.

When Philip told his friend Bartholomew that they found Jesus, he said:  “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

But Philip, a great evangelist said to Bartholomew,

“Come and see.”

Both Philip and Bartholomew spent some friendly time with Jesus that afternoon and both became His disciples.

The interaction with Jesus closed the sale. And Bartholomew declared: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Who is Jesus planning to draw near Him through you?

Be open and ready to share your faith anywhere, anytime, always.

Be a Philip. Introduce somebody to Jesus today. Share your faith.

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

 St. Bartholomew preached the Gospel faithfully unto death. Marian devotion fills the soul with apostolic zeal to spread the truth of Christ.

​Prayer: Holy Spirit, grant me apostolic courage to bear witness to Jesus in all I do.

​

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