The Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Feast of the Queenship of Mary. (Octave of the Solemnity of the Assumption). 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. 

Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

"When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” 

"Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 

"Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

 (Matthew 19: 23 - 30).

Tuesday 22nd August 2023 of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time is the   Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Why the Feast of the Queenship of Mary? 

1. The Father gave us the Mother of His Son Jesus to be our Mother from the Cross. (Cf the Collect of this Feast).

2. Mary is the Mother of Christ the King and therefore the Queen Mother. (Bathsheba the mother of Solomon was recognized as Queen mother). 

3. In the Church's liturgical prayers from ancient times, Mary has been hailed as Hail holy Queen, Queen of Peace, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of all Saints, etc. (See the Litany of Loretto). The Church applies here the ancient maxim: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi.  This means that the Law of Prayer becomes the Law of Faith. Whatever the Church prays in her Liturgy is automatically the faith of the Church. Whatever is bound on earth by its prayer becomes bound in heaven. 

4. The 5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary celebrates the Coronation of Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. The fruit of this mystery is to grow in faith in the powerful intercession of Mary. In order words, Jesus Christ our Lord and King crowned His Mother Queen  so that we can approach her with confidence with all our needs. 

5. The world today is desperately in need of the mercy of God and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the main reason for the Marian apparitions in Fatima, Lourdes, Knock in Ireland, etc. Mary encourages Christians to pray especially the Holy Rosary. 

The Gospel of today proclaims a stark truth:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

Money and material possessions pose a great danger to the salvation of people. Many are willing to embrace that danger in order to become one of the rich ones of the world. 

But what does it profit a man to be a billionaire for 80 or 90 years and spend eternity in hell? 

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Pope St Pius X.

Feast of St Pius X, Pontiff

"A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”

"He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

"He asked him, “Which ones?”

"And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

"The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” 

"Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

"When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions." 

(Matthew 19: 16 - 21).

Monday 21st August 2023, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Pius X (1835 - 1914). Italian. Pope.

The Church and the world owe St Pius X a great deal for these innovations that we take for granted today: Frequent Holy Communion, renewed emphasis on the Catechism, children receiving Holy Communion from an early age. Reform of seminaries.  For his work on the Eucharist, he is called the Pope of the Eucharist.

Pius X defended stoutly the integrity of the Catholic faith against modernist heresies.

 His papal motto: "To restore all things in Christ" became truly his magnificent obsession. 

“I was born poor, I lived poor, I die poor” was his final word. He died brokenhearted because he could not avert the First World War that started in 1914.

Famous Quote:

"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven." (Pope St Pius X).

What is the problem of the rich young man in today's Gospel? 

Like many sad Rich of this world, he did not know that genuine wealth is not in material possessions.  

How do you know if you have a serious money problem? 

• If you do not believe that God can provide all your needs: material, spiritual and emotional. 

• You talk incessantly about money? 

• You do not tithe regularly. 

• You complain often about inflation and gas prices. 

• You worry a lot about the stock market. 

How do you overcome your attachment to money and material goods? 

1. Frequent Eucharist. 

2. Devotion to the Holy Rosary. 

3. Tithe regularly. 

Do this and you will be blessed. 

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Canaanite Woman Passed the test of faith.

The Testing & Expansion of the Faith of the Canaanite Woman. 

"At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

"But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. 

"Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” 

"He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

"But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

"She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

"And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Sunday August 20th in the 20th Week of Ordinary Time.

We heard the Gospel of the Canaanite Woman on Wednesday 9th August 2023. 

Why is the Church repeating the same Gospel today? Perhaps because the Gospel still contains a lot of meat and marrow. I got fresh insight when I reflected on the Gospel again today.

I have been going through a series of spiritual trials and desolations for a couple of weeks. I was mystified because I could not discern from my behavior the cause for this. 

Today God used the book of Father Timothy Gallagher: IGNATIAN DISCERNMENT IN DAILY LIFE - FINDING GOD IN ALL THINGS to open my eyes a little. 

In our Gospel of today, Jesus was testing the faith of the Canaanite Woman. Jesus wants to take her faith to a new level. The Canaanite Woman passed the test. 

God could NEVER say NO to any proper prayer. God promises:

"Ask and you will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you." 

Then God adds: "Whoever asks shall receive..." 

In another passage God promises that "Whatever you ask for shall be given you..." 

For God to say No to a proper Prayer will be DIVINE INJUSTICE. God is not capable of being unjust. It is one of the greatest lies of Satan to convince us that God is a Liar. Satan wants us to believe that God never answers all our prayers. 

In the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18: 1 - 8, Jesus calls failure to answer prayers by God an act of injustice. Read the text below:

"Because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”  The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?  I tell you, he will see to it that JUSTICE  is done for them speedily."

Jesus boosted the faith of the Canaanite Woman through Divine Pedagogy. (How God teaches human beings).

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

"And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St John Eudes, Priest and Founder.

Joshua Last State of the Nation Address to the Elders of Israel. 

"Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and addressed them, saying: 

“Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely.

"Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

"If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.

"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

"But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. 

[NEVER NEVER SHALL WE FORSAKE THE LORD WHO SAVED US FROM THE EGYPTIAN SLAVERY!!] 

"He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 

"At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

"Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you.”

"But the people answered Joshua, “We will still serve the Lord.” Joshua therefore said to the people, “You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” They replied, “We are, indeed!” 

"Joshua continued: “Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 

Then the people promised Joshua, “We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey his voice.”

"So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem, which he recorded in the book of the law of God.

"Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the Lord. 

And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” 

"Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage.

"After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten." (Joshua 24: 14 - 29).

Saturday August 19th 2023, 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Eudes. (1601 - 1680).

St John Eudes was a French priest and a gifted preacher.

 St John Eudes took a private vow of chastity at the age of 14 and was ordained a priest at 25.  He became a great and talented preacher of the Gospel and an eminent evangelist. St John Eudes had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

 He founded the Society of Jesus and Mary (Eudists).  He later founded the Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge for ex prostitutes. He was declared by Pope Leo XIII as “father, doctor, and apostle of the liturgical cult of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”

Yesterday, we read the equivalent of a great State of the Nation Address by Joshua to the Elders of Israel. Today is a follow up to the Great Speech. Joshua conscious that his death is near had to instruct the People what it takes to maintain friendship with God and consequently their wellbeing and prosperity.

It takes more than "We will serve the Lord" to actually serve the Lord. If you are to serve the Lord, you will serve Him day after day for life.

The spirit to serve the Lord may be there, but the flesh is weak. To serve the Lord faithfully for life like Abraham, Jacob, David you need the anointing and a Plan. This is what your Plan may look like:

The 7-Way Plan:

1. Prayer 

2. Scriptures 

3. Eucharist 

4. Reconciliation 

5. Examination of conscience 

6. Spiritual Reading 

7. Ministry or Faith-Sharing. 

These are the Daily Habits of Saints. 

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Israelites learn of their sacred history and Divine Providence from Joshua.

JOSHUA recounts the Sacred History and Divine Providence in the life of Israel. 

"Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: 

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: In times past your fathers, down to Terah, father of Abraham and Nahor, dwelt beyond the River and served other gods.

"But I brought your father Abraham from the region beyond the River and led him through the entire land of Canaan.

"I made his descendants numerous, and gave him Isaac. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I assigned the mountain region of Seir in which to settle, while Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.

“Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and smote Egypt with the prodigies which I wrought in her midst. 

"Afterward I led you out of Egypt, and when you reached the sea, the Egyptians pursued your fathers to the Red Sea with chariots and horsemen.

"Because they cried out to the Lord, he put darkness between your people and the Egyptians, upon whom he brought the sea so that it engulfed them.

"After you witnessed what I did to Egypt, and dwelt a long time in the desert, I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them, the two kings of the Amorites, before you. 

"Then Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, prepared to war against Israel. He summoned Balaam, son of Beor, to curse you; but I would not listen to Balaam. On the contrary, he had to bless you, and I saved you from him.

"Once you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, but I delivered them also into your power. 

"And I sent the hornets ahead of you that drove them (the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites) out of your way; it was not your sword or your bow.

“I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” (Joshua 24: 1 - 13).

Friday August 18th 2023 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture for today is from Joshua 24: 1 - 13.

Call this Scripture: The Sacred History of Israel and the working of Divine Providence in the People chosen by God to be His family.

What is Divine Providence?

It is the Plan, Purpose, Design, Blueprint in the mind of God for a people or an individual. This Plan or Purpose was not conceived Yesterday.  This Design or Blueprint has been in the mind of God from Eternity.

"LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago."

 (Isaiah 25: 1 NIV).

God chose and called Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People. From Abraham, Joshua traced the history to the conquest of the Promised Land.

Do you have a family history? Do you have a personal history of God's dealings in your life, containing the landmarks, Ups and Downs? Do you have a personal diary, a journal recording important events in your life?

Today's first Reading is to challenge us to review our sacred history of God's Providence in our lives. You will be amazed to discover events similar to the following:

“Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and smote Egypt with the prodigies which I wrought in her midst...

"Because they cried out to the Lord, he put darkness between your people and the Egyptians, upon whom he brought the sea so that it engulfed them.... 

"Once you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, but I delivered them also into your power.... 

FINALLY NOTE:

"I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.”

From the beginning of the Journey to the End, God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence watched over the people to do them good. 

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com