Saturday, May 24, 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025
DO NOT BE TERRIFIED OF PERSECUTION.
NO SLAVE IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.
"Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’
"If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15: 18 - 21).
Saturday May 24th in the 5th Week in the Easter Season.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus utters a truth which is still absolutely authentic today:
NO SLAVE IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER.
Before God we are all slaves. We are slaves because our limited freedom and capacity depend entirely on God. (Cf John 15: 5).
The Scripture further says: everything you have comes from God. Why do you boost? (Cf 1 Corinthians 4:7).
Brothers and sisters, do you know that this world is very hostile to God? The world is ready to trample the slaves of God under foot. Be real. Be authentic. Do not love this world and all that it parades as ultimate pleasure and goodies.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
THE FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA.
THE FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA, AUGUSTIAN NUN.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” (John 15: 9 - 11).
Thursday May 22nd 2025 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Rita of Cascia. (1381 - 1457), Augustinian nun. Rita was able to stop a vendetta between the relations of her murdered husband and the murderers. That was a feat in those days. Rita subsequently entered an Augustunian convent where she spent 40 years in contemplation, austerities and service to the poor and sick.
St Rita of Cascia is known as the patron saint of desperate and impossible situations.
"If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love." (Cf John 15: 9 - 11).
It is not possible to divorce the love of Jesus from keeping His Commandments. What are these Commandments?
The Ten Commandments,
the Commandments of the Church.
All the statutes in Sacred Scripture.
Let us not fool yourselves. All the Commandments are important. Every one of them will be accounted for in the last judgment.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
MY FATHER WANTS YOU TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT.
IF YOU WANT TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT, REMAIN IN ME.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
"You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
"Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15: 1 - 8).
Wednesday May 21st 2025 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season.
IF YOU WANT TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT, REMAIN IN ME. Says Jesus.
Every Christian wants to bear some fruit. Some desire to bear 30%, others 60% and yet others 100%.
You can not bear any fruit if you do not remain in Jesus. How do you remain in Jesus so that you can bear much fruit like the Pros of our faith?
We learn from examples. Who are the Pros of our faith who bore 100% fruit. Consider some of these saints and then we look at how they lived to become highly productive in the Vineyard of the Lord.
Saints Peter and Paul, John, Benedict, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Therese of the Child Jesus, Catherine of Siena, St John Paul II, and many more.
They abided or remained in Jesus through the daily consumption of His word. It is said that St Anthony of Padua could quote the entire Bible. He is not the only Pro that achieved this feat.
Why is the word of God very important if you want to be very productive in the Kingdom of God?
To quote St Ambrose of Milan, a Pro in his own right, "Know the Heart of God from the word of God."
The word of God is primus inter pares (first among equals), to become a Pro, you need a plan of life that consists of 7 branches:
1. Word of God.
2. Eucharist.
3. Prayer.
4. Reconciliation.
5. Examination of Conscience.
6. Spiritual Reading.
7. Faith-sharing or Ministry.
Saints do all the above on daily basis.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Monday, May 19, 2025
THE FEAST OF ST BERNADINE OF SIENA, OFM.
FEAST OF ST BERNADINE OF SIENA, OFM
MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
"Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
"You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.
"I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me." (John 14: 27 - 31).
Tuesday May 20th, 2025 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Bernardine of Siena, OFM.
(1380 - 1444). Italian Franciscan Priest. St Bernardine had a great charism for preaching. During his relatively short life, he was able to evangelize all Italy. Below is a snippet from his biography.
"When other priests consulted him for advice, Bernardine gave them a simple rule: “In all your actions, seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory. Direct all you do purely to his honor. Persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others.”
Bernardine came down to us in history for his special love for the holy name of Jesus.
Here is a great quote from St Bernardine on the name of Jesus:
“The name of Jesus, is in fact,
the great foundation of the faith
that turns people into children of God.
The Catholic Faith indeed,
consists in the news of Jesus Christ, as light of the soul, gate of life and foundation of eternal salvation.”
Our key Scripture for today proclaims:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."
Jesus gives a special peace, the Shalom to His disciples and to us the present day disciples. This is the Peace of Christ. It is radically different from the peace of the world. The world claims peace when there is no war, when the stock market and the economy are good. When the family is not at each other's throat. Everyone is in good health. This like Pax Romana, the imposed peace of the Roman empire on conquered people. Peace through strength.
What is the peace that Jesus Christ gives us? What is His special type of peace? In one word, it is opposite the Pax Romana, the peace of this world.
Examples of the Peace of Christ:
The martyrs felt immense joy and peace at the moment of their execution. Christians rejoice in suffering.
Paul and Barnabas in the first Reading of today strengthened the spirits of the disciples [at Derbe] and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Cf Acts 14: 19 - 28).
Peace is a special gift of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit takes residence in your heart, He brings the peace of Christ.
The Holy Spirit brings also love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness and other sweet gifts.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Sunday, May 18, 2025
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW FOR OUR MISSION.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING.
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
"Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”
"Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14: 21 - 26).
Jesus said in the Gospel of today: "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14: 21 - 26).
The Holy spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. He is our best Teacher. If we are docile to the Holy Spirit, He will manifest Himself to us as “All that we need.“ He who has Supreme Wisdom living in him does not need a Master's degree.
Let us prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost with fervent desire.
The Holy Spirit was certainly very active in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Saturday, May 17, 2025
LET YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR BE VERY BIG.
AS I HAVE LOVED YOU SO SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
"My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13: 31.....35).
Sunday, 18th May 2025 in the 5th week in the Easter Season.
A short Gospel for this Sunday but powerful message.
Jesus gives us a new commandment. Actually, the only thing that is new here is: "As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." This is what makes it tough and very challenging. When Jesus taught in His sermons on the mountain: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," we thought this is a hyperbole. Now Jesus commands: "As I have loved you, so you also should love one another."
How has Jesus loved you and me? Let us search the Scriptures.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
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"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
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"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
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"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7).
In 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7, we see the attributes of love.
This is how Jesus loves you and me. Is this how you love yourself? Your neighbor?
"The veneration of the Virgin Mary has accompanied the path of the Church from the beginning; Marian feast days began to appear already in the fourth century: in some the role of the Virgin in the history of salvation is exalted; in others the principal moments of her earthly life are celebrated."
( Pope Benedict XVI).
Saints are the happiest people on earth. Why not start by desiring to be a saint?
“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 Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Friday, May 16, 2025
THE FATHER AND I ARE ONE.
IF YOU ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
"From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
"Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?
"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.
"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.
"And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” (John 14: 7 - 14).
Saturday 17th May in the 4th Week in the Easter Season.
Reflect with me on this great promise of Jesus on Prayer:
"If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
Jesus Christ Himself taught that Prayer is a vital necessity. (Luke 18:1). God is obliged as a matter of justice to answer every Prayer. ("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? 8 I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily." (Luke 18: 7 - 8).
The God of Abraham is the God of Covenant who remembers His covenant forever.
Two of my greatest teachers on Prayer are:
1. St Alphonsus Liguori, CSsR.
2. St Claude de la Colombière, SJ.
There teaching on Prayer is remarkably similar. Here is what I learned about their teaching on Prayer:
Pray with faith.
Ask God for big stuff.
Ask with persistence until you receive what you ask. If you quit asking before you receive, blame yourself. If God does not intend to grant your prayer, you will know somehow interiorly and quit.
Since Prayer is such a vital necessity in life, it is worth paying any price to get this gift and learn as much as possible about Prayer. Every significant gift I have enjoyed came from Prayer.
I learned from the Liturgy of the Hours: "T'is not from chance springs any of the comfort we enjoy but from God's gracious ordaining."
This is true. Ask and you shall receive.
Saints are the happiest people on earth. Why not start by desiring to be a saint?
“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 Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
THE FEAST OF ST ISIDORE THE FARMER.
FEAST OF ST ISIDORE THE FARMER.
THE GOODNEWS:
"When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen." (John 13: 16...20).
Thursday 15th May 2025 in the 4th Week in the Easter Season is
the feast of St Isidore the Farmer.
Isidore the Farmer lived between (1070 - 1130).
Isidore was a humble Spanish farmer who spent most of his day on the land and managed to attend daily Mass and spend significant time before the Blessed Sacrament.
His wife Maria is a canonized saint. His life reminds us that all creation belong to God who requires us to care for the environment that surrounds us. Isidore is the Patron of the National Rural Life Conference in the US.
Two important things to note about the life of St Isidore the Farmer.
1. As a farmer, he spent most of his time in the field. How did he manage to attend daily Mass?
2. How did Isidore find the time to spend before the Blessed Sacrament?
We enter one of the most consequential conversations of Jesus with His disciples: The Last Supper Discourse.
The first thing Jesus did as He gathered the disciples to celebrate the Passover in the Upper Room which became the Last Supper was to wash the dirty feet of His disciples. What is the lesson for them and for us?
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it." (John 13: 16 - 17).
Jesus the Christ came to serve and not to be served. Imitation of Jesus is the key to a blessed life.
We become saints not by the amount of knowledge or degrees we have but by imitating Jesus. As we become little by little like Jesus every day we start to imitate his mannerisms: His words and actions. Jesus promises that this is the secret of the ultimate blessings and happiness in this world and the next.
Saints are the happiest people on earth. Why not start by desiring to be a saint?
“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 greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
THE FEAST OF ST MATTHIAS, APOSTLE.
THE FEAST OF ST MATTHIAS, APOSTLE.
"Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
"I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
"And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
"Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.” (John 12: 44 - 50).
Wednesday May 14th 2025 in the 4th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Mathias, Apostle.
Jesus said to the Apostles during the Last Supper:
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain."
Matthias, our saint for today was not among the original Twelve Apostles.
Like St Matthias, each of us is called, chosen and anointed for a specific mission in the Kingdom. This is true whether we are soldiers, teachers, accountants, lawyers or housewives. Your day job is the field for your ministry. We are called to be friend and companion of Jesus who will carry on His ministry through us in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mattias who had followed Jesus since His Baptism at the Jordan became a witness to the Resurrection and saw Jesus ascend into Heaven. He was present with the disciples in the Upper Room at Pentecost. Matthias met the criteria established by the Apostles to be qualified to replace Judas Iscariot.
Matthias must have been deeply surprised by his call to join the Apostolic College. This is the way of God:
"God raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people." (Psalm 113: 7 - 8).
Ancient tradition placed St Matthias' ministry in Jerusalem, Cappadocia and Ethiopia. He was martyred in Jerusalem.
Matthias is the patron saint of Alcoholics.
"I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord." (John 15: 16).
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Monday, May 12, 2025
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA.
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA.
THE GOODNEWS:
"The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (John 10: 22 - 30). O
Tuesday 13th May 2025 in the 4th Week of the Easter Season.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, not a solemnity but a feast celebrated worldwide because of the significance of the message of Fatima. What does Fatima mean to Christians and why does it matter? First, Fatima is in the domain of private revelation. Nobody is obligated to believe the message. But because the Church approves the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Fatima in 1917, and very importantly because the Church gives it a place in its solemn liturgy, it makes sense to pay attention to it.
What is the message of Fatima?
"The message of Fatima includes a call to conversion of heart, repentance from sin and a dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, shown especially by praying the Rosary." (Roman Missal, Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13).
In our key Scripture for today, Jesus says:
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand."
Do you hear the voice of Jesus? You hear His voice by listening to the Scriptures every day.
If your heart is troubled by affairs of this world: family, health, money, politics, etc, it is because you do not put your trust in Jesus Christ. In you depend on the world for your peace and serenity, you are promised lots of trouble. But it should not be so.
Listen to the promises of Jesus. Reflect on them continually and you shall have peace. Below are a few of the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ. Call them healing truths because they destroy the lies of Satan in the soul and establish the peace of Christ.
1. "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
2."It is I. Do not be afraid."
3. "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God and believe in Me also."
4. "Fear is useless. All you need is Faith."
5. "My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made effective in weakness."
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Sunday, May 11, 2025
THE FEAST OF THREE YOUNG ROMAN MARTYRS.
FEAST OF SAINTS NEREUS, ACHILLEUS AND PANCRAS.
THE GIFT OF ABUNDANT LIFE.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
"But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
"The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.
"But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
"So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
"I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 1 - 10).
Monday May 12, 2025 in the 4th Week in the Easter Season.
The Church celebrates today the feast of three youthful soldier martyrs. St Pancras (+ 304). Roman. Martyred at 14 under Emperor Diocletian. Also today: Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Roman soldiers. Both martyred under Emperor Trajan. The Church rejoices in saints that bore witness to Jesus at very young age: Agnes, Perpetua, Felicity, Agatha, Maria Goretti, etc.
"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Why was Jesus conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontus Pilate, crucified, died and buried and raised again on Easter Sunday, which we celebrate each Easter Season?
The answer is: THAT WE MAY HAVE ABUNDANT LIFE.
Humanity had lanquished in squalor since the downfall of Adam and Eve.
What is Abundant Life?
Abundant Life is the Holy Spirit. When we become baptized, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity instantly comes and dwells in us. He does not come empty handed.
The Holy Spirit comes with all His gifts: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Reverential Fear of the Lord and Piety.
These gifts come to us as seeds to be developed by us through desire, prayer and study.
The Holy Spirit blesses us too with the fruits of His personality, for example: Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity and others.
This is the Abundant Life that Jesus speaks about in John 10: 10.
He who believes enjoys Abundant Life Here and Now. St Catherine of Siena says that we continue to enjoy this Abundant Life from now all the way to eternity.
Abundant life is life in the Spirit. It is not eating, drinking and revelry which is the life of the unsaved.
If you lose the joy and peace of abundant life through sin, you go to the Hospital in the Sacrament of Reconciliation where the Good Shepherd is waiting for you with the merciful medicine of Mercy.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in May. How can you honor the Most Holy Virgin in May? Mary loves the Rosary and rewards those who honor her by praying the Rosary in May.
“Woe to those who despise devotion to Mary! ... The soul cannot live without having recourse to Mary and recommending itself to her. He falls and is lost who does not have recourse to Mary.” (St Alphonsus Liguori).
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
Monday, May 05, 2025
GIVE US ALWAYS THE EUCHARIST.
GIVE US THIS BREAD ALWAYS.
THE GOOD NEWS:
"The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6: 30 - 35).
Tuesday May 6th in the 3rd Week in the Easter Season.
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Where in the Gospel of St John did we hear a similar request of Jesus?
"The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4: 15).
The Samaritan Woman and the Crowd in today's Gospel are looking for something more than ordinary bread or water.
Jesus is truly the Bread of life who comes to us in Holy Communion. One month every year, the Church inspired by the Holy spirit gives us the opportunity to reflect on the immense Gift of the Holy Eucharist and the opportunity to renew our faith and gratitude.
The Eucharist = Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of Jesus Christ. The Food for the Journey.
Sacred Heart = Physical Heart of Jesus, a Demonstration of His love.
The Church dedicate ALL APRIL to honoring the Most Holy Eucharist.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
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