The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1: 1 - 16, 18 - 23).

Wednesday 8th September 2021 is the great feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her birth marks the moment when she who was to conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to our Savior Jesus - Emmanuel was born.

Who is Mary?
Why is her cult so passionate and universal?

Mary is the Only Child of Saints Joachim and Anne. She is the Mother of Emmanuel, God-with-us, Jesus "who will save his people from their sins."
The Blessed Virgin Mary was held in reverence by the Apostles and disciples in the earliest Christian communities. That may be why so little was said about her in the Gospels. In His mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence, it pleased God to keep Mary hidden for most of her 60 years on earth.

The Mother of Emmanuel was the only person who knew Jesus from womb to tomb. She was always there in the most important moments in the life of Jesus:
* Annunciation.
* Visitation to Elizabeth and Zachary.
* Birth of Jesus in the Manger.
* Visit of the Magi, the 3 kings.
* Presentation in the Temple and the encounter with the Prophet and Prophetess Simeon and Anna.
* The Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross).
* The Sacrifice of the Lamb of God at Calvary when it pleased the Father to make the Mother of His Son, our Mother through John the Evangelist.
* The Birth of the Church on Pentecost Sunday.

Mary was faithfully there in all the great moments! Accident or Providence? Mary's role in salvation history was planned by the Most Holy Trinity before the beginning of the world.

It is with great joy that we honor Mary on her Birthday. Happy Birthday Mother. We your children love you very much. We join all the generations that have called you blessed to hail you:
Holy Mary full of grace, the fruit of your womb, Jesus is blessed forever! 🌹🌹🌹🎂❤️

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Christian, believe what you read in the word of God. Practice what you believe.

Tuesday, 7th September 2021 in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time. Our Scripture for today is from the Responsorial Psalm 145: 8 - 9.

Consider this truth. The Devil distorts the truth about God. If Christians know and believe the truth about God, the Devil will be out of business. The Devil flourishes because He makes us believe concocted falsehood about God. For example: God is not all powerful. God is mean and wicked.

Christian, read and study the word of God. Believe what you read and practice what you believe and ALL will be well with you.

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Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath.

"On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him." (Luke 6: 6 - 11).

Monday 6th September 2021, in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is Labor Day in the USA.

What day and hour can one work is the subject of the controversy between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. For the opponents of Jesus, almost no work is permitted on the Sabbath. On this point, Jesus asked them:
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

The scribes and Pharisees refused to answer the question. Jesus then turned to the man with the withered hand and said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored."

On Labor Day, we remember that God commanded man to work in order to participate in the work of creation. Like the scribes and Pharisees, there is always a great temptation for the people that control work to use labor to enslave workers.

May the work we do contribute to real progress on earth and the growth of the Kingdom of God.

"The work will begin slowly and it will encounter every manner of opposition, criticism, and resistance, but the merciful love of My Heart will prevail, and the light of My Eucharistic Face will shine in places long claimed by the powers of darkness. Continue to trust Me, and have recourse to My Mother, to Saint Joseph, and to Saint John, for I have given them to you to watch over you, to protect you, and to obtain for you an abundance of treasures from My Eucharistic Heart." (IN SINU JESU page 167).

Lord Jesus, bless and prosper the work of our hands.

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Your God comes to heal you.

"Thus says the Lord: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing." (Isaiah 35 : 4.... 7).

Sunday 5th September 2021, in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.

The first Reading and the Gospel deals with the all important subject of healing. What are the consequences of sin for humanity broken by sin?  Bodily suffering, tortured minds and sick hearts. Jesus teaches that not everyone who is sick is responsible for his state. The illness might have been caused by family, community or the actions of the wider community like abuse of the environment.

In the Gospel, Jesus heals a deaf and dumb man.

"And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”—that is, “Be opened!”—And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly." (Mark 7: 31.... 37).

The prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading is fulfilled in today's Gospel. Jesus Christ is still healing in the world today. He is healing through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Through a Benedictine mystic, Jesus tells us below:

"Let My adorers take their place before Me. Their faith, their hope, and their surrender to My merciful love will cause a great tide of healing love to pour forth from My sacred side and radiate from My Face. Thus will My adorers, without leaving My sanctuary, become also My apostles: messengers and instruments of My merciful love and of My burning desire to gather in the lost, to bind up the bruised, to tend the wounded, and to heal the broken-hearted." (IN SINU JESU page 231).

Do you sincerely want to be healed? Trust completely in the mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence of God and ask Jesus with boldness to be healed.

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First Saturday in September. Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry?" (Luke 6: 1.... 5).

Saturday 4th September 2021, First Saturday in September, the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Why is Saturday dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary?
This is an ancient custom dating back to the time of Emperor Charlemagne in the 800s. Some date the custom earlier than Charlemagne.

Most great medieval Doctors of the Church endorsed the practice, viz:
Saints Bernardine of Sienna, Thomas Aquinas, Bernard of Clairvaux and Bonaventure.

One interesting reason for this practice:

After the Crucifixion on Friday, everyone had lost faith in Jesus and went home. On Saturday, Mary continued the Vigil alone waiting for the Resurrection of her Son. Tradition believed that Jesus appeared to His mother first after the Resurrection. Not surprising!

In the Gospel for today from Luke 6, Jesus reminded the Pharisees God’s purpose for the Sabbath.

"Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy." (Exodus 20: 8). The command to set apart the Sabbath is very important as seen from the way it is treated in Sacred Scriptures. It is the exaggerated concern for the obligation and sanctity of the Sabbath Rest that gave rise to hundreds of minutiae rules concerning the basic command to keep holy the Lord's Day.

Throughout the Christian history, the Magisterium of the Church has not only expounded on the sacred character of the Sabbath but has taught that the Sabbath was instituted for the enjoyment of the People of God. It is a day of worship of God. A day of rest for the whole family from the hustle and bustle involved in making a living. It is a day to enjoy the parks, watch Christian movies. It is a day to visit the sick in the hospital.

The Sabbath Rest is Rehearsal for Eternal life. One day, there will be no work. By obeying the law of the Sabbath, you build up your faith in this promise of God. God plans to redeem man and creation from the present servitude.

It is more enjoyable to keep holy the Lord's Day than to do anything unlawful on the Sabbath Rest.

"With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath."  (CCC 2173).

Rejoice in God's generous provision of the Sunday Rest and use it to grow in spiritual and human maturity.

The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
"Yes, my beloved little son, the eighth sorrow of my maternal and Immaculate Heart is that my Son is so offended in the Sacrament of His love. This sorrow of mine will endure until the end of time, when the real presence of my Son in the Most Holy Sacrament will give way to the sight of His divine majesty. Then will faith give way to vision, and hope to possession. Then will love be secure and everlasting for all who will have died in the embrace of His divine friendship." (IN SINU JESU page 183).

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The Feast of St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church.

"The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” (Luke 5: 33 - 39).

Friday 3rd September 2021, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time is the First Friday in September. We honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of every month. Today is also the feast of the Servant of the Servants of God, St Gregory the Great. (540 - 604). Pope and Doctor of the Church.  When God chose and anointed David, He exclaimed with delight: "I have chosen David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him. My hand will be with him; my arm will make him strong." (Psalm 89: 21 - 22). This Scripture can be applied to Pope Gregory the Great. Gregory was the David of his days. 

St. Gregory the Great was called from the City Hall where he was the Mayor of Rome to be fisher of men. He left everything and followed Jesus.
He used his wealth to found six monasteries before he was elected Pope. He is noted in history for instituting liturgical reforms and initiating missionary endeavors. It was due to St Gregory that missionaries were first sent to England.

"Meditate daily on the words of your Creator.  Learn the Heart of God in the words of God, that your soul may be enkindled with greater longing for heavenly joys." One of the many wise sayings of St Gregory the Great.

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.”

Some Christians abstain from meat and alcohol on Friday and Wednesday. Others abstain also from television, movies and gambling.

"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).

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on First Friday in September 2021.

September 3, 2021 - First Friday in September.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which Jesus made through St Margaret Mary Alacoque to all who honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month. In the 9th month of the year 2021, we look at Promise #9.

#9.  "I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored."

Do you have an image or statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a prominent place in your home?
The 9th Promise is a very easy condition to fulfill.  Buy the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture or statue from a Catholic Bookstore or Amazon and place it in a prominent place in your home.  "Bless my home as You promised, Jesus".

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

Holy Aspirations you can repeat throughout any day:

"O SACRED Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come. EUCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, increase in us faith, hope and charity."

"HEART of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee."

"O DIVINE Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, free the holy souls in Purgatory."

For the Sacred Heart of Jesus Promises, Prayers, Prayer intentions, click the link below:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

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Peter exercised obedience of faith and received his calling from Jesus.

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing." (Luke 5: 1... 11).

Thursday 2nd September 2021, in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

Our Scripture today is one of my favorites. It deals with all the themes that build me up: Faith, Obedience of Faith, Inspiration and power.

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter obeyed the command which seemingly did not make sense to an experienced fisherman. Do you remember Mary's counsel to the stewards in the Marriage Feast at Cana? "Do whatever He tells you." They did what Jesus told them and water was made into high quality wine.

Our faith is expressed in obedience. Peter exercised obedience of faith and a big miracle took place.
When God speaks His word to you through the Scriptures, locution, inspiration, prophetic individual and you do not respond with obedient action, what is wrong? You did not believe the word of God. Recognize this. God will increase your faith if you ask Him. How about using the aspirational prayer below.

"O SACRED Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come. EUCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, increase in me faith, hope and charity."
The key to the effectiveness of this type of prayer is critical mass. That is, say it as often as possible and continue with it until you get result. God wants us to persevere in prayer.

When Peter responded in faith, he received his calling.
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."

Jesus is calling everyone of us to intimate friendship with Him.

"Priests and religious who are tempted to follow a false philosophy of activism, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, or who waste their time on entertainments and distractions, will suffer God’s loving judgments. He will make bitter their false delights, destroy their enterprises, and weaken the efficacy of their work in order to wake them up to their calling of intimate friendship with Him as the source of happiness and the condition for all fruitfulness." (IN SINU JESU page 266).

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What is the missionary purpose of Jesus?

“To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4: 38...44).

Wednesday 1st September 2021, in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

At the end of the Gospel for today, Jesus declares His missionary purpose. “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” In another statement of His purpose, Jesus declares: "For this I was sent: to bear witness to the truth."

We too must bear witness to the truth in the other towns. 

The Kingdom of God is here and now. The Kingdom of God is the reign and sovereignty of the King over His subjects. Jesus is the King. We are His subjects. To His subjects, Jesus says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28 - 30).

Our King is gentle and humble of heart. This is the Good News that must be proclaimed to everyone. Do not be an outsider. Be involved. Be catechized and sacramentalized. Be an evangelist.

"I am Jesus. Mine it is to save, to heal, to vivify, and to make lovely in the sight of My Father the souls that consent to the operations of My mercy and to the secret action of the Holy Spirit. When you speak to My priests, remind them of the power and efficacy of a single act of confidence in My merciful love. Confidence opens the door to all the treasures of My kingdom. To one who has confidence in My merciful love, I can refuse nothing." (IN SINU JESU page 105).

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Jesus spoke and acted with authority and power.

"Jesus went down to Caper­naum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority."
(Luke 4:31-37).

Tuesday 31st August 2021, in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

In today's Gospel, people were amazed that Jesus spoke with authority. Authority means power. Jesus quotes no teacher or scholar to back His teaching. Unlike the rabbis or their modern cousins who constantly quote doctors and experts. Jesus simply says: "I Jesus tell you..."

What is authority? Authority means power. The word dynamite is derived from power. Listen to Jesus in the promise of the Gift of the Father in Acts 1: 8. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes." Only then can you bear witness to Me and do My work. The Holy Spirit power is critical to witnessing and evangelization.

The Holy Spirit is therefore the Spirit of power above every other attribute. The miracles of Jesus which are the works of Jesus like in the Gospel of today are works of authority or power. The words of Jesus in the Gospel are words of authority or power. The words or sayings of Jesus are authoritative. That means they produce at once what they say. The miracle itself or works of wonders clarify the words of Jesus. In Jesus, words and actions form a mysterious unity.  "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10). Whatever Jesus says must happen!

We the Baptized do not have the spirit of fear. Many of us act in fear as if possessed by the spirit of fear. In Baptism, we receive the Spirit of power. This is the Spirit that marks the children of God the Father and not the spirit of cowardice, which is evil and impure spirit.

How then do we activate the Holy Spirit in our lives? Faith acting through Prayer is the Activator of the Holy Spirit. Mary says: "I believe what you have told me. Now let it be done to me according to your promise." (Cf Luke 1: 37 - 38).
Following this declaration of Mary, Jesus became instantly incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus says in IN SINU JESU:
"Be faithful to her Rosary. It is the shield and sword of spiritual combat. It assures your victory over the powers of darkness. Why? Because it is a humble prayer, a prayer that binds the soul who prays it to the victory of My Mother over the ancient serpent." (IN SINU JESU page 59).

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His town's folk became envious of Jesus.

"Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written." (Luke 4: 16 - 30).

Monday 30th August 2021, in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

Our Gospel for today is the rejection of Jesus in His hometown Nazareth. Jesus read the passage below from the Prophet Isaiah which previews the ministry of the Messiah.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."

The congregation was impressed by Jesus' delivery of the message and "all in the synagogue looked intently at him.. ... And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth."
Then they wondered “Is this not the son of Joseph?"

Why did the admiration of Jesus suddenly turn to envy?  Envy is listed as one of the 7 Deadly Sins and is defined as: "Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation." It is a sin that is surprisingly found in the Church: Bishops, priests, religious, monks, nuns, etc.

Envy is such a human sin. Wives envy their husbands and vice versa. Sibling envy can be deadly as we see from Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob.

What makes you feel envious? How do you handle the deadly sin of envy that spares none of us? How will you feel if you are the target of envy at school or in the workplace?

"The redemption is the work of love. I loved in the face of hatred. I loved in the face of death. I loved even in the netherworld, where the just of the ages awaited My coming among them. It is by love that I vanquished hell, by love that I triumphed over death, by love that I undid what Satan, in his envy, had plotted against the creatures whom I so love and whom My Father destined for the praise of His glory." (IN SINU JESU page 135).

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God is the Giver of ALL Good things.

"Dearest brothers and sisters: All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change." (James 1: 17 - 18).

Sunday 29th August 2021, in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.

I encountered our key Scripture from the James 1: 17 - 18 in a hymn/poetic format in Liturgy of the Hours and it truly changed the way I see God and the operations of Divine Providence. This is how I see the teaching of James in the poetic format:
"T'is not from chance springs any of our comforts but from Your gracious ordaining..."

It means that not even the least comfort, joy, kindness, break, cool breeze, smile of the supermarket checkout cashier, nurse, etc is an accident. God has arranged all these events to make you happy.
The same idea appears in 2 Corinthians 1: 3:

"Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1: 3 AMP).

What is the above verse saying?
God our Father is the Father of ALL mercies. ALL mercies and ALL comforts. Not some mercies and some comforts.
The words  "accident, chance, coincidence, luck" do not appear in the Bible. Everything is governed by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. There is absolutely no exception to this rule.
To understand and believe this is life changing.

These spiritual writers have expounded brilliantly on the mystery of Divine Providence:
Augustine, Alphonsus Ligouri, Jean Pierre de Caussade, Claude de la Columbière, Jacques Philippe, John Flavel, Jean-Baptiste de Jure, etc.  Divine Providence is a subject of predilection in the Catholic tradition. French saints and spiritual writers of the 18th century truly delight in the Doctrine of Divine Providence.

When I owned this truth, I became free of bad lucks. There are no bad lucks. There are no good lucks.
"ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God."
ALL THINGS MEANS ALL THINGS.

This knowledge increased my joy and gratitude in life. I went to a store two days ago. All the staff, about 6 of them greeted me with smiles and fist bump. I felt very happy not only when I was in the store but most of the day. Why? I knew without doubt that it was Jesus Himself showing me friendship through the staff of the store. Do not forget this hymn we sing in Church: "Ubi caritas, est ibi Deus." It means "Where love is, God is there." Where joy, friendship, kindness is, God is there.

When you believe this truth, you find yourself thanking God more than you had done all your life.

Speaking in IN SINU JESU, Jesus says: "What matters is not what you are thinking or saying, for I am pleased and comforted and glorified by your simply being with Me. Be present in My presence. This is what I ask of you. So many others among My priests leave Me alone in the Sacrament of My love. They grow cold, indifferent, and hard-hearted. An hour spent in My presence would be enough to reinflame their hearts, to move them to gratitude and love, and to open their souls to the grace of My friendship." (IN SINU JESU page 237).

To learn more about the God of ALL Providence, click the link below:

http://seekfirstcommunity.com/2020/09/abba-father.html?m=1

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The Feast of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

"Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away." (Matthew 25: 14 - 30).

Saturday 28th August 2021, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Augustine. (354 - 430). African. Bishop, Doctor of the Church. 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 Talents. God gives everyone gifts of time, talent and treasure according to His merciful and mysterious Providence for each human being. God demands an accounting at the end of the Ages for the use of the talents.
The wise and diligent who used their gifts well will hear from the Supreme Judge of all mankind:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy."

The lazy and delinquent will hear:
"You wicked, lazy servant!....
"Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

Our saint of today, St Augustine is an exceptional genius. The solidity and integrity of his teaching was irrefutable. During the Reformation debacle of the 16th century, the reformers try to pick and choose from Augustine's many doctrines.  Augustine is known as the Doctor of Grace. They claimed the Catholic Church abandoned the truth of the Gospel.
Ask yourself:  How can the Catholic Church abandon its mission and survive for 2000 years? Show me any other institution on earth that abandoned its mission and survived for 50 years. St Augustine is one of the greatest apologist of the divine institution of the Catholic Church.
Jesus' promise that the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church is ironclad.

St Augustine is the patron saint of printers and theologians.

Quotes from St Augustine:
"God who created you without your cooperation will not save you without your cooperation" (Sermon 169, 11).
"Our entire life on earth should take the form of praise of God, for the never-ending joy of our future life consists in praising God, and no one can become fit for that future life unless he trains himself to render that praise now". (Enarrationes in Psalmos, 148).

"O God, You have made us for Yourself. Our hearts are restless till they rest in You."

Jesus says to the mystic:
"Conversions that are sudden and excessive are not My habitual way of leading souls in the way of holiness. I prefer to see souls advance by little steps along a way of spiritual childhood, trusting in Me to bring them to Calvary and to the fullness of joy in My presence and in the presence of My Father." (IN SINU JESU page 189).

St Augustine, pray for us.

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Feast of St Monica.

"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."  (Matthew 25: 1 - 13).

Friday 27th August 2021, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Monica (331 - 387). African. Mother of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

Almighty Father accepted the motherly tears of St Monica for the conversion of the once prodigal Augustine. St Monica also handled a difficult husband, the once alcoholic Patricius, a pagan city councilor. He died a baptized Christian.

Our Gospel for today is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five foolish and five wise. The bridegroom was delayed in his coming. The wise Virgins anticipated a delay and provided 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 will be delayed. Most likely than not, the fulfillment of God's precious promise to you will be delayed. What do you do?

There are 106 occurrences of WAIT in the Bible. The message is uniform: Wait for the Lord.

“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 waited patiently for God for the conversion of her son, Augustine. 

The Lord does not delay. All His actions are guided by His mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. God is not even one second late for His appointments. 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).

Wait for the Lord!

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Be Awake! Be Vigilant!

"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." (Matthew 24 :42 - 51).

Thursday 26th August 2021, in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time.

What is the central message in today's Gospel? Jesus teaches the absolute necessity of being Always Ready! Always Prepared! For what? To meet our God. God decided in His mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence not to reveal the precise time He comes to take us home. You will not get a text message from God saying: Be ready on Thursday, August 21st at 9.30am at the Starbucks on Divine Ave.
No. The moment will come like a thief in the night. Very suddenly!

How do we prepare?
#1. Form a habit of daily prayer.
#2. Form a habit of daily feeding on the word of God.

Always be prepared!

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The Feast of St Louis, the King of France.

"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." (Matthew 23: 27 32).

Tuesday 25th August 2021, 21st Week in Ordinary Time. We celebrate the lives of two saints. Remember that in honoring these two saints, we are in fact glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ who is King of all the saints.  He 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). 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 key is in the first Reading for today:
"As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory."  (1Thessalonians 2: 9 - 13).

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 as St Paul treated the Thessalonians. (Cf First Reading). His people loved him much. St Louis perished near Tunis in North Africa in the 2nd Crusade.

St Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life in charity and patience to 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.

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The Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle.

"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.” (John 1: 45 - 51).

Tuesday 24th August 2021, 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr. St Bartholomew also known as Nathanael is one of the Twelve Apostles. Tradition says that St Bartholomew worked and was martyred in India.

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? Evangelization   could be likened to seeing a great deal or sales promotion in the supermarket or Amazon and sharing that information with a friend. You share with family and friends what you value highly.

The first step in evangelization might be sharing Scripture or spiritual content with someone. For example, sharing Christian posts that move you from Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc with family or friends. You can follow up with inviting the friend to a special event in your church.

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

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First canonized saints in the Americas: St Rose of Lima.

"Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves." (Matthew23: 13 - 22).

Monday 23rd August 2021, in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Rose of Lima. (1586 - 1617). Lima, Peru. Virgin and a Dominican tertiary. Rose admired St Catherine of Sienna from her youth and was deeply inspired by the Doctor of the Church who was a Dominican tertiary also. St Rose of Lima became a model of penitence, prayer and simplicity. St Rose of Lima was canonized less than 50 years after her death in 1671. She became the first native born saint in the Americas.

Here is what Jesus said to the crowds and His disciples in today's Gospel:  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves."

The sharp words of Jesus lead us to reflect on the Power of Example.
Bad example corrupts.
Good example edifies.
St Rose of Lima read the life of St Catherine of Sienna and became fired up by her zeal for evangelization.
St Ignatius Loyola while recovering from a serious wound from a war read the life of St Francis of Assisi and became highly motivated to do for Jesus what Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscans did. Ignatius underwent a profound conversion, did adult education and became the founder of the Society of Jesus.

If you are a teacher in the Church: Bishop, priest, catechist or theologian, you must shudder when you read the words of Jesus in today's Gospel.

"Until now, the precious grace of Eucharistic adoration has remained unknown to far too many of My priests. This accounts for the weaknesses, the scandals, the shame, and the falling away of so many. The world has grown cold, and it will become even more cold as the darkness of the Enemy enfolds it and turns to ice the hearts that I consecrated to be for Me hearts of love." (IN SINU JESU page 216).

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They heard about the Bread of life and did not believe.

"As a result of this, [Bread of life talk] many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6: 60 - 69).

Sunday 22nd August 2021, in the 21th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus had probably said some provocative things in His ministry but for many of His disciples, the Bread of life Discourse was the limit of their tolerance. "I am the bread of life. I am the living bread. You must eat My flesh and drink My blood."  What does Jesus mean? Are we cannibals? Many of His disciples decided to leave Him and regretted the time they invested in the enterprise.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

Think about this: How many people left the true Church because of the Child Abuse crisis? How many people left because they disagreed with their Bishop's teaching or regulations and decided to leave the Church to spurn the Bishop? Or left for some other petty reasons?

What will happen in the Church today to make you decide: "I have had enough. I am quitting."
Sacred Scripture says that those who leave the true Church never really belonged to the Church.
"They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number." (1 John 2: 19).

The truth of the Gospel is the fire that purifies and tests the caliber of the metal.  The "me too's" were found wanting.

At the challenge of Jesus to the Twelve, Peter replied: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
If today you have not come to believe and are convinced that Jesus is true God and true Man and that He is what He claims to be: the Bread of life, the Light of the world, the Way, the Truth and the Life, why are you still in the Church?

"My Eucharistic presence meets with coldness, with indifference, and with a chilling ingratitude, even on the part of My priests and of consecrated souls. They fail to recognize in the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist the pearl of great price, the treasure once hidden in the field but now offered freely to all who would partake of its inexhaustible riches." (IN SINU JESU page 215).

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The Feast of Pope St Pius X.

"Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example." (Matthew 23: 1 - 3).

Saturday 21st August 2021, 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. He 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.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus upbraided the scribes and the Pharisees. Why? They teach correct Doctrine but leave the practice of what they teach to their followers.
Who are the equivalent of the scribes and Pharisees today?
They are the Bishops and Abbots who received teaching authority directly from Christ. They have helpers in priests, theologians and catechists.

Church Father and Doctor of the Church St John Chrysostom teaches that the Bishops and their assistants must be respected because they hold apostolic office no matter their failings.

We may think that a Bishop is in error with regard to one doctrine or the other. But who are we to criticize him when his Boss says:
"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).

All things success and failure work together for good to those who love God. God makes everything beautiful in the fullness of time. Trust in the merciful, mighty and mysterious Plan of God.

We all will be judged on the Last by our obedience and humility.

Jesus concludes His teaching for today with these words:
"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 11 - 12).

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Feast of St Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church.

"But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." (Ruth 1: 16 - 17).

Friday 20th August 2021, in the 20th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - 1153). French. Abbot and Doctor of the Church.

St Bernard was a Cistercian monk who is well known in the history of the Church.  A man of great zeal for the Church. Renowned theologian and orator. Represented the Pope as an ambassador for the Crusade. Among peers, he was a towering giant. Both intellectually and spiritually. He was immensely learned, holy, cultivated, gentle, a great teacher and a highly effective preacher.  I remember Bernard best because of the Memorare Prayer that he left the Church. The Memorare is one of the most popular prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary recited by many Catholics daily. (Remember O Most Blessed Virgin Mary that never was it known. ..)

Our key Scripture for today are the brave words of Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi.  Unknown to Ruth, she had been chosen by God to be the great grandmother of King David and to become one of the three women in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.

Who is Ruth?  Ruth was a Moabite woman married to the son of Naomi. Ruth's husband died. Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem since her husband and two sons had died. She released her two daughters-in-law from any obligations towards her. Orpah, the other daughter-in-law left and went back to her people. Ruth refused to to leave Naomi.

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried."

This is a very popular Scripture in weddings for obvious reasons.  Who would not like to have the like of Ruth as a daughter-in-law?

What can we learn from the character of Ruth?
A spirit of sacrifice, hard work, loyalty and faithfulness. Although a stranger to the monotheistic religion of Israel, she no doubt fulfilled the ancient law enunciated by Jesus in our Gospel of today: "You shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." (Cf Matthew 22: 34 - 40).

The Memorare Prayer: (Attributed to St Bernard of Clairvaux).

"Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me."
Amen.

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The Feast of St John Eudes, Priest and Religious Founder.

“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son."  (Matthew 22: 2).

Thursday 19th August 2021, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Eudes (1601 - 1680).

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

Our Gospel of today is the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Remember that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth.  Remember too that the wedding feast here is an analogy for the Eucharist and the King here is Jesus.

The King cries out: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast." (Matthew 22: 4).

A heart-felt invitation is issued to the friends of the King.  See what happens:

"Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.  The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them."  (Matthew 22: 5 - 6).

Not only did many of the invited guests reject the invitation contemptuously but to add grave insult to injury, some guests mistreated the messengers and killed them. The chosen and invited guests have proved themselves very unworthy of the great honor done to them.

Sunday is the day Christians are asked to leave work and worldly past times and come and worship the Lord.  How sad it is to read that less than 30% accept the invitation to keep sacred the Sabbath Day. What is going on?

"I have created you for My love, and My love alone can satisfy the desires of your heart. Enter, then, the wound in My side and, penetrating even into My Heart, drink deeply of the springs of love that will refresh and delight your soul and wash you in preparation for the wedding of your soul with Me, for I am the Bridegroom of your soul, your Saviour from all that would defile you, and your God who is love and mercy now and unto the ages of ages." (IN SINU JESU page 162)

"Many are invited, but few are chosen.”  (Matthew 22: 14).
Lord Jesus, may we be among the ones who are chosen.

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No Unemployment in the Kingdom of God.

"Why have you been standing here idle all day? You go into my vineyard too.”  (Matthew 20: 6 – 7).

Wednesday 18th August 2021, in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time. 

The owner of the vineyard needs laborers for his vineyard. Hour after hour, he hires men from the labor market for his vineyard. Even at 5 pm, an hour to the end of the work day, he said to a few men he found at the labor center, "Why have you been standing here idle all day? You go into my vineyard too.”

The Church on earth is the seed of the Kingdom of God. In this Kingdom, there is no unemployment. There is work for everyone in the Vineyard. The Owner of the Vineyard is an equal opportunity Employer. He will be fair and generous. But do not be surprised and bitter if every worker is paid the same. Why were the late workers paid first?

God's mighty and merciful Providence can be very mysterious to us. 

"The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”  The Church is the vineyard of the Lord. (Isaiah 5: 7).

At the end of the parable, the Master asked the disgruntled workers:

"What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?" (Matthew 20: 14 - 15).

Since the Parable of the Vineyard is an allegory for the Church today, we may wonder:

Look at the harvest! Where are the workers?

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9: 37 - 38).

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

"May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us." (Ephesians 1: 17, 18).

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If God is with you, the mission is accomplished.

“Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19: 26).

Tuesday 17th August 2021, in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time. 

In today's Gospel (Matthew 19: 23 - 30), Jesus uttered a revelation and a prophecy found all over Sacred Scripture which is foundational to the life of faith. A few examples:

#1. For God all things are possible. (Jesus). 

#2. for nothing will be impossible for God.” Angel Gabriel to Mary. (Luke 1: 37).

#3. "The Lord turned to him [Gideon] and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” (Judges 6: 14). Angel to Gideon. First Reading today. 

What is the take away from today's Scripture? A lesson in God's pervasive power and sovereignty. God's Divine Providence is mighty but also merciful. 

When God gives you a job to do, the one thing you want to hear is:  "I am with you."

If God is with you, the mission is accomplished. Therefore look for the signs of the Presence of Emmanuel in: joy, peace, tranquility and confidence. This is the internal testimony of the Presence of Emmanuel who has chosen, called and anointed you for service. 

Mary responded to such a moment thus: "Be it done to me according to Your word." 

St Paul responded: 

"Therefore, since we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion." (2 Corinthians 4: 1 AMPC) 

"Give Me the first place in your heart and in your life, and I will provide for you in every circumstance. I will not allow you or those with whom you share this life to want for anything. My providence is wholly at the disposal of My merciful love. Trust then in My merciful love and you will see the wonders that I will accomplish for you." (IN SINU JESU page 100).

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Feast of St Stephen of Hungary.

"Jesus said to him [the rich young man], “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: 21).

Monday 16th August 2021, in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Stephen of Hungary. Born in 969 and died on August 15th 1038). Monarch.
St Stephen was crowned king of Hungary on Christmas day 1001 by Emperor Otto III by the permission of Pope Sylvester II.  Stephen earned his greatness in Christian history by founding monasteries and organizing dioceses thereby transforming Hungary into a Christian nation. St Stephen and his wife Blessed Gisela were the parents of St. Emeric.

St Stephen is the patron saint of: Hungary, kings, bricklayers and masons.

Jesus said to the rich young man: “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."

Why? Because he thought the mandate of Jesus was impossible. He was thinking of his own strength.
St Augustine struggled against chastity until one day he realized that he could be chaste only through the power of Jesus Christ.

Without Christ, we can do nothing. I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength. Amen.

"Be faithful to all that I have asked of you. Trust Me to do for you and in you those things that, of yourself, you cannot do.  I will give you strength and energy, not only for your soul, but also for your body. Thus will you be able to correspond actively to My designs on your life." IN SINU JESU page 82).

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Sunday August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption.

"For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruit; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 27)

Sunday 15th August 2021, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Just as in  the Transfiguration of Jesus, Mary's Son confirms our hope of transformation at the general Resurrection. The Assumption of Mary reveals our hope and destiny.

In heaven, there is a hierarchy of merits. There is also a "proper order" (Order of glory) in the resurrection of the body:

1st. Christ
2nd. Mary
3rd. Then at the end of time, everyone who belongs to Christ.

It is God's plan and wisdom that Mary will be raised body and soul into heaven before the general resurrection of the body. This is an ancient belief of the Church. The Church made this teaching a doctrine of faith on 1st November 1950. Pope Pius XII in an Apostolic Constitution defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  As it is bound on earth, so it is in heaven.

The Assumption of Mary fulfilled one of the prayer intentions of Jesus in the Last Supper:

"Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world." (John 17: 24).

The Blessed Virgin Mary is primus inter pares, ie first among equals in the order of privileges.  Mary our Mother goes before us. Where she is, there shall we be.

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The Feast of St Maximilian Kolbe of the Immaculata.

 “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away." (Matthew 19: 13 - 15).

Saturday 14th August, eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 19th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maximilian Kolbe (1894 - 1941), Polish. Priest and Martyr.

Maximilian is known for his profound love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He founded the "City of the Immaculate." An avid evangelizer, he used the press and the written word to propagate the Gospel. He was a missionary in Japan. Arrested by the Gestapo in Poland, Kolbe was sent to Auschwitz. St Maximilian took the place of a young father who was condemned for execution by the Gestapo. St Maximilian exhibited a greater love for his co-prisoner who cried about his wife and children who would miss him. The Gestapo executed St Maximilian Kolbe and made him a martyr.

In the Gospel for today the disciples rebuked children and their mothers who prayed that Jesus might lay His hands on them. But Jesus said,
“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Maximilian Kolbe understood this and lived like a little child.

St Maximilian Mary Kolbe loved deeply the Blessed Virgin Mary as a Mother, a Teacher and a Queen. Mary returned the love abundantly. No surprise Kolbe died on the eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was canonized in 1982 by Pope St John Paul II, Polish like St Maximilian Kolbe and a great Marian Saint.

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Holy Rivals - Feast of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus.

"I brought your father Abraham from the region beyond the River and led him through the entire land of Canaan.... I led you out of Egypt.. “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 13th August 2021, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of a Pope and an anti Pope: Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, anti Pope (priest). St Pontian was elected Pope in 230 and St Hippolytus challenged him and set up himself as a rival. By a mysterious design of Divine Providence, both waring clerics found themselves in the the same prison at the same time. They reconciled and were martyred together under the Emperor Maximinus Thrax. (+ 235).

Our heavenly Father smiled upon Pontian and Hippolytus as He welcomed them into paradise because they heard the message of His Son, Jesus Christ and forgave "his brother from his heart."

Our key Scripture for today is from the first Reading (Joshua 24: 1 - 13). We have a very interesting Scripture to contemplate today.
God is the Lord of all history. He is also the supreme Teacher of all mankind. God gives a history lesson to Joshua, the new leader of Israel.

"I brought your father Abraham from the region beyond the River and led him through the entire land of Canaan.... I led you out of Egypt.. “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.”

What is the import of this history lesson for us?
Don't oppose my plan with regard to the movements of people in the world. Your forebears were once immigrants. You are where you are because of My mighty and merciful Providence. Be kind to widows, orphans and immigrants. "I AM the Lord your God."

"The vision has been shown to you; you have written it down. Now is the time to make it known. Hearts will be moved, and through the kindness of a multitude of little ones I will provide what is needed for My work to go forward. You have not been active enough in sharing—through writing, and by spreading what you have written—the work that I have entrusted to you. I do not call you to an activism that would exhaust you and draw you away from prayer but, rather, to a courageous engagement in the project that I have shown you, and that I yearn to fulfil, not as something for you alone, or even for your lifetime, but as a gift to My Church and My beloved priests. Write, spread the word, and then trust Me to open hearts. The support for the work will come, but it will come mostly from the little and the poor to whom I have given hearts of compassion for My priests who suffer." (IN SINU JESU page 207).

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St Jane Frances Chantal, Religious and Cofounder of a Religious Order.

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18: 21 - 22).

Thursday 12th August 2021, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jane Frances Chantal (1572 - 1641). Religious. French.
At the age of 20, Jane married a noble man, Baron de Chantal. After her husband died, Jane settled her children and embraced the ideals of religious life: chastity and severe poverty. Jane cofounded the Order of the Visitation with St Francis de Sales (Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
Jane Frances left behind large quantities of letters between her and St Francis de Sales that offer great insight on spiritual direction.

The Gospel today deals with the sensitive topic of Forgiveness. I had written on this topic a couple of times and presumed that I am a forgiving person and understand a few things about Forgiveness. My attitude changed today when I looked closely at Peter's question. “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
I reflected thus: If someone offends me once on something serious, I am disposed by grace to forgive the person even immediately. If the same person repeats the same offense three or four times, that's a different ballgame. Then I realized that I had never understood Jesus teaching on Forgiveness.

When Jesus answered Peter, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Jesus is saying: You have to be perfect as My Father is perfect. His mercy has no limit. Let your own mercy be limitless. Think about this: Many of us who use the Sacrament of Reconciliation confess the same sins over and over again. For example:  "Forgive me Father for I have sinned....I lied 5 times in the past 4 weeks."  Many of us come back in the next 4 weeks and repeat: 
"Forgive me Father for I have sinned....I lied 7 times in the past 4 weeks."
The priest who is acting in persona Christi in the Sacrament of Confession gives us absolution in the name of Jesus.

If we do not make effort to forgive those who offend us without counting the number of times we are offended, we will hear from Jesus:

"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?"

"My Mother, on the other hand, raises souls when they fall; she instills in them a confidence in My loving mercy, a readiness to believe in My merciful love, a desire to come into My presence and to expose to Me, the divine physician, the wounds suffered in spiritual combat. My Mother is the Mother of Holy Hope. She is the Mother of Holy Confidence. One who entrusts himself to My Mother will never fall into the pit of despair. Even when sorely tempted, there will remain in that soul enough confidence to turn to Me, and to make an act of abandonment to My merciful love that will touch My Heart and release from it a torrent of forgiveness, healing, and mercy." (IN SINU JESU page 203).

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The Feast of St Clare, Founder of the Poor Clares.

"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 19 - 20).

Wednesday 11th August 2021 is the feast of St Clare. (1193 - 1253). Italian. At 18, Clare was not only beautiful but her parents were very wealthy. She gave up everything to follow the original Little One, Jesus Christ our Savior. Imitating St Francis of Assisi, the little poor man of Assisi, Clare embraced radical poverty. She founded the Poor Clares and modeled its constitution from what she learned from St Francis of Assisi.

I know one Poor Clare Nun, who made a great contribution to the world. Mother Angelica (+ 2016). She founded EWTN which is the only global Catholic Television Network in the world. For me, Mother Angelica is a saint in the making.

Jesus promises in our key Scripture : "Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father."

Let us take Jesus up on this promise and pray assiduously for reconciliation in the Church, Community and Country. I believe in prayer. I believe in the word of God. I believe in miracle. I surrender the rest to God.

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The Feast of St Lawrence, Doyen of Deacons.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and who­ever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." (John 12: 24... 26).

Tuesday 10th August 2021, 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. (+258). St Lawrence, Roman citizen born in Spain. Archdeacon in the Church of Rome during the pontificate of Pope St Sixtus II. St Lawrence spent his life in the service of the poor of Rome. He perished in a gruesome torture under the persecution of Emperor Valerian. St Lawrence is the Doyen of all the Deacons of the Church. Happy feast day all you holy deacons out there.

Lavishly Lawrence gave to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
(Cf Responsorial Psalm 112).

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9: 6).
St Lawrence sowed bountifully and the Lord rewarded him and made him the Doyen of Deacons and patron Saint of many charities.

During the trial of St Lawrence, the  judge asked: “Where are the riches of the Church?” But Lawrence extended his hand toward the poor and said: “These are the riches of the Church.”

Lawrence cared for the poor, the ill, and the abandoned of Rome and became their patron. St Lawrence is the patron saint of deacons, librarians, cooks, seminarians and students, butchers, etc.

St Lawrence answered the call to the clerical state when that calling was a certain death sentence. Jesus empowered Lawrence with His grace and the Holy Spirit enabled Lawrence to produce large harvest.

"The attack on My priesthood that appears to be spreading and growing is, in fact, in its final stages. It is a satanic and diabolical onslaught against My Bride the Church, an attempt to destroy her by attacking the most wounded of her ministers in their carnal weaknesses; but I will undo the destruction they have wrought and I will cause My priests and My Spouse the Church to recover a glorious holiness that will confound My enemies and be the beginning of a new era of saints, of martyrs, and of prophets." (IN SINU JESU page 149).

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The Feast of St Benedicta of the Cross, born Edit Stein.

"When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said." (Matthew 17:

Monday 9th August 2021, in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. (1891 - 1942). Virgin & Martyr. Polish.  Teresa was born Edith Stein of Jewish parents and converted to the Church after reading the books of St Teresa of Avila. Some years after her conversion to the Catholic Church, she followed St Teresa of Avila into the Carmelite Order.  Edith Stein was a well established philosopher in the universities in Germany.  The Gestapo arrested her on August 2nd 1942 and sent her to Auschwitz where she died in the gas chambers on August 9th.

There are two tracks in today's Gospel:
#1. How did Jesus handle tax matters?
#2. How did Jesus handle money?

The first is easy. Jesus paid His taxes.
Throughout His ministry, there is no single incident where we see Jesus handling money directly. Jesus and the Twelve had a bursar who was charged with keeping the donations and buying the necessities for the Group. Jesus seemed to have a disdain for money. He called money  dishonest wealth and the Bible calls it filthy lucre.

When Jesus sent His disciples to evangelize, He discouraged them from carrying large amounts of cash. Trust completely in the mighty and merciful Providence of God to provide all your needs.

When the Temple Tax collectors challenged Jesus over tax, Jesus and the Twelve probably had no money in their purse. Not wanting to delay the payment of the Temple tax, Jesus did an interesting thing.

"But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” Jesus knew precisely where the fish with the golden coin in its mouth would be hiding.

In our work for the Gospel, we trust in the mighty and merciful Providence of Jesus, to provide our necessities.

"His Eucharistic love surpasses all the laws of perishable nature: there is no greater miracle on the face of the earth than the real presence of my Son in the Sacrament of the Altar." (Mary in IN SINU JESU page 184).

The greatest miracle according to Jesus and His Mother is the Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Do we appreciate this?

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com