My son, accept your trials as discipline.

ENDURE YOUR TRIALS AS DISCIPLINE FROM GOD YOUR FATHER.

"Brothers and sisters, You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:

“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

"So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed." (Hebrews 12: 5 - 7, 11 - 13).

Sunday August 21st of the 21st week of Ordinary Time.

My paper castle was tumbling right and left when I heard our Scripture for today (2nd Reading) on the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time many years ago. It was sweet music to my ears. I was happy because I knew for sure that somebody was aware of where I was and what I was suffering.

Whatever trial you may be going through at the moment, our Scripture for today is certainly a word of knowledge and comfort. A sage said: "Correct thought is the key to correct action." This is the great gift God bestows on us in His word: "The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4: 12).

David is happy because the Lord disciplines him. The Apostle James writes: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1: 2 - 4).
"Those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines."

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

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

"WE SHALL GROW TO RESEMBLE WHAT WE LOVE."  (ST BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ABBOT & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH).

"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. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen.

"They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.....

"Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 1 - 12).

Saturday 20th August 2022 of the  20th week of 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. Last but not the least, a great Marian devotee who gave us the Memorare.

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. ..).
St Bernard was a great miracle worker who brought relief to thousands through his intercessions. Bernard suffered from stomach cancer most of his life and died in 1153 at the age of 63.

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.

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).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St John Eudes, Priest and Founder.

"LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND.... LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS."  (1 CORINTHIANS 13: 4 - 7).

“When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

"Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your ­neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 34 - 40).

Friday 19th August 2022 of the 20th Week of 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.”

In answer to the question of a Pharisee scholar as to the greatest commandment in the Book, Jesus answered with the short Gospel for today. Love God and love neighbor always, everywhere and in everything. Sounds a bit intimidating and impossible. If God asks us to do this, then it is possible.  For God will never ask us to do what is impossible. For  God "all things are possible."  All things are easy for God.

In the first Reading (Ezekiel 37: 1 - 14), the Lord says:  "I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life." (Ezekiel 37: 14). Yes, the Holy Spirit in us makes it possible for us to love God and neighbor. In Baptism, we receive the Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit.  The very first of the twelve fruits of the Spirit is love. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. Without the Holy Spirit we are like the dried bones in the valley of Ezekiel's vision. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Liberty to always choose the best. And the best is love.

For the Christian, love of God and love of neighbor is the way of life. It is the beginning of eternal life here and all the way to eternity.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Wedding Feast is ready. We are waiting for you. Please come quickly.

DO NOT DESPISE THE INVITATION OF JESUS TO YOU TO THE EUCHARIST.

"Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

"A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ 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.

"The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.

"Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.

"But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22: 1 - 14).

Thursday 18th August 2022 of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time.

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.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The harvest is abundant but where are the workers?

THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD IS THE CHURCH WHERE THERE IS NO UNEMPLOYMENT.  YOU TOO, GO TO THE VINEYARD.

"Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.

"Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off.

"And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard."   (Matthew 20: 1..... 16).

Wednesday 17th August 2022 of the 20th Week of 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).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Stephen of Hungary.

WHAT ARE THE GENUINE RICHES? THEY ARE THE AWESOME HOLY SPIRIT, HIS GIFTS AND FRUITS AND THE PRECIOUS PROMISES OF GOD. GOD NEVER FAILS!

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”

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

"Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Matthew 19: 23 -  30).

Tuesday 16th August 2022 of the  20th Week of 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..

The rich young man who wanted eternal life and at the same time clung to all his material possessions was told to get rid of them and come and follow Jesus. That was too much for him. He walked away from the Pearl of great Price very sad.

In our Scripture for today, Jesus warns about the dangers of unbridled desire to be rich. To put it starkly, just as power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, so does wealth corrupts and extreme riches corrupt extremely. For proof of this, let us head to the first Reading today from Ezekiel 28: 1 - 10. The prince of Tyre became haughty of heart because of the vast wealth he amassed by trading. He came to see himself as: “A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!” And his attitude about his wealth and kingdom is:
“Our own hand won the victory;
the Lord had nothing to do with it."

St Paul warns: "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6: 9).
Do not despise the wisdom of the Scriptures on the lure of money. Some play lottery to get rich quick.  "Why do you play the lottery, my friend?" You may be surprised to receive an answer like this: "When I win millions of dollars, I will distribute half to the poor and use the balance to build homeless shelters." An ex taxi driver told me about some of his cabby friends who actually won millions from lottery. They all became homeless in a few years.

God knows what we need and when we need it. This is why Jesus gave us the shortcut to the good life in this great promise: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and the rest will be given to you."

God who is so faithful and true has never failed in his promises.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Solemnity of the Glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"ON 1 NOVEMBER 1950, POPE PIUS XII PROCLAIMED AS DOGMA THAT THE VIRGIN MARY "HAVING COMPLETED THE COURSE OF HER EARTHLY LIFE, WAS ASSUMED BODY AND SOUL INTO HEAVENLY GLORY."

Happy Feast of your Assumption into Heaven O Blessed Virgin Mother!

"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. 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 firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereign­ty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet." (1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 27)

Monday 15th August 2022 of the  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.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

My message will be rejected.

THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHET  WILL BE CONTENTIOUS IN OUR TIMES.

"In those days, the princes said to the king:
“Jeremiah ought to be put to death: he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin.” (Jeremiah 38: 4).

Sunday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time has a message of strife, contention and extreme courage in following Jesus.

The people got King Zedekiah to condemn Jeremiah to death for doing his work as a prophet. In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims how He came to set the earth on fire. "From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three.” (Luke 12: 52 - 53).

The 2nd Reading from Hebrews 12: 1- 4 confirms the message of Christ on the nature of the Enterprise He has given his life for. A great crowd of witnesses has already paid the price with their life: John the Baptist, Peter and Paul and all the Apostles, Stephen, Lawrence, Cecilia, Agatha, Thomas More, Oscar Romero, Martin Luther King Jr, etc. These are the heroes of our faith. All these witnesses belong to the Communion of the Saints, the holy ones who day and night are interceding for us before the Throne of grace and mercy and urging us to persevere in running the race that lies before us.

Brethren, this saying is trustworthy:
“Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” (1 Corinthians 2: 9).

The reward for faithfulness and perseverance will be extraordinary.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus.

"GIVE ONLY GOOD EXAMPLE, TO THE CHILDREN; NEVER CORRECT THEM, WHEN OUT OF HUMOR OR IMPATIENT. WE MUST WIN THEM BY AN APPEAL TO THEIR PIETY AND TO THEIR HEARTS. SOFTEN YOUR REPRIMANDS WITH KIND WORDS; ENCOURAGE AND REWARD THEM. THAT IS, IN SHORT, OUR WAY OF TEACHING." (ST MADELINE SOPHIE BARAT).

“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 13th August 2022, 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).

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.”

Have you ever been annoyed by unrestrained and noisy children during Mass?  I discovered something curious and very beautiful about this recently. Little children love the house of God in a natural way. At first, I thought that little children might mistake the Sanctuary for a super market like Walmart. A little reflection convinced me that this is not the case.  There is something about the solemnity of the assembly gathered for Mass that gets even to little children. They see something in the House of God that we distracted adults don't see. After one Sunday Mass, I saw a young child suddenly detach himself from the gripping hold of the mother and ran to the side Altar, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was gazing at the beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin. I have learned to leave the little ones alone.

"Blessed are you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Jane Frances de Chantal. Cofounder of the Visitation Order.

"GOD HATES DIVORCE." (MALACHI 2: 16). THE CHURCH HAS DIVINE AUTHORITY TO INTERPRET THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. (CCC 2382 to 2385).

"Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”  (Matthew 19: 3... 12).

Friday 12th August 2022 of the 19th Week of 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 poverty. Jane cofounded the Order of the Visitation with St Francis de Sales (Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
Jane Frances left Behind a large quantity of letters between her and St Francis de Sales that offer great insight on spiritual direction.

Is divorce permitted?

The Pharisees asked Jesus.  Jesus used this question to teach us God's original plan for marriage between one man and one woman.  God joined man and woman together to become one for life.
If this is so, what is the reason for the prevalent heart-wrenching divorces? Hardness of heart or sin is the cause, Jesus answered.

This is how the Church explains the progression of the hardness of heart that leads to divorce:

"The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed: the control of the soul's spiritual faculties over the body is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination. Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man. Because of man, creation is now subject "to its bondage to decay".Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will "return to the ground", for out of it he was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history."  (CCC 400).

What sin has torn asunder, Jesus Christ has reconciled in His body by giving man and woman the means and tools to live in harmony.  The Church accompanies the married couples on their journey of faith with these Sacraments: Matrimony, Eucharist, Reconciliation. The Church provides a number of effective tools as aid to harmony: marriage preparation classes, counseling, Cursillo, Encounters, etc.

Like any vocation, it is impossible for marriage to work outside the framework of sacraments, tools and resources provided by the Providence of God for the institution today.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Clare. Virgin and Founder of the Poor Clares.

"UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO DO THE RIDICULOUS, GOD WILL NOT DO THE MIRACULOUS."
(MOTHER ANGELICA OF EWTN, A  POOR CLARE).

"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. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’

"Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

"But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.

"His master summoned him and said to him, ‘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?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Matthew 18: 21.... 19: 1).

Thursday 11th August 2022 of the 19th week of Ordinary Time 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. The Poor Clares continue to serve the Church today.

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. She prayed and worked. She suffered persecution from inside and outside the Church. She experienced much ill health most of her life. She remained a Poor Clare all her life. "Santo Subito!"

The Gospel today deals with the sensitive topic of Forgiveness. I reflected 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 few 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 Lawrence. Martyr. Doyen of Deacons.

"LEARN, UNHAPPY MAN, HOW GREAT IS THE POWER OF MY GOD; FOR YOUR BURNING COALS GIVE ME REFRESHMENT. BUT THEY WILL BE YOUR ETERNAL PUNISHMENT." (ST LAWRENCE THE DEACON).

"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. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”  (John 12: 24 - 26).

Wednesday 10th August 2022 of the 19th Week of 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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St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, OCARM. Virgin and Martyr.

"REMEMBER THAT NOTHING IS SMALL IN THE EYES OF GOD. DO ALL THAT YOU DO WITH LOVE." (ST THERESE THE LITTLE FLOWER).

“The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

““See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.   (Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10, 12...14).

Tuesday 9th August 2022 of the 19th Week of 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.

Jesus praises the humility of a little child.  What is humility?
Just like love, humility is patient and kind.  Humility is not jealous, conceited or proud. It does not keep a record of wrongs. In short, humility is love.

The little child is the face of innocence in whom the Holy Spirit likes to dwell and play. The little child manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Aim to become like a little child and the Kingdom of God will be yours and all the rest as well.

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The Feast of St Dominic, OP. Founder of the Dominicans.

"ARM YOURSELF WITH PRAYER INSTEAD OF A SWORD; BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY INSTEAD OF FINE RAIMENT." (ST DOMINIC, OP).

"As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

"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. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,”

"Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. 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.” (Matthew 17: 22 - 27).

Monday 8th August 2022, 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Dominic, OP. Born August 8th, 1170. Died August 6th 1221. Priest. Spanish. St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, popularly known as Dominicans. They fought and marginalized the Albigensian heresy in France. The Blessed Virgin Mary gave Dominic the Holy Rosary as a potent tool in the fight against all heresies. The Holy Rosary with its mysteries is the Whole of the Gospel and a nuclear weapon against heresies. I have said the Rosary every day for 26 years to protect the Daily Bible Verse ministry against heresy. Think about this: The Dominican order has contributed to the mission of the Church for some 800 years. The Dominicans promote the study of Sacred Scripture and the Holy Rosary.

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. Money taints and corrupts everything it touches.

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?

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Watch and Pray is the only way to wait for the Lord.

"THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS US LIKE A MOTHER. HE LEADS HIS CHILD BY THE HAND.... AS A SIGHTED PERSON LEADS A BLIND PERSON." (ST JOHN VIANNEY).

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Luke 12: 32....48).

Sunday August 7th of the 19th week of Ordinary Time.

Today's message could be personal. Are you waiting for something to happen? An answer to prayer for example. How do you know when God will deliver the answer? The Church answers the question thus:

"In prayer the disciple keeps watch, attentive to Him Who Is and Him Who Comes...... In communion with their Master, the disciples' prayer is a battle; only by keeping watch in prayer can one avoid falling into temptation." (CCC 2612).

When you keep watch in prayer, you will know the appointed time, the fullness of time. When you do not keep watch in prayer, you will fall into a dreadful sleep and temptation and see your bus speed by while you are not paying attention. In the 1st Reading, we are told:

"The night of the Passover was known before hand to our forefathers." (Wisdom 18: 6). How did our ancestors in the faith know that "THIS IS THE HOUR. THIS IS THE NIGHT?" Because they were told by the word of God through the ministry of Moses and Aaron. If you keep watch in prayer, God will be pleased to give you the privilege of knowing that the appointed time has come.

Live in hope. Rejoice in hope. God Never Fails!

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The Feast of the Transfiguration.

"BY HIS LOVING FORESIGHT, HE ALLOWED THEM TO TASTE FOR A SHORT TIME, THE CONTEMPLATION OF ETERNAL JOY, SO THAT THEY MIGHT BEAR PERSECUTION BRAVELY." (POPE ST LEO THE GREAT).

"Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusa­lem.

"Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying.

"While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen." (Luke 9: 28 - 36).

Saturday 6th August 2022 of the 18th Week of Ordinary is the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

What is the Transfiguration?
In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus. The voice of the Father was heard testifying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."
Why is the Transfiguration such an important event?
#1 To have 3 eyewitnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.
#2 To confirm the testimony of Moses and Elijah. [the Law and the Prophet].
#3. To show clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.
#4 To reveal the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.
#5 To note the command of the Father to listen to Jesus as the Father's anointed Messenger.
These three witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John were to become witnesses to the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. They bore witness to these eye witness events with their lives. Our faith as Christians is built on solid foundation and not on "cleverly deviced myths." (2 Peter 1: 16 - 19).

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a foretaste of Christ's second coming when the Elect will be transformed and become like Jesus as He appeared in the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration prepares us for the great mystery of our own Resurrection.

Because of the Transfiguration, we see Christ as our hope. We also understand that the victory over death and sin will come via the Cross.  The Cross is the Means of Salvation, Redemption, Glorification and Eternal life. This is the gracious and mysterious will of the Father.

"When a soul is abandoned to Me in obedience and in trust, I am free to carry out in her and around her all that I desire to do to satisfy the yearnings of My Heart and for the glory of My Father. Be that soul, abandoned to Me in obedience and in trust, and you will not be disappointed in your hope." (IN SINU JESU page 46).

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The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major.

DENY YOURSELF IS THE FIRST AND GREAT LESSON IN THE SCHOOL OF JESUS CHRIST.

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and ­follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” (Matthew 16: 24 - 28).

Friday August 5th of 18th Week of Ordinary Time 2022 is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It is also the First Friday of August 2022.
This Basilica was dedicated after the definition of the Dogma of Mary as the Mother of God in the Council of Ephesus in 431.  It was the oldest Marian Church in Rome and was consecrated by Pope Sixtus III about 435. The great Church was later renamed as St Mary Major. Pope St John Paul II wrote that it is an objective truth that the Mother of God is the Mother of the Church. Ephesus hailed Mary as Theotokus, Mother of God. Vatican II acclaimed Mary as the Mother of the Church.

Our Gospel this Friday is one of the greatest. Understand and embrace the message and you will understand the whole message and meaning of Christianity. Embrace the message and you will be happy forever.
We labor and are burdened in life over: Health, Family, Money, Job, Tools, Food, Future issues.  As the catechumens are advised in the Rite of Acceptance, the Cross of Christ is the only answer.   

Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship:
#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc.
#2 Be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice with your life if it becomes necessary. "For whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
As the God-Man filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Jesus knew that no one will respond to His challenge unless the bait is bigger than the sacrifice. And it is.

Here is what Jesus promises:
1. The Holy Spirit is promised with His gifts and fruits.
2. The Presence of Jesus is always with the disciple.
3. Peace, comfort and joy, courage, contentment are always there on tap.

These are real and substantial benefits.  Think of this for a moment: How did so many Christians made up of mature men and women, boys and girls, princesses and peasants, clerics and lay faithful chose to give up their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ? Because they knew and believed that there is a better life waiting for them.

The saints who took up the challenges of discipleship believed Jesus. Do you believe Jesus?
"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." (Matthew 16: 27).
I believe that Jesus has designed a yoke for each of us that fits each perfectly and the burden we are given to carry from day by day is light.

"The exercise of faith increases faith. The exercise of confidence causes confidence to grow. One who approaches My tabernacle in faith is giving evidence of a complete reliance on My merciful love. The Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is My Heart, open to receive those who will respond to My timeless invitation: “Come unto Me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is sweet, and My burden light.” (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, January 10, 2012).

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

August 5th, 2022 - First Friday in August.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. In the 8th month of the year, we look at Promise #8.

#8.  "Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection."

Who are the fervent souls?
Fervent souls are people who hear the word of God and take it to heart. They allow the word to influence their thoughts, words and actions. They place the Kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing. Even while living in the world raising children and holding down jobs, they experience the peace, joy and contentment of the Blessed. Because they trust and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, they grow from strength to strength and experience the promised blessings.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional prayers and prayer intentions click the link below:

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

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Feast of St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests.

"A PRIEST GOES TO HEAVEN OR A PRIEST GOES TO HELL WITH A THOUSAND PEOPLE BEHIND HIM." (ST JOHN VIANNEY, PATRON SAINT OF PRIESTS).

"Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

"Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ."  (Matthew 16: 13.... 23).

Thursday 4th August 2022 of the 18th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast day of the patron saint of parish priests, the Curé of Ars, St John Vianney (1786 - 1859). French. What do you want from your parish priest?

#1 Celebrate Mass with reverence and devotion.
#2 Always be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be the face of the loving mercy of Jesus Christ.
#3 Assist the poor as best as they can.
#4. Be ready and available to assist you at the moment of death.

St John of Vianney set an excellent example as a parish priest. The Church noticed and made him the Patron Saint of Parish Priests.

St John Vianney said à propos the role of the priests in the mystery of salvation:
"Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail.... What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door?” John opened the door to the merciful love of Jesus to sinners through the Sacrament of Reconciliation where he spent hours upon hours every day.

Our Gospel of today is key to understanding Qahal, Ecclesia, Assembly, Church (all meaning the same thing) that Jesus Christ has built.

Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered for the 12:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Was Jesus astonished by Peter's answer?  Jesus said to Peter in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  (Matthew 16: 13... 23).

Jesus builds His Church on the rock of Peter's Confession. A Church that is defined as:

+ The People of God.
+ The Body of Christ.
+ The Temple of the Holy Spirit.

A Church which manifests these characteristics:

#1. Pillar and Foundation of truth.
#2. Always under attack by the Enemy.
#2a. Victorious and Invincible.
#3. Missionary and Catholic.
#4. Infallibility in doctrine by Peter and his successors.
#5. Hierarchy and sacred priesthood.
#6. The Church of the Eucharist.

Do you love the Church?  Saint Augustine writes, “We, therefore, receive the Holy Spirit if we love the Church, if we are joined together by charity, if we make the Catholic name and faith our joy. Believe it, brethren, to the extent that one loves the Church, to that extent he has the Holy Spirit within him”.

St John of Vianney is a trustworthy servant-priest. Let us pray constantly to the Lord to send numerous priests like St. John Vianney to the harvest.

"Yes, here I was speaking of the Eucharist, the gift of My abiding presence to My Bride, the Church, and this until the end of time. Not one soul who belongs to Me is left friendless in this world so long as the Church continues to do what I commanded on the night before I suffered, in memory of Me. The Most Holy Eucharist is not only My Sacrifice offered to the Father, although in a bloodless manner; it is not only the sustenance of souls, nourishing them with My very Body and Blood; it is also the Sacrament of My divine friendship, the pledge of My burning desire to remain close to all who seek Me, to all who need Me, to all who would spend time in My company." IN SINU JESU page 54).

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Woman your faith is great. Have what you desire and deserve.

"WHAT IS FAITH?
IT IS THE CONFIDENT ASSURANCE THAT SOMETHING WE WANT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS THE CERTAINTY THAT WHAT WE HOPE FOR IS WAITING FOR US, EVEN THOUGH WE CANNOT SEE IT UP AHEAD." (HEBREWS 11: 1 TLB).

"At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her.

"His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

"She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Wednesday 3rd August 2022 of the 18th Week of Ordinary Time.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus said to the Canaanite woman: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 28).

What is faith?
Before the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel, Mary knew God as Almighty, All-knowing, All-powerful, All-loving, All-merciful, etc. Her profound personal knowledge of God is the foundation of her faith.

The Canaanite woman is a believer who was searching desperately for a miraculous healing for her child. She heard about Jesus from a friend or a neighbor. She believed immediately what she heard about the miraculous powers of Jesus. She packed her bag and went in search of Jesus. Her strong faith and expectations created resilience in her. She was prepared to be rebuffed by Jesus and was determined to have her miracle.

The Bible praises faith as one of the greatest gifts of God and a profound mystery. A little child is capable of great faith as a very old woman. Saints Catherine of Siena and Therese the Little Flower came to great faith at the age of six.

Some quotes on faith:

#1 "The just shall live by faith." We live by faith and not by sight or feeling. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we live by the word of God that cannot fail.
#2 "We are saved by grace through faith."
#3 Faith comes by hearing the personal word of God to you and saying a firm Amen to it.
#4 God's grace is abundant to save us and fulfill the desires of our heart but you must accept the word you receive in faith.

The 11th Chapter of Hebrews is the list of some of the most important people in the Bible. They all achieved fame and greatness through their faith.

You too can overcome every challenge through faith. Two great tools to help develop your faith:
#1 Daily consumption of the word of God.
#2 Daily conversation with God through prayer.
Since you know this, you will be blessed if you do it.

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