THE FEAST OF ST PETER DAMIAN, OSB.

FEAST OF ST PETER DAMIAN, OSB. 

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS. 

SELF-DENIAL IS THE FIRST AND GREAT LESSON IN THE SCHOOL OF JESUS CHRIST 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,

“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 and that of the Gospel will save it.

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

What could one give in exchange for his life?

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.” (Mark 8: 34 - 9.1).

Friday February 21st 2025, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is  the feast of St Peter Damian (1001 - 1072).

St Peter Damian is an Italian Benedictine monk. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. 

 

The monk-Cardinal whose life we celebrate today is a Reformer in the make of the great reformers of the Church:  Saints Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, etc. . Damian  urged his fellow clergy to live upright lives. Many clergy at all levels were at that time living sordid lives. But Peter pursued reforms with the heart of a pastor. 

The Challenge of Following Jesus:

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.  The Cross of Jesus is the special Providence that Jesus has fashioned for everyone of us. The full truth of the Gospel is that the Cross comes before the Crown, the Trials before the Triumph. 

Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship as a Way:

#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc. They are the means ordained by the powerful and merciful Providence of God for you. This Plan is to do you good. 

#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 terrifying 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 as Jesus promises. 

"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). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

YOU ARE JESUS, THE MESSIAH.

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? 

"Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.

"Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” 

"And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” 

"He began to teach them

that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.

"He spoke this openly.

"Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

"At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,

rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan.

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

"He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,

"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

and that of the gospel will save it." (Mark 8: 27 - 33).

Thursday 20th February 2025, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time. 

What happened in Caesarea Philippi in today's Gospel marks a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. The Apostles have been with Jesus about three years. Now the ministry of Jesus is coming to a close. How much do they know about their Leader after three years? 

To Jesus' question: “Who do people say that I am?” The Apostles answered:  “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” From their response we know that the people think highly of Jesus because Elijah and John the Baptist were two important prophets in the history of Israel. 

But who do you say Jesus is? You who are reading this? You are probably a baptized Christian. Who is Jesus to you? 

Every year we read this Gospel, we are supposed to show growth in our knowledge of Jesus.

When I was a child, Paul would say, I answered like a child. But today I answer thus: Jesus is my Savior, who reconciles me again and again with the Father after my sins.

Jesus is Emmanuel who promised to be with me always and I know He keeps this promise.

 I am also updating my answer with this fact: Jesus is faithful to His promises as we expect God to be. 

Jesus is the God who heals me. He answers every prayer regardless of the lies of the Devil to the contrary. 

Peter answered correctly, “You are the Christ.” The same Peter got the rebuke for thinking like the world. If you think like the world, you will act like the world. 

“Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

How do we think as God thinks? St Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church writes: We know the Heart of God from the word of God. 

If you want to think like God, you must consume daily the word of God. 

If you want to think like human beings, consume daily news from news papers, televisions, etc. 

We become what we consume. 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

BEG JESUS TO HEAL YOU.

BEG GOD FOR WHAT HE PLANS TO GIVE YOU AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE IT. 

"When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida,

people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked,

“Do you see anything?”

Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”

Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly;

his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.

Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.” (Mark 8: 22 - 26).

Wednesday February 19th 2025, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

What caught my attention in the Gospel of today is this sentence: "When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him."

In many instances of healing in the Gospels, it is reported that people begged Jesus. Jesus responds to ALL beggings for miracle by healing. Not a single instance did people approach Jesus and begged Him for healing did He not cure. 

"Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to." (Matthew 18: 32).

Why is it so important to pay attention to all the instances of "Begging" in all the Healing narratives of the Gospel? It may be because Begging is a stronger word for Asking and Praying. 

Prayer is the Activator of Power. Prayer causes the release of the Divine Providence towards you. St Augustine teaches that for those gifts God has planned to give you which are outside the general provisions of God for mankind, you must obtain them by begging God. In other words by praying intensely with faith and persistence for them. Prayer triggers Divine Providence on your behalf. 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7: 7).

"If you could have heard the urgency and sorrow of My plea to Peter, James, and John! I did not merely ask them to watch and pray, I begged them to do so. I needed their prayer at that hour, just as I need the prayer of all My priests in this final hour that is coming and that is already upon My Church." (IN SINU JESU, March 28, 2013 Maundy Thursday). 

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html   

DO NOT FORGET THESE INCIDENTS.

DO YOU STILL NOT UNDERSTAND? 

"The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 

"Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

"They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.

"When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?

"And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 14 - 21).

Tuesday 18th February 2025 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time. 

“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?...... “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).

We are grateful for this incident in Mark 8: 14 - 21, because Jesus used it as a teaching moment to coach us on the importance of understanding, remembering and having an open mind and heart if we are to grow in religious truth.

Why do we forget so often details of God's past mercies?  I find personally that even when I write the favors in my journal, I still forget.  I do better when I ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of the favors I have enjoyed from God.  

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." (John 14: 26).

This promise of Jesus is the ground for my hope when it comes to understanding and remembering the teachings of Jesus. How does this work? I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding and bring to my memory the wonderful things God has done for me.

I resolve never to forget "my ancient landmarks." (Cf Proverbs 22: 28). I keep a journal.

 “Do you still not understand?”  (Mark 8: 21)

Consider carefully the above question of Jesus for us as we prepare to start Lent 2025. 

"Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?  Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?..... “Do you still not understand?”  (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)

Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,

the man in the world, the most accomplished

in all sorts of perfections,

according to the dignity

and excellence of his Charge,

Who was His most Glorious Son, the universal Prince of Heaven and earth, how could it be that being able,

He did not will it and did not do it?

There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph was endowed with all the graces and all the gifts that were required

for the care which the Eternal Father willed to give him,

of the temporal and domestic economy of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”

(St Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html  

WE HONOR THE SEVEN SERVITES OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TODAY.

FEAST OF THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS, THE SERVITES. 

THE WORD OF GOD :

"The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.”

Next she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil. 

In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. 

The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not.

Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen. So the Lord said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”

Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.”

When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord then said: “What have you done! Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil! Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.”

Cain said to the Lord: “My punishment is too great to bear. Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, any­one may kill me at sight.”

“Not so!” the Lord said to him. “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” So the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.

Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth. “God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said, “because Cain slew him.” (Genesis 4: 1 - 15, 25).

Monday 17th February 2025 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites. 

 The Servites are a Confraternity of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (13th century). They were Religious and led a life of prayer and penance.

Ecclesiastical recognition for the order as a religious order was given in 1304.  

The story of Cain and Abel is one of the Bible stories we mastered as kids. I believe this interesting story is in every year of the 3 Year lectionary cycle. 

What is the teaching and application? 

There is a sowing time and a harvest time. 

By faith, Abel offers God the choicest of his lambs. 

Bring the best of your time, talent and treasure to the Lord. 

The Lord God owns everything. 

You can never outdo God in generosity. 

A sacrifice of Thanksgiving honors God. 

The Eucharist is the first and foremost of the sacrifice that honors God. 

Now that you know this, you will be blessed if you do it. 

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

"It is in the holy family, the original church in miniature that every christian family must be reflected". (Pope St John XXIII). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html  

TRUST ALWAYS IN GOD'S LOVING AND MERCIFUL PROVIDENCE.

TRUST GOD AND HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU ALWAYS. 

THE WORD OF GOD:

"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 

He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 5 - 8).

Sunday 16th February 2025, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

The first Reading from Jeremiah 17: 5 - 8 provides the food for our reflection. 

 Jeremiah offers us curse or blessing as Moses did before him.

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse." (Moses, Deuteronomy 11: 16).

What are the things that make our hearts turn away from the Lord? In one word: IDOLATRY! Something we love more than we love God. They could be any or all of the following:

Money, Job, Health, Family, Possessions, Food, Worries. 

The Prophet Jeremiah continues:

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust.

THIS MEANS THAT WHEN YOU TRUST GOD, HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU ALWAYS. 

"They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 - 8).

WHY DOES HE NOT FEAR 'HEAT' OR CHANGES IN FORTUNE? BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN GOD'S POWERFUL AND UNCHANGING DIVINE PROVIDENCE. 

A tree planted beside running water can be compared to a soul

planted inside the Church Sanctuary. He is nourished continuously by the word of God and the Sacraments. 

All the gold, silver and diamond belong to God. He provides food to all living things. Our future, destiny and security lie in His mighty hands.

The Scriptures, the Magisterium, the Church Fathers, Doctors of the Church and all the Saints affirm that God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence governs all things with great love and tenderness. This Providence is "direct and concrete." (CCC 303). This means that you can experience God's loving care every step and every moment of your life. 

How foolish it is to place your trust in mortal man who cannot save himself. Nobody gives that which he has not says an old Roman proverb.

Where is your security?

The Bible warns us not to put our trust in human beings or in princes or in horses and chariots (tanks, fighter bombers, etc), or bank accounts and investments. (Cf Psalm 118: 8; 146: 3)

Here are daily actions that move our hearts to trust in the Lord and receive blessings and be blessing to others:

Prayer

Word of God

Eucharist 

Reconciliation 

Spiritual Reading

Sharing your faith

"Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the Lord swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them." (Deuteronomy 30: 19 - 20). 

"It is here [In the Family] that the father of the family, the mother, children, and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way "by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity." (CCC 1657). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html 

JESUS FEEDS MILLIONS EVERY DAY WITH HIS BODY AND BLOOD.

JESUS FEEDS 4000 PEOPLE WITH 7 LOAVES. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” 

His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”

Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

They replied, “Seven.”

He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.

Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. 

They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ­ordered them ­distributed also.

They ate and were satisfied.

They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.

He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha." (Mark 8: 1 - 10).

In the Gospel of today, Mark 8: 1 - 10, we are not surprised by Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd around Him who followed Him to learn whatever they could of His teaching. We have observed instances of Jesus' concern for the welfare of His disciples and the crowd that followed Him. 

What appeared impossible to the Apostles on feeding 4000 hungry people in a desert was no challenge to Jesus. 

 Jesus is God and He could relieve the hunger of the crowd or a town with a word of command.

Jesus took "the seven loaves and he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd." No sweat. Very easy for Jesus. 

Consider what happens at Mass, the priest takes the bread, prays over it and says "This is My Body." The consecration of the bread to become the Body of Jesus is possible because Jesus is God. He gave this power to His disciples and to the priests they would ordain. 

Just as there have been sceptics from the beginning of the Church that Jesus did not and could not feed 4000 people. There are also sceptics today on the Miracle of the Multiplication of loaves. The same doubters scorn the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. They are wrong and ignorant of history and the Scriptures. The Catholic Church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth. This is why it has survived for over 2000 years and is found in every country in the world. 

"They all ate and they were all satisfied." Jesus wants you to feed on Him in the Eucharist and be satisfied. 

Protect yourselves from wolves and liars who want to corrupt your faith by daily:

1. Prayer.

2. Daily Word of God. 

3. Frequent Confession and Eucharist. 

"It is in the holy family, the original church in miniature that every christian family must be reflected" [it is in the holy family, the original church in miniature that every christian family must be reflected}]. (Pope St John XXIII). 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html  

THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS.

THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis.

"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.

"He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7: 31 - 37).

Friday 14th of February 2025 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the two great missionary brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius (+869) & (+885),Priest and Bishop respectively. 

They evangelized parts of Europe in the 9th century, notably Moravia (present-day Czech Republic).  Pope St  John Paul II proclaimed them patron saints of Europe, along with St. Benedict, the abbot.

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

Jesus said to the man:

“Ephphatha!”—that is, “Be opened!”—And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly."

Isaiah prophesied:

 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see!" (Isaiah 42:18) 

Jesus is the Messiah who heals the wounds and illnesses inflicted on humanity by sin. Jesus Christ is still healing in the world today. He is healing through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

Open our ears O Father that we hear the word of Your Son Jesus. 

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

"The family is placed at the center of the great struggle between good and evil, between life and death, between love and all that is opposed to love" (Pope St. John Paul II) 

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html