THE MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP. 

Jesus went about "curing every disease and illness among the people."

THE GOSPEL:

"When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

"From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

"He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. 

His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 

And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him." (Matthew 4: 12 - 17, 23 - 25).

Monday 5th January 2026 in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St John Neumann, Bishop. 

Today is the feast of a great missionary priest, Bishop, Church planter, pioneer in the Catholic Schools system in USA. His name is St John Neumann (1811 - 1860).

St John Neumann was born in Bohemia. He became a Redemptorist priest. He became the Bishop of Philadelphia.  Worn out by his labors, John died at the age of 49.

Here are three memorable quotes from St John Neumann:

On personal mission and providence:

“Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work.” 

On abandonment to the divine will:

“Deprive me of everything, my God, but not of the desire to unite my will to your will in perfect resignation!”

 On love for Christ in the Eucharist:

“How much do I love You, O my Jesus! I wish to love You with my whole heart, yet I do not love You enough. I have but one desire, that of being near You in the Blessed Sacrament.”

The highlight of our Gospel of today for me is:

"Jesus went about "curing every disease and illness among the people."

"Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of" (CCC 1505).

I like a lot stories of healing in the Bible and I enjoy testimonies of healing by ordinary people. I myself have benefitted from many healings in my life. I pray for healing every day.

 I believe too in Divine Providence. I believe that certain physical, mental or bodily conditions are there for a purpose. 

Talk to God and find out what is part of your DNA and what is not. 

Ask for healing in the Mighty Name of Jesus. A Name we honor every single day in the Month of January. 

The Name of Jesus is a Promise. The Name of Jesus is full Prayer. The Name of Jesus is Power. 

Honor the Name of Jesus in January. 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.

THE GOODNEWS:

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God,

who takes away the sin of the world!

This is he of whom I said,

`After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.'

I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."

And John bore witness,

"I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.

  I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me,

`He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." (John 1: 29- 34).

“John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, but Jesus’s baptism reveals Him as the beloved Son on whom the Spirit rests.”

(Summary line from the - contemporary biblical theology  on the Baptism of Jesus). 

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.

"The name of Jesus," says St. Bernard, "was first preordained by God." 

January 3rd is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

HONOR THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ON THE FIRST FRIDAY IN 2026.

FIRST FRIDAY IN JANUARY, 2026.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of 2026. By attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

January 2nd First Friday in 2026.

"Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart is the extraordinary remedy for the extraordinary needs of our time.” — Pope Pius XI, 1928.

Start 2026 strong by embracing the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion. See yourself stronger in faith and love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus by July 2026.

By December 2026,you will be happy you made this New Year Resolution.

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.

Promise #1.
"I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life."

For a long time, I did not understand the meaning of this promise.

I thank Jesus that I now understand this promise better.

In Promise #1, the Lord promises to provide all the graces necessary in all the circumstances of life, viz:
Family, Health, Money, Job, Possessions and Tools, Food, Future. 

Please remember that the Lord Jesus knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Trust Him.

This is the same Promise that Jesus made to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 9.

"My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made perfect in weakness."

Does Jesus promise to provide you everything?

NO!

He promises to provide you with everything necessary for your peace,  security and wellbeing.

Many things in your car, computer, phone are not necessary for the functionality of the appliance.

Many things in your house are not necessary for your peace, well-being and security.

Jesus promises to provide ALL necessary things to those who are loyal devotees of His Sacred Heart.

Divine Providence is concrete and immediate in its operations. (CCC 303).



Does Jesus fulfill this promise?

“Do not be afraid to present to him (Jesus) all the intentions of our suffering humanity, its fears, its miseries. May this Heart, full of love for men, give everyone hope and trust.” — Pope Francis, June 17, 2020.


Remind the Lord often of these promises and see for yourself.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, 2nd of January 2026.

For the full list of the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prayers and Prayer Intentions click the link below:

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



The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. January 3rd is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.


For the Litany of 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE THEOTOKOS. JANUARY 1ST.

JANUARY 1, THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE THEOTOKOS

"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!" (Cf Numbers 6: 22 - 27).

"Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

"As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God." (Galatians 4: 4 - 7).

Thursday January 1, 2026 in the Octave of Christmas is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

"Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Spirit and even before the birth of her son, as "the mother of my Lord". In fact, the One whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father's eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly "Mother of God" (Theotokos)." (CCC

495).

Our key Scripture says that in the fullness of time, God fulfilled the promise He made long ago.

Are you waiting for the fullness of time on anything? Health, family, finances, job, tools and necessary resources?

Our Scripture today indicates that nothing happens until the fullness of time, the Kairos time.

Do you have a relationship with Mary the Mother of God?

Mary who after Jesus is our greatest intercessor in Heaven by the gracious and mysterious will of God is waiting to embrace and help you.

Mary is key to our knowledge and relationship with Jesus her Son.

Mary is the only human being who knew Jesus from conception to His death to His Resurrection. Mary was present at Pentecost, at the birth of the Church.

 Are all these coincidences?

NO! Each of them is an act of Divine Providence!

Divine Providence is God's loving and powerful plan, design and purpose in governing the world He created.

Your life is governed by this loving and merciful Providence. The Church teaches that Divine Providence is concrete and immediate in everything.  (CCC 303).

Mary Mother of God pray for us.

The SeekFirstCommunity Team wishes you and yours a 2026 full of Peace, Health and Prosperity:

"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!"

THE CHURCH HONORS THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS IN JANUARY.

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST SYLVESTER I, PONTIFF.

LAST DAY OF 2025 - FEAST ST SYLVESTER I, PONTIFF.

"Children, it is the last hour; 

and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,

so now many antichrists have appeared. 

"Thus we know this is the last hour. 

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. 

"But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 

"I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth."  (1 John 2: 18 - 21).

Wednesday 31st December 2025, LAST DAY OF 2025. 7th Day in the Octave of the Solemnity of Christmas is also the feast of St Sylvester I. Pontiff. 

On the Last Day of 2025, we celebrate the life and sanctity of Pope St Sylvester I.

Sylvester was elected to the Papacy on the last day of 314 AD and he died on the last day of 335 AD. 

Today is the last day of 2025. Coincidence No! Divine Providence. Yes! 

Sylvester served the Church at a very turbulent transition in Church history.

 Arian heresy and the Donatist schism threatened to destroy the Church.

Then Constantine appeared by Divine Providence and offered the Church relief and peace in 312 AD by legalizing and granting amnesty to Christians.

Pope St Sylvester attended the famous Council of Nicaea where the Nicene Creed recited by Christians of all faith today was ratified and promulgated.

 Pope St Sylvester contributed a great deal in the expansion of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

This is the last hour. The Apostle John warned.

The "Antichrists have appeared." Have you seen any?

 Below are some of the characteristics of the Man of lawlessness from the Christian Scriptures :

Deceit

Temporary success

Mass seduction

Adversary

Son of perdition

Opposed Christ.

Rival of Christ

(Cf 2 Thessalonians 2: 3 - 12; 1 John 2: 18, 2 John 7, Matthew 24: 23 - 26).

St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church wrote thus of the Antichrist:

"As in Christ dwells the fullness of the Godhead so in Antichrist the fullness of all wickedness. Not indeed in the sense that his humanity is to be assumed by the devil into unity of person...but that the devil by suggestion infuses his wickedness more copiously into him than into all others. In this way all the wicked that have gone before are signs of Antichrist."  (St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church). 

Before he became Pontiff, Pope St John Paul II warned in 1976 at the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia that we are now facing the final confrontation between the Antichrist and the Church.

Remember how King Henry VIII caught over 300 English Bishops napping in 1535?

 Only Bishop St John Fisher earned the crown of Martyrdom.

 Below is a prophetic teaching of the Church on the Antichrist from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the "mystery of iniquity" in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh."   (CCC 675).

Is the current instabilities in the world the beginning of the Last Hour?

Do not be asleep. Be vigilant and pray at all times so that you may not fall into severe temptation. 

Do not become an Anti-Witness. This may be the Last Hour.

THE CONCLUSION OF THE 2025  31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. 

Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

A PROPHETESS AND EVANGELIST CALLED ANN6.

A PROPHETESS & EVANGELIST CALLED ANNA. 

"There was a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple,

but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee,

to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him." (Luke 2: 36 - 40).

Tuesday 30th December 2025, 6th Day in the Octave in the Solemnity of Christmas.

Anna, the Prophetess and Evangelist dominates the Gospel Reading as if today is her patronal feast day. 

Who is Anna and why is she one of the humble and powerful prophets and evangelists in the Gospel?

#1 Anna lived in the Temple for decades and gave herself completely to worshiping God, serving, praying and fasting.

#2 Apart from Mary, Joseph and Simeon, Anna was one of the very first people to see Jesus as an Infant and recognized Him at once in faith as the awaited Messiah. She knew who He is at once and she carried Him in her arms! Wonderful! 

#3 Anna is one of the very first Evangelist to announce the Good News. 

"And coming forward at that very time, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2: 38).

What can we say about the character of Anna? 

The answer is from the first Reading today: (1 John 2: 15 - 17).

"Do not love the world or the things of the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

 For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. 

Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2: 15 - 17).

Anna retired to the Temple after she lost her husband as a young woman.

 She rejected the life of empty show. She chose not to remarry or hang around and enjoy her husband's wealth.

Brethren, the story of Anna teaches us that it is good to serve the Lord faithfully. 

Anna and Mary are two examples of great faithfulness in serving God.

 They faithfully served the Lord, not for one year or 10 years or 50 years but day after day all life long. 

But what is most admirable is the faithfulness of God Himself.

The Bible says that faithfulness is the very essence of who God is. God's character is true and faithful. 

Both Anna, Mary and Joseph responded to the faithful love and mercies of God to them.

May we do the same everyday in the New Year 2026.

HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS. 

Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1 

THE FEAST OF ST THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR.

THE FEAST OF ST THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR. 

"When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem

to present him to the Lord,

just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

"Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

and to offer the sacrifice of

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,

in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.

This man was righteous and devout,

awaiting the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

that he should not see death

before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple;

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go

in peace, according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

"Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2: 22 - 35).

Monday 29th December 2025, 4th Day in the Octave of the Solemnity of Christmas is the feast of St Thomas Becket. (1118 - 1170). English. Martyr.

 St Thomas Becket, also known as St Thomas of Canterbury was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder on December 29th 1170 by King Henry II inside the Cathedral while St Thomas Becket was celebrating 

while St Thomas Becket was celebrating Mass. 

Forty days after the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph presented Him in the Temple in obedience of faith. 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the holy Prophet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna appeared in the Temple in obedience of faith to bear witness to the faithfulness of God to His promise. 

Brethren, in the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, let us renew our faith in our God who is faithful to all His promises. He promised Saints Simeon and Anna that they would live to see the Messiah in the flesh. God kept the promise. 

We reflect on the Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary. 

I pray to Simeon and Anna to obtain for the grace to learn how to wait for God to fulfill His promises to me in the fullness of time. 

THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH HONORS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DECEMBER. 

Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1 

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH.

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

Sunday 28th December 2025, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Brothers and sisters, why does Holy Mother Church set the last Sunday of the year to celebrate the great feast of the Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph? 

A few reasons come to mind.

#1. Jesus did not drop from Heaven to earth. He was born into a human family.

#2. The home of Nazareth is the school to learn and understand the life of Jesus.

#3. Our teacher is Mary, the Matriarch of the Holy Family. Mary teaches us three lessons about family life: Silence, Prayer and Work.

#4. The family may be your pathway to holiness: its joys and sorrows are all providentially ordained. Dare not to reject any of it.

In our key Scripture for today from the Gospel Acclamation, I share with you a Rhema word received on Holy Family Sunday over 20 years ago and remembered every Holy Family Feast:

"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Colossians 3: 15, 16).

Receive this word as a special gift today as you make your way through the last moments of 2025.

 If the peace of Christ is in your heart and controls your health, job, money, family, food and if the word of Christ dwells in you richly, you will always have a great day, week, month and a grand 2026.

 Why and how? "My grace is sufficient for you." (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

Go for Shalom brothers and sisters:

Peace and Word of God to you always!

The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the month of December. 

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1 

THE FEAST OF ST JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.

FEAST OF ST JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST. 

"On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.”

"So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

"They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

"When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

"Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed." (John 20: 1a, 2 - 8).

Friday 27th December 2024, 3rd Day of Christmas in the Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas is the Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist. 

John wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and the Book of Revelation. John is an eye witness, faithful and credible witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the will of God that we learn the truth of the Gospel from faithful, true and credible witnesses. The Church is the faithful, true and credible witness of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ for over 2000 years. To the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ committed the fullness of the truth and the Sacred Magisterium. 

St John's writing of his Jesus experience is an eye witness account. He saw. He heard. He touched. He then bore witness.  His witness which is faithful and true have unlocked for us the secrets of the Word of God.

Our Scripture text for today challenges me to ask: What have you seen today?

Open your eyes of faith and see the Church as the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the living Sacrament of Salvation in our midst today. 

What have you heard?

+ Hear the Good News proclaimed from the Altar.

+ Hear it proclaimed on television, radio, Internet and music.

"This is John, who reclined on the Lord’s breast at supper,

the blessed Apostle, to whom celestial secrets were revealed and who spread the words of life through all the world."  (Entrance Antiphon).

"Above all, I renew for you the words I uttered for Saint John from the Cross: “Behold your Mother.” Live in her presence. Honour her at every occasion and in every way possible. Every time you show love and devotion to My most holy Mother, you honour the words I spoke from the Cross, and you put them into practice. “Behold your Mother.” She desires nothing more than to look after you, just as if you were her only son. Her attention for you is not divided, nor is it in any way impaired by the attention she gives to the vast multitude of her children through the ages. Trust in her care for you. Pray her Rosary. Honour her as you have been doing."  (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 31, 2008).

Father, we pray that with St John the Evangelist we may share in the hidden wisdom of your eternal Word which You reveal to us at the Eucharistic table. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS. 

Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1 

THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, DEACON AND FIRST MARTYR.

FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, DEACON. FIRST MARTYR. 

"Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.

 Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

"When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.

 But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said,

“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

"But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.

"The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 6: 8 - 10, 7: 54 - 59).

Friday 26th December 2025, in  Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas, is the Feast of St Stephen, the first Martyr. Deacon. 

"St Stephen was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles (Acts 6: 1 - 6) and was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit," and was "full of fortitude" (Acts 6: 5, 8).

 Stephen died praying for his executioners. The similarities between Stephen's martyrdom and the crucifixion of Our Lord emphasize his imitation of Christ even up to the complete gift of self." (Roman Missal).

 …Like his Master, St Stephen died forgiving his persecutors

and thus makes us realise that the entry into the world of the Son of God gives rise to a new civilisation, the civilisation of love that does not yield to evil

and violence and pulls down the barriers between men and women, making them brothers and sisters

in the great family of God’s children.”  (Pope Benedict XVI, 26th December 2009). 

We learn from the brief summary of the life of St Stephen from the Roman Missal that Stephen must have been a very important witness in the early Church. Consider why:

#1 Stephen's life and experience shows that the promises of Jesus are true. "When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." The Holy Spirit is the Voice that speaks in Court. (Matthew 10: 19).

#2 Stephen died like Jesus forgiving his executioners.

This vindication of the promises of Jesus and fearless embrace of martyrdom made a deep impression on the Church. The Church included the name of St Stephen in the Canon of the Mass to intercede for the Church.

How soon after His Ascension was Christ's prediction vindicated when He said in the course of instructing His disciples:  "But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.  When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say."  (Matthew 10: 17 - 19).

We observe the power and faithfulness of Jesus in the trial and death of Stephen. What Jesus did for Stephen during his trial and execution, He has done for every single one of His martyrs. He has stood by their sides and sustained them to the last.

Do not be afraid. Jesus will do the same for us should the occasion arise.

"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (Acts 7: 58).

The blood of the martyrs is still the seed of Christianity. (Cf CCC 852).

HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS. 

THE CHURCH HONORS THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DECEMBER 

Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercessions. NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1

C H R I S T M A S,

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. SOLEMN HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.

Today is the First Day of the Glorious Christmas Season. 

When the angels went away from them to heaven,

"the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 

"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

"Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them." (Luke 2: 15 - 20).

Thursday 25th December 2025, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Solemnity of Christmas.

Our key Scripture for this Christmas Day proclaims how God's grand and mysterious Providence comes to us.

 They come through SIGNS.

 God is a spirit and invisible. 

We humans are flesh and blood and material.

 This is why the Word of God became flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary.  We can see Him and touch Him.

In the Christmas story, let us imagine ourselves for a moment to be Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, Jesus' grandparents Anne and Joachim, the Magis. 

All these people were able to touch Jesus physically. These people are exceptionally blessed.

We are also exceptionally blessed because we are able to touch Jesus in the Eucharist. 

In the Eucharist, Jesus is fully present to us: His soul, body, blood and divinity.

Without faith, the touching of the infant Jesus by Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, Jesus' grandparents Anne and Joachim, the Magis is meaningless.

 Without faith, our receiving of Jesus in the Eucharist is totally meaningless. Like consuming a tiny waffer. 

Faith is the key to a Happy Christmas.

We honor the Immaculate Conception Devotions and of the Blessed Virgin Mary every in December. 

For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/12/31-day-novena-to-immaculate-conception.html?m=1