WE REMEMBER THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN THE TEMPLE.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 

"As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, 

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

"For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19: 41 - 44).

Thursday 21st November 2024, in the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time. 

The Church celebrates today the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple. 

Here is what the Church teaches on the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

"Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the "Seat of Wisdom."

In her, the "wonders of God" that the Spirit was to fulfill in Christ and the Church began to be manifested." (CCC 721).

Tradition holds that Mary was presented by her parents in the Temple at a very early age where she was educated by the priests and prepared for her life work. 

In our key Scripture from Luke 19, Jesus wept over Jerusalem for two reasons:

#1. Jerusalem failed to recognize the time of the visitation of her long awaited Messiah.

#2. Jerusalem thirsted desperately for peace but the people are totally ignorant of what makes for peace.

These two conditions apply to our world today. As we near the end of the Church Year, we are served more and more with Scriptures of the End Times.

Jesus wept for Jerusalem because they did not recognize what makes for peace.

 Do we recognize what makes for peace?

Jesus the Prince of Peace knows what makes for peace. He is in truth our peace. 

 Romans 12: 2 shows us the secret of peace. 

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." Conforming our thoughts, words and actions to the will of God is exactly what makes for peace. 

The prophecy of Jesus in this Gospel was literally fulfilled in AD 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed by Emperor Titus.

This Gospel will be heard today by Catholics in America, Brazil, Europe, Africa, Australia, Israel, Palestine, Ukraine and Gaza.

"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy].” (Revelations 19: 10 AMP).

The life and words of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. We see with our own eyes on television this prophecy executed today.

Father, in Your will is our peace!

"I bless you and I bless those whom you entrust to the mercy of My open Heart. The light of My Face shines upon you. Believe in My love for you. I will never abandon you, never disappoint you. My plans are for your happiness, for your holiness, for your peace. Have no fear. I will do for you all that I have promised, and your heart will rejoice, and you will praise and glorify Me forever." (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, December 19, 2007). 

 

The month of November is traditionally dedicated in the Catholic Church to honoring the dead and relieving the sufferings of the souls in purgatory.

“If, during life, we have been kind to the suffering souls in purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death.” (St Paul of the Cross). 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF OUR ASSETS.

ARE YOU A GOOD MANAGER OF YOUR GIFTS? 

"While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. 

"So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.

"He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’

"His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’

"But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading.

"The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ 

"Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’

"Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ 

"He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ 

"And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’

"He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”

After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem." (Luke 19: 11-28).

Wednesday 20th November 2024 in the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our Gospel for today is from Luke 19: 11 - 28. It is called the Parable of the Ten Gold Coins. By the standard of Gospel parables, it is long. It is purposely detailed because Jesus is making a very important point. We are heading to the End of the Liturgical Year and the theme of the lectionary readings inspired by the Holy Spirit for the universal Church is End of the World themes. Jesus is heading to Jerusalem for the end of His earthly life. But He will come again.  

What may be considered as the main points of the Parable of the Ten Gold Coins?

#1. Every human being is given the gifts of time, talent and treasure.

#2. At the End of Time, there will be an accountability for the use of every gift.

#3. If you do not know your gifts and your purpose in life, prayerfully invest whatever is necessary to find out the most important information about you, your God-given Purpose. It may be the One Thing Necessary Today. 

The month of November is traditionally dedicated in the Catholic Church to honoring the dead and relieving the sufferings of the souls in purgatory.

During these remaining days of November, let us double our prayers for the holy souls in Purgatory. 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT ZACCHAEUS AND BARTIMAEUS?

ZACCHAEUS SUCCUMBED TO THE CHARM OF JESUS.

“At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.

"Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.

"So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

"When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

 

And Zacchaeus came down quickly and received him with joy.

"When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 

"But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” 

"And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19: 1 - 10).

TUESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2024 IN THE 33rd  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME. 

Zacchaeus experiences the irresistible power of the Presence of Jesus and was overwhelmed by the charm of Jesus Christ. . Result: Instant and profound conversion. 

What do you think of the encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus in Jericho? Accident or Providence?

Accident, chance, coincidence are not part of Bible vocabulary or Bible worldview. In the Scriptures, the teaching of the Church and the Church Fathers, everything is Divine Providence. 

It is therefore interesting to note that Zacchaeus was ready for this moment. Abraham was ready when God called. David was ready. Mary was ready when Archangel Gabriel came knocking. Readiness for key moments in our lives is part of predestination. Are you ready now if Jesus is passing by your house? 

Many thieves and fraudsters who are caught red handed try to negotiate the terms of the settlement. Not Zacchaeus. His attitude is: Lord, I give up everything to be a part of You and Your Enterprise.

Taking a cue from the conversion of Zacchaeus, the Church teaches:

"Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."......... It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life." (CCC 1427).

Let us note that Zacchaeus and Bartimaeus are in a class of their own. Both miracles happened in Jericho. Jericho must be a good place to meet Jesus. 

"But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance." (Wisdom 11: 23).

I will praise Your name forever my King and my God.

"As for you, dear brother, beloved friend, and priest of My Heart, attach yourself firmly to My Mother by means of her Rosary, and she will never forsake you. Call upon her in every need of yours, great or small, of soul or of body, and you will understand that she is in truth your Mother of Perpetual Help." (IN SINU JESU). 

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

Can you say: One Our Father, One Hail Mary, One Glory be every day from now to the end of November for the Souls of the members of your family who have departed this life? 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

THE FEAST OF ST ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE AND THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL.

THE FEAST OF ST ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE, VIRGIN AND RELIGIOUS. AND THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SS PETER & PAUL. 

"As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

"Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

"He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” 

"Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”

He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God." (Luke 18: 35 - 43).

Monday 18th November 2024 in the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Rose Philippine Duchesne. (1769 - 1852). French. Virgin and Religious. The French Revolution disrupted her religious formation. She waited for 11 years to join a new Congregation: The Society of the Sacred Heart. At the age of 49, St Rose undertook her missionary journey to America. She founded schools to educate girls.

St Rose Philippine Duchesne left her native country France at the age of 49 to travel to America. She heard the urgency of the Gospel to educate little girls in America and show them the way of the love and peace of Christ. The Lord blessed her ministry. 170 years after the death of St Rose Philippine Duchesne, Duchesne Academy continues the work of educating girls in America.

We remember today also the Dedication of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in November 18, 1626. 

St MARK the Evangelist identified the Blind Man in the story as Bartimaeus in his Gospel. (Mark 10: 46 - 52). 

What a truly beautiful story. Won't you like to have the faith and courage of Bartimaeus? His tenacity, singleness of purpose in pursuing a vital life goal. St Bartimaeus faced a moment of Now or Never. 

Our pains, trials, disappointments could be the stimulus to reach out like Bartimaeus to grasp the powerful and merciful Providence of God and to force God so to speak to elevate our faith and bring us the kind of healing we need and the accomplishment of God's Plan in our lives. 

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force." (Matthew 11: 12). Bartimaeus reminds me very much of this revelation. 

Jesus was delighted with the faith of Bartimaeus:

"Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God."

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“We must empty Purgatory with our prayers.” (St. Pio of Pietrelcina). 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

BE VIGILANT. WATCH AND PRAY.

THE SIGNS OF THE END. 

"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

 And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.

 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13: 24 - 32).

Sunday November 17th in the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time. 

We are close to the end of the Liturgical Year. The Gospel is full of foreboding of the End Times. We must learn how to read the signs of the times just as any intelligent person is expected to read the changes in the fig tree to know that summer is near. 

In the South Eastern part of the US from where I am writing this today, there are no fig trees as far as I know. But there are many groundshaking events in politics globally, extreme climactic aberrations, wars and rumors of wars to cause concerns. 

Is the coming of Jesus Christ imminent? 

"Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place." 

Pay careful attention to these because it is prophecy:

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." 

Although it has been 2000 years since the prediction, this may well be the last Hour. 

The reason for the prophecy is to get us prepared through:

1. Vigilant prayer. 

2. Daily Bible study. 

Daily Examination of Conscience. 

3. Frequent Confession.

4. Frequent Holy Communion. 

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“If it were but known how great is the power of the good souls in Purgatory with the Heart of God, and if we knew all the graces we can obtain through their intercession, they would not be so much forgotten. We must, therefore, pray much for them, that they may pray much for us.” (St. John Vianney). 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

FEAST OF SAINTS GERTRUDE THE GREAT & MARGARET OF SCOTLAND.

SAINTS GERTRUDE THE GREAT & MARGARET OF SCOTLAND. 

"Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.

He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 

And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.

But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18: 1 - 8).

Saturday 16th November 2024, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time. 

Today is the feast of St Gertrude. (1256 - 1301). Virgin and Religious. Gertrude was a German citizen. Known as Gertrude the Great, she was a respected scholar and mystic.

Over 300 years before St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Gertrude, a mystic like Margaret Mary introduced the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pope Benedict XVI, says that St Gertrude “shows us that the heart of a happy life, of a true life, is friendship with the Lord Jesus.”

Today is also the feast of St Margaret of Scotland (1046 - 1093). Born Hungarian and married to King Malcolm of Scotland. Margaret was the mother of 8 children who raised her children in the fear of the Lord. She is noted especially for her love for the poor. Margaret is the Patroness of Scotland.

In the Gospel of today, 

"Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary."

The Widow in today's Gospel proves that even with God, persistence breaks resistance. So pray always. Pray everywhere. Pray about everything. God hears the prayers of the widow, the orphan and the immigrant. He hears the prayers of all who call on Him in faith and persistence. 

"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Psalm 27: 14). 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12: 12).

St Augustine teaches that "God wills that our desire should be exercised in prayer, that we may be able to receive what He is prepared to give."

"It is important to persevere in prayer because if we do, God will not simply answer the prayer, He will reveal His will to us - this is much more important.  Perseverance in prayer reveals the quality of our faith. James says, "I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).

( Anonymous.) 

God could NEVER say NO to any prayer. God promises:

"Ask and you will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you." 

Then God adds: "Whoever asks shall receive..." 

In another passage God promises that "Whatever you ask for shall be given you..." 

For God to say No to a Prayer will be DIVINE INJUSTICE. God is not capable of being unjust. It is one of the greatest lies of Satan to convince us that God is a Liar. He never answers all our prayers, the Great Liar says. 

In the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18: 1 - 8, Jesus calls failure to answer prayers by God an act of injustice. Read the text below:

"Because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” 6 The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 7 Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? 8 I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily."

Jesus reveals the power of the Holy Rosary to a Benedictine mystic:

"There are no sufferings that cannot be borne peacefully, so long as a soul is praying the Rosary. Through the Rosary, all the grace and power of My mysteries passes through My Mother’s Immaculate Heart into the hearts of the little ones who invoke her, repeating the angel’s “Ave” over and over again. There are illnesses that can be cured through the Rosary. There are clouds of darkness and confusion that only the Rosary can disperse, and this because it is My Mother’s favourite prayer, a prayer that originated in the heights of heaven and was carried to earth by My Archangel, a prayer echoed and amplified in the Church through the ages, a prayer loved by all My saints, a prayer of disarming power and of immense depth." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, December 2, 2014).

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“Purgatory is simply the place where already saved souls are cleansed of the temporal effects of sin before they are allowed to see the holy face of Almighty God. Revelation 21:27 tells us that “...nothing unclean will enter [Heaven].”

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html