THE INVITED GUESTS REFUSED TO COME.

The Invited Guests refused to come.

"Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and 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 he 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. The king 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).

Sunday 11th October 2026 in the 28th Week in Ordinary Time.

Today's Parable of the King's Invited Guests who spurned his invitation and turned murderous is one of the saddest parables in the Gospel.

This Parable may be an allegory of how Jesus is spurned and insulted in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Unlike the Parable, many of the invited guests in the Eucharist come.

But some do not have the wedding garments.

They do not recognize the presence or the dignity of the Host.

They lack the respectful manners required in such a gathering. They dress in such a way to show their carefree attitude.

Would they dare to dress the way they do as guests of a house party by the mayor, governor or even their boss?

Wake up Christians. Do not make your King angry lest He orders:
"Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

October is the Holy Rosary Month.

"O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity." (St Basil the Great).

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

MARY HEARS THE WORD OF GOD AND OBSERVES IT.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND KEEP IT.

"While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,

“Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”

"He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11: 27 - 28).

Saturday 10th October 2026 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. We celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jesus said to the woman who praised His saintly Mother:

“Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

What is the word of God? What did Mary hear and observed?

1. Mary heard the message of the Archangel Gabriel and believed it and said Yes to the Will and Plan of God for her life.

2. Mary heard the inspired prophecy of Elizabeth:
"You are blessed among women."
Mary believed and responded :
"All generations shall call me blessed." She believed the inspired message of Elizabeth and responded with her own inspired words which became a prophecy.

3. Simeon the aged holy Prophet said to Mary at the Presentation:
A sword will pierce your heart because of this little boy.
Mary responded in total silence of submission to the Will and Plan of God for her Boy.

The above are a few examples to show that Mary's life is completely oriented to hearing God's word and saying Yes to God.

How about you and I?
Although we were not born in Immaculate Conception, we were reborn again in holy Baptism as the children of God and adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

Do you know that you can rew your Baptismal Promises not once a year at Easter but once a day during your morning prayer. It takes about a minute. The effect of this ritual is life changing.

This is an example of how to do it:

"Father, I Abby declare that I am Your child and the sister of Your Son Jesus Christ. I desire to embrace Your holy, almighty and merciful will for me in everything today.

I renounce sins completely. I renounce Satan and all his lies and tricks and seductions. So help me Father. Amen."

One minute a day doing this every morning can change your life forever.

The Seed is the word of God.
Believe in the word of God.

Share the word of God.
Practice what you believe.

October is the Holy Rosary Month.

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

ABBA FATHER GIVES THE BEST GIFTS.

ABOVE ALL, PRAY FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE FATHER DOES NOT RATION THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says,

‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’

"And he says in reply from within,

‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’

"I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

"For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 5 - 13).

Thursday October 8th 2026 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus gives one of His most profound and beautiful teaching on the Prayer of Petition.

This is more than a catechesis. It is a profound promise from a Father who can never lie to His children.

On September 8th, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, facing the image of Mary at her Altar in the Basilica, I asked Mary: What are the promises in the Bible that should shape my prayers and petitions to God. Thousands! I understand from Mary. Every word of God contains a promise. God remembers His promises forever.

Here is what I got from reflecting on Jesus' teaching today on the Prayer of Petition:

#1. Prayer works more than most people believe.

#2. One of the greatest and most consequential falsehood of the Big Liar is that God does not answer prayers.

Consequently why bother praying?

#3. Ask the Lord to open your mind and heart and show you how many of your prayers have been answered.

Most times, there is a lag between the time of your petition and the answer.

It would appear that it is our responsibility to track our petitions and our answered prayers. Why? So that we can give due thanks to God. Some years ago, an elderly Christian woman said to me: God does not eat barbecue, stake or drink champagne. His food is Thanksgiving from His grateful children.

3. Persistence breaks Resistance. This lesson is known by the midnight visitor and he applied it to his advantage.

#4. God's commitment to answer prayers is ironclad. This is the unanimous teaching of Sacred Scripture,  Sacred Magisterium, all the Church fathers and doctors and all the saints.

You will be amazed by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence when it comes to prayers.

#5. What is the the Best and Highest Thing to pray for?

THE HOLY SPIRIT! THE HOLY SPIRIT! THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Prayer is the Activator of Power. Power is the dominant attribute of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer and the Holy Spirit are like inseparable twins.

The Bible commands: "Taste and See that the Lord is good."

If you do not pray habitually, you will never be able to taste; much less attest to the truth that God is good.

#6. Do not be unbelieving. Believe and experience the joy of answered prayer. It is sweet.

Testimony to answered prayer:

I sent prayer intentions containing 4 points to EWTN on the occasion of Divine Mercy Sunday some years ago. Fortunately, I made a copy of the prayer requests and the date and pinned it to the wall near my workstation.

I forgot all about it till about five years later. When I looked at the prayer requests after five years, I was shocked to see that God answered everyone of the prayer intentions. I had been enjoying peace and serenity in all the areas of the prayer petitions without giving God one iota of thanks!

Come to God in prayer full of confidence and expectant faith and battle God in prayer if necessary.

God may delay but He will not deny you the request inspired by the Holy Spirit.

October is the Holy Rosary Month.

"Your Rosary is like a ladder that you climb step by step, drawing you closer to our Lady, which means finding Christ. It is a devotion which leads us to Christ through Mary." (Pope St Paul VI, Marialis Cultus).

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

THE MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY ROSARY.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY.

"Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,

"Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."

"He said to them, "When you pray, say:

"Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins

for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,

and do not subject us to the final test." (Luke 11: 1 - 4).

Wednesday 7th October 2026 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the Holy Rosary. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as the Lady under many titles: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, etc. Our Lady of of Lourdes, Our Lady of the Rosary, etc. 

The Rosary celebrates Mary as a powerful intercessor using the instrument of the Rosary Prayer.

 Every sin and failure to act in charity is influenced by the demons.

It is obvious that we are in the era of Spiritual Warfare. If we are not, the Scriptures will not urge us again and again to be vigilant. The devil, our enemy never sleeps.

"The Rosary is the means by which I attach souls to myself. The Rosary assures souls of my presence and of my protection." (IN SINU JESU).

 Yes. Protection in the spiritual warfare raging everywhere today in: families, work places, schools, offices, roads, etc.

We hear of demonic possessions and infestations. Do not take these happenings lightly. The Church does not ignore the many signs of the activities of evil spirits everywhere today. Neither should we. Jesus Christ speaking to one mystic says that the Holy Rosary is one of the most effective offensive and defensive tools against the Enemy of mankind.

Here is what the Church teaches about the Rosary:

"The Rosary is very pleasing to our Mother in heaven; she herself has recommended it. There are two elements of the Holy Rosary: meditation on its mysteries and vocal prayer. The Rosary surely reaches the motherly heart of Mary and moves her to obtain abundant graces for us." (Roman Missal).

Two recent popes, Pope St Paul VI and Pope St John Paul II have highly recommended the Rosary. Most saints since the 1500s have said the Rosary without fail.

"Your Rosary is like a ladder that you climb step by step, drawing you closer to our Lady, which means finding Christ. It is a devotion which leads us to Christ through Mary." (Pope St Paul VI, Marialis Cultus).

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. 

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is very important in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian.

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF SAINTS ROSE MARIE DUROCHER AND BRUNO.

FEAST OF BLESSED MARIE-ROSE DUROCHER, RELIGIOUS & FOUNDRESS, 

AND ST BRUNO, FOUNDER OF THE CARTHUSIANS.

MARTHA AND MARY. SISTERS. HOLY AND DIFFERENT.

Mary has chosen the better part.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

"She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

"Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me."

"The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

"There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." (Luke 10: 38 - 42).

Tuesday, 6th October in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time.

The story of two sisters Martha and Mary teaches us great lessons of faith, hope and love.

Martha and Mary are sisters and live in the same house. Their differences in outlook give Jesus a teaching opportunity to address a problem that is endemic in our society today. Our lives are distracted by too many gadgets, information overload, mindless multitasking and many other things.

Jesus says to Martha and us:

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

What is the better part that Mary has chosen? Mary chose to honor their Guest. Mary chose the will of God for her at this moment.

When you choose the will of God for you here and now instead of your own will, you have chosen the better part. The will of God is always the better part. In God's will is our peace. Our Shalom!

How do we know the will of God? It is not complicated at all. The easiest way is to ask God. "Lord what will You have me do?" God is our Father who wants the very best for His children. He can never deceive us. He promises us to ask and we shall receive.

God speaks to us in Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the very word of God. As you sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary each day to listen to Scripture, little by little you begin to know "the better part" for you in everything. This is what Scripture calls wisdom. Wisdom is the gift of choosing what God wants you to choose in every given situation.

Think of today's great Gospel message from another perspective.

Martha appears addicted to work. Mary is laid back and seems to relish the Sacrament of the Present Moment.

How do we get addicted to activity? What is the cause? How did it start?

Fear of man? Desire to please?

Desire to win at all cost?

Love of money?

Love of pleasure?

Jesus said to Martha:

"You are worried and distracted by many things."

In short, you are an activity addict.

What is the remedy for this hyper addiction?

"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 11).

Enjoy the Sacrament of the Present Moment.

What can we do every day to help you to heal from this condition?

1. Daily Prayer.

2. Daily word of God.

3. Frequent Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

4. Affirm constantly that God is in control.

Since you know this, do it and you will be blessed.

TWO SAINTS WHO CHOSE THE BETTER PART

Brethren, the Church gives us two witnesses today. One left a brilliant career for the silence of a mountain. The other spent her days in hard, ordinary service and kept her heart at the feet of Jesus. The Church has always taught that the faithful on earth, the souls being purified and the saints in heaven are one Body of Christ, bound together by prayer. (Cf CCC 946 - 962). The hidden prayer of the saints holds up the busy work of the whole Church.

SAINT OF THE DAY: ST BRUNO (c. 1030 - 1101). German. Priest, Hermit and Founder of the Carthusian Order.

[IMAGE: St Bruno and the Chartreuse]

Dear friends, meet a man who walked away from success to find God.

Bruno was born around 1030 in Cologne, Germany. A brilliant student, he became head of the cathedral school at Reims and taught theology for nearly twenty years. One of his pupils became Pope Urban II.

Then came the test. Manasses, the archbishop of Reims, was accused of simony, the buying of Church office. Bruno stood against him. He lost his post and his home.

In 1084, with six companions, Bruno climbed into the wild Chartreuse mountains near Grenoble. Bishop St Hugh gave them the land. They built small hermit cells around a common church. The Carthusian Order was born: silence, solitude and prayer.

Urban II later called his old teacher to Rome as adviser. Bruno obeyed. But he refused the archbishopric of Reggio and returned to solitude in Calabria. He died there on 6th October 1101.

Bruno wrote no rule. His sons wrote it later. Yet the Carthusians are known for a proud saying: never reformed, because never deformed. Their motto says it all: "Stat crux dum volvitur orbis." The Cross stands steady while the world turns.

BLESSED MARIE-ROSE DUROCHER (1811 - 1849). Canadian. Religious and Foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

Marie-Rose was born on 6th October 1811 in a village near Montreal, Canada, the tenth of eleven children. She longed to be a sister, but poor health closed the convent door.

When she was 18, her mother died. She went to keep house for her priest brother in Beloeil. For 13 years she was housekeeper, hostess and parish worker. Martha's work. Yet her goodness earned her the title "the saint of Beloeil."

Her bishop and her spiritual director urged her to begin a community to teach poor children. She resisted. In 1843, at Longueuil, Quebec, she founded the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and took the name Sister Marie-Rose.

Her last six years were filled with poverty, sickness and trials. She died on 6th October 1849, on her 38th birthday. Pope St John Paul II beatified her on 23rd May 1982.

A Martha's hands. A Mary's heart.

Lord Jesus, You called St Bruno to the silence of the mountain and Blessed Marie-Rose to the service of the poor. Teach us to sit at Your feet before we serve, and let all our work flow from prayer. Amen.

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer. It is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian.

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

Mary Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST MARIA FAUSTINA. APOSTLE OF DIVINE MERCY.

FEAST OF ST MARIA FAUSTINA, VIRGIN AND RELIGIOUS SISTER

THE GOODNEWS:

"There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,

“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law?

How do you read it?”

He said in reply,

“You shall love the Lord, your God,

with all your heart,

with all your being,

with all your strength,

and with all your mind,

and your neighbor as yourself.”

He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;

do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, 

“And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied, 

“A man fell victim to robbers

as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.

They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

A priest happened to be going down that road,

but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

Likewise a Levite came to the place,

and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him

was moved with compassion at the sight.

He approached the victim,

poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.

Then he lifted him up on his own animal,

took him to an inn, and cared for him.

The next day he took out two silver coins

and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,

‘Take care of him.

If you spend more than what I have given you,

I shall repay you on my way back.’

Which of these three, in your opinion,

was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”

Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

 Monday 5th October 2026 in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time.

Brethren, a lawyer tests Jesus with a clever question: 

"Who is my neighbor?"

 He wants a definition. Jesus gives him a man half dead on the roadside and three travelers.

 Then Jesus turns the question around: "Which of these was neighbor to the man?"

The lawyer cannot even say the word "Samaritan."

 He says, "The one who showed him mercy."

Three things in today's Gospel:

#1 The priest and the Levite SAW him and passed by. 

They were men of religion, and they walked on. Prayer without mercy is noise. You can attend Mass every day and still cross to the other side of the road.

#2 The Samaritan was MOVED. Then he ACTED. He bandaged, carried, paid and promised to come back.

 Compassion that does not move your hands and your wallet is only sentiment.

#3 Jesus does not say "admire the Samaritan." He says: "GO AND DO LIKEWISE."

So, who is lying by the roadside in your family? In your workplace? In your parish? Whom have you been passing by?

Do ONE concrete act of mercy today for someone you would normally walk past.

Today we remember St Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy. 

Receive mercy from Jesus. Then give it away.

SAINT OF THE DAY: ST MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA (1905 - 1938). Polish. Religious Sister and Apostle of Divine Mercy.

Dear friends, meet a very ordinary girl. Helena Kowalska was born on 25th August 1905 into a poor farming family in Głogowiec, Poland, the third of ten children. She had barely three years of schooling. At sixteen she left home to work as a housemaid, so that her family could have a little more bread on the table.

All the while, one desire stayed in her heart: to belong entirely to Jesus. In 1925 she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw and became Sister Maria Faustina. She was a cook, a gardener and a doorkeeper.

 Hidden. Unnoticed. But never unseen by Heaven.

On 22nd February 1931, in her little cell at Płock, Jesus appeared to her, with red and pale rays streaming from His Heart.

 Tenderly He asked her to have an image painted with the words:

 "Jesus, I trust in You." 

He taught her the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and asked for a Feast of Mercy on the Sunday after Easter.

Out of obedience to her confessor, Fr Michael Sopoćko, she wrote everything down in a Diary of some 600 pages, now loved around the world as "Divine Mercy in My Soul."

Tuberculosis took her in Kraków on 5th October 1938. She was only 33.

Pope St John Paul II beatified her in 1993 and canonized her on 30th April 2000, the first saint of the new millennium, and named the Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday.

Her message is as simple as it is beautiful:

#1 Trust in Jesus. "Jesus, I trust in You."

#2 Mercy received must become mercy given.

THE ABC OF MERCY captures the essence of the DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION. 

A - ASK FOR MERCY. 

B - BE MERCIFUL. 

C - COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY. 

The Good Samaritan shows us what that mercy looks like.

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.

Why a spRosaryecial month for the Holy ? Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer. It is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

Mary Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

THE HEALING MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.

BROTHER, HAVE NO ANXIETY AT ALL.

"Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

"Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, what­ever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

"Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4: 6 - 9).

Sunday 4th October, 27th Week in Ordinary Time.

Brethren, our Goodnews for today from (Philippians 4: 6 - 9), urges us to banish anxiety from our lives. Why?

Because anxiety kills faith.

Without faith, you can not enjoy the promises of God in the Bible for His children.

Why is there so few physical healing experienced in our parishes?

I have been burdened by this embarrassing question in the past few weeks.

Why? In this period, there has been numerous incidents of healing and giving authority to heal in the Gospel Readings. Let us look at a few examples during these past couple of weeks.

1. Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion."

2. Ask Raphael to heal blindness and guide you (Tb 11:7, 12; 12:15).

3. Jairius: Jarius, the civil servant heard about the miracles of Jesus and hastened to meet Jesus. (Mark 5: 21 - 43, Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Luke 8: 40 - 56).

#6. "The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant." (Luke 7: 3 NIV).

4. "Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Brethren, it appears that healing the sick is at the core of the Messianic of Jesus the Messiah and a sign of the manifestation of the Kingdom of God among us.

Why is it not happening any more? Why does it seem like people are content to go to their graves with their illnesses? Is this truly the WILL OF GOD?

Consider Lourdes in France. Lourdes is a demonstration and testimony of the Virgin Mary's deep interest in the Messianic ministry of healing the sick in mind, soul and body. The Blessed Virgin Mary with the cooperation of 14 year old Benedette and the local Bishops transformed 244 acres of rural country-side of Lourdes, a center of healing of physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual. The Church is ready at all times in Lourdes to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

People may not be healed because they have no faith. People have not received healing because they have not asked God to heal them.

People may not have been healed because they asked God for healing and believed that they must be healed at once. In the Gospels, healing appears to happen at once in the Gospel Times. The  experience of the Church is that healing happens according to the will and timetable of God.

Brethren, Come, praise the Lord, the Almighty, the King of all nations!

Tell forth his fame, O ye peoples, with loud acclamations!

His love is sure;

Faithful his word shall endure,

Steadfast through all generations!

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? 

Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer. It is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. You neglect the Rosary at your own peril.

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

Mary Queen of the Most Holy Rosary , pray for us.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to

THE DISCIPLES DISCOVERED THE POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

THE DISCIPLES ATTESTED TO THE POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

The Gospel:

"The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,

“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.

Behold, I have given you the power

‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions

and upon the full force of the enemy

and nothing will harm you.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,

but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

”At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father,

and who the Father is except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said,

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

For I say to you,

many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10: 17 - 24).

Saturday 3rd October 2026 in the 26th Week in Ordinary Time.

A couple of things standout in today's Gospel:

1. The disciples of Jesus came back from their first student ministry which we call practicum. They were ecstatic with joy. Why? They discovered the power in the name of Jesus.

My friends, there is real power in the name of Name of Jesus.

Peter and Paul used this power constantly especially for their healing ministry.

St Bernardine of Siena, a Franciscan Friar discovered or re-discovered in the 14th century the power in the Name of Jesus and built a wooden structure called IHS MONOGRAM or Christogram to exploit this power in his ministry of healing, teaching, combating Satan and making peace amongst people.

St Ignatius Loyola came along in the 16th century and discovered the power of the Name of Jesus. He quickly appropriated the IHS Christogram and made it a property of the Society of Jesus which become the official symbol of the worldwide Society of Jesus even in the lifetime of St Ignatius Loyola. 

The IHS Monogram became the official symbol of the Jesuits. The Society of Jesus is simply powerless without the Name of Jesus. No Name of Jesus, no Society of Jesus. It may be said that one of the reasons for the existence and continued success of the Society of Jesus is to attest to the power in the Name of Jesus. 

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

I have a few powerful testimonies to the power of the Name of Jesus in personal struggles. This is for another time.

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? 

Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer. It is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. You neglect the Rosary at your own peril.

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

Mary Queen of the Most Holy Rosary , pray for us.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to

THE MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS.

"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 humbles himself 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).

Friday 2nd October 2026, in the 26th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Guardian Angels.

Our Father God in His loving Providence has provided each of His children a Guardian Angel. Are you aware of this stupendous truth?

Fortunately for us, whether we are aware of our Guardian Angel that accompanies us on the journey of life or not, the Angel still performs all its duties lovingly towards us.

Our Guardian Angels report to God not to us.

Here is what the Church teaches about our Guardian Angels:

"Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."

Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God." (CCC 336).

Your Guardian Angel is a friend who protects you in danger and can direct your steps when you are lost. It shepherds you away from moral dangers and situations that can imperil your soul. When you have a warm and personal relationship with your Guardian Angel, you enjoy more privileges.

Saints recommend praying to your Guardian Angel when you wake up in the morning and when you are ready to go to bed at night.

I have prayed to my Guardian Angel ever since I learned my first prayers. I have enjoyed few close encounters with my Guardian Angel.

As an active and adventurous boy, I know how many times my Friend and Guardian saved me from peril. Today I honor my Guardian Angel with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

Angel of God my Guardian and dear Friend, thank you for your protection. Continue to enlighten and guard me till my last breath. Amen!

"Listen to the inspiration that I give you through your guardian angel, and you will prosper in all that you do." (IN SINU JESU, Saturday, February 19, 2011).

Here is a Guardian Angel Prayer, you can use when you wake up in the morning and when you say your prayers before going to bed:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/guardian-angel-prayer.html?m=1

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary. Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer. It is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. You neglect the Rosary at your own peril. There will not be sexual molestation of children in the Church if the priest says the daily Rosary that is mandatory for all clergy.

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.

Mary Queen of the Most Holy Rosary , pray for us.

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to

FIRST FRIDAY IN OCTOBER 2026.

OCTOBER 2, FIRST FRIDAY  IN n OCTOBER 2026. 

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

 Jesus promised through St Margaret Mary Alacoque 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month and receive Holy Communion.  

In the 10th month of the year 2026, we look at Promise #10. 

#10.  "I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts." 

Do not think: "I am not excited by this promise.  I am not a priest." 

We are all priests by virtue of our Baptism. We are priest, prince and prophet. 

Jesus Christ chose and ordained a tiny percentage of men to celebrate the Sacraments.  The first mission of the Church is evangelization.  As a Catholic Christian, you are an evangelist. Moreover, the first 3 Spiritual Works of Mercy instruct us:

#1. Instruct the ignorant. 

#2. Counsel the doubtful. 

#3. Admonish sinners. 

Jesus promises to give you power to touch the most hardened of sinners.

 Sinners are everywhere. They could be in the family. They could be friends or neighbors.  Will you refuse the gift promised by the Sacred Heart of Jesus to equip you to help sinners? Moreover, you can apply the grace of this promise to any priest of your choice. 

"In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ is really, truly and substantially present, with His Body and Blood, with His Soul and His Divinity. 

He is personally present, not by a mere sign or image, not in a spiritual manner only.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as expressly declared by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, is essentially the same as devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

It honors the Divine love of our Eucharistic God which revealed itself in His Passion and Death and continually reveals itself in the Holy Eucharist. 

Therefore, the Sacred Heart devotion is the most agreeable to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament."

(DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS by the Benedictine Sisters of Missouri). 

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

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. 

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary. Because the Rosary is a very powerful prayer. It is an important prayer in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. You neglect the Rosary at your own peril. There will not be sexual molestation of children in the Church if the priest says the daily Rosary that is mandatory for all clergy. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

Mary Queen of the Angels, pray for us. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1