STEPHEN THE FIRST MARTYR DIED LIKE JESUS.

THE MARTYRDOM OF ST STEPHEN, THE DEACON 

THE GOSPEL:

STEPHEN FILLED WITH GRACE AND POWER. 

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

"Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, 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.

"Then they instigated some men to say, 

“We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 

"They presented false witnesses who testified,

 “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. 

For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

"All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6: 8 - 15).

Monday 20th April 2026 in the 3rd Week in the Season of 

Easter. 

St Stephen was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles (Acts 6: 1 - 6). 

He was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit," 

He 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).

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." (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 early 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.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

THE PLACE OF JESUS IN THE SCRIPTURES.

JESUS OPENS THE MIND OF CLEOPAS AND HIS FRIEND TO GOSPEL TRUTH. 

"That very day, the first day of the week, 

two of Jesus' disciples were going

to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,

and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,

Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,

but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

He asked them, 

"What are you discussing as you walk along?"

They stopped, looking downcast.

One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,

"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem

who does not know of the things

that have taken place there in these days?"

And he replied to them, 

"What sort of things?"

They said to him, 

"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,

who was a prophet mighty in deed and word

before God and all the people,

how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over

to a sentence of death and crucified him.

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;

and besides all this,

it is now the third day since this took place.

Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:

they were at the tomb early in the morning 

and did not find his body;

they came back and reported

that they had indeed seen a vision of angels

who announced that he was alive.

Then some of those with us went to the tomb

and found things just as the women had described,

but him they did not see."

And he said to them,

Oh, how foolish you are!

How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things

and enter into his glory?"

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,

he interpreted to them what referred to him

in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village to which they were going,

he gave the impression that he was going on farther.

But they urged him, "Stay with us,

for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."

So he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table,

he took bread, said the blessing,

broke it, and gave it to them.

With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,

but he vanished from their sight.

Then they said to each other,

"Were not our hearts burning within us

while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem

where they found gathered together

the eleven and those with them who were saying,

"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"

Then the two recounted 

what had taken place on the way

and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread." (Luke 24: 13 - 35).

Our Gospel today (Luke 24: 13 - 35) contains a great revelation. I call it: 

THE FULL TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL. 

This is one of the most powerful and important post Resurrection catechesis of Jesus. 

SIN, SUFFERING, SALVATION are intertwined. 

Sin causes suffering. Suffering creates the condition for Salvation.

"And he[Jesus] said to them,  

“Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures."

The Old Testament contains in hidden form the full story of the Pascal Mystery: The Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Christ Jesus, the Messiah. 

Jesus reveals this truth to Cleopas and his friend. 

The center of this truth is the Apostolic Kergma, which will become the core of the teaching and preaching of the Disciples of Jesus after Pentecost:

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Vital Necessity of His Mission: He suffered. He died. He rose from the dead. 

The Church continues to proclaim this truth always and everywhere. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED BY EVERYTHING?

PRESENCE OF JESUS BANISHES FEAR. 

THE GOSPEL:

"When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,

 embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.

"It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

 The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 

"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, 

and they began to be afraid. 

"But he said to them,

 “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

"They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading." (John 6: 16 - 21).

Saturday 18th April 2026, in the 2nd Week of EASTER. 

One of the most consoling verses uttered by Jesus in the Gospels is: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

In today's Gospel from (John 6: 16 - 21), the Disciples of Jesus were very frightened when they saw Jesus walking on the sea along their boat.

The sea in the Scriptures represent the world, unpredictable and menacing. 

We are the disciples without the least control over the incidents in our lives.

Companies rise and fall in the stock market. Russia attacks Ukraine. Hamas seizes captives. Flood devastates California. Election is won and lost.

Yet the Lord can say Calmly in all these frightening circumstances:

“It is I. Do not be afraid.”

What does this mean? It means: You are not God. I AM. I am in control of all circumstances. 

When we learn that God controls all events and that what God permits to happen in our lives is for our good and not our woes, we begin to appreciate and enjoy the truth and power of Divine Providence. 

God is in control of everything. You are not. 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

"The bread and the wine of the Eucharist before the holy invocation of the adorable Trinity were simple bread and wine, but the invocation having been made, the bread becomes the Body of Christ and the wine the Blood of Christ."

(St. Cyril of Jerusalem). 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

THE GAMALIEL PRINCIPLE.

GAMALIEL PRINCIPLE 2026

"A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin,

“Fellow children of Israel,

be careful what you are about to do to these men.

Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing.

"After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.

He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

"So now I tell you,

have nothing to do with these men,

and let them go.

For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.

"But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;

you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

"They were persuaded by him.

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.

"So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus." (Acts 5: 34 - 42).

Gamaliel was one of the most important Doctors of Sacred Scripture at this time in Israel.

He was the teacher of St. Paul the Apostle.

He enunciated a principle, a word of wisdom to guide the Supreme Court of Israel on how to handle Peter and John.

Their options may be:

1. Torture and kill them.

2. Torture and long prison sentences with heavy labor.

Below is the counsel of Gamaliel:

"So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.

For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.

But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

They were persuaded by him." (Acts 5: 38 - 39).

I have used the Gamaliel Principle for discerning God's will. It has often brought me wisdom and peace.

Every year after Easter, I look forward to the Gamaliel Principle Reading from  Acts 5: 34 - 42.  It reinforces my faith.  I heard it first at the beginning of my Journey of Faith and I relish to hear it again at this time in the Easter Season.

Gamaliel was a famous teacher in Israel at the time of the death of Jesus.  He was the teacher of St Paul and a member of the Sanhedrin.  He laid down a principle of discerning God's will in complex situations based on astute historical analysis.

Divine action in history is predictable, he opined. It is governed by God's sovereign, powerful, merciful and mysterious Providence.

Gamaliel was a teacher schooled in the mystery of Divine Providence.

Members of the the Sanhedrin accepted Gamaliel's advice but went ahead to flog the Apostles in order to intimidate them.  You may call this state terrorism.  Read on to see if they succeeded.

"After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them." (Acts 5: 40).

"So they [Apostles] left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name." (Acts 5: 41).

These men have tasted the Holy Spirit and were transformed by the experience.

Instead of quitting....

"All day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus."  (Acts 5: 42).

"What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"  (Acts 8: 31).

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and  gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]."  (Romans 8: 37 AMP).

How I came to know about Gamaliel Principle:

Over thirty years ago, I was discerning a very important project.  After sometime, I decided to consult a spiritual director.  He acknowledged that the project was tough and near impossible. The only support he offered was this Scripture (Acts 5: 38 - 39).

I read and reread the Scripture for over a week. At the end, I concluded that God has spoken to me through Rabbi Gamaliel. I embarked on the project without hesitation. Years after the consultation, I started to call the inspired Scripture the "Gamaliel Principle" after the main character, Rabbi Gamaliel.  The Scripture turned out to be one of my key Scriptures in spiritual discernment.

What I learned from the Gamaliel Principle:

1.  If God is with you, it is accomplished.  No matter the obstacles, delays,

disappointments or personal weaknesses.

2.  No fear. No worry. No doubt as long as the Lord is with you.

3.  God will finish what He started. (Exodus 14: 13-14; Isaiah 13: 15; 2 Chronicles 20: 15;  Philippians 1: 6)

"Wait for the Lord, take courage;

be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"  (Psalm 27: 14)

God does His best actions when we show we trust Him.

Is the present situation from God or not? Use the Gamaliel Principle.

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

(Acts 5:38-39 NIV)

Today we see the vindication of the wisdom of Gamaliel.  In spite of the opposition of the Jewish leaders, we see the growth of the Faith through the power of God.

Gamaliel Principle is true. As it was then, so it is now and forever.

Do not be afraid that God will forsake you or abandon you in your calling.

XXX

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH.

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

GOD NEVER RATIONS THE HOLY SPIRIT.

GOD DOES NOT RATION THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"The one who comes from above is above all. 

The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.

 But the one who comes from heaven is above all.

He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.

 Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. 

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. 

He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.

 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,

 but the wrath of God remains upon him." (John 3: 31 - 36).

Thursday April 16th 2026, Thursday in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season. 

The Holy Spirit and Peace are the dominant themes of the Easter Season.

We are told in the Gospel of today that God does not ration His Holy Spirit. 

When you ask for the Holy Spirit in faith, be sure you will receive what you ask for.

God told Solomon when he asked for wisdom and not for riches and power: 

"Here and now I grant you what you ask for and more." (Cf 1 King 11).

Jesus promises: "Ask and you shall receive." If you ask for the Holy Spirit, your Father will be so delighted that He will give you what you ask for at once.

The Father does not ration the Holy Spirit. 

It means you receive in direct proportion to your desire and capacity to receive. 

The Holy Spirit is the source of abundant life.

Ask for the Holy Spirit today.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Holy Spirit is at the heart of the Eucharist, because it is the Spirit who makes Christ truly present and unites us to him in Communion.

 In the Mass, the Church prays for the Spirit to come upon the gifts of bread and wine, transforming them into the Body and Blood of the Lord and, at the same time, transforming us into one body in Christ. 

This is why the Eucharist is never just a sacred symbol or a private devotion. 

 It is a living encounter with the risen Christ by the power of the Spirit.

 The same Spirit who gave life to the Church at Pentecost continues to nourish that life at the altar, drawing us into deeper holiness, unity, and communion with God. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

THE PROOF OF GOD'S LOVE.

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"God so loved the world that he gave his only-­begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

"Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

"And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." (John 3: 16 - 21).

Wednesday 15th April 2026.

We have for our reflection one of the most known verses in the Bible. 

"God so loved the world that he gave his only-­begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." 

The proof of God’s love is the crucifixion and death of Jesus. 

Our response to this love is to be constrained or be controlled by this love to love God back. 

The beginning of this loving relationship between God and man is Belief.

 In Baptism, we become the children of God and the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

 Through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith and not by sight or feeling. 

Every Sunday, the Church proclaims the Creed to remind us of what we believe.

 This repetition of the Credo is life transforming if we enter into it in the spirit of faith. 

The Church learns more about the Holy Eucharist every day.

 The Eucharist is the Food for the Journey. 

APRIL is dedicated to honoring the HOLY EUCHARIST. 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. 

It is the Sacrament of those who have been born again. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

 

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus said to Nicodemus: 

"You must be born from above.’

 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; 

so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

Nicodemus answered and said to him, 

“How can this happen?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

 “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 

If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3: 7 - 15). 

In our Gospel of today, Jesus answered Nicodemus:

 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”  (AMP Bible translation). 

The carnal man is incapable of experiencing spiritual things.

 He is acquainted only with material carnal things. (Cf Romans 8: 6; 1 Corinthians 2: 14). 

This is what Jesus teaches Nicodemus. This is also a truth anyone can bear witness to by reflecting on his acquaintances. Your earth-bound friends will find meaningless every spiritual talk. They will scoff at the least reference to Jesus and salvation. 

Everything on earth is created twice. The first creation is from the earth and unsurprisingly earthy. 

The second creation is from above and is heavenly. 

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the second birth. 

And this happens when we are baptized.

 We become born anew and in fact new creation. 

Since we died with Christ when we were immersed into the water of Baptism and raised with Christ, let us seek what is above where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (Cf Colossians 3: 1). 

The Holy Catholic Church honors the Most Holy Eucharist in April. 

 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. 

It is the Sacrament of those who have been born again. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

 

FEAST OF ST MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR.

FEAST OF ST MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR.

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

THE GOSPEL:

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

He came to Jesus at night and said to him,

"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,

for no one can do these signs that you are doing

unless God is with him."

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

Nicodemus said to him,

"How can a man once grown old be born again?

Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"

Jesus answered,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

What is born of flesh is flesh

and what is born of spirit is spirit.

Do not be amazed that I told you,

'You must be born from above.'

The wind blows where it wills,

and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;

so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3: 1 - 8).

Monday 13th April 2026, in the 2nd Week in the  Easter Season is the feast of St Martin I, Pope and Martyr.

Martin suffered martyrdom because of his defense of the truth that Jesus Christ is 100% God and 100% Man. Emperor Constans II got him arrested and exiled him to Crimea where he suffered much abuse and humiliation.

Martin wrote from prison: “For forty-seven days, I have not been given water to wash in. I am frozen through and wasting away…. But God sees all things and I trust in him.”

This Scripture below could have been spoken by Pope St Martin I:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony." (John 3: 11).

For the past 2000 years, saints and martyrs following the example of Jesus have been persecuted for speaking the truth they know.

The adversaries have no answers to refute them.

But like Pilate, Herod, Henry VIII, Hitler and Stalin they had brute force and they responded accordingly.

The brutal persecution did not stop the Gospel from spreading.

"You, O Christ, are the faithful witness [Martyr], the First-born from the dead, you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. (Cf Revelation 1: 5).

Jesus was born, lived and died to establish the Kingdom of God.

Jesus answered Nicodemus in the AMP Bible translation, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

The carnal man is incapable of experiencing spiritual things. He is acquainted only with material carnal things. (Cf Romans 8: 6; 1 Corinthians 2: 14). 

This is what Jesus teaches Nicodemus. This is also a truth anyone can bear witness to by reflecting on his acquaintances.

Everything is created twice.

The first creation is from the earth and unsurprisingly earthy.

The second creation is from above and is heavenly.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the second birth.

And this happens when we are baptized. We become born anew and in fact new creation.

Since we died with Christ when we were immersed into the water of Baptism and raised with Christ, let us seek what is above where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. (Cf Colossians 3: 1).

THE CHURCH HONORS THE EUCHARIST IN APRIL.

"CCC 282. How is Christ present in the

Eucharist?

Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in

a unique and incomparable way.

He is

present in a true, real and substantial way,

with his Body and his Blood,

with his Soul

and his Divinity.

In the Eucharist,

therefore, there is present in a

sacramental way, that is, under the

Eucharistic species of bread and wine,

Christ whole and entire, God and Man."

My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink says the Lord.

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. 

DIVINE MERCY MANIFESTS ITSELF ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, 

Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 

 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

 Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

  Jesus said to them again,

 "Peace be with you. 

As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 

And when he had said this, 

he breathed on them, and said to them, 

"Receive the Holy Spirit.

 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 

So the other disciples told him, 

"We have seen the Lord." 

But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. 

The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said,

 "Peace be with you." 

Then he said to Thomas, 

"Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; 

do not be faithless, but believing."

  Thomas answered him,

 "My Lord and my God!" 

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me?

 Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.”  (John 20: 19 - 31).

Sunday April 12th, 2nd Sunday of Easter. Sunday of Divine Mercy. 

The universal Church celebrates today the Solemnity of Divine Mercy. (Always 2nd Sunday of Easter).  

Jesus is the Face of Mercy of Abba Father. 

 Mercy is the name and essence of God the Father revealed to us through His Only Son, Jesus the Christ. 

The open Heart of Jesus is the symbol and seat of Mercy.

  Mercy is promised to all.

To demonstrate that the powerful gift and message of Mercy that Jesus shared in His public ministry will remain in the Church after His Ascension, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation and gave His Apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins. 

To prepare ourselves to receive and retain Mercy, the ABC OF MERCY is very useful. 

 It is called  ABC because, it is an acronym that can be remembered easily and secondly it is as simple as ABC.

A:  Ask for Mercy.

B:  Be Merciful.

C:  Completely Trust Jesus for Mercy.

God is rich in mercy and is waiting for us to turn to Him to blot out all our sins and receive us in His merciful love.

Mercy, mercy. Nothing but mercy!

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.

I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by."  (Psalm 57: 1)

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself." (The Diary of St Maria Faustina, #950).

To learn how to recite the Divine Mercy Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-to-recite-divine-mercy-rosary.html?m=1

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

Here are a couple of Quotes by Saints on the Holy Eucharist. 

 St. MaximilianKolbe:

 "If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."

 St. Padre Pio:

 "A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1