THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HEALING OF NAAMAN.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HEALING OF NAAMAN 

THE WORD OF GOD:

"Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, was highly esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the Lord had brought victory to Aram. 

But valiant as he was, the man was a leper.

Now the Arameans had captured in a raid on the land of Israel a little girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife.

 “If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria,” she said to her mistress, “he would cure him of his leprosy.”

Naaman went and told his lord just what the slave girl from the land of Israel had said. 

“Go,” said the king of Aram. “I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.” 

So Naaman set out, taking along ten silver talents, six thousand gold pieces, and ten festal garments.

 To the king of Israel he brought the letter, which read: 

“With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

When he read the letter, the king of Israel tore his garments and exclaimed: 

“Am I a god with power over life and death, that this man should send someone to me to be cured of leprosy?

Take note! You can see he is only looking for a quarrel with me!”

When Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent word to the king:

 “Why have you torn your garments? Let him come to me and find out that there is a prophet in Israel.”

Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house.

The prophet sent him the message: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.”

But Naaman went away angry, saying, 

“I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God, and would move his hand over the spot, and thus cure the leprosy.

 Are not the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all the waters of Israel?

 Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?”

 With this, he turned about in anger and left.

But his servants came up and reasoned with him. 

“My father,” they said, “if the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it? 

All the more now, since he said to you, ‘Wash and be clean,’ should you do as he said.”

So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

He returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.

 On his arrival he stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.” (2 Kings 5: 1 - 15). 

Monday 9th March 2026 in the 3rd Week of Lent.

The healing of Naaman is one of the most dramatic miracles in the Bible. 

Naaman had his own ideas about how he would be healed.

 His preconception and programming nearly deprived him of his cure.

 Our battles often are in our minds. Naaman did not know that:

± For God everything is possible. Everything is easy. “All things serve you.” (Psalm 119: 91)

±  God’s ways are not our ways.

± God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.

± God is master of means.

± God is the Lord of times and seasons.

When we compare Naaman’s behavior with that of the Centurion in Matthew 8: 5 – 13, we understand that faith is a simple and childlike trust in God’s word.

 The centurion knew that the power of God can work through words and through space.

 Naaman wanted something more tangible as in pagan practices, for example: incantations, rituals, sacred dances etc.

Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick are the 7 Sacraments of the Church instituted by the Lord Jesus.

 These 7 Sacraments are outward signs of inner grace (power). 

The Healing of Naaman the Leper foreshadows the Sacraments. 

Naaman's bath at the River Jordan at first appeared to him as a ridiculous sign.

 But it accomplished a mighty healing. It foreshadows the Sacrament of Baptism. 

Our faith contains our obedience. 

God’s word is always effective and sufficient.

The Church teaches in 

CCC 694 (symbolism of water and the Spirit) in the cleansing of Naaman in the Jordan. 

The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in Baptism… the water of Baptism truly signifies that our birth into the divine life is given to us in the Holy Spirit. 

"Only water joined to Christ’s blessing and the Trinitarian invocation truly heals and saves."  Ambrose emphasizes. 

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

GIVE ME THE LIVING WATER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

GIVE ME THE LIVING WATER. 

THE GOSPEL:

John 4:5-42

"Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, 

near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

Jacob’s well was there.

Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.

It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.

Jesus said to her,

“Give me a drink.”

His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.

The Samaritan woman said to him,

“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”

—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—

Jesus answered and said to her,

“If you knew the gift of God

and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘

you would have asked him 

and he would have given you living water.”

The woman said to him, 

“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; 

where then can you get this living water?

Are you greater than our father Jacob, 

who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself 

with his children and his flocks?”

Jesus answered and said to her, 

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; 

but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;. 

the water I shall give will become in him

a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The woman said to him,

“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty 

or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her,

“Go call your husband and come back.”

The woman answered and said to him,

“I do not have a husband.”

Jesus answered her,

“You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’

For you have had five husbands, 

and the one you have now is not your husband.

What you have said is true.”

The woman said to him,

“Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.

Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; 

but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”

Jesus said to her,

“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming

when you will worship the Father

neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

You people worship what you do not understand;. 

we worship what we understand, 

because salvation is from the Jews.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, 

when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;. 

and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.

God is Spirit, and those who worship him

must worship in Spirit and truth.”

The woman said to him,

“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; 

when he comes, he will tell us everything.”

Jesus said to her,

“I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned, 

and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, 

but still no one said, 

“What are you looking for?” 

or “Why are you talking with her?”

The woman left her water jar 

and went into the town and said to the people, 

“Come see a man who told me everything I have done.

Could he possibly be the Christ?”

They went out of the town and came to him.

Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.”

But he said to them,

“I have food to eat of which you do not know.”

So the disciples said to one another, 

“Could someone have brought him something to eat?”

Jesus said to them,

“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me

and to finish his work.

Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’?

I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.

The reaper is already receiving payment 

and gathering crops for eternal life, 

so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.

For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’

I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; 

others have done the work, 

and you are sharing the fruits of their work.” 

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him

because of the word of the woman who testified, 

“He told me everything I have done.”

When the Samaritans came to him,

they invited him to stay with them; 

and he stayed there two days.

Many more began to believe in him because of his word, 

and they said to the woman, 

“We no longer believe because of your word; 

for we have heard for ourselves, 

and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” (John 4: 5 - 42). 

Sunday 8th March 2026 is the 3rd Sunday in Lent.

Our reflection comes from the story of the Samaritan Woman. 

Jesus and the Samaritan woman talked about water near Jacob’s Well.

 At first, the woman thought Jesus was talking of ordinary water.

 Water in the Bible symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

The theme of this Sunday is the big "Gift of God", the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. 

He is the Abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10: 10. 

He is also called the Spirit of God, Spirit of Truth, Paraclete, Counselor, Advocate, and Comforter, The Promise of Father. 

Last week, we read and reflected on the Story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. 

Peter, James and John experienced the splendor of the transfigured Jesus on Mount Tabor. 

This experience big as it is, did not give them a robust faith in Jesus as the Messiah who must suffer death and rise from the dead. What was the missing ingredient?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8).

On Pentecost Sunday, the "Promise of the Father" was delivered to the disciples gathered in the Upper Room.

The Holy Spirit was the game changer. He descended on the disciples with His 7 gifts:

Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. 

The disciples received too the fruits of the Holy Spirit which transformed their character. These fruits are:

Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.

You see the gifts in action every day in Christians. 

Jesus promises that by these characteristics people will know that we are Christians.

Lord Jesus, Word of God give me the living water, so that I may never get thirsty.

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

WELCOME HOME PRODIGAL.

WELCOME HOME PRODIGAL. 

"Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,

 “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

"So to them Jesus addressed this parable. 

“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,

 ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ 

So the father divided the property between them.

"After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.

"When he had freely spent everything,

 a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.

 And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 

"Coming to his senses 

he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.

"I shall get up and go to my father

 and I shall say to him, 

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 

I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’

"So he got up and went back to his father. 

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. 

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 

"But his father ordered his servants, 

‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 

Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. 

Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ 

"Then the celebration began.

 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 

He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him,

 ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

"He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 

He said to his father in reply,

 ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.

 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’

"He said to him,

 ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 

But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” (Luke15:1-3, 11-32).

Saturday March 7th in the 2nd Week in Lent. 

I see God’s face of mercy in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. 

The Mass Scriptures proclaim the Father’s merciful love in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. 

The Father of the Prodigal who is a type of Abba Father is kind and merciful.

The Gospel of the Parable of the Prodigal Son dives into the depth of the Father’s bottomless mercy. 

This divine Message from Jesus our Teacher sounds too good to be true but is true.

 God our Father will pursue us with His merciful love to bring us home even when we are stubborn and incorrigible.

 

How can we believe this with certainty? 

God's merciful love of His people is a constant theme of the prophets. 

Look at the Tradition of the Church:

The Conversion of St Paul, Saints Francis of Asissi, Ignatius Loyola, John of God, Mary Magdalene, etc. 

All the above examples are application of the Principles of Mercy. 

Faith comes through hearing. Hearing the word and testimonies of Sacred Scripture and and the people who have been touched by God's mercy and believing what you hear. 

"I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers." (Luke 15: 18 - 19).

The Scriptures reveal to us in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus Christ is the Face of mercy of God the Father.

 How do we apply this truth to our needs?

The ABC of Mercy:

Ask for Mercy.

Be Merciful.

Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

Jesus explained to St. Maria Faustina that there are three ordinary, daily ways to exercise mercy:

1. By deed: concrete acts of charity and service for your neighbor.  

2. By word: speaking with mercy, defending, consoling, forgiving, and teaching the truth in love. . 

3. By prayer: praying for others, especially sinners, the suffering, and those who hurt us.

He told her:

“I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first – by deed, the second – by word, the third – by prayer.

In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me.

 By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy” (Diary of St. Faustina, 742)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is God the Father and Teacher of mankind teaching His children how to be and how to do Mercy. 

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

From the Litany of St Joseph:

Joseph most faithful. Pray for us. 

Mirror of patience. Pray for us. 

Lover of poverty. 

Pray for us. 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

THE CHURCH IS THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD.

THE CHURCH IS THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD.

""Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: 


"Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.


"Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.


"When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.


"Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way.


"Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,
‘They will respect my son.’



"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘
This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’


"They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.


"What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”


"They answered him,

“He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.”


"Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:


"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?


"Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will ­produce its fruit.”


"When the chief priests and the ­Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were ­attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they ­regarded him as a prophet." (Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46).

Friday March 6th 2026 of 2nd week of Lent.


The Gospel today is an allegory of the Kingdom of God and the mysterious ways of Divine Providence.

In the Parable, the owner of the Vineyard appears weak and stupid.

After the malevolent tenants had killed scores of the servants sent to collect the rent, he decided to send his only son without a military backup which is the only language that some wicked people understand.


The deep mystery of God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence is not whitewashed in Sacred Scriptures.

Take the first Reading from Genesis for example: The brothers of Joseph out of blind envy sold Joseph into slavery.

We know how the story of Joseph ended in Egypt.


When we are faced with what we do not and cannot understand like:

Why are wicked people made rulers?

Why the Holocaust?

Why did God permit Islam to wipe out Christianity in North Africa and the Middle East in the 7th century?

Why Pharoah, why Hitler, why Stalin, etc?

Our faith teaches us that God is infinite. We are not.

He is all-knowing. We are too limited in our knowledge, vision and wisdom.

Therefore we must accept and believe what we can not understand.

God did not allow Satan have the last word in the crucifixion of Jesus.

He rose again on the third day.

St Augustine teaches that God could never permit evil if a greater good would not emerge from it.

This is true. Your life experiences will bear testimony to this truth.


Below is my favorite Scripture when I grapple with the mystery of Divine Providence:


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9).

The Holy Catholic Church honors the St Joseph, the holy spouse of Mary and the foster Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in March.

Consider the life paths of the Two Joseph's in the Bible:


- Joseph, son of Jacob: “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)


St Joseph, foster father of Jesus (Pope Francis’ prayer): “Saint Joseph, you who always trusted God, and made your choices guided by His providence, teach us not to count so much on our own plans but on His plan of love.”

Both lives show that providence often appears as disruption: betrayal and prison for Joseph in Egypt, unexpected pregnancy, flight into Egypt, and years of anonymity for St Joseph.
- In both, God quietly orders these “disruptions” into a saving design: one Joseph preserves Israel’s bodily life in famine; the other protects and raises the very Savior through whom eternal life is given, so that what seems small, dark, or unjust is in fact the place where God’s **plan** of love is most at work.


“O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death." Amen 


For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

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

FIRST FRIDAY IN MARCH, 2026. 

March 6th, First Friday in March, 2026.

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.

How? 

BY ATTENDING MASS AND RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION. 

In the 3rd  month of the year 2026, we look at Promise #3.

#3.  "I will console them in all their troubles."

In Promise #3, quoting the Gospel, Jesus says  "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (John 16: 33 ). 

We note that Jesus does not promise a trouble free life.

Consider also:

"My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal." (Sirach 2: 1).

Trials are opportunity to grow spiritually.  "I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on Me." The more you trust Jesus, the more He is your comfort, strength and security in trials.

"The Divine Heart is an ocean full of all good things, wherein poor souls can cast all their needs; it is an ocean full of joy to drown all our sadness, an ocean of humility to drown our folly, an ocean of mercy to those in distress, an ocean of love in which to submerge our poverty.”  (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque). 

Remind the Lord often of these promises. Remind Him also of His promise to answer every prayer. (Matthew 7: 7).

The Lord has put a date and a time on every promise He has made. 

Remember all the answered prayers. Understand the message of the Gospel. (Matthew 16: 8 - 9). 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of March, 2026.

"I am your Friend. I have chosen you to be in life and in death the privileged friend of My Sacred Heart. 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).

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

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

WHO IS LAZARUS?

THE LAZARUS PRINCIPLE. 

"BLESSED THE ONE CONCERNED FOR THE POOR; ON A DAY OF MISFORTUNE, THE LORD DELIVERS HIM." (PSALM 41: 2).

The Gospel of today addresses  social conditions and justice. 

The poverty, ignorance and disease all around us cry for remedy.

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to the Pharisees: 

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.

"And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.

 Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

"When the poor man died, he was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. 

The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

"And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.

 Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’

 Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented."  (Luke 16: 19 - 31). 

The likes of the Rich man in today's Gospel was castigated by the Prophet Amos:

"Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall." (Amos 6: 1, 4).

In all the hopelessness today in the world, we are comforted by the truth of Scripture which reminds us of these perennial truths:

#1 God keeps faith forever.

#2 He gives food to the hungry.

#3 The Lord sets captives free.

#4 The Lord protects strangers.

#5 He sustains the widows and the orphans.

#6 God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence is firmly in control of everything in the world. 

God our Father can remedy the world's problems of poverty, ignorance disease directly by HIMSELF and immediately. 

Why does God need our collaboration?

 God wants us to share in His work and glory.

 He wants us to build up credits for ourselves in heaven. 

The poor that we help here will speak up for us on the last day.

 Lazarus could not offer one good word in defense of the selfish rich man.

The Holy Catholic Church honors St Joseph, the holy spouse of Mary and the foster Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in March. 

“O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death." Amen 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST CASIMIR, THE PRINCE OF POLAND.

THE FEAST OF ST CASIMIR, THE PRINCE OF POLAND. 

THE PREDICTION OF THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION. 

"As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, 

and said to them on the way,

 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, 

and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes,

 and they will condemn him to death, 

and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, 

and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, 

wishing to ask him for something. 

He said to her,

 “What do you wish?”

 She answered him, 

“Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”

 Jesus said in reply, 

“You do not know what you are asking. 

Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”

 They said to him, “We can.”

 He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 

But Jesus summoned them and said, 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 

But it shall not be so among you.

 Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 

whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20: 17 - 28).

Wednesday 4th March 2026, in the 2nd Week of Lent is the Feast of St Casimir, the Lord Prince of Poland. 

 (1458 - 1484).

St Casimir was the son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Lithuania. 

St Casimir stayed away from the scandals of court life. 

His siblings, the princes and princesses were not interested in religion.  

The faith and piety of St Casimir shone out in the court environment.

 Casimir had a great devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

St Casimir is the patron saint of Poland. 

Some years ago, I prayed mostly for good health, good job, financial stability, etc. 

“You do not know what you are asking." 

I thought I knew .what I needed more than anyone in the world. 

I have learned since that I do not now what is best for me. 

Could the best practice with regards to asking God for material favors be the understanding of these two Scripture texts?

#1 "Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" (Matthew 6: 8).

#2  "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (Romans 8: 26).

Today, I pray for one thing:  

To seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and to believe deeply that God will meet all my needs as promised.

The practice of trust and confidence in God's provision for my needs makes me more peaceful. 

I get what I need and do not waste my time with what I don't need.

 God is faithful and remembers His promises for ever. 

The Gospel today is the chilling prediction of the Passion and Death of Jesus. 

It is clear that the disciples did not understand anything of  what Jesus said about the greatest event in His life and in human history. 

Do we understand better? 

Lent is the time to come to this great knowledge of our salvation.

 How do we do this? 

#1 Pray more. Especially the Rosary. 

#2 Use more the powerful and free Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

#3 Add one or more Masses a week. 

Be More. Do More! 

Do this and you will have a great Lent. 

"Priests have the right and the privilege of calling upon My Mother in every need, trial, failure, and sin, confident of receiving from her help and solace, mercy and healing, comfort and peace. 

Too few of My priests have entered into the relationship of filial love and of spousal intimacy with My most holy Mother that I desire for them, and from which their holiness will flow as from a pure spring."  (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, December 3, 2009).

The Holy Catholic Church honors  St Joseph, the holy spouse of Mary and the foster Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in March. 

“What could Jesus Christ refuse St. Joseph, who never refused him anything during his mortal life on earth?”  (St. Augustine). 

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST KATHARINE DREXEL, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS

FEAST OF ST KATHARINE Drexel, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS. 

You have one Teacher & Master: Jesus! 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 

All their works are performed to be seen. 

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’

 You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.

 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 

The greatest among you must be your servant.

 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 1 - 12).

Tuesday, March 3rd in the 2nd Week of Lent is the feast of St Katharine Drexel. 

 (1858 - 1955), Virgin and Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

 She was a generous philanthropist. Katharine was a wealthy heiress from the rich and famous family of the Philadelphia society. 

She realized that it profits her nothing to gain the whole world and put her eternal destiny in jeopardy.

 Drexel listened to the Call of Jesus Christ to teach the message of the Gospel and bring the Eucharist to African-American and Native American people in the South of the United States.

 In 1915, Katharine founded the Xavier University in New Orleans.

 At her death in 1955, over 500 of her sisters were teaching in 63 schools.

Saint Katharine Drexel was deeply devoted to the Eucharist and trusting in Divine Providence, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1889 and, in 1891, founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a congregation dedicated to evangelization, education, and the promotion of racial justice. Using her inheritance for the missions, she established numerous schools and mission centers across the United States, most notably Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation’s only Catholic historically Black university.

 She died on March 3, 1955, and is honored on March 3 as patron saint of racial justice and of philanthropists, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000 as the second person born in the United States to be declared a saint.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus upbraided the scribes and the Pharisees. Why?

 They teach correct Doctrine but leave the practice of what they teach to their followers.

Who are the equivalent of the scribes and Pharisees today?

They are the Bishops and Abbots who received teaching authority directly from Christ. 

They have helpers in priests, theologians and catechists.

Church Father and Doctor of the Church St John Chrysostom teaches that the Bishops and their assistants must be respected because they hold apostolic office no matter their failings.

We may think that a Bishop is in error with regard to one doctrine or the other. But who are we to criticize him when his Boss, Jesus says:

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).

All things success and failure work together for good to those who love God. 

God makes everything beautiful in the fullness of time. Trust in the merciful, mighty and mysterious Plan of God.

We all will be judged on the Last Day by our love, obedience and humility.

Jesus concludes His teaching for today with these words:

"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 11 - 12).

The Church honors St Joseph in March. 

Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

BE MERCIFUL AS ABB FATHER.

BE MERCIFUL. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.

"Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. 

"Forgive and you will be forgiven.

"Give and gifts will be given to you; 

a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.

"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." (Luke 6: 36 - 38).

Monday 2nd March 2026, in the 2nd Week of Lent .

The Gospel today speaks of mercy. 

The message of mercy can never be overstated.

 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

What is mercy?

Mercy is not judging, not criticizing, not condemning anyone. 

Mercy is forgiving every offense as we have been forgiven. 

Mercy is sharing your bread with the hungry. 

Mercy is generosity. 

Mercy is being like God, acting like God. 

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

The ABC of Mercy helps us to remember how to do Mercy.

A - Ask for mercy.

B - Be merciful.

C - Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

The Divine Mercy Devotion captures the essence of Mercy. 

Jesus wants us to tell Him often that we trust His merciful love for us. 

Jesus ordered this inscription placed at the bottom of the Divine Mercy image He commissioned:

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU. 

Think of this:

Jesus is the only known God /god in history or mythology to advertise Himself as merciful. Imagine a God advertising Himself: "I AM MERCIFUL." 

It sounds ridiculous but Jesus is prepared to do the ridiculous to convince us that He is merciful. 

Do you trust the merciful love of Jesus? 

"I will not abandon or forsake you. I am faithful. I have chosen you and you are Mine. Why do you doubt My love for you? Have I not given you signs of My favour? Have I not shown you that My mercy has prepared for you a future full of hope? Did I not promise you years of happiness, of holiness, and of peace? My blessing is upon you and the designs of My Heart are about to unfold for you. You have only to trust Me. Believe that I will keep you as the apple of My eye." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, February 14, 2008). 

Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the grace to forgive all your enemies. 

St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

Click the link below for more :

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD JESUS.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

"And he was transfigured before them; 

his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.

"And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 

"Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,

 “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

"While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said,

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

"When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 

But Jesus came and touched them, saying,

 “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 

And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus charged them,

 “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17: 1 - 9).

Sunday March 1st, 2026 in the 2nd Week of Lent. 

What is the Transfiguration?

In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. 

Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus. 

The voice of the Father was heard testifying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Why is the Transfiguration such an important event?

#1 To have 3 eyewitnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.

#2 To confirm the testimony of Moses and Elijah. [the Law and the Prophet].

#3. To show clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.

#4 To reveal the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.

#5 To note the command of the Father to listen to Jesus as the Father's anointed Messenger.

These three witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John were to become witnesses to the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ.

 They bore witness to these eye witness events with their lives. Our faith as Christians is built on solid foundation and not on "cleverly deviced myths." (2 Peter 1: 16 - 19)

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a foretaste of Christ's second coming when the Elect will be transformed and become like Jesus as He appeared in the Transfiguration.

 The Transfiguration prepares us for the great mystery of our own Resurrection.

Because of the Transfiguration, we see Christ as our hope. 

We also understand that the victory over death and sin will come via the Cross. 

 The Cross is the Means of Salvation, Redemption, Glorification and Eternal life. 

This is the gracious and mysterious will of the Father. This is the Full Truth of the Gospel. 

The Holy Catholic Church honors St Joseph, the holy spouse of Mary and the foster Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in March. 

Click the link below for prayers, Prayer intentions, etc:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1

FORGIVE AT ONCE.

FORGIVE AT ONCE. 

BE PERFECT LIKE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER. 

THE GOOD NEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?

"And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5: 43 - 48).

Saturday 28th February 2026 in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time. 

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. 

Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. 

How to love your enemies? 

1. Pray for your enemies. 

2. Forgive your enemies. 

How to forgive your enemies? 

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

 Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

#6.  Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.

TWO Quotes by Saints on Forgiveness:

1. “If a man insults me, kills my father, my mother, my brother, and then gouges out my eye, as a Christian it is my duty to forgive him. We who are pious Christians ought to love our enemies and forgive them.” (Saint Kosmas Aitolos). 

 

2. “A soul that is nurtured by hatred toward man can not be at peace with God, Who has said: If you forgive not men their sins, neither shall your Father forgive your sins" (Matthew . 6:15).

(Saint Maximus the Confessor). 

Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence.

Prayer and Forgiveness are the two most powerful tools of the Christian. 

"If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well." (St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

"Were you to ask what are the means of overcoming temptations, I would answer: The first means is prayer; the second is prayer; the third is prayer; and you, should you ask me a thousand times, I would repeat the same." 

(St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

The Church honors the the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in February. 

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

 for prayer intentions, etc

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

THE FEAST OF ST GREGORY OF NAREK, MONK AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

Feast of St Gregory of Narek, Monk and Doctor of the Church. 

AVOID ANGER. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your right­eousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You fool, will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”  (Matthew 5: 20 - 26).

Friday February 27th in the 1st Week of Lent is the feast of St Gregory of Narek, Monk and Doctor of the Church. 

St. Gregory of Narek (c. 950–1003 AD) was an Armenian monk, poet, and mystic from Narekavank Monastery.

Born near Lake Van to a scholarly family, he was orphaned young, educated by his uncle, and ordained a priest around 977.

 He taught theology there and lived as a hermit in later years.

 His masterpiece, the Book of Lamentations, features 95 prayers on sin, mercy, and divine longing, plus hymns and a Song of Songs commentary. 

St Gregory of Narek is a saint in Armenian and Catholic traditions.

 Pope Francis named him a Doctor of the Church in 2015. Feast: February 27.

Are you a minimalist or one who lives the More in life in everything. A More person is a Magis person. Magis simply means More. It is an attitude of the heart and mind that goes for More in everything and never for the least or minimum.  

This is a core principle of St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

 Ignatius urged his followers to give more, to be more and to do more. 

Perhaps this may be one of the reasons the Jesuits excel in many of their understakings. 

In Matthew 5: 20:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your right­eousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven." 

In other words, the Minimum will never get you into Heaven. 

 For example, the Church law states that you must receive Holy Communion "at least" once a year. The minimalist rejoices and says to himself:  "This is great. This is easy. I can do this." The Magis person goes for more. Weekly Holy Communion or even daily. 

"Dearest Lord,

teach me to be generous;

teach me to serve You as You deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward

save that of knowing I am doing Your Will."  (St Ignatius Loyola).

GENEROSITY IS ONE OF THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Catholic Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in February. 

As we honor the Holy Family this month, we see that the domestic life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph was the school of Divine Providence. 

The same hands that planed wood eventually stretched out on the Cross to redeem the world.

​"Lord Jesus, may we never be 'offended' by Your humility, but rather find our true purpose in Your Divine Will."

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

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