ASH WEDNESDAY: THE BEGINNING OF LENT.

ASH WEDNESDAY - FIRST DAY OF LENT.

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.

"When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (Matthew 6: 1 - 16, 16 - 18).

Wednesday February 18, 2026. The First Day of Lent.

"Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return."

Welcome to Ash Wednesday 2026, the beginning of the holy Season of Lent.

“Lent is a time of truth. Christians, called by the Church to prayer, penance, fasting and self‑sacrifice, place themselves before God and recognize themselves; they rediscover themselves.” — St. John Paul II, Message for Lent 1981.

Let us reflect on four key messages from today's Ash Wednesday Scripture Readings.

#1. "Yet even now—oracle of the Lord—return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment." (Joel 2: 12 - 13).

#2. " A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me." (Psalm 51: 12 - 13).

#3. "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5: 20).

#4. "When you give alms..." (Matthew 6: 2).

“When you pray ... " (Matthew 6: 5).

"But when you fast..."

..(Matthew 6: 6).

"Lent is a forty‑day season of conversion, “a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus… using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance."

Conclusion: Lent is about Metanoia, Conversion. Lent is about turning back to God through almsgiving, fasting and prayer. Lent is about evangelization through being ambassador for Christ.

Finally, Lent is about emerging at Easter with a holy, steadfast and new spirit.

The 40 day period of Lent is God's gift to us to become New Creation.

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

"In the Holy Family, Mary is the heart, the source of love. Through her, the Holy Spirit poured forth the grace that sustained the Savior of the world." (St. Ambrose)

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

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

THE FEAST OF THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITES.

FEAST OF THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS, THE SERVITES. 

DO YOU STILL NOT UNDERSTAND? 

"The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 

"Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

"They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.

"When he became aware of this he said to them, 

“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?

 Do you not yet understand or comprehend?

 Are your hearts hardened?

 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?

Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?

 Do you not yet understand or comprehend?

 Are your hearts hardened?

 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?

"And do you not remember,

 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,

 how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?”

 They answered him, “Twelve.”

 “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, 

how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?”

 They answered him, “Seven.” 

He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 14 - 21).

Tuesday 17th February 2026 in 6th Week in Ordinary Time

 is the feast of the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites. 

 The Servites are a Confraternity of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (13th century). They were Religious and led a life of prayer and penance.

Ecclesiastical recognition for the order as a religious order was given in 1304.  

“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?...... “Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).

We are grateful for this incident in Mark 8: 14 - 21, because Jesus used it as a teaching moment to coach us on the importance of understanding, remembering and having an open mind and heart if we are to grow in religious truth.

Why do we forget so often details of God's past mercies? 

 I find personally that even when I write the favors in my journal, I still forget.

The Sower goes to sow the word of God. Some fell on the pathway. What happens to the seeds? They become food for the birds. 

The only seed that produces a harvest are seeds sown on good soil. 

If I can recall all the good things God does for me, the Devil will win fewer battles. 

  I do better when I ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of the favors I have enjoyed from God.  

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." (John 14: 26).

This promise of Jesus is the ground for my hope when it comes to understanding and remembering the teachings of Jesus.

 How does this work? I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding and bring to my memory the wonderful things God has done for me.

I resolve never to forget "my ancient landmarks."

 (Cf Proverbs 22: 28). I keep a journal.

 “Do you still not understand?”  (Mark 8: 21)

Consider carefully the above question of Jesus for us as we prepare to start Lent 2026. 

"Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?  Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember?..... “Do you still not understand?”  (Mark 8: 17 - 18, 21).

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)

Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,

the man in the world, the most accomplished

in all sorts of perfections,

according to the dignity

and excellence of his Charge,

Who was His most Glorious Son, the universal Prince of Heaven and earth, how could it be that being able,

He did not will it and did not do it?

There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph was endowed with all the graces and all the gifts that were required

for the care which the Eternal Father willed to give him,

of the temporal and domestic economy of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”

(St Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

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

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

YOU HAVE TOO MANY SIGNS ALREADY!

WE WANT A SIGN. 

"The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,

seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.

He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,

"Why does this generation seek a sign?

Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Then he left them, got into the boat again,

and went off to the other shore.(Mark 8: 11 - 13). 

Monday 16th February 2026, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.

 Ordinary Time ends on Tuesday and we enter the holy Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. 

The Pharisees touched the nerves of Jesus in our key Scripture for today.

 How will you feel if your teenage children confront you one day and ask: "When at last will you give us a birthday?"

 You will be angry because you have been planning and executing beautiful birthday parties every year for sixteen years.

In asking Jesus for a sign, the Pharisees committed the grave sin of the Israelites in the Desert.

 They witnessed the historic miracle of the Red Sea. They were fed daily with meat and sweet bread. Yet they rose in rebellion against God threatening to march back to Egypt.

God was angry with them. Who would not?

The Pharisees were part of the educated class and knew the Scriptures and the signs Isaiah laid out for recognizing the Messiah: 

He will open the eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf. He will perform numerous miracles and will teach the people the knowledge of the Lord.  He cast out many demons.  

Why then did they provoke Him by asking for a sign?

 Hardness of heart and pride. 

It would appear from the Bible Timeline that the one Sin that offends God deeply is the Sin of Unbelief.

 Unbelief rolls a number of grave sins into one:

 ingratitude, ignorance of God and His ways, willful blindness, gross unreasonableness and others.

I do ask the Lord for signs from time to time and He has been gracious in opening my eyes to see the signs that are there all along. I have asked: "Lord are You with me in this project?" The sign the Lord usually gives me is the Sign of the Emmanuel. "I am with you always."

 Think of it. This is the greatest Sign in Sacred Scripture. Why?

 All the great Bible characters received this Sign.  If God is with you, then the mission is accomplished.

 If God is with you, then No fear, No worry, No doubt. All you need is trust.

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

"The Earth has many kings, but only one King of Kings; it has many families, but only one Holy Family, which is the model for all others."

( St. John Chrysostom). 

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

 

DO NOT IGNORE ANY COMMANDMENT.

ALL THE LAW MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED. 

 "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets;

 

I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets;

  For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 

 Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, 

shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; 

but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

  "You have heard that it was said to the men of old,

 `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.'

 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.

  So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 

 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court,

 lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison:

 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.

 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.'

 

 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away;

 it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

  "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

 But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress;

 and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

 "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, 

`You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' 

But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

  or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 

 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 

 Let what you say be simply `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil." (Matthew 5: 17 9-37).

Sunday February 15 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time. 

From the Gospel of today (Matthew 5: 17 - 37), we get our inspiration. 

#1 "But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

#2 "Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 19).

The Church is in dire need of teachers of the word of God: catechists and evangelists.

 Without teaching and knowledge, a people perishes. (Cf Hosea 4: 6).

Therefore,

Believe what you read in the word of God.

Practice what you believe.

Teach what you practice.

Every Christian who obeys the commandments of God is able to share the same by word and example.

"Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life.  (Cf. John 6: 63, 68).

"As for you, dear son of mine, persevere in praying to me. Hold fast to my Rosary and beware of every ploy of the Evil One to separate you from it. My Rosary is your safeguard and your weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. At the same time, for you it is a remedy and a comfort. Do you not see how the Rosary has stabilized you? Do you not experience its healing and all its benefits? Pray my Rosary and teach others to do the same." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, December 11, 2007).

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

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

"If you want to find Jesus, look for Him in the company of Mary and Joseph. To live with them is to live in the perpetual presence of the Holy Spirit." (St Josemaria). 

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

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

HOW CAN THIS MAN FEED 4000 PEOPLE?

CAN JESUS CHRIST FEED 4000 PEOPLE AT ONCE? 

YES.  JESUS FEEDS 4000 PEOPLE WITH 7 LOAVES. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” 

His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”

Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

They replied, “Seven.”

He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.

Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. 

They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ­ordered them ­distributed also.

They ate and were satisfied.

They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.

He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha." (Mark 8: 1 - 10).

In the Gospel of today, Mark 8: 1 - 10, we are not surprised by Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd around Him who follow Him to learn whatever they could of His teaching. We have observed instances of Jesus' concern for the welfare of His disciples and the crowd that followed Him. 

What appeared impossible to the Apostles on feeding 4000 hungry people in a desert was no challenge to Jesus. 

 Jesus is God and He could relieve the hunger of the crowd with a word of command.

Jesus took "the seven loaves and he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd." No sweat. Very easy for Jesus. 

Consider what happens at Mass, the priest takes the bread, prays over it and says "This is My Body." The consecration of the bread to become the Body of Jesus is possible because Jesus is God. He gave this power to His disciples and to the priests they would ordain. 

Just as there have been sceptics from the beginning of the Church who said that Jesus did not and could not feed 4000 people. There are also sceptics today on the Miracle of the Multiplication of loaves.

 The same doubters scorn the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. 

 They are wrong and ignorant of history and the Scriptures.

 The Catholic Church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth. (Cf 1 Timothy 3: 15). 

This is why it has survived for over 2000 years and is found in every country in the world. 

"They all ate and they were all satisfied." Jesus wants you to feed on Him in the Eucharist and be satisfied. 

Protect yourselves from wolves and liars who want to corrupt your faith by daily:

1. Prayer.

2. Daily Word of God. 

3. Frequent Confession and Eucharist. 

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH. 

"It is in the holy family, the original church in miniature that every christian family must be reflected" [it is in the holy family, the original church in miniature that every christian family must be reflected}]. (Pope St John XXIII). 

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

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

JESUS CHRIST. THE JEHOVAH WHO HEALS UD.

JESUS HEALED THE DEAF AND THE MUTE. 

THE GOOD NEWS: 

"Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis. 

 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; 

and they begged him to lay his hand upon him.

And taking him aside from the multitude privately, 

he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; 

and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."

 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

  And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, 

"He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." (Mark 7: 31 - 37).

FRIDAY February 13th in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Ever since the sin of Adam and Eve caused the loss of their original innocence, Poverty, Ignorance and Disease followed man and woman as their curse and inheritance. 

God was not indifferent to the plight of Man and Woman. 

Remember what happened when Adam said Eve were driven out of Paradise. 

They sewed leaves to cover their nakedness. Adam and Eve were astonished of their nakedness because they lost their original innocence because of the sin of disobedience and they discovered their sexuality. 

God tailored some appropriate clothes for them. 

With sin, enters sickness and disease, poverty and ignorance. 

God became Jevohah Rapha. That is, the Lord God who heals us. 

Healing becomes one of the most important attributes of the expected Messiah of Israel. 

Have you recognized this truth? 

Jesus Christ is the Jehova who heals our mind, body and soul. 

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

On Our Lady’s Maternal Heart:

 "In the Holy Family, Mary is the heart, the source of love. Through her, the Holy Spirit poured forth the grace that sustained the Savior of the world."

( St. Ambrose). 

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

DO YOU REALLY WANT HEALING?

IF YOU WANT HEALING, PREPARE FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE. 

"Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice.

"Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.

 She came and fell at his feet.

 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

"He said to her,

 “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 

"She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”

"Then he said to her, 

“For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”

"When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone." (Mark 7: 24 - 30).

Thursday February 12 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our Gospel today from Mark 7: 24 - 30 turns our thoughts to healing. I don't know about you. The human machine needs healing. As you age, the need may become more. 

I pray for healing for myself every day. I pray for healing for my siblings and their families and friends. I ask Jesus to grant the prayers of those who leave prayer requests on the web page of this Blog. Most of the Prayer requests are for healing. 

Why do I believe in healing? Because Jesus promises healing and promises to give to anyone who asks. Jesus Christ is God and therefore can do anything. God never lies. 

There is a way to ask in order to receive. This is the lesson we get from today's Gospel. 

The Syrophoenician woman whose daughter was healed of evi spirits is a master in the art of prayer. Once she gets herself in front of Jesus and was convinced that Jesus has the power to grant her request, no army could move her from that spot. 

Study the healings in the Gospel and you will find similar traits as exhibited by the Syrophoenician woman. 

To summarize, if you want to get results from your prayers, pray with expectant and persistent faith. If you are refused today, come back tomorrow and continue the warfare. Never give up. 

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

"If you want to find Jesus, look for Him in the company of Mary and Joseph. To live with them is to live in the perpetual presence of the Holy Spirit."

(St. Josemaría Escrivá). 

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES. 

CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART O GOD!

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,

 “Hear me, all of you, and understand.

 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; 

but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

"When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable.

"He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding?

 Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?”

 (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

“But what comes

 out of the man, that is what defiles him. 

From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts,

 unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

 All these evils come from within and they defile.”  (Mark 7: 14 - 23).

Wednesday February 11th 2026 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

It is also a Day of Prayer for the Sick.

In 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to 14 year-old Marie Bernarde Soubirous  in Lourdes, France. 

She was to become St Bernadette Soubirous. The first apparition was followed by seventeen others. 

Many healing miracles happens in Lourdes. Lourdes has become a major pilgrimage center in the world. 

Six million pilgrims visit Lourdes yearly. 

The Church prays for the Sick today. 

Do you need spiritual, physical or emotional healing? 

Ask Jesus at once with faith. Ask with expectant and persistent prayer.

It is Ok to go to Jesus through Mary. 

That is the way of Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe, etc. 

Believe that Jesus is still making the deaf hear and the dumb speak and cancer disappear and so forth. 

In the Gospel of today, Jesus says that the source of all the sinful habits are from inside the mind. 

Thoughts, words and actions defile a person and food does not defile.

Psychologists have recognized the importance of the mind in behavior:

Sow a thought, you reap a deed.

Sow a deed, you reap a habit.

Sow a habit, you reap a character.

Sow a character, you reap a destiny. 

It is true that your character becomes your destiny.

David after his adultery prayed:

"A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.

(Psalm 51: 12).

The Book of Proverbs teaches: 

“Watch your heart carefully. From it comes the issues of life.” (Cf Proverbs 4: 23).

What cleanses the mind and heart?

The word of GOD, Prayer and Sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist. 

"Intercession is not incompatible with adoration. The soul who adores Me present in the Sacrament of My love will be united to Me in My everlasting intercession before the Face of My Father.

My intercession is everlasting even in the glory of eternity because I chose to keep the wounds in My hands and in My feet and in My side. They constitute an uninterrupted pleading for the sake of all: for those in glory that they may go from light to light and from sweetness to sweetness; for those on earth that they may find in My wounds healing, purity, and holiness; and for the souls in purgatory that by the merits of My holy wounds they may be refreshed and delivered." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).

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

"The Holy Family is the beginning of the salvation of the world. In their humble home, the purpose of God for all humanity was quietly fulfilled." (St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church). 

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

MEMORIAL OF ST SCHOLASTICA, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS.

MEMORIAL OF ST SCHOLASTICA, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus,

 they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. 

(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands,

 keeping the tradition of the elders.

And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. 

And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,

 the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) 

"So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,

 “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 

"He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

"This people honors me with their lips, 

but their hearts are far from me;

 in vain do they worship me,

 teaching as doctrines human precepts.

"You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

 He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! 

For Moses said,

 Honor your father and your mother, 

and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. 

"Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother,

 “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), 

you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.

 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.

 And you do many such things.” (Mark 7: 1 - 13).

Tuesday February 10, 2026 in the 5th Week of Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Scholastica, Virgin and Foundress.

St Scholastica, Italian is a Religious and Foundress of the Benedictine Nuns. 

She was the twin sister of St Benedict, the Abbot and founder of the Benedictines. 

 She lived between . (480 - 547).  

 The Benedictine Nuns  continue to serve the Church for over 1500 years. 

St Scholastica is the patron saint of education, convulsive children and  Benedictine Nuns.

The confrontation of Jesus in today's Gospel is opportunity for frank talk with His adversaries. 

The issue today is: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 

Washing your hands before meals is a symbol of purification. 

For us, we consider it equivalent to the Examination of Conscience and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

This is an  important ritual of our faith. 

Jesus calls His adversaries: "You are hypocrites." 

What is hypocrisy? How can a baptized Christian avoid hypocrisy?

BE GENUINE. 

Renew your Baptismal Promises weekly or daily if you can. 

It takes only a minute or two at the most. How? For example:

O MY GOD, I JOHN DECLARE THAT I AM YOUR SON AND THE BROTHER OF YOUR SON JESUS. I RENOUNCE SINS. I RENOUNCE SATAN AND HIS LIES AND FALSE PROMISES. HELP ME TO LIVE MY BAPTISMAL PROMISES IN JESUS NAME. AMEN! 

That is all you need to do. Watch for the results after a couple of months. You will be surprised by joy! 

Prepare yourself to live fully your Baptismal commitment and the grace of Confirmation by activating the Holy Spirit in you. 

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

"He who was the head of the Holy Family on earth continues to be the protector of the Church, the Family of Jesus Christ, from his place in heaven."

( Pope St John Paul II). 

Click the link below for prayer intentions, etc

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

WHEN PEOPLE RECOGNIZE JESUS.

WHEN PEOPLE RECOGNIZE JESUS. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 

 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,

  and that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; 

and as many as touched it were made well. (Mark 6: 53 - 56).

What happens when people recognize the presence of Jesus? They react in a predictable manner. "There will be plenty of healings today."

  They bring their sick relatives and friends that "they might touch even the fringe of his garment;"

The result: they strive to touch even the fringe of his garment. 

"and as many as touched it were made well." 

Brothers and sisters: Jesus Christ is still with us today. 

"I am with you always."

"Wherever two or three of you are gathered, I am there in your midst."

Jesus Christ is there in the most Holy Eucharist. 

Jesus Christ is present Day and Night in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. 

Do you sincerely need healing? 

What are you waiting for? 

The Scriptures are written to record the marvelous works of God and show us an example to follow. 

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed (or happy) if you do them.” (Cf John 13: 17).

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

"The Earth has many kings, but only one King of Kings; it has many families, but only one Holy Family, which is the model for all others." The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 

( St. John Chrysostom). 

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 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

 “You are the salt of the earth. 

But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? 

It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; 

it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. 

"Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5: 13 - 16).

Sunday February 8th in the 5th Week  in Ordinary Time. 

What is the the meaning of Jesus' word in today's Gospel: You are the salt of the earth? You are the light of the world? 

What is light? 

Think of the sun, moon, stars, 1000 watt electric bulb, 15 watt electric bulb, candle light, etc. They are all lights of different power and intensity. They all do one thing. They produce luminosity around them so that objects in their vicinity can be visible, that is seen with the human eyes. 

How do we apply this? 

Look no further than in your kitchen. 

The light in the ceiling allows you to see the cupboards, pots and pans, water taps, etc.

The salt bottle and shaker are placed in a convenient place as you get ready to cook. 

Now you are the salt and the light.

 Not in your kitchen but in the school, market place, hospital, etc. What do you do as salt and light in these locations? 

Ask Jesus Christ, the Light of the World to give you all you need to be salt and light wherever He places you.

My Patron Saint, John Chrysostom wrote eloquently on how Christians can be the light of the world. I pray to him every morning to show me how to be light of the world each day. 

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

"In the Catholic tradition, there is no such thing as "secular" work for a baptized soul.

 Everything we do has a purpose and a weight. 

​Sanctification: Your work is the wood upon which you exercise your love for God.

​Imitation of Christ: 

By working diligently, you imitate the Person of Jesus, who spent the vast majority of His earthly life in a workshop, not a pulpit."

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