THE CHURCH IS THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH.

GOD OWNS THE VINEYARD. THE CHURCH IS HIS PROPERTY.

"Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.

After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.

"Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them,

‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’

So they went off.

"And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.

"Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,

‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’

They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them,

‘You too go into my vineyard.’

"When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,

‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

"When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.

"And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,

‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

"He said to one of them in reply,

‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?

Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?

Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’

"Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20: 1 - 16a).

Sunday 25th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our spiritual food today is the Parable of the Landowner and the Vineyard.

Where is the meat in this Parable?

First, it is easy to tell that the Landowner is God. The Vineyard is the Church.

The Catechism teaches that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God in this world.

The Laborers in the Vineyard are you and me.


The Parable teaches us that the Landowner is a just Employer.

He is like a Father to all the laborers.

If we know that our Employer is kind, fair and just, it will be well for us.

Many employees adopt an adversarial posture with regard to their employers. Labor Union attitude.

Unfortunately too, many people fear God and distrust Him.

God wants His children to love Him, not fear Him. Reverence is the right attitude towards God and not sevile fear.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD.

 ARE YOU A HEARER OR A DOER OF THE WORD?

THE GOODNEWS:

“When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. 

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 

Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture.

 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

 And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.”

"After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”." (Luke 8: 5......14).

Saturday 19th September 2026 in  the 24th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Feast of St Januarius, Bishop and Martyr. 

St Januarius was martyred about 305. He was Italian. He was Bishop and Martyr and was killed under Emperor Diocletian.

His dried blood liquifies miraculously several times a year. Even science and agnostics are confounded by this miracle. Jesus our Savior still presents believers more than sufficient proofs like the liquification of the the blood of Januarius to strengthen their faith.

Did you guess that the Sower in the Gospel for today (Luke 8: 4 - 15) is Jesus the Farmer? 

The seed is the word of God. One of Jesus numerous names is the Word of God (Cf Revelation 19:13). 

The seed that fell among thorns may be likened to some living today in western societies.

 Unbridled affluence and materialism have eroded the faith of Our Fathers in these countries .

 People hear the Pearl of the Gospel: "Seek first the kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing and all your needs shall be met. Stop worrying about tomorrow which you cannot control. Trust firmly in my Divine All Powerful Providence. (Free translation - Cf Matthew 6: 33 - 34). 

We hear the word and prefer to be hearers only and not doers of the word.

Our ever merciful Savior continues to sow the word every day through the Sacred Scriptures, teachings from Sacred Tradition and Magisterium.

 But you too, you are a sower of the word whether you are a teacher, catechist, evangelist, nurse, housewife, politician, gabage collector, etc. Whatever you are or do, the Lord has entrusted you to partner with Him to transform the world today. How do you respond?

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE WOMEN WHO PROVIDED FOR JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES.

THE WOMEN WHO PROVIDED FOR JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.

"Accompanying him were the Twelve 

and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,

 Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 

Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,

 Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources." (Luke 8: 1 - 3).

Friday, September 18th in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time. 

In the Gospel of today, we see that women who benefited from the ministry of Jesus provided for His needs and those of His disciples. 

They provided for them "out of their means." 

The widow of Zarephath provided for Elijah out of her meagre resources. 

God blessed this source and it never dried up till rain was restored.

This incidence is a foreshadow of God's arrangement for providing the future disciples of Jesus Christ.

 In the Old Testament, we see many instances of God providing for His servants through elected people.

 This principle was established with the levitical priesthood.

 Elisha, the prophet was likewise provided for by a couple in the course of his work.

 In the New Testament, we find abundant examples from the works of the Twelve and St Paul.

What are the lessons for us?

 God makes adequate provisions for the needs of those who preach the gospel. 

God prefers a situation of weakness and dependence for His servants so that His wisdom and power can triumph through their work. 

God infact wants His collaborators in the work of salvation to imitate the simplicity of Jesus Christ. He appoints people to supply the needs of His workers.

How do the disciples of Christ today appropriate God's blessings and provisions for their ministry?

 First, they must be aware of these provisions in the Bible. They must understand what God's word or promise is saying to their particular situation.

 Disciples of Jesus must believe his word and act on this word.  Prayer, trust and obedience activate the power of the word.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Reflect on the Pieta. 

 Ponder Mary receiving the lifeless body of Christ into her arms. Her maternal arms host the true Lamb of God.

Consoling the Sorrowful Mother: Offer acts of reparation for the sins that grieve the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

 May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE, SJ. BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE. BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. 

"A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,

   and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

"Now there was a sinful woman in the city

   who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.

Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,

   she stood behind him at his feet weeping

   and began to bathe his feet with her tears.

Then she wiped them with her hair,

   kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

"When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,

   “If this man were a prophet,

   he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,

   that she is a sinner.”

"Jesus said to him in reply,

   “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;

   one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.

Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.

Which of them will love him more?”

"Simon said in reply,

   “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

"Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,

   “Do you see this woman?

When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,

   but she has bathed them with her tears

   and wiped them with her hair.

You did not give me a kiss,

   but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.

You did not anoint my head with oil,

   but she anointed my feet with ointment.

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;

   hence, she has shown great love.

"But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

"The others at table said to themselves,

   “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

"But he said to the woman,

   “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7: 36 - 50). 

Thursday 17th September 2026 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Robert Bellarmine of the Society of Jesus. (1542 - 1620). Italian. Bishop, Cardinal, Apologist and Patron Saint of Catechists.

Robert Bellarmine resided in Rome during most of his work life. The poor of Rome came to know him well and called him "the new poor one," reminiscent of St Francis of Assisi, the original poor man of Assisi. Bellarmine shared his table regularly with the poor of the city of Rome.

Bellarmine was the nephew of Pope Marcellus II. St Robert 

Bellarmine was a renowned scholar, a great apologist and contributed immensely to the Council of Trent and the reforms mandated by the Council.

In spite of all these encomiums, Bellarmine could say with Paul:

"By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."

September 17th is also the feast of St Hildegard of Bingen: (1098 - 1179). German. Benedictine. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

 The incredibly talented Hildegard wore many hats: Mother superior, theologian, teacher and preacher, scientist, gynecologist, musician, etc.

 St Hildegard is the patron saint of musicians and writers.

"Saved by faith! 

"Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7: 50)

Jesus said these words to the woman described as a "sinful woman" in Luke 7: 36 – 50. 

This woman's faith in Jesus brought her not only forgiveness of her many sins but spiritual healing as well. Faith is to accept God's word as true.

 Which word of God do I need to accept as true here and now?

My sins are forgiven.

God is my Father.

God's mighty and merciful providence is guiding, protecting and providing for me every moment of my life.

Lord Jesus, I believe. Help my unbelief.

I accept every promise of God in Bible as true.

 God is faithful beyond compare. The Scriptures boost that God remembers His promises for a thousand generations. That is to say, forever! 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

 

St Robert Bellarmine, SJ our Saint of today had a notably deep and lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Accounts of his life describe his daily recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin and the Rosary, his Saturday fast in Mary’s honor, and his strong theological defense of her privileges, including support for the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception long before it was defined as dogma.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN. POPE AND BISHOP RESPECTIVELY. MARTYRS.

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS, POPE AND MARTYR AND ST CYPRIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR. 

Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026. 

Wednesday 16th September 2026 in the 24th Week of Ordinary Time is the Memorial of Saints Cornelius (Pope and Martyr) and Cyprian (Bishop and Martyr).

Pope Cornelius was martyred under Emperor Gallus in 253. St Cyprian, a Bishop from Carthage (modern Tunisia) was martyred in 258 under Emperor Valerian.

The two saints we honor today were acquainted with one another. They lived under one of the most severe persecutions of the Church. Tens of thousands were martyred. Rome was determined to stamp out once and for all Christianity in the empire.

Many Christians did not have the courage to face martyrdom. So they denied Jesus in order to preserve their lives. When the violent persecution abated, those Christians who denied Jesus wanted to be received back into the Church. Some Bishops said Yes. Other Bishops refused them a second chance. The controversy nearly split the Church asunder.

Pope Cornelius wanted the Christians who apostasized to confess their sins and do appropriate penance and be allowed to rejoin the Church. Many Bishops opposed him.

St Cyprian from the powerful African Church in Carthage came to his support. Their side won and schism was prevented.

In the Prayer over the Gifts for this Mass, the Church affirmed that the Eucharist gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian the courage to offer their lives for Christ. The same Eucharist can keep us faithful in all our trials, the Church prays. If you can receive the Eucharist more than once a week and do not do so, how can you justify your abstinence from such a Gift? It is simply ridiculous.

"Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offerings of your people

in honor of the passion of your holy Martyrs

Saints Cornelius and Cyprian,

and may the gifts that gave them courage under

persecution

make us, too, steadfast in all trials.

Through Christ our Lord."

The Eucharist gave Cornelius and Cyprian courage under persecution. The Holy Eucharist will do the same for you. 

"Jesus said to the crowds: 

“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?

 What are they like?

 They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.

 We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 

The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,

 ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 

But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (LUKE 7: 31 - 35).

When Jesus compares us to little children in the marketplace who refuse to play the game according to rules, what is He saying?

 If you want to be an adult Christian, you must learn one truth and abide by it.

 Nobody can please the world. The world has no gold standard.

 It has rather arbitrary rules strung together to satisfy  selfish whims.

 The world controls people through Opinion Polls.

 Many people are terrified of adverse opinions from their neighbors, peers and the public.

Jesus did not care what people think about Him.

 His greatest desire is to do the will of His Father.

 In His teaching in today's Gospel, Jesus is not theoretical. He gives examples:

"For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." 

But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11: 18 - 19).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

 May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS.

THE MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, 

“Woman, behold, your son.” 

Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”

"And from that hour the disciple took her into his home." (John 19: 25 - 27).

Tuesday September 15th 2026 in the 24th Week of Ordinary Time is the Memorial Our Lady of Sorrows.

"At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last." (Stabat Mater). Thus was the prophecy of Simeon at the Presentation of the Child Jesus fulfilled. "Your own soul a sword will pierce."

By the Cross of Jesus, the Mother of Sorrows received her everlasting vocation:

“Behold, your mother.” Mary may have murmured silently: "Be it done to me according to Your word." And she became our Mother too from that instance.

What do you make of the Seven Sorrows of Mary? 

Was it necessary? Superfluous? An overkill?

 Our Church teaches: "Our Mother Mary teaches us to live, together with her, beside the cross of her Son. In her suffering, she reminds us of the malice of sin and shows us the way of true repentance." (Roman Missal).

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows follows the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. 

Back to back we celebrate the mystery of suffering in the economy of salvation.

Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary had been practiced since the

13th Century. The Swedish mystic, St Bridget received this Devotion. Below are the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

The prophecy of Simeon. 

The flight into Egypt. 

Loss of the Child Jesus for three days. 

Mary meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary. 

Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. 

The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross. 

The burial of Jesus.

Mary like her Son Jesus endured each of her agony with perfect love and total abandonment to God.

How do we summarize the dynamics of Cross and Crown, Test and Testimony, Trial and Triumph?

 The Apostle Peter says it best in the Communion Antiphon:

"Rejoice when you share in the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice exultantly when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4: 13).

The Church honors the Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary in September.

Mary embraced her 7 Crosses (Sorrows). May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Crucified Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE GREAT FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF THE CROSS.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. 

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to Nicodemus:

“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.”

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only 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.” (John 3: 13 - 17). 

Monday 14th September 2026 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Why celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross?

#1 There is a divine necessity for the Son of Man to be lifted up on the Cross in order to save mankind. 

#2 The crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus transformed the Cross into a true sign of salvation. The Cross transformed our trials into possibilities of triumphs and testimonies. 

#3  "Christ crucified is thus "the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." It is in Christ's Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth "the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe" (CCC 272)

#4. "It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything else, makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption." (ON the Christian Meaning of Suffering - Salvifici Doloris #27). 

#5. We exalt the cross whenever we embrace 

our trials and tribulations and understand that God's holy will is the means of peace and joy in our lives. 

The Cross has become a synonym for the trials of life.

 Jesus says: "If you want to follow Me, pick up your own cross and follow Me." 

Hence we find plastic cross, gold cross, silver cross, wooden cross, etc. We find crosses in homes, cars, schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries.

We find crosses in every country in the world. The ubiquitous presence of the Cross everywhere is significant and providential. It signifies that grace and mercy are everywhere we accept trials and situations we can not avoid.

We are baptized with the sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. This reminds us of the Trinitarian character of our faith.

As the catechumens are reminded in THE OCIA Rite of Acceptance,  embracing our cross is embracing the will of God. It is the most assured route to sanctity and the good life. The will of God is our shalom, our peace. Peace is the first and greatest gift of the Resurrection. 

"Father, in Your will is our peace." 

Man has always rejected the Cross as we see in the first Reading (Numbers 21: 4 - 9).

"With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” (Numbers 21: 4 - 5).

If like Jesus, we humble ourselves under the mighty hands of God and accept our crosses, in the fullness of time, God will lift us up. (Cf 1 Peter 5: 6).

Jesus came to undo the disobedience of Adam and Eve by embracing the prescribed means of salvation by the Father.

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself, says the Lord." (John 12: 32)

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.

September is the month we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. It is also the month the Church honors the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Mary embraced her 7 Crosses (Sorrows). May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Crucified Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

FORGIVE AS YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO OFFEND YOU AND FORGIVE THEM.

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

"Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

" That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.

"When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.

"At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’

"Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

"When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

"Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.

"Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.

"His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’

"Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18: 21 - 35).

Sunday September13, 2026 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time. 

God said to Moses :  "I am a God of mercy and compassion.  Be holy as I am holy." (Cf Exodus 34: 6).

If we receive mercy from God, we must show mercy to others. It is not okay to say that it is difficult to forgive.

Sirach in his teaching portrays a divine quid pro quo when it comes to forgiving our neighbor. "Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven." (Sirach 28: 2).

"Can one refuse mercy to a sinner like oneself, yet seek pardon for one’s own sins?" (Sirach 28: 4).

Notice the punchline in Sirach: "A sinner like yourself."

Jesus says the same in today's Gospel:

"I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?" (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).

I have struggled with the question of forgiveness. Below is what I learned:

#1 Forgive the offense immediately. Everywhere, always, for everything, for everyone without discrimination.

#2 Pray blessings on the offender morning and evening. Continue to pray for the offender until you are healed of the hurt.

#3 Ask God to grant the grace to everyone you have offended to forgive you and set you free. I practiced #1 and #2 for years before it occurred to me that there are people out there that I have offended.

#4 If you do not read the word of God regularly, you will never understand anything about God's mercy and will find it difficult to forgive.

Psalm 103 is one of my favorite Psalms on the mercy of God.

"The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion." (CfPsalm 103: 1 - 3).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Consider the Blessed Virgin Mary standing at the Foot of the Cross. Meditate on Mary’s steadfast presence beneath the Crucified Christ (John 19:25–27).

Invoke the maternal power of Mary’s name to dispel fear, seeking her perpetual help.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY.

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY.

BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON ROCK.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.

"For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.

"A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;

for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?

"I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them.

That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;

when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.

"But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation.

When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.” (Luke 6: 43 - 49).

Saturday 12th September 2026 in the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time.

We honor today the MOST Holy Name of Mary 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

Almost back to back on the celebration of the Birthday of Mary (September 8th) is the feast of her Most Holy Name.

The Church in her teaching authority and wisdom interpretes for us the role of Mary in the economy of salvation.

Here is what the Church teaches about the feast of today, the Most Holy Name of Mary:

"God the Father is glorified by the exalted role in salvation of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

Thus her name is a name of honor, to be venerated and called upon with filial trust and devotion." (The Roman Missal).

What the Saints say about the Most Holy Name of Mary:

1. “The invocation of the sacred names of Jesus and Mary is a short prayer which is as sweet to the mind, and as powerful to protect those who use it against the enemies of their salvation, as it is easy to remember.” (Thomas à Kempis).

2. “In every danger of forfeiting divine grace, we should think of Mary, and invoke her name, together with that of Jesus; for these two names always go together." (St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

3. “Blessed is the man who loves thy name, O Mary. Yes, truly blessed is he who loves thy sweet name, O Mother of God! For thy name is so glorious and admirable, that no one who remembers it has any fears at the hour of death.” (St Bonaventure, OFM BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH).

In today's Gospel, Jesus asks us to dig Deep into the rock to build a safe home that will withstand flood and hurricane and other natural disaster.

We have in our key Scripture for today basic common sense message about building a family home.

One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 127: 1: 

"Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain."

Jesus ends this ominous teaching by saying:

"But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

Floods and hurricanes are part of life. Houses are simple enough to be replaced. But lives are much harder.

He who builds on the word of God builds on a solid foundation. How do you build your "family house" on the word of God?

You use the tested building materials of expert builders: the 7 Daily Habits of Saints:

Prayer.

Word of God.

Eucharist.

Reconciliation.

Examen.

Spiritual Reading.

Faith Sharing/Ministry.

"The riches of My kingdom are for all whom I have redeemed with My own Blood, but it pleases Me to bestow them through My Mother, the Queen and Mediatrix who stood at the foot of My Cross, offering Me and offering herself with Me. Today she reigns with Me in paradise.  All that I won for souls from My Father on the altar of the Cross, with My Mother at My side, I will now pour out on souls through her Heart and through her hands. This, too, is the secret of a fruitful priesthood. In every priestly act and in all of life, place your hands in the hands of My Mother and your heart in her Heart." (IN SINU JESU page 35).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

Invoke the maternal power of Mary’s name to dispel fear, seeking her perpetual help.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

DO NOT FOLLOW BLIND GUIDES.

THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND. 

"Jesus told his disciples a parable:

 “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?

"No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.

"Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6: 39 - 42).

Friday 11th September 2026 of the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time.

Whom did Jesus call the blind guides in today's Gospel?

"Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15: 14).

Do you know any Pharisees in your community?

Who is a Pharisee? 

A Pharisee is a person practicing or advocating strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit; self-righteous; hypocritical. (Dictionary).

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6: 6).

When a blind judge guides another blind judge, will not the two judges fall into the ditch?

 Jesus defines His mission thus:

"I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me." (John 18: 37).

When we listen daily to the words of Jesus in the Gospel, little by little we grow to know the Heart of Jesus from His words. 

The Church contemplates and honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary in September. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE MERCIFUL AS ABBA FATHER IS MERCIFUL.

BE MERCIFUL AS ABBA FATHER!

THE GOODNEWS:

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well,

and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.

Give to ­everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?

Even sinners do the same.

If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back;

then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

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: 27 - 38).

Our Daily Bible Verse for this Thursday is from the Gospel of Luke 6: 27 - 38.

How can we be merciful as the Father is merciful?

What is mercy? The dictionary defines mercy as: "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm."

In other words, mercy is a gratuitous forgiveness of an offense where the offender is rightly waiting the hammer to strike.

God's mercy is called Hesed /Chesed in the Bible. Completely unmerited favor flowing from the powerful and merciful Providence of God.

In my opinion, one of the greatest example of mercy is in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

The servant owes his master millions of dollars which he could never repay. His master would sell his entire family and all his possessions, put him into slave work for the rest of his life to recover a tiny portion of his debt.

Then the miracle happened. He was forgiven everything by his master.

The servant did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him a tiny amount.

"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’" (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6: 36). Jesus teaches us that the merciful Heart of God is unfathomable.

Like a bottomless ocean. There are many examples of this in the Old Testament.

Covenant after Covenant was shredded by His ungrateful People. Yet when they suffer the consequences of their sins, one cry to God and He is at their side, forgiving them all and ready to start all over again.

Divine Mercy Devotion is Jesus' gift to the Church.

Jesus revealed His intention through St Maria Faustina.

He desires that no man should be ignorant of the infinite mercy of God.

The heart of the Devotion is as simple as ABC and is summarized by the ABC of Mercy:

A: Ask for Mercy.

B: Be Merciful.

C: Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

The ABC of Mercy is how we can be merciful as our Father is merciful.

"Above all, I renew for you the words I uttered for Saint John from the Cross: “Behold your Mother.” Live in her presence. Honour her at every occasion and in every way possible. Every time you show love and devotion to My most holy Mother, you honour the words I spoke from the Cross, and you put them into practice. “Behold your Mother.” She desires nothing more than to look after you, just as if you were her only son. Her attention for you is not divided, nor is it in any way impaired by the attention she gives to the vast multitude of her children through the ages. Trust in her care for you. Pray her Rosary. Honour her as you have been doing." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 31, 2008).

The Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary in September.

Mary’s sorrows were not empty suffering. Because they were united to the sacrifice of Jesus, they became a profound expression of compassion, courage, and surrender. Her pierced heart became a refuge for all who carry hidden wounds: parents grieving for children, those burdened by illness or uncertainty, people mourning a loved one, and anyone who has prayed through disappointment and silence.

During this month, we do not honor Mary because she suffered merely as one who was sad. We honor her because she suffered with faithful love. Her sorrow was joined to Christ; therefore, it was never without hope. The Cross led to the Resurrection. Good Friday was not the final word.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE MEMORIAL OF ST PETER CLAVER, SJ. MISSIONARY PRIEST.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST PETER CLAVER, SJ. MISSIONARY PRIEST.

THE GOODNEWS:

"Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

"Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.

"Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.

"Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you,

and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.

"Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

"But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

"But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will grieve and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way." (Luke 6: 20 - 26).

Wednesday September 9th in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Peter Claver of the Society of Jesus. (1580 - 1654). A Spanish Priest, Religious and Missionary.

St Peter Claver served for over 40 years African slaves dumped at the South American seaport of Cartagena now Colombia. During 40 years, he fed the slaves, cared for the sick and dying. He preached the Good News to them and baptized over 300,000.

It would be humanly impossible for the slaves and Peter Claver to heed these words of Jesus and obey it:

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Matthew 5: 43 - 48).

But grace overcame nature and the slaves taught by St Peter Claver loved their persecutors as Jesus did from the Cross.

St Peter Claver is called the "Slave of slaves." God gave him great love and patience for the suffering slaves. Peter took many of them with him to heaven.

St Luke gives his version of the Beatitudes in Luke 6: 20 - 26).

The Beatitude is a faithful portrait of the character of Jesus the Messiah, the Faithful Servant.

 It begins with a key attribute: material poverty.  Jesus was born of poor parents in a manger. He lived in a poor neighborhood of Nazareth. After he attained the age of puberty, He became an apprentice carpenter in His father's workshop. Jesus died a poor man.

When Jesus began His teaching with "Congratulations to you who are materially poor..." His audience would have been delighted. Let us head to the Catechism to see what the Church teaches us on the Beatitudes.

"The Beatitudes reveal the goal of human existence, the ultimate end of human acts: God calls us to his own beatitude. This vocation is addressed to each individual personally, but also to the Church as a whole, the new people made up of those who have accepted the promise and live from it in faith." (CCC 1719).

Man does not live on bread alone. Man does not live on money alone. There is life for man in every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Cf Matthew 4: 4).

"God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise. Beatitude makes us "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life. With beatitude, man enters into the glory of Christ and into the joy of the Trinitarian life." (CCC 1721)

The Beatitude is the blueprint of our Journey of Faith.  Follow it as faithfully as you follow the GPS and it will lead you to our true Homeland.

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOST GLORIOUS MARY THE VIRGIN.

THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY O MOST BEAUTIFUL AND GLORIOUS MOTHER.

It is your Son Himself who from the Cross said: "Behold your Mother."

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Happy Birthday Sweet Mother!

"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

"Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream

and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1: 18 - 23).

Tuesday September 8th, 2026.

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Universal Church of 1.4 billion souls celebrate the Birthday of her, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mary was chosen, called, prepared and enabled to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind.(Cf Romans 8: 30).

Mary said Yes immediately to the Archangel Gabriel. 

She did not say:  "Let me first ask my husband Joseph about this.  I will also like to talk to my mother." 

It was this openness to grace that made Mary:  "Blessed among women."  (Cf Luke 1: 45). 

And every generation continues to call her blessed every day through the blessed Holy Rosary.

According to Matthew the Evangelist, Jesus Christ descended directly from Abraham:

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob........... (Matthew 1: 1 - 2).

After the birth of Jesus, the line of genealogy comes abruptly to an end.

"Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,  Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah."  (Matthew 1: 15 - 16).

A new genealogy begins from Jesus Son of God and Son of Mary.

This genealogy includes you and me as royal sons and daughters.

"Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God."  (Entrance Antiphon, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. But today September 8th, the Universal Church celebrates the Birthday of our most sweet and beautiful Mother. The Church hails her Son Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of Mary.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10