JESUS IS LORD. ALWAYS!

Monday, March 18, 2024

SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH, THE HOLY SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY. 

"Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

"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.”

"When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home."  (Matthew1:16, 18-21, 24a).


Tuesday 19th March 2024 in the 5th Week in Lent is the Solemnity of St Joseph, the holy Spouse of the Immaculate Virgin.

“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." (Matthew 1: 20).


Here is what we know about Joseph:


#1. Joseph is from the royal line of David.

#2. A carpenter by trade and a man of humble means.

#3. He is a just and honest man.

#4. Because it was not good for a woman with child to be alone, God chose Joseph to provide for Mary and Jesus; to protect them and to be foster father to Jesus and raise Him up in virtue and manly manners.

Joseph excelled in all the roles that Divine Providence entrusted to him.


Joseph is the patron saint of the Church and a powerful intercessor for the Church and us all. He is also the patron saint of a happy death.


"Let My priests be fathers! Let them beg Me for the grace of spiritual fatherhood, and I will give it to them in abundance. Such a man was Saint Joseph. He was the living image of My Father, and he was chosen by My Father to be a father to Me in My sacred humanity. Let My priests go to Saint Joseph. He will obtain for them this priceless gift of spiritual fatherhood, and he will guide them in the delicate and difficult work of being true fathers to souls." (IN SINU JESU: Friday, November 15, 2013). 


FEAST OF ST JOSEPH - TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024. HONOR ST JOSEPH WITH A HOLY MASS. 


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


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http://seekfirst.blogspot.com

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Sunday, March 17, 2024

FEAST OF ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM.

THE FEAST OF ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM 

“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.

“Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.

 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.

“Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 

“But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

“Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.

“So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” (John 8: 1 - 11).

"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8: 7).


Monday 18th March in the 5th week of Lent is the feast of St St Cyril of Jerusalem. 

Bishop and Doctor of the Church. (315 - 386).


St Cyril was the Archbishop of Jerusalem when the Arian heresy disturbed the peace of the Church all over the Roman Empire. 


Cyril vigorously defended the unchangeable teachings of the Church. For this, he suffered multiple exiles from the See of Jerusalem. St Cyril is recognized in history by his catechetical works. He prepared multitudes of Catechumens to receive Baptism and helped the Neophytes after Easter to grow in the faith. What is really providential in the work and legacy of San Cyrillo is that he documented his teachings which have come to us. His writings of over 1600 years ago prove that the Catholic Church is the same in teachings and beliefs in late 300s as she is today. Nothing has changed. 


The sacred Texts from Daniel 13 and John 8: 1 - 11 present us with the story of two women. One is Susanna, beautiful wife of a very wealthy man. The other is a simple woman caught in the act of adultery. Both women were accused of adultery, a sin punishable by death in those days and still so in some Moslem countries. 

There are a number of lessons in the two narratives.


#1 Satan is the Father of lies and the Book of Revelation calls him the Accuser of the brethren. Do you know anyone who delights in pointing fingers and quick to accuse? Unjust accusations against Jesus and Stephen led to their deaths.


#2 Corruption of power. Susanna was accused by two elderly judges whose advances she spurned. The woman caught in adultery was accused by those who caught her in the act and religious judges who wanted her dead. Judges and lawyers face continuous temptations to bribery and corruption. 


#3 The stories ended well in the marvelous timely Divine Interventions. God used Daniel in the case of Susanna and Jesus the Divine Mercy in the case of the woman caught in the act of adultery.


What do we take away from the two stories? 

"The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him." (Daniel 13: 60). The reaction of the people shows that they understood that a miracle happened. They glorified God and their faith became strengthened. This is also the takeaway for us because every Bible narrative is there to build up our faith in a loving and merciful God.


"Now, be silent. Adore Me. Trust Me. I have only begun to show you the path of holiness that I am opening before you. And give thanks to Me, for I have saved you, through a particular intervention of My most holy Mother, from the fate that the Evil One was preparing for you for so long a time." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008). 

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH - TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024. HONOR ST JOSEPH WITH A HOLY MASS. 


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


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Daily Bible Verse @ 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com

SeekFirstcommunity.com

Saturday, March 16, 2024

A GRAIN OF WHEAT MUST DIE IN ORDER TO BEAR FRUIT.

UNLESS A GRAIN OF WHEAT DIES.. 

"Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

"Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 

"Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 


"Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die." (John 12: 20 - 33).

Sunday March 17th, 5th Sunday is Lent. 

Our key Scripture for the 5th Sunday of Lent poses an existential question to each of us:

Do you want to be a single impotent seed on the shelf or do you trust in Jesus and die to yourself and produce a rich harvest of seeds - thousands upon thousands?


How does the seed produce multitude of seeds? It is buried in the ground. You too must be buried in the ground.


How?

#1. You must embrace the way of Jesus. It is a vital necessity for Jesus to suffer before He inherits His kingdom. (Cf Luke 24: 26).

This is the will of the Father and the way that Jesus embraced. Must it be different for us?


#2. What  obstacles  are preventing you from making a full commitment to Jesus? Career, family, health, finance, etc? Consider who gave you all these gifts in the first place.


#3. We must learn and be strengthened by the examples of the Saints. They are family now enjoying the vision of God in Heaven and continuous beautiful music. Do you know that sweet music is the one thing we have on earth that we will find in Heaven? 


What will happen if you refuse to fall on the ground, die and multiply? You will abide alone. Where? You guess it.

S

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH - TUESDAY, MARCH 19, ss. HONOR ST JOSEPH WITH A HOLY MASS. 


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


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Daily Bible Verse @ 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com

SeekFirstcommunity.com


Friday, March 15, 2024

JEREMIAH, A FIGURE OF JESUS THE PROPHET.


THE PLOT AGAINST THE PROPHET JEREMIAH 

"I knew their plot because the LORD informed me;

at that time you, O LORD, showed me their doings.


Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter,

had not realized that they were hatching plots against me:


"Let us destroy the tree in its vigor;

let us cut him off from the land of the living,

so that his name will be spoken no more." 


But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge,

searcher of mind and heart,

Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,

for to you I have entrusted my cause! (Jeremiah 11: 18 - 20). 

THE CALL OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 

"The word of the Lord came to him in the days of Josiah...... 


"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

    before you were born I dedicated you,

    a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

“Ah, Lord God!” I said,

    “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!”

But the Lord answered me,

Do not say, “I am too young.”

    To whomever I send you, you shall go;

    whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of them,

    for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the Lord.

"Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying to me,


See, I place my words in your mouth!

"Today I appoint you

    over nations and over kingdoms,

To uproot and to tear down,

    to destroy and to demolish,

    to build and to plant.


Then the Lord said to me: You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to carry it out... 


"But you, prepare yourself;

    stand up and tell them

    all that I command you.

Do not be terrified on account of them,

    or I will terrify you before them;

"For I am the one who today

    makes you a fortified city,

A pillar of iron, a wall of bronze,

    against the whole land:

Against Judah’s kings and princes,

    its priests and the people of the land.


They will fight against you, but not prevail over you,

    for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the Lord." (Jeremiah 11: 18: 20; 1: 1 - 19).


Saturday 16th March 2024 in the 4th Week in Lent.

Our key Scripture for today is from the Call of the Prophet Jeremiah and how quickly his enemies rose up against him to silence him so that he could not say a single word from the Lord.

The Lord God prepared Jeremiah thoroughly for his mission.


What is your vocation and your mission? No matter what your vocation or mission is: Housewife, teacher, priest, politician, banker, nurse, etc we all have the same common Enemy: Satan, the liar and the killer, the intimidator who does not want us to serve God.

We overcome him by:



FEAST OF ST JOSEPH - TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024. HONOR ST JOSEPH WITH A HOLY MASS. 

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


+++++++++++++++++++++++

Daily Bible Verse @ 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com

SeekFirstcommunity.com

THE BROWN SCAPULA OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IS REAL.

ST CLAUDE DE LA COLUMBIERE AND THE BROWN SCAPULA. 


Claude de la Columbiere, SJ is a faithful, true and credible witness to the authenticity of the Brown Scapula. 

Many of the popes approved and recommended the Brown Scapular. It is remarkable that only 25 years after the Scapular vision, Blessed Pope Gregory X was buried wearing the Scapular. Remarkable also is that when his tomb was opened in 1830, 554 years after his death, his Scapular was found intact.


St. Claude de la Colombiere, renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary, said: "Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin, all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to Heaven -- I say without a moments hesitation that the Brown Scapular is the most favored of all!" He also adds: "No devotion has been confirmed by more numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular."


The devils even revealed to Ven. Francis of Yepes, brother of the great Carmelite reformer St. John of the Cross, that three things especially tormented them. The first is the Name of Jesus; the second, the name of Mary; and third, the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. "Take off that habit," they cried to him, "which snatches too many souls from us. All those clothed in it die piously and escape us."


We should also give the Scapular to non-Catholics as Our Lady will bring conversions to those who will wear it and say one Hail Mary each day as the following true story reveals: Unconscious and dying, an old man was rushed to the St. Simon Stock Hospital in New York City.


 The nurse, seeing the Brown Scapular on the patient, called the priest. As he was saying the prayers for the dying, the man became conscious and spoke up: "Father, I am not a Catholic." "Then why are you wearing the Brown Scapular?" asked the priest. "I promised my friends to wear it," the patient explained, "and say one Hail Mary a day." "You are dying," the priest told him. "Do you want to become a Catholic?" "All my life I wanted to be one," the gasping man replied. He was baptized, received the last rites and died in peace. Our Lady took another soul under her mantle -- through her Scapular!


"Wear the Scapular devoutly and perseveringly. It is my garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of me, and I in turn am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life." -- Our Lady of Mount Carmel


From: The Brown Scapula 

https://www.olrl.org/pray/brownscapular.shtml 


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