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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND.
JESUS HEALS THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND ON THE SABBATH.
THE GOODNEWS:
"On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught,
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
"The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
"But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up and stand before us.”
And he rose and stood there.
"Then Jesus said to them,
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
"Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus." (Luke 6: 6 - 11).
Monday September 7th in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.
The Gospel of today is another Sabbath controversy which Jesus seems to relish.
For the opponents of Jesus, namely the Scribes and Pharisees almost no work is permitted on the Sabbath.
On this point, Jesus asked them:
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
The scribes and Pharisees refused to answer the question.
Jesus then turned to the man with the withered hand and said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored."
The Scribes and Pharisees distorted God's original plan for the Sabbath.
Jesus came not to abolish the Mosaic Law but to complete it, that is to enrich it.
The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.
While it is true that the primary purpose of the Sabbath is Rest and Worship, it is also a day of Leisure.
What type of Rest? A Rest that restores human body and mind from the wears and tears of labor.
For the Sabbath is a Rehearsal for Eternal life.
One day, there will be no work when Jesus Christ restores All Things in Himself.
Jesus observed the Sabbath during His few years of ministry.
For centuries, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church has stressed the importance of the Sabbath Rest.
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:
BROTHERLY UNITY AND CORRECTION.
If your brother sins against you...
"Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
"If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
"If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
"If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 15 - 20).
Sunday 6th September 2026 in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.
Jesus Christ founded a Church with broad powers.
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
It is especially in the ministry of Prayer and Reconciliation that we see priveleges that Jesus entrusted to His Church.
"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father."
When brothers and sisters live in unity, there is peace and prosperity and progress.
Let us have confidence in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church because it is the Custodian of the immense graces and privileges Jesus Christ bequeathed to humanity.
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:
THE SABBATUM AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
THE SACREDNESS OF SUNDAY.
First Saturday in September 2026. Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
THE GOODNEWS:
"While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
"Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
"Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (Luke 6: 1 - 5).
Saturday 5th September 2026, First Saturday in September is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Why is Saturday dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary?
This is an ancient custom dating back to the time of Emperor Charlemagne in the 800s. Some date the custom earlier than Charlemagne.
Most great medieval Doctors of the Church endorsed the practice, viz:
Saints Bernardine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas, Bernard of Clairvaux and Bonaventure.
One interesting reason for this practice:
After the Crucifixion on Friday, everyone had lost faith in Jesus and went home full of regrets.
On Saturday, Mary continued the Vigil alone waiting for the Resurrection of her Son. The disciples of Jesus apparently did not take seriously Christ's three predictions that He would be arrested, tortured and crucified and die on the Cross.
Characteristically and true to character, the Blessed Virgin Mary remembered everything and stored it in her deep memory.
Tradition believed that Jesus appeared to His mother first after the Resurrection. Not surprising!
In the Gospel for today from Luke 6, Jesus reminded the Pharisees God’s purpose for the Sabbath.
"Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy." (Exodus 20: 8).
The command to set apart the Sabbath is very important as seen from the way it is treated in Sacred Scriptures.
It is the exaggerated concern for the obligation and sanctity of the Sabbath Rest that gave rise to hundreds of minutiae rules concerning the basic command to keep holy the Lord's Day.
Throughout the Christian history, the Magisterium of the Church has not only expounded on the sacred character of the Sabbath but has taught that the Sabbath was instituted for the enjoyment of the People of God.
It is a day of worship of God. A day of rest for the whole family from the hustle and bustle involved in making a living.
It is a day to enjoy the parks, watch Christian movies. It is a day to visit the sick in the hospital.
The Sabbath Rest is Rehearsal for Eternal life.
One day, there will be no work.
By obeying the law of the Sabbath, you build up your faith in this promise of God. God plans to redeem man and creation from the present servitude.
It is more enjoyable to keep holy the Lord's Day than to do anything unlawful on the Sabbath Rest.
"With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." (CCC 2173).
Rejoice in God's generous provision of the Sunday Rest and use it to grow in spiritual and human maturity.
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.
The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
"Yes, my beloved little son, the eighth sorrow of my maternal and Immaculate Heart is that my Son is so offended in the Sacrament of His love. This sorrow of mine will endure until the end of time, when the real presence of my Son in the Most Holy Sacrament will give way to the sight of His divine majesty. Then will faith give way to vision, and hope to possession. Then will love be secure and everlasting for all who will have died in the embrace of His divine friendship." (IN SINU JESU page 183).
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:
WHEN AND HOW TO FAST.
THE GOODNEWS: "The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
“The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.”
Jesus answered them,
“Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” (Luke 5: 33 - 39).
Friday 4th September 2026, in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. Today is the First Friday in September.
We honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of every month.
The Gospel of today deals with fasting.
Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving are the 3 pillars of the Christian spiritual life.
Do you fast? How often? What do you fast from?
On the three pillars of the spiritual life, the Church teaches:
CCC 1434: "The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins.”
Some Christians abstain from meat and alcohol on Friday and Wednesday.
Others abstain also from television, movies and gambling.
"The prayer of adoration at night has the power and efficacy of that prayer made with fasting that I recommended to My apostles as the means of expelling demons from the souls whom they torture and oppress.
For this reason, the demons fear and hate adoration made at night, while the angels rejoice over it, and place themselves at the service of the soul who desires to do it." (IN SINU JESU page 240).
The Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary in September.
The whole month of September invites us to stand spiritually beside Mary and contemplate the love that remained faithful through every trial.
September With the Sorrowful Mother
September does not begin by asking us to look away from pain.
It asks us to bring our pain into the presence of a Mother who understands.
Mary’s life was marked by a great “yes” to God—but that yes did not spare her from suffering.
At the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon foretold that a sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35).
From that moment onward, Mary carried the mystery of her Son not only in her arms, but in her heart: the anxiety of fleeing into Egypt, the anguish of losing Jesus in Jerusalem, the agony of seeing Him rejected, condemned, crucified, and laid in the tomb.
Yet Mary did not run from the Cross. The Gospel tells us simply, powerfully: “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother…” (John 19:25). She stood. She remained. She loved.
This is the message of the Sorrowful Mother for us as September gets underway.
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:
FIRST FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER 2026.
The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which Jesus made through St Margaret Mary Alacoque to all who honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
In the 9th month of the year 2026, we look at Promise #9.
#9. "I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored."
I have lived in homes with a couple of people with difficult and challenging personalities. The first thing I do when I come into my room for the first time is to sprinkle holy water everywhere. Then I mount the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the location I identified as my home altar or praying spot. The house has always been blessed with the Peace of Christ during my stay.
Jesus Christ is proud of His humanity and human heritage. He wants His brethren to be reminded of this.
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully Man. And a handsome Man too.
So Jesus mandated His image to be rendered by an artist for the image of the Sacred Heart. St Margaret Mary Alacoque was charged with this sacred duty. Just as St Maria Faustina would be given centuries later the commission of producing the Divine Mercy image for the Devotion to the Divine Mercy.
The Church approved these devotions and images.
Do you have an image or statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a prominent place in your home?
The 9th Promise is a very easy condition to fulfill. Buy the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture or statue from a Catholic Bookstore or Amazon and place it in a prominent place in your home.
You can also print an image of the Sacred Heart off the Internet or this website. Ask your pastor to bless it. So it becomes a sacramental.
With this image blessed and placed in a prominent place in your home, you can now tell Jesus:
"Bless my home as You promised, Jesus. I have a blessed image of Your Sacred Heart in my house".
Honor this image by glancing at it from time to time and saying "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love You."
Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS OF Saint Gertrude the Great:
"O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
fountain of eternal life,
Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love.
You are my refuge and my sanctuary.
O my adorable and loving Saviour,
consume my heart with the burning fire
with which Yours is aflamed.
Pour down on my soul those graces
which flow from Your love.
Let my heart be united with Yours.
Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things.
May Your Will be the rule of all my desires and actions.
Amen."
For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional prayers and prayer intentions click the link below:
THE MEMORIAL OF ST GREGORY THE GREAT. PONTIFF AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
PETER, JAMES AND JOHN WERE SURPRISED BY GRACE.
The Call of Peter, James and John.
THE GOSPEL:
"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
"He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
"After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
" Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." Seek (Luke 5: 1 - 11).
Thursday September 3rd 2026 in the 22nd week in Ordinary Time is the the Memorial of St Gregory the Great. Supreme Pontiff.
We honor today the Servant of the Servants of God, St Gregory the Great. (540 - 604). Pope and Doctor of the Church.
When God chose and anointed David, He exclaimed with delight: "I have chosen David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him. My hand will be with him; my arm will make him strong." (Psalm 89: 21 - 22). This Scripture can be applied to Pope Gregory the Great.
Gregory was the David of his days.
St. Gregory the Great was called from the City Hall where he was the Mayor of Rome to be fisher of men. He left everything and followed Jesus.
He used his wealth to found six monasteries before he was elected Pope. He is noted in history for instituting liturgical reforms and initiating missionary endeavors. It was due to St Gregory that missionaries were first sent to England.
Great Quotes from St Gregory:
"Meditate daily on the words of your Creator. Learn the Heart of God in the words of God, that your soul may be enkindled with greater longing for heavenly joys."
“A spiritual guide should be silent when discretion requires and speak when words are of service. Otherwise he may say what he should not or be silent when he should speak.”
(St. Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor of the Church.)
Our Scripture today is one of my favorites. Duc in Altum as St John Paul II like to call it. "Put out into the Deep" is the call of Jesus to follow Him into Deeper Waters.
Are you ready to follow Jesus into the deeper waters in your vocation or ministry? I am afraid that I am still wallowing in shallow waters.
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Peter obeyed the command which seemingly did not make sense to an experienced fisherman.
When Mary heard similar words from the Angel Gabriel, she answered: "Be it done to me according to Your Plan." (Cf Luke 1: 38).
Do you remember Mary's counsel to the stewards in the Marriage Feast at Cana? "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2: 5). They did what Jesus told them and water was made into high quality wine.
Note that in today's Gospel, Peter, James and John recognized that a miracle has occurred. "For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon." Recognition of God's intervention in our lives or in history is a sign of supernatural perspective. The Church teaches that Divine Providence is concrete and immediate. (Cf CCC 303). Therefore it is incumbent that we must recognize the operations of Divine Providence in our lives in order to appropriate the results and give thanks to God.
Our faith is expressed in obedience. Peter exercised obedience of faith and a big miracle took place. He fished all night and caught nothing. But at the words of Jesus, Peter was willing to try again. He took a second chance. Peter showed a disposition for obedience of faith. Is this why Jesus tapped him for leadership in the Church?
When God speaks His word to us through the Scriptures, locution, inspiration, prophetic individual, dream, if you do not respond with obedient action, what is wrong? Perhaps you think it is not worth the trouble trying a second chance. Our God is the Father of Second Chances.
When Peter responded in faith, he received his calling.
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."
Some saints who responded to Jesus and put out in Deep Water:
Maximilian Kolbe, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother Angelica of EWTN, Father Albert Lauer of Presentation Ministries, Maria Faustina of the Divine Mercy and many others.
Jesus is calling everyone of us to intimate friendship with Him in the great adventure of Evangelization.
"Priests and religious who are tempted to follow a false philosophy of activism, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, or who waste their time on entertainments and distractions, will suffer God’s loving judgments. He will make bitter their false delights, destroy their enterprises, and weaken the efficacy of their work in order to wake them up to their calling of intimate friendship with Him as the source of happiness and the condition for all fruitfulness." (IN SINU JESU page 266).
The Church honors the Most 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:
JESUS HEALS EVERYONE WHO NEEDS HEALING.
"After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
"She got up immediately and waited on them.
"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
"And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
"At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
"But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4: 38 - 44).
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time.
Luke, the physician narrates here a tale of illnesses, demonic possessions and healings by Jesus.
Where do disease, ignorance, demonic possession and poverty come from?
Ultimately the answer will be found in Genesis Chapter 3: 16 - 19:
"To the woman he [God] said:
"I will intensify your toil in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.
Yet your urge shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you.
"To the man he said: Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You shall not eat from it,
"Cursed is the ground because of you!
In toil you shall eat its yield
all the days of your life.
"Thorns and thistles it shall bear for you,
and you shall eat the grass of the field.
"By the sweat of your brow
you shall eat bread,
Until you return to the ground,
from which you were taken;
For you are dust,
and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3: 16 - 19).
Brethren, Sin is the cause of poverty, ignorance and disease.
Sin causes Suffering. Suffering brings the Savior.
How does dealing with these problems caused by Sin core to the Messianic vocation of Jesus?
Isaiah forecast that the Messiah will do all these things below and more:
"Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy." (Isaiah 35: 5 - 6).
The three aspects of the ministry of Jesus are:
Teaching, Healing and Feeding.
Jesus left these tasks to the Church when He ascended into Heaven. (Cf Mark 16: 17 - 18).
Inspired by the Gospel of this Wednesday, cry out to Jesus with me in expectant faith :
"I trust in the healing mercy of God for ever and ever. Jesus Son of David heal me."
Jesus heals everyone who appeals to His merciful love and approaches Him with faith and reverence. Let us say to Jesus: Lord, why should my own case be different. I need Your healing touch as much as the mother- in- law of Simon Peter.
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Fatima obtain for us the healing mercies of 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:
