THE RICH YOUNG MAN FORGOT THAT WEALTH AND RICHES BELONG TO GOD.

DO NOT FORGET GOD. 

"A young man approached Jesus and said,

 

“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” 

"He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good.

 If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

"He asked him, “Which ones?”

 And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; 

you shall not commit adultery;

 you shall not steal;

 you shall not bear false witness;

 honor your father and your mother;

 and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

"The young man said to him,

 “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” 

"Jesus said to him, 

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

"When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Matthew 19: 16 - 22). 

Monday 17th August 2026 IN the 20th Week in Ordinary Time.

In the Gospel for today from Matthew 19: 16 - 22, Jesus gave a wealthy young man an evangelical counsel:

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

"When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions."

The rich young man did not realize that his wealth has become an obstacle to his fulfillment. Instead of being the master of his wealth, he is now possessed by his wealth. He built his security on material prosperity: stock market, gold and silver, bit coins, real estate and liquid cash. 

That is where everyone wants to be in life he must have thought to himself. 

What a shock he had when he heard Jesus pronounce the evangelical  counsel. 

God's response to this pervasive materialism in the society today is in Deuteronomy 32: 18 - 21, and the Responsorial Psalm for today. (Psalm 18). 

"You have forgotten God who gave you birth." 

Have we forgotten God because of dollars and bit coins? 

It seems as if the world has forgotten the Savior who died for us.

 Very few are thinking of following Him and even these few have not recognized Him as the Pearl of the greatest Price. 

The Lord's complaint continues below:

"You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you. You forgot the God who gave you birth.

When the Lord saw this, he was filled with loathing and anger toward his sons and daughters."

Who dares blame God if He is full of loathing for His children? 

“I will hide my face from them,” he said, and see what will then become of them.

What a fickle race they are,

sons with no loyalty in them!” 

“Since they have provoked me with their ‘no-god’ and angered me with their vain idols, I will provoke them with a ‘no-people’; with a foolish nation I will anger them.” (Deuteronomy 32: 18 - 21). 

The rich young man of today's Gospel desires eternal life but loves the present material tangible world more.

 This world cannot produce the peace he hungers for. The anti-dote to his sadness is laid out clearly by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:

"Come follow me and make my Kingdom your first priority and its kind of holiness. I promise you that you will have everything you need." (Cf Matthew 6: 33).

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Immaculate Heart and the Mercy of Christ. 

​Mary is the Mother of Mercy because she brought forth Jesus, the incarnation of Divine Mercy itself.

​Prayer: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me through the intercession of Your Holy Mother.

Mary did not forget the God who made her. She said boldly" "Behold I am the maid servant of the Lord." 

Mary associated herself closely with the Mission and Passion of her Son Jesus.

 Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." May the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph in our lives. Amen. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

WOMAN THY FAITH IS GREAT.

And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Sunday 16th August 2026 in 20th Week in Ordinary Time. 

In our Gospel this Sunday, we reflect on the audacious faith of the Cananite Woman and its implications for our desires for miraculous healing. 

Jesus was deeply moved by the faith of the Cananite woman.

 Jesus complimented her and then happily granted her request. 

Is this the first time Jesus is impressed by the faith of someone seeking for a miraculous healing? 

Not at all! 

Jesus praised the faith of the Woman 

GREAT IS THY FAITH WOMAN! 

THE GOODNEWS :

"At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, 

“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

"But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.

"Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”

"He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

"But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”

"He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 

"She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.

Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

"And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Sunday 16th August 2026 in 20th Week in Ordinary Time. 

In our Gospel this Sunday, we reflect on the audacious faith of the Cananite Woman and its implications for our desires for miraculous healing. 

Jesus was deeply moved by the faith of the Cananite woman.

 Jesus complimented her and then happily granted her request. 

Is this the first time Jesus is impressed by the faith of someone seeking for a miraculous healing? 

Not at all! 

Jesus praised the faith of the Woman with the Issue of blood. 

He praised the faith of the  Roman Centurion. 

Other instances where Jesus mentioned the faith of the Seeker of a miraculous healing with compliments are:

 “your faith has saved you” or “your faith has made you well”—are:

The woman with the hemorrhage: healed after touching Jesus’ cloak; “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43–48. 

Two blind men near Capernaum: after they confess belief in his power, Jesus heals them, saying, “According to your faith be done to you.” Matthew 9:27–31.

Blind Bartimaeus: seeking sight, he hears, “Go your way; your faith has made you well,” and immediately receives his sight. Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43.

The grateful Samaritan leper: while ten are cleansed, the one who returns in thanksgiving is told,

 “Your faith has made you well” (or “saved you”). Luke 17:11–19.

The paralytic lowered through the roof: Jesus sees the faith of the group bringing him, forgives the man’s sins, and heals him. Matthew 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26.

The father of the demon-afflicted boy: his “I believe; help my unbelief” is not praise in the same direct formula, but Jesus responds to the father’s plea and frees the child. Mark 9:14–29.

My brothers and sisters, Jesus still responds to faith today. 

Boost your faith through Prayer and constant reading of the word of God. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."

“We have in heaven the heart of a Mother, the Virgin, our Mother, who at the foot of the cross suffered as much as possible for a human creature, understands our trouble.” (St Jerome).

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY THE VIRGIN.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY THE VIRGIN. 

Happy Feast of your Assumption into Heaven O Blessed Mary Our Virgin Mother! 

"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man.

 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order:

"Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; 

then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,

 

 

When he has destroyed every sovereign­ty and every authority and power. 

"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 

The enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet." (1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 27)

Saturday 15th August 2026 in the  19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Just as in  the Transfiguration of Jesus, Mary's Son confirms our hope of transformation at the general Resurrection, the Assumption of Mary reveals our hope and destiny.

In heaven, there is a hierarchy of merits. There is also a "proper order" (Order of glory) in the resurrection of the body:

1st. Christ

2nd. Mary

3rd. Then at the end of time, everyone who belongs to Christ.

It is God's plan and wisdom that Mary will be raised body and soul into heaven before the general resurrection of the body. 

This is an ancient belief of the Church. 

The Church made this teaching a doctrine of faith on 1st November 1950. 

Pope Pius XII in an Apostolic Constitution defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  

With the Papal Apostolic Authority, 

As it is bound on earth, so it is in heaven.

The Assumption of Mary fulfilled one of the prayer intentions of Jesus in the Last Supper:

"Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me,

 because you loved me before the foundation of the world." (John 17: 24).

Mary the Virgin is primus inter pares, that is first among equals in the order of privileges.  Mary our Mother goes before us. Where she is, there shall we the children be.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE. PRIEST AND MARTYR.

MEMORIAL OF ST MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE OFM. PRIEST AND MARTYR.

"Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” 

"He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? 

"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

"They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” 

"He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

"I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” 

"His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 

"He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” (Matthew 19: 3 - 12).

Friday 14th August 2026 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Maximilian Marie Kolbe, OFM. Priest and Martyr. 

 1894–1941

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe was a Polish Conventual Franciscan priest, missionary, publisher, and martyr of charity.

 Born Raymund Kolbe in Zduńska Wola, Poland, he entered the Franciscan Order as a young man and gave his life to Christ through total consecration to the Immaculate Virgin Mary. 

In 1917 he founded the Militia of the Immaculate, an apostolate dedicated to conversion and holiness through Mary.

 He used the press boldly for evangelization, establishing the great Franciscan centre of Niepokalanów and publishing The Knight of the Immaculate. 

His zeal extended to Japan, where he helped establish a mission and Catholic publication. 

Arrested by the Nazis in 1941, Father Kolbe was sent to Auschwitz.

 When ten prisoners were chosen to die by starvation after an escape, he volunteered to take the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek, a husband and father.

 He died by lethal injection on 14 August 1941, after suffering in the starvation bunker. 

Pope St. John Paul II canonized him in 1982 as a martyr of charity. His witness reveals the fruit of Marian consecration: a heart conformed to Christ, ready to love without reserve. 

“Only love creates.” —St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe. 

In the Gospel of today, we confront the question:

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”  (Matthew 19: 3).

Is divorce permitted? The Pharisees asked Jesus. 

Jesus used this question to teach us God's original plan for marriage between one man and one woman. 

 God joined man and woman together to become one for life.

If this is so, what is the reason for the prevalent heart-wrenching divorces?

 Hardness of heart or sin is the cause, Jesus answered.

  This is how the Church explains the progression of the hardness of heart:

"The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed: the control of the soul's spiritual faculties over the body is shattered;

 the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination.

"Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man.

 Because of man, creation is now subject "to its bondage to decay".

Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will "return to the ground", for out of it he was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history."  (CCC 400).

What sin has torn asunder, Jesus Christ has reconciled in His body by giving man and woman the means and tools to live in harmony.  

The Church accompanies the married couples on their journey of faith with the Sacraments:

 Matrimony, Eucharist, Reconciliation.

 The Church provides a number of effective tools as aid to harmony:

 marriage preparation classes, counseling, Cursillo, Encounters, etc.

Like any vocation, it is impossible for marriage to work outside the framework of the sacraments, tools and resources provided by the Providence of God for the institution today.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

St. Maximilian Kolbe – Martyrdom of Love. 

​St. Maximilian Kolbe lived total consecration to the Immaculata, giving his life for another out of perfect charity.

​Prayer: 

Jesus, through St. Maximilian and Our Lady, make me an instrument of Your selfless love.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 SAINTS PONTIAN & HIPPOLYTUS.

FEAST OF ST PONTIAN & HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS. 

"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 the fellow servant 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 his brother from his heart.”

"When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan." (Matthew 18: 21 - 19: 1).

Thursday August 13th 2026 in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of a Pope and an anti Pope: Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, anti Pope (priest).

 Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus, Martyrs (d. c. 235)

St. Pontian, Pope of Rome from 230 to 235, and St. Hippolytus, priest, theologian, and former rival claimant to the Roman see, are remembered together as martyrs whose final witness proclaimed the greater power of communion.

 Pontian served the Church with quiet firmness during a troubled age;

 Hippolytus, a gifted but severe defender of Christian doctrine, allowed controversy to draw him into schism. 

When Emperor Maximinus Thrax began persecuting Christian leaders, both men were arrested and exiled to Sardinia—an imprisonment of brutal labor and near-certain death. 

Pontian resigned the papacy so that the Church of Rome would not be left without a shepherd, the first pope known to do so. 

In suffering, the estranged men were reconciled: the bishop and his former opponent became brothers again in Christ. 

They died in exile, likely from deprivation and exhaustion, and were later returned to Rome for burial among the martyrs. 

Their shared feast teaches a searching lesson: fidelity to truth must never harden into pride, and no division is beyond the mercy of God. 

In their final union, Pontian and Hippolytus gave the Church a martyrdom not only of blood, but of reconciliation.

In our Gospel of today, Jesus our Teacher taught a classical lesson on Forgiveness. 

Why did Jesus conclude the teaching on Our Father, the Lord's Prayer by stating unequivocally a precondition for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father? 

Forgiveness is obviously an important theme for Jesus because He taught it again in today's Gospel in Matthew 18:21–35, which concluded thus:

 "Then in anger his master handed him [the unforgiving servant] 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 his brother from his heart.”

Reconciliation is crucial to enjoying the privileges of filial adoption. 

A girl who ran away from home and lived a lawless life for a couple of years may be hesitant as she approaches home.

 The prodigal son understands that there are consequences to vagrancy and knows the importance of Reconciliation.

Many people claim that forgiveness of the other person is hard. Really? 

Lessons that help forgiveness:

#1. Forgive at once.

#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.

#3. Forgive always.

#4. Forgive everywhere.

#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross.  Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.

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

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

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL, MARRIED WOMAN AND RELIGIOUS FOUNDRESS.

FEAST OF ST JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL, MARRIED WOMAN AND RELIGIOUS FOUNDRESS. 

"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).

Wednesday 12th August 2026 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Jane de Chantal. 

St. Jane Frances de Chantal. 

French, 1572–1641. Religious and Foundress.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal was a wife, mother, widow, spiritual daughter of St. Francis de Sales, and cofoundress of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.

 Born in Dijon, France, she married Christophe de Rabutin, Baron de Chantal, at twenty and bore four children. Her happy family life was shattered when her husband was killed in a hunting accident in 1601. 

Jane did not flee suffering; she allowed grace to transform it.

 After providing for her children, she placed herself under the spiritual direction of Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva. Together they founded the Visitation in Annecy in 1610, welcoming especially women whose age or frailty had closed the doors of other religious communities. 

After Francis de Sales’s death, Jane led the rapidly growing order with fortitude, establishing monasteries across France.

 Her letters reveal a spirituality both tender and realistic:

 “Should you fall even fifty times a day… ever so gently set your heart back in the right direction.” 

St. Jane teaches that holiness is not the absence of sorrow or failure, but the decision to begin again in the mercy of God.

A reflection on the Gospel of today from Matthew 18: 15 - 20.

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 in the ministry of Prayer and Reconciliation especially 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."

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.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

 The Immaculate Heart as a School of Prayer. 

​Mary stored all things in her heart and pondered them.

 She teaches us the art of interior silence and deep, contemplative prayer.

​Prayer: Mary, Mother of Contemplation, teach me how to pray from the heart.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 CLARE, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS OF THE POOR CLARE.

MEMORIAL OF ST CLARE, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS OF THE POOR CLARE. 

“The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”

 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. 

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. (Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10, 12...14).

Tuesday 11th August 2026 of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the St Clare. Virgin and Foundress of the Poor Clares.

Tuesday 11th August 2026 of the 19th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Clare. (1193 - 1253). Italian.

At 18, Clare was not only beautiful but her parents were very wealthy. 

She gave up everything to follow the original Little One, Jesus Christ our Savior.

 Imitating St Francis of Assisi, the little poor man of Asissi. Clare embraced radical poverty.

She founded the Poor Clares and modeled its constitution from what she learned from St Francis of Assisi. 

The Poor Clares continue to serve the Church today

I know one Poor Clare Nun, who made a great contribution to the world. Mother Angelica (+ 2016).

She founded EWTN, a global Catholic Television Network. For me, Mother Angelica is a saint. She prayed and worked. She suffered persecution from inside and outside the Church. She experienced much ill health most of her life. She remained a Poor Clare all her life. "Santo Subito!"

"UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO DO THE RIDICULOUS, GOD WILL NOT DO THE MIRACULOUS."

(MOTHER ANGELICA OF EWTN, A POOR CLARE).

Jesus praises the humility of a little child. What is humility?

Just like love, humility is patient and kind. Humility is not jealous, conceited or proud. It does not keep a record of wrongs. In short, humility is love.

The little child is the face of innocence in whom the Holy Spirit likes to dwell and play. The little child manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Aim to become like a little child and the Kingdom of God will be yours and all the rest as well.

The Church honors the Immaculate Heart of Mary in August. 

Mary is the Shield Against Spectral Darkness. 

"Mary is the august Queen of Heaven and Sovereign Mistress of Angels, whom God has appointed to crush the head of Satan and protect His children from the malice of the hellish dragon."

— Pope Pius XII

​From the initial declaration in Genesis ("I will put enmity between you and the woman"), Divine Providence appointed the Virgin Mary as the unyielding conqueror of evil.

 Her Immaculate Heart, completely free from the power of sin, strikes terror into the forces of darkness.

​When the enemy assaults your soul with thoughts of despair, self-pity, impurity, or pride, do not engage in an intellectual debate with the tempter. 

Human strength is insufficient against spiritual malice. Instead, immediately run to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

​The enemy cannot tolerate her absolute purity and humility; at the invocation of her name and the refuge of her Heart, the forces of darkness flee. Recognize that spiritual warfare is a real dimension of the Christian life, but you are not left unprotected. Hide within her maternal Heart today, and let her crush the power of temptation in your life.

​ Prayer:

​Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Angels, crush the power of the enemy in my life.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 ST LAWRENCE. DEACON AND MARTYR.

THE GREAT FEAST OF ST LAWRENCE. DEACON & MARTYR. 

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“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.” (John 12: 24 - 26).

Monday 10th August 2026 in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time is the Great Feast  of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. (+258). 

St Lawrence, Roman citizen born in Spain. Archdeacon in the Church of Rome during the pontificate of Pope St Sixtus II. 

St Lawrence spent his life in the service of the poor of Rome. 

He perished in a gruesome torture under the persecution of Emperor Valerian.

 St Lawrence is the Doyen of all the Deacons of the Church.

 Happy feast day all you holy deacons out there.

Lavishly Lawrence gave to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (Cf Responsorial Psalm 112).

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9: 6).

 St Lawrence sowed bountifully and the Lord rewarded him and made him the Doyen of Deacons and patron Saint of many charities.

During the trial of St Lawrence, the  judge asked:

 “Where are the riches of the Church?” 

Lawrence extended his hand toward the poor and the sick he had gathered and said: “These are the riches of the Church.”

St Lawrence answered the call to the clerical state when that calling was a certain death sentence. 

Jesus empowered Lawrence with His grace and the Holy Spirit enabled Lawrence to produce large harvest.

Lawrence cared for the poor, the ill, and the abandoned of Rome and became their patron. St Lawrence is the patron saint of deacons, librarians, cooks, seminarians and students, butchers, etc. 

"The attack on My priesthood that appears to be spreading and growing is, in fact, in its final stages. It is a satanic and diabolical onslaught against My Bride the Church, an attempt to destroy her by attacking the most wounded of her ministers in their carnal weaknesses; but I will undo the destruction they have wrought and I will cause My priests and My Spouse the Church to recover a glorious holiness that will confound My enemies and be the beginning of a new era of saints, of martyrs, and of prophets." (IN SINU JESU page 149).

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

The Blessed Virgin Mary may be called the Unyielding Throne of Fidelity. 

​"Standing by the cross of Jesus was His mother... Her Immaculate Heart was pierced by the sword, yet her faith remained unshakeable, an invincible monument of holy fidelity."

— St. ANSELM. 

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​At Calvary, when most of the Apostles fled in terror, the Virgin Mary stood unshakeable beneath the Cross. 

Her Immaculate Heart endured an interior martyrdom, perfectly uniting her maternal suffering with the redemptive sacrifice of the Person of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of Simeon.

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​Visualize the solemn scene at Golgotha: the darkness, the mockery, and the agonizing death of the Son of God. 

In the midst of this complete collapse of human expectation, the Heart of Mary remained an absolute stronghold of faith, hope, and charity. 

She knew that Divine Providence was carrying out the supreme act of human redemption, even when all seemed lost to human eyes.

​When your faith is tested by difficult life events, personal loss, or spiritual isolation, look to your Heavenly Mother standing firmly beneath the Cross. 

Draw from her unyielding strength. Offer your present suffering in union with her Sorrowful Heart, trusting that God’s providential victory is already assured.

​ Prayer:

​Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, grant me invincible fidelity in every trial.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

ALL THINGS OBEY GOD'S POWERFUL PROVIDENCE.

ALL THINGS OBEY GOD'S POWERFUL PROVIDENCE.


"Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds.

After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.

"When it was evening he was there alone.

"Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.

"When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.

“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

"Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

"He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

"Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

"After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14: 22 - 53)


Sunday August 9th in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time.

Have you ever faced a deep paralyzing fear in your life? For example: Being fired from a job, facing an ugly divorce, or doctor's life and death verdict?

Have you ever lost a child for a couple of days as the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced?

Or faced imminent death in a deadly weather disaster?

All these are occasions for crippling fear.

In our key Scripture, we find the Apostles facing such a moment. Peter becomes the type for all of us in this drama.
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus."



So far so good. But things changed quickly.

"But when he [Peter] saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Why did Peter panic? He took his eyes off Jesus.

You too will panic in any crisis if you take your eyes off Jesus.

Fear entered Peter's mind through his eyes.  Fear, worry and doubt enter into us often through our physical senses. 

The first order of business in combating fear, worry and doubt is to control our senses. The best defense in this case is offense. Make a habit of feeding your mind with God's word. 

Learn to pray constantly. 

Close your eyes and block your ears to negative stimulus.

Saints like Teresa of Avila and Claude de la Colombière advice we prepare mentally for a scenerio of the worst possible emergency in our morning prayer and surrender any such occurrences to God during our morning Prayer.

As Christians, we are urged to be prepared always for good or bad things. Prepared to see weeds in a field sown with pure wheat.

The enemy of mankind who is also the Merchant of Fear and Death. He does not sleep. He is the mischief maker. He prowls everywhere seeking for the careless sheep to devour. Deny him every opportunity.

Fear is useless; what is needed is trust in Jesus our Good Shepherd. (Cf Luke 8:50).

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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 DOMINIC, OP. PRIEST AND FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS.

MEMORIAL OF ST DOMINIC, OP. PRIEST AND FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS.

"A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me.”

"Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured.

"Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”

"He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain,

‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17: 14 - 20).

August 8th is the Memorial of St Dominic, a Giant of  Christianity.

St. Dominic, whose feast the Church celebrates today, was born on August 8, 1170, in Spain and died on August 6, 1221.

As a priest and founder of the Order of Preachers—known as the Dominicans—he devoted his life to preaching the truth of the Gospel and defending the faith.

In a time marked by the spread of the Albigensian heresy in southern France, St. Dominic responded not with force, but with prayer, preaching, and intellectual rigor.

His mission gave rise to a religious order committed to the study of Sacred Scripture, theological clarity, and the salvation of souls.

According to long-standing tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary entrusted St. Dominic with the Holy Rosary, presenting it as a powerful spiritual means for combating heresy and deepening contemplation of Christ.

Through its mysteries, the Rosary presents the entire Gospel, inviting the faithful into a rhythmic meditation on the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord.

For over 800 years, the Dominican Order has served the Church with fidelity, promoting both doctrinal truth and devotion. Their enduring legacy reminds us that prayer and study, united in charity, remain essential weapons in the ongoing call to proclaim the Gospel.

In the Gospel of today (Matthew 17: 14 - 20), the Apostles asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon from the lunatic boy.

“Because of your little faith."

How much life will open up to us if we have faith.

Without faith, we cannot please God. Without faith, the treasures of the word of God are not accessible to us. If only we cry out to Jesus daily in outmost fervor and sincerity: "Lord Jesus increase our faith." The result will amaze us. Always remember the promise of Jesus on Prayer: "ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE."

To ask for your faith to be increased is a prayer most pleasing to Jesus.

Now you can hear in your inner heart Jesus say this to you:

"Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you.”

"The loss of faith that afflicts so many souls is incompatible with a life of adoration. Souls do not stop adoring because they have lost their faith; they lose their faith because they have stopped adoring Me. This is why I would have you hold fast even to the outward forms of adoration. When even these things are cast aside, there is nothing left to invite the soul to the inward adoration in spirit and in truth by which I am glorified. I speak here of the genuflection, the prostration, the profound bow and all the other marks of attention to My presence that provide the soul with a language in which she can express her faith and her desire to adore Me." (IN SINU JESU page 87).

Thank You Jesus for this wonderful truth! O that You will impress it so deeply in our souls.

The Church honors the Immaculate Heart of Mary in August.

Mary is the Untouched Garden of Absolute Purity.

​"Mary is an enclosed garden, a sealed fountain, wherein no enemy ever entered, and where the sweet spices of every virtue blossom in perpetual beauty."

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

​The Immaculate Conception preserved Mary from every inclination toward sin (concupiscence), creating an untainted interior garden reserved exclusively for the King of Kings.

Her Heart represents the ultimate restoration of human nature to its intended divine order before the Fall.

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​Reflect upon the interior order, beauty, and absolute purity of the Immaculate Heart.

Sin brings chaos, fragmentation, and fatigue to the human spirit; purity brings clarity, strength, and unshakeable peace.

​The purpose of living a life of moral purity is not mere rule-following, but the liberation of your soul so that it can love God without division.

Divine Providence calls you today to guard the gates of your senses—your eyes, your speech, and your thoughts.

Ask the Virgin Mary to sweep through the garden of your soul, removing the weeds of pride, vanity, and self-indulgence, and planting in their place the sweet flowers of humility and absolute devotion to God.

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Prayer:

​O Mary, conceived without sin, keep my heart pure and entirely consecrated to God.

“He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it and these souls will be loved by God, like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne....My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” (Words of Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia).

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate 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

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