The power in the seed.

"Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." (Mark 4: 26 - 28).

Sunday 13 th June 2021, 11th Week in Ordinary Time.

In the Sunday Gospel for today, Jesus gives us two parables of the Kingdom of God. We hear the phrase often: the kingdom of God, viz: The kingdom of God is within you, seek first the kingdom of God, the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed or a dragnet. The kingdom of God is right here and now.

What is the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is the reign of God, the authority of God over all creation. Where there is reign and authority, there are subjects. Although God has supreme sovereignty over visible and invisible creation, the kingdom of God in its proper and absolute sense concerns the human race. Why? God created the human race in His own image and likeness and gave them authority over the physical world.

Jesus came to overthrow the kingdom of Satan in our hearts and minds. At the inauguration of the Kingdom work, Jesus says: "Repent the kingdom of God is here."

The Church is the seed of the kingdom of God in the world. How does the Church grow? It starts off like a tiny mustard seed and continues to grow by the power of God until it covers the whole world.
The process of growth is the subject of our key Scripture for today. The seed once planted by the Sower, grows mysteriously by the power of God. The power of God is inside the seed to cause the growth.

All we need is faith in the power in the seed and faith in the divine plan. Faith comes through hearing and understanding the word of God.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

"When his parents saw him [Jesus], they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”  And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2: 48 - 49).

Saturday 12th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time is the Saturday after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Church honors the Immaculate Heart of Mary today.

Why this feast? The Church in her wisdom and discernment instituted this feast to encourage us to have great confidence in approaching the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary for all our spiritual and material needs. By placing the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary side by side, we know by filial instinct that both Hearts are not in competition. It is the will of God that She who is filled with grace and who the Lord God is with in a preeminent manner will play a significant role in salvation history. We do well to approach her constantly to be free from the chain and deceits of Satan.

For the naive and ignorant who imagine that to honor Mary is to depreciate the honor of Jesus, please consider this: Can you fail to honor the ambassador representing the President because of the foolish thought that honoring the ambassador might diminish the President. If you do this, be ready to taste the wrath of the President.

Mary, the holy handmaid of the Lord does not seek honor for herself.
The Holy Spirit prophesied that all generations will call her blessed.
During her 60 years or so on earth, her life was hidden in Christ Jesus. But now that she is assumed into heaven, all generations call her Blessed every day. How? Billions of Hail Marys every day. Universities, Cathedrals, Institutes are named after her. Her patronages are countless.

To learn about the 15 Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-15-promises-of-mary-to-those-who.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"One of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and at once there came forth blood and water." (John 19: 34).

Friday 11th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus requested St Margaret Mary Alacoque to have a solemn feast instituted the Friday after Corpus Christi to honor His Sacred Heart. Jesus providentially placed St Claude de la Colombiere of the Society of Jesus to be Margaret's confessor and spiritual director to help her with this assignment.

Why the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? The heart of Jesus was pierced on the cross for love of us. Men's hearts have grown very cold towards Jesus. Jesus chose to dwell in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar round the clock all year round for the sake of His love for us. He waits for visitors but no one comes. Most churches are locked up during the day like a security prison.

The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is instituted to counter this irrational apathy and chill towards Jesus. Jesus is the King of mercy who delights in mercy. He yearns to pour out His mercy on sick souls.

Speaking to a Benedictine mystic, Jesus says:
"Nothing so grieves My divine Heart as the doubt of My merciful love. Sin in all its forms and manifestations offends Me and grieves My most loving Heart, but one who doubts of My merciful love grieves Me in a way that you cannot imagine. It is because I am love, and all love; it is because My mercy is the expression of My love towards sinners, that My Heart suffers when these same sinners close themselves to Me by doubting that I am all love and ready to forgive all." (IN SINU JESU).

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart, Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Litany of the Sacred Heart, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2021/06/consecrate-yourself-to-sacred-heart-of.html?m=1

This excellent book could help you: "Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus" by John Croiset, SJ. Available at Amazon.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Morning Offering Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I offer you through the Immaculate Heart of Mary all my prayers and desires, all my sufferings, delays, disappointments and obstacles; all my time, talent and treasure, all my fears, worries and doubts as well as all my weaknesses.  I offer all these on all the altars in the world where the Eucharist is celebrated today and on every Altar where Your Eucharistic Face is present.  I offer them for the remission of my sins, for my family and [Mention the specific intention] and for the Holy Father Pope Francis.  Amen. 

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.

I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen

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The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary 

1.  I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

🙏🙏🙏

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, obedient to death,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,

have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.

R. Make our hearts like to Thine.

Let us pray:

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reignes with Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

June 11, 2021.

Testimony of St Claude de la Colombiere 

How to Become Good Trees

All spiritual writers agree that the best sign you can have of solid devotion is amendment of life and perseverance in good. I began to amend my life by frequenting Holy Communion after having tried every other way and failed. When I went rarely to Holy Communion I had no end of bad habits and imperfections which appeared to me insurmountable. I uprooted these by multiplying my Communions. Every time I omitted frequent Communion I felt my weakness more. When I received Communion again I felt fervor rekindle in my heart….

No fervent soul has ever relaxed who did not first leave off receiving the Holy Eucharist. If I found that when going frequently to Communion I became no better, was still just as weak, just as prone to evil, just as indifferent about sin, I should conclude not that I ought to leave off going, but that I ought to receive our Lord with better dispositions. I should see if my confessions were wanting in sincerity, contrition, or purpose of amendment. If you are sinful, repent so that you can receive Communion often. If you are imperfect, go often to Communion that you may amend your faults.

My daily Mass and Communion is my only hope and resource. Jesus Christ…will counsel me and give me new strength; he will instruct, console, and encourage me and give me all the graces for which I pray.

Saint Claude La Colombière

Saint Claude La Colombière († 1682) was a French Jesuit priest and the spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. / From The Spiritual Direction of Saint Claude de la Colombière, Mother M. Philip. 

We cannot be discouraged in our ministry because of the One who called and anointed us.

"Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged." (2 Corinthians 4: 1).

Thursday 10th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time.

Are you involved in any type of Christian ministry?  Are you a catechist, evangelist?
Where are you called to exercise your gifts in your parish?

Liturgy/Worship.
Altar Care / Altar Server, Art & Environment.
Children Liturgy/Word, Eucharistic Minister.
Lector, Sacristan, etc Music Ministry, Choir.
Faith Formation:
RCIA, Youth Ministry.
Ministry of Care
Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Homebound.
Social Justice Ministry
AIDS Ministry, English as a Second Language, etc.

Our key Scripture for today has a special encouragement for you:
"Therefore, since we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion." (AMPC).

God called you to this ministry and by His grace and mercy, you are what you are. (Cf 1 Corinthians 15: 10). Therefore:  No fear. No worry. No doubt.  Consider also:
"I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry." (1 Timothy 1: 12).

Where there is a divine appointment, there is a divine provision. The greater the discouragement, the more still the encouragement. Christ Jesus who called and anointed you for the ministry you have can never fail.

Therefore be strong and fearless. Do not be afraid nor be discouraged.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Feast of St Ephrem the Syrian, Deacon and Doctor of the Church.

"Brothers and sisters: Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3: 4 - 6).

Wednesday 9th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Ephrem the Syrian (306 - 373) Deacon and Doctor of the Church. There is so much to write about the accomplishments of Ephrem the Syrian.  Here is a few:
Ephrem had a keen intellect. His pen was like a sharp sword. Part of his genius is that he used poems and hymns to combat the heresies of his time. He expounded the mysteries of Christ and the Glorious Virgin Mary through hymns and poems. Ephrem had a great devotion to Mary and left us beautiful works on Mary.

Lessons of our key Scripture for today:
#1. The Apostle Paul is sharing with the Corinthian Church what he has learned from being a minister of the Gospel.

#2.  Paul learned to trust and rely on the merciful love of Jesus who called and him anointed for ministry.
#3. Paul never relied in his feeble efforts.
#4. He has no credentials to present except lives that Christ Jesus transformed through his ministry.
#5. Paul trusts in the powerful and merciful Providence of God working in him through the Holy Spirit.

St Ephrem the Deacon will say Amen to St Paul's testimony and every genuine minister of Jesus Christ who espouses the covenant of grace will say Amen.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Let your light shine and shine.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.  Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5: 14 - 16).

Tuesday 8th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls Himself the Light of the world. How did Jesus transmit this light to the world? Primarily through His teaching. The public ministry of Jesus covers a number of activities, viz: healing people, casting out demons, feeding people, etc. It is through teaching that Jesus is primarily known by all and sundry. The common people, the doctors of the law, the Pharisees all know Jesus as Rabbi, Teacher.

The Mission of Jesus Christ is to bring light to a world covered in darkness. (Isaiah 49: 6). The Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) is to be mediated to the world through teaching of new ideas.
Christians are commissioned by virtue of their Baptism to be the Light of the world like Jesus. How is this done in practice?

Baptism incorporates the Christian fully into the Body of Christ. When the Church gather in worship, it catechizes the Christian through the act of worship, reading and breaking open the word of God, homilies and songs. At the end of the Service, the Christian is sent forth into his community and the world to go and be the light of the world. He indicates his understanding and acceptance of the commissioning by answering "Thanks be to God."

Christians, God called us to be the light of the world so that His salvation will reach the ends of the earth. Do not therefore hide your lamp under the bed. Place it on the Internet, emails, text messages, conversations, etc.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com

It is not from Chance our comfort, joy, good fortune, etc springs but from God's merciful Providence.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." (2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 4).

Monday 7th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time.

My brethren, how do you grow in the constant and infallible truth that God's love for us is a merciful love which is always there and can never fail? The answer is in our key Scripture for today. This light did not come to me at once. First, I got this light from the Liturgy of the Hours:

‘Tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our trust, O King of kings."  (Lauds - Liturgy of the Hours).

I reflected and contemplated on the above scripturette hundreds of times until I received illumination on it. Are you ready for the light I got? The revelation I got means that not EVEN THE LEAST THING that brings us joy, peace, comfort, consolation, encouragement, love, etc COMES FROM CHANCE. They ALL come from the GRACIOUS ORDAINING OF GOD. The Bible does not contain the concept of CHANCE or LUCK.

Our God is a God of Providence. He governs His world with the principle of Divine Providence.

When you order your life with the word of God, your thought, word and action will be guided by the Holy Spirit of truth. You will have the light of life and see things as they are. REALITY. Consider this example:
Many people play a game of chance, lottery to win money and become rich. What if they know this truth?

"The child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen, dread no foe;
We leave our fate with thee, and wait Thy bidding when to go.
‘Tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our trust, O King of kings."  (Lauds - Liturgy of the Hours).

The above exposition of 2 Corinthians 1: 3 shines the light on the truth that the comforts we enjoy in life comes directly from the Father of mercies and God of all comforts and not from Chance. Playing lottery, a game of chance or luck denies this truth. The player risks falling into the trap of the enemy, the father of lies.

The Church shines the light of Christ in the world. The Church is protected from error through the infallible ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Now is the favourable time: this is the day of salvation.
Give us the light of truth O Jesus.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com