I AM the Bread for the Journey. The Bread of life.

"I am the bread of life.  Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;  this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”  (John 6: 48 - 51).

Sunday 8th August 2021, in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time.

We continue with the beautiful Bread of life Discourse. Can anyone doubt the importance of this subject to Jesus? "I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly." This abundant life comes through the Bread of life. Think for a moment of the opposite of the Bread of life. Bread of death. The Israelites ate manna in the desert. They all died without hope of Resurrection. When you feed on the Bread of life, your body (outer shelf) may die but your soul continues to live forever.

In the first Reading from 1 Kings 19: 4 - 8, the angel instructed Elijah:  “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!” He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb." The bread Elijah ate foreshadows the Eucharist, the Bread of life. Jesus reveals this in the Gospel of today. The Bread of life is the food for the Journey of life. The Christian life is a Journey of faith. We journey for 40, 60, 80, 90 years towards our heavenly Homeland. Without the sustaining power of the Bread of life, we will be very weak on the way and may not finish the Journey.

This is why O Christian, we must feed on the Bread of life frequently. Do not be satisfied with feeding on this Bread for immortality only on Sundays. What would happen if you eat only once a week? Feed on this Bread more often and appreciate the Abundant life that Jesus Christ has promised us.

"The Eucharist is heaven on earth; the Eucharist is My Church on earth already assumed into heaven. Heaven is wheresoever the words of consecration have been pronounced over the bread and wine in the holy oblation, for there I am present, even as I am present in the glory of My Ascension, adored by the angels, praised by all the saints, held in the divine gaze of My Father, and burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Believe this and you will find heaven on earth, while waiting and hoping to see My Face in glory." (IN SINU JESU page 250).

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The Feast of St Sixtus II and his companion martyrs.

"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.... 17).

Saturday 7th August 2021, in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Pope St Sixtus II,
Pope and Martyr. (+ 258). Greek. Sixtus with four of his deacons were apprehended at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian.

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 to 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.

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus today, First Friday in August 2021.

August 06, 2021 First Friday in August.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 8th month of the year, we look at Promise #8.

#8.  "Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection."

Who are the fervent souls?
Fervent souls are people who hear the word of God and take it to heart. They allow the word to influence their thoughts, words and actions. They place the Kingdom of God and holiness of life above every other thing. Even while living on earth, they experience the peace, joy and contentment of the Blessed. Because they trust and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, they grow from strength to strength.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, August 6th 2021.
For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1

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The Great Feast of the Transfiguration.

"Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is  my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mark 9: 7).

Friday 6th August 2021, 18th Week in Ordinary is the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Today is also the First Friday in August 2021. Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus today. 🏠 www.Seekfirstcommunity.com 

What is the Transfiguration?
In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus. The voice of the Father was heard testifying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Why is the Transfiguration such an important event?
#1 To have 3 eyewitnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.
#2 To confirm the testimony of Moses and Elijah. [the Law and the Prophet].
#3. To show clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.
#4 To reveal the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.
#5 To note the command of the Father to listen to Jesus as the Father's anointed Messenger.

These three witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John were to become witnesses to the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. They bore witness to these eye witness events with their lives. Our faith as Christians is built on solid foundation and not on "cleverly deviced myths." (2 Peter 1: 16 - 19)

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a foretaste of Christ's second coming when the Elect will be transformed and become like Jesus as He appeared in the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration prepares us for the great mystery of our own Resurrection.

Because of the Transfiguration, we see Christ as our hope. We also understand that the victory over death and sin will come via the Cross.  The Cross is the Means of Salvation, Redemption, Glorification and Eternal life. This is the gracious and mysterious will of the Father.

"When a soul is abandoned to Me in obedience and in trust, I am free to carry out in her and around her all that I desire to do to satisfy the yearnings of My Heart and for the glory of My Father. Be that soul, abandoned to Me in obedience and in trust, and you will not be disappointed in your hope." (IN SINU JESU page 46).

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The Feast of the Dedication of St Mary Major.

"Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16: 13... 23).

Thursday 5th August 2021, 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major. This Basilica was dedicated after the definition of the Dogma of Mary as the Mother of God in the Council of Ephesus in 431.  It was the oldest Marian Church in Rome and was consecrated by Pope Sixtus III about 435. The great Church was later renamed as St Mary Major. Pope St John Paul II wrote that it is an objective truth that the Mother of God is the Mother of the Church. Ephesus hailed Mary as Theotokus, Mother of God. Vatican II acclaimed Mary as the Mother of the Church.

Our Gospel of today is key to understanding  Ecclesia, Assembly, Church (all meaning the same thing) that Jesus Christ has set up.

Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered for the 12:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Was Jesus astonished by Peter's answer? Astonished or not, Jesus said to Peter in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  (Matthew 16: 13 - 23).

Jesus builds His Church on rock of Peter's Confession. A Church that is defined as:
+ The People of God.
+ The Body of Christ.
+ The Temple of the Holy Spirit.

A Church which manifests these characteristics:
#1. Pillar and Foundation of truth.
#2. Always under attack by the Enemy.
#2a. Victorious and Invincible.
#3. Missionary and Catholic.
#4. Infallibility in doctrine by Peter and his successors.
#5. Hierarchy and sacred priesthood.
#6. The Church of the Eucharist.

Do you love the Church?  Saint Augustine writes, “We, therefore, receive the Holy Spirit if we love the Church, if we are joined together by charity, if we make the Catholic name and faith our joy. Believe it, brethren, to the extent that one loves the Church, to that extent he has the Holy Spirit within him”.

"Yes, here I was speaking of the Eucharist, the gift of My abiding presence to My Bride, the Church, and this until the end of time. Not one soul who belongs to Me is left friendless in this world so long as the Church continues to do what I commanded on the night before I suffered, in memory of Me. The Most Holy Eucharist is not only My Sacrifice offered to the Father, although in a bloodless manner; it is not only the sustenance of souls, nourishing them with My very Body and Blood; it is also the Sacrament of My divine friendship, the pledge of My burning desire to remain close to all who seek Me, to all who need Me, to all who would spend time in My company." IN SINU JESU page 54)

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Feast of St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests.

"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.” (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Wednesday 4th August 2021, is the feast day of the patron saint of parish priests, the Curé of Ars, St John Vianney (1786 - 1859). French. What do you want from your parish priest?
#1 Celebrate Mass with reverence and devotion.
#2 Always be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be the face of the loving mercy of Jesus Christ.
#3 Assist the poor as best as they can.

St John of Vianney set an excellent example as a parish priest. The Church noticed and made him the Patron Saint of Parish Priests.
St John Vianney said à propos the role of the priests in the mystery of salvation:
"Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail.... What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door?” John opened the door to the merciful love of Jesus to sinners through the Sacrament of Reconciliation where he spent hours upon hours every day.

Our Gospel of today is a master piece in teaching us the necessity of perseverance for our prayers to be answered. One of the authorities on this is St Claude de la Colombière, SJ. He teaches that one of the reasons we receive no response to our prayers is because we do not persevere. Notice the scene between the Canaanite woman and Jesus.

"But he [Jesus] did not say a word in answer to her. His 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.”

The woman heard this discouraging words from the Prophet but was not discouraged. She came and knelt before Jesus and said:
“Lord, help me.”
Jesus replied: “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 her daughter was healed from that hour."

St Claude de la Colombière said that God likes a haggler like Abraham. God admires a tough person who knows what she wants and is prepared to fight for it. The Canaanite woman teaches us a lesson on effective prayer. God promises to answer everyone who asks. He is not a man to lie. I do not know a single spiritual writer on Prayer in the Catholic tradition who teaches anything different.

"I ask them for a prayer that is sincere and persevering, for a prayer that will become in their hearts a ceaseless murmur rising to the Father as a spiritual offering." (IN SINU JESU page 240).

St John of Vianney is a trustworthy servant. Let us pray constantly to the Lord to send numerous Priests like St. John Vianney to the harvest.

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It's not a ghost. It is I Jesus. Do not be afraid.

 "During the fourth watch of the night, he [Jesus] 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.”

Tuesday 3rd August 2021, in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time.

Have you ever faced a deep paralyzing fear in your life? For example: Being fired from a job, divorce, doctor's verdict, lost child, etc. I have faced such moments and by the grace of God, I am who I am today because of the gifts of such encounters with crippling fears.

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.”  He 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. What should you do? Close your eyes so that you don't see the furious waves. Then continue to affirm: "Jesus-Emmanuel I trust in Your merciful love. I remain steadfast in Your love. I cling tightly to Your love, come what may. Have mercy on me."

You will experience the instant mercy of Jesus.
"Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, [Peter] and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Fear is useless. All you need is trust.

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The Feast of St Peter Julian Eymard of the Blessed Sacrament Priests.

"[Jesus] said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.”  But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”  Then he said, “Bring them here to me.” (Matthew 14: 16 - 18).

Monday 2nd August 2021, in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Eusebius (+ 371). Bishop. Bishop Eusebius fought the Arian heresy tooth and nail. The Arians who denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ tortured and exiled him.

We celebrate too the life of St Peter Julian Eymard (1811 - 1868). French. After his ordination, Peter joined the Marist Congregation in 1840. He then had an intense experience of the merciful love of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament. This experience changed the course of his life and gave him a new mission. He fostered Eucharistic Adoration throughout the rest of his life and founded the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament who are priest adorers of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

In our Gospel of today, Jesus fed "five thousand men, not counting women and children."
This miracle is a foreshadow of the Eucharist.
"They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full."
This action foreshadows the Mass where what remains from distributing the Eucharist is preserved in the Tabernacle and worshiped as the Blessed Sacrament.

Á propos the Blessed Sacrament, St Peter Julian Eymard writes:
" We must quickly get to work to save souls by the divine Eucharist, to awaken [a world] numbed in dormant apathy because they don’t know the gift of God, Jesus, the Eucharistic Emmanuel. This is the torch of love which we must carry to tepid souls who haven’t made Jesus in the holy tabernacle their center and their life. Any devotion which doesn’t set up one tent on Calvary and one near the Tabernacle is not a solid piety and will never do anything great."

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