The Feast of St Andrew Dung Lac and Companion Martyrs.

"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." (Neal A. Maxwell).

"Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.

"Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.

"Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

"People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

"And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Luke 21:20 - 28).

Thursday 24th November 2022 of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time is
the feast of St Andrew Dung-Lac and his companion martyrs.

St Andrew, a Vietnamese priest was martyred in 1839 along with 117 others, 96 of whom were Vietnamese. The rest were foreign missionaries. Has any other religion the same experience of martyrdom in modern history as the Christian faith?  Why do Christians accept martyrdom? Christians know that death is not the end of their life. We believe in the Resurrection. Jesus Christ has promised. His word is true.

Today is also Thanksgiving Day in America. Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends.

The first Reading from the Book of Revelations and the Gospel message from Luke today both from the universal lectionary are grim messages. They deal with the last days. They may seem unpalatable for Thanksgiving celebrations but they are tonic and nourishment for the soul. Why? Because the Bible warns by example and narrative that it is during celebrations that disaster strikes.

Which would you prefer? To be called to the wedding feast of the Lamb or sit down before a table piled high with roasted turkey, deserts and wine? The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the mother of all celebrations.

The message of the End Times whether from the Prophet Daniel, Jesus or John in the Book of Revelations is the easiest Scripture to understand. It is concise and straightforward:
ARE YOU READY TO GO?

How to be ready and fired up to go in a moment's notice:

#1 Pray all the time.
#2 Pray everywhere.
#3 Pray about everything.

To prayer add daily nourishment from the word of God. Do not be tired of doing good to your neighbor.

For a list of good works mandated by the Church, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/11/works-of-mercy.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com