The Feast of Saints Clement I, Pope and Martyr, St Columba - Abbot and St Miguel Pro, Priest and Martyr.

Feast of Sts Clement, Pope & Martyr, Columban, Abbot & Missionary & Miguel Pro, Priest and Martyr. 

"As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, 

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

"For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19: 41 - 44).

Thursday 23rd November 2023, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

The Church affirms and honors three saints today:

St Clement 1 (+ 99) Pope and Martyr. Italian. Clement was the third Pope after St Peter and is famous in history for his letter to the Corinthian Church where he asserted the universal jurisdiction of the Pope. Clement was martyred under Emperor Trajan. 

St Columban (545 - 615). Abbot. Irish. Columban evangelized France and Italy and founded monasteries in both countries. 

St Miguel Augustin Pro (1891 - 1927). Mexican. Priest of the Society of Jesus and Martyr during the fierce Mexican persecution of the Church in the 1920s. Because of the demonic opposition to the Church in Mexico, Miguel traveled to Europe to do his theological studies. After his ordination to the priesthood, he returned to Mexico and ministered to the people in secret, escaping arrests by hiding and disguises. He was eventually captured and executed by firing squad.  Miguel Pro spread his hands in form of a cross and shouted Cristo Rey (Christ the King) as the executioners rained bullets into his body.

Our Gospel of today strikes too close to home for comfort.

The prophecy of Jesus in this Gospel was literally fulfilled in AD 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed by Emperor Titus.

This Gospel will be heard today by Catholics in America, Brazil, Europe, Africa, Australia, Israel, Palestine and Gaza and everywhere in the world where the Eucharist is celebrated today. 

"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy].” (Revelations 19: 10 AMP).

The life and words of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. We see with our own eyes on televisions this prophecy executed today. 

The month of November is traditionally dedicated in the Catholic Church to honoring the dead and relieving the sufferings of the souls in purgatory.

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com