Beware of persistent sin in the Church.

If your brother sins against you and is unrepentant, take him to the Church. 

"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).

Sunday 10th September 2023 in the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time.

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 that we see the 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. 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Peter Claver, SJ.

Feast of St Peter Claver, SJ. 

Sunday Rest is a Rehearsal for Eternal Rest. 

"While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. 

"Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

"Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” 

"Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” 

(Luke 6: 1 - 5).

Saturday 9th September 2023 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Peter Claver of the Society of Jesus.   (1580 - 1654). Spanish. Priest, Religious and Missionary. 

St Peter Claver served for over 40 years African slaves dumped at the South American seaport of Cartagena now Colombia. During 40 years, he fed the slaves, cared for the sick and dying. He preached the Good News to them and baptized over 300,000.

It would be humanly impossible for the slaves and Peter Claver to heed these words of Jesus and obey it: 

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Matthew 5: 43 - 48). 

But grace overcame nature and the slaves taught by St Peter Claver loved their persecutors as Jesus did from the Cross.

St Peter Claver is called the "Slave of slaves." God gave him great love and patience for the suffering slaves. Peter took many of them with him to heaven. 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Mother!

❤️🎂🌹

"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 

"Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1: 18 - 23).

Friday September 8th, 2023

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

The Universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Mary was chosen, called, prepared and enabled to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Cf Romans 8: 30). 

Mary said Yes immediately to the Archangel Gabriel.  She did not say:  "Let me ask my husband about this.  I will also like to talk to my mother."  It was this openness to grace that made Mary:  "Blessed among women."  (Cf Luke 1: 45).  And every generation continues to call her blessed. (Luke 1: 48)

According to Matthew the Evangelist, Jesus Christ descended directly from Abraham:

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob........... (Matthew 1: 1 - 2).

After the birth of Jesus, the line of genealogy comes abruptly to an end.

"Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,  Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah."  (Matthew 1: 15 - 16).

A new genealogy begins from Jesus Son of God and Son of Mary. This genealogy includes you and me as royal sons and daughters.

"Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God."  (Entrance Antiphon, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. But today September 8th, the Universal Church celebrates the Birthday of our most sweet and beautiful Mother. The Church hails Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of Mary. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Jesus calls Peter, James and John to be Fishers of Men.

The Call of Peter, James & John. 

"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 

"He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.

"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

"After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” 

"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their ­partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. 

"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.

" Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 

"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." (Luke 5: 1 - 11).

Thursday 7th September 2023 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time.

Our Scripture today is one of my favorites. "Duc in Altum" as St John Paul II liked to call it. "Put out into the Deep" is the call of Jesus to follow Him into Deeper Waters.

Are you ready to follow Jesus into the deeper waters in your vocation or ministry? 

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

 Peter obeyed the command which seemingly did not make sense to an experienced fisherman. 

When Mary heard similar words from the Angel Gabriel, she answered: "Be it done to me according to Your Plan." (Cf Luke 1: 38).

Do you remember Mary's counsel to the stewards in the Marriage Feast at Cana? "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2: 5). They did what Jesus told them and water was made into high quality wine.

Note that in today's Gospel,  Peter, James and John recognized that a miracle has occurred. "For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon." Recognition of God's intervention in our lives or in history is a sign of supernatural perspective. 

Our faith is expressed in obedience. Peter exercised obedience of faith and a big miracle took place. He fished all night and caught nothing. But at the words of Jesus, Peter was willing to try again. He took a second chance. Peter showed a disposition for obedience of faith. Is this why Jesus tapped him for leadership in the Church?

When God speaks His word to us through the Scriptures, locution, inspiration, prophetic individual or dream, if you do not respond with obedient action, what is wrong? Perhaps you think it is not worth the trouble trying a second time. Our God is the Father of Second Chances.

When Peter responded in faith, he received his calling.

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."

Some saints who responded to Jesus and put out in Deep Water:

Maximilian Kolbe, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother Angelica of EWTN, Father Albert Lauer of Presentation Ministries, Maria Faustina of the Divine Mercy and many others.

Jesus is calling everyone of us to intimate friendship with Him in the great adventure of Evangelization.

"Priests and religious who are tempted to follow a false philosophy of activism, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, or who waste their time on entertainments and distractions, will suffer God’s loving judgments. He will make bitter their false delights, destroy their enterprises, and weaken the efficacy of their work in order to wake them up to their calling of intimate friendship with Him as the source of happiness and the condition for all fruitfulness." (IN SINU JESU page 266).

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

Lord Jesus, I trust in Your healing mercies.

I trust in the healing mercy of God for ever and ever. 

"After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.

"She got up immediately and waited on them.

"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.

"And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

"At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them.

"But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4: 38 - 44).

Wednesday 6th September 2023 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time. 

Inspired by the Gospel of this Wednesday, 'cry out to Jesus with me:  "I trust in the healing mercy of God for ever and ever." 

Jesus heals everyone who appeals to His merciful love and approaches Him with faith and reverence. Let us say to Jesus: Lord, why should my own case be different? I need Your healing touch as much as the mother- in- law of Simon Peter. 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Fatima obtain for us the healing mercies of her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com

The Mercy and Power of Jesus are Absolute.

Jesus Christ has Absolute Power to Deliver us from Any Evil. 

"Jesus went down to Caper­naum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.

"In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 

"Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

"Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. 

"They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region." (Luke 4: 31 - 34).

Tuesday September 5th 2023 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time. 

In today's Gospel, Jesus came face to face with a demoniac. Sometime ago, I read a book called "THE SAINTS THAT BATTLED SATAN." Some of the saints in this study are: Anthony the Abbot, Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Benedict, John of Vianney, Martin de Poress, St Aloysius Gonzaga and others. These are the great Spiritual Warriors in the Catholic tradition.

I was depressed as I read stories after stories of endless struggles with the powers of darkness. The next day, I was filled with consolation as I realized that this is a necessary knowledge for every true disciple of Jesus. Whether you like it or not, you cannot escape your own spiritual combats. I prepare for it every day. 

"Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

"Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm."

The people were amazed that with a word of authority, Jesus expelled the devil from the man.

What is authority? Authority means power.  Listen to Jesus announce the promise of the Gift of the Father in Acts 1: 8. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes."

Only then can you bear witness to Me and do My work. The Holy Spirit power is critical to witnessing and evangelization. Witnessing and evangelization involves spiritual warfare.

The Holy Spirit is therefore the Spirit of power above every other attribute He has. 

The miracles of Jesus which are the works of Jesus like in the Gospel of today are works of authority or power. The words of Jesus in the Gospel are words of authority or power. The words or sayings of Jesus are authoritative. That means they produce at once what they say.

The miracle itself or works of wonders clarify the words of Jesus. In Jesus, words and actions form a mysterious unity.  "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10). Whatever Jesus says must happen!

We the Baptized do not have the spirit of fear. Many of us act in fear as if possessed by the spirit of fear. In Baptism, we receive the Spirit of power. This is the Spirit that marks the children of God the Father and not the spirit of cowardice, which is evil and impure spirit.

"Hence the apostle Paul rightly says: You have been granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake. He tells us why it is Christ’s gift that his chosen ones should suffer for him: The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us." (St Bede the Venerable).

How then do we activate the Holy Spirit in our lives? 

Faith acting through Prayer is the Activator of the Holy Spirit. Mary says: "I believe what you have told me. Now let it be done to me according to your promise." (Cf Luke 1: 37 - 38).

Following this declaration of Mary, Jesus became instantly incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in September. Below is what Jesus said to a mystic about His Mother. 

"Be faithful to her Rosary. It is the shield and sword of spiritual combat. It assures your victory over the powers of darkness. Why? Because it is a humble prayer, a prayer that binds the soul who prays it to the victory of My Mother over the ancient serpent." (IN SINU JESU page 59).

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com