The Vineyard of the Lord is the Church.

The Parable of the Landowner & the Vineyard. 

"Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 

"Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off.

"And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 

"Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’

"When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

"When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.

"And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

"He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 

"Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20: 1 - 16a).

Sunday 24th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our spiritual food today is the Parable of the Landowner and the Vineyard. Where is the meat in this Parable? First, it is easy to tell that the Landowner is God. The Vineyard is the Church. The Catechism teaches that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God in this world. (Cf CCC 541).

The Laborers in the Vineyard are you and me. 

The Parable teaches us that the Landowner is a just Employer. He is like a Father to all the laborers. If we know that our Employer is kind, fair and just, it will be well for us. Many employees adopt an adversarial posture with regard to their employers. Unfortunately too, many people fear God. God wants His children to love Him, not fear Him. Reverence is the right attitude towards God and not sevile fear. 

Those who know their God shall stand up and be recognized. (Cf Daniel 11: 32).

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways," (Isaiah 55: 8).

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. 

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

Feast of St Padre Pio, the Priest who Prays.

Feast of St Padre Pio, Capuchin Priest & Mystic. 

"When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

"Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture.

"Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

"And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a ­hundredfold.” 

"After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

"Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 

"He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable.

"The seed is the word of God." 

"Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. 

"Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.

"As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” (Luke 8: 4 - 15).

Saturday 23rd September 2023 of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Pio Pietrelchina better known as Padre Pio. (1887 - 1968). 

Italian Capuchin Priest. Stigmatist. A highly gifted confessor and counseling guru. Padre Pio died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002 by Pope St John Paul II in the lifetime of many people reading this.

Padre Pio entered the Capuchin Monastery at the age of 15. A mere boy, he had little in the way of this world's goods, education or spiritual riches. He soon showed immense appetite for genuine riches or spiritual treasures. And in accordance with the spiritual law laid down by Jesus, Padre Pio grew into a giant.

"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 18).

“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 22).

Padre Pio knew what it is to suffer. He suffered almost constantly from ill-health throughout his long life. He was maligned by some members of the Church hierarchy and even by his confreres.

In all these sufferings, Padre Pio never doubted for a moment his faith in Divine Providence. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary sustained him in the many crisis of his life. He describes himself as "a priest who prays." St Padre Pio is one of the most popular saints in the Roman calendar.

"PRAYER IS THE BEST WEAPON WE HAVE; IT IS THE KEY TO GOD'S HEART." (ST PADRE PIO). 

Pray for the grace of Perseverance especially in Prayer. 

In the Parable of the Sower, we note that although the Sower is an experienced Farmer, he did not eliminate from sowing on all the adverse soils and go straight to the good soil. God's merciful love touches every creature. 

"My way is one of gentleness, of mercy, and of compassion. I offer My Cross to souls, but I never impose it, and when a soul begins to say “Yes” to the sweet and terrible exigencies of My love, I fit My Cross to her shoulders, and then help her to carry it step by step, increasing its weight only as that soul grows in love and in the fortitude that comes from the Holy Spirit." (IN SINU JESU, September 23, 2011, Feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina).

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 Women who provided for Jesus and the Twelve.

The Women who provided for Jesus. 

"Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.

"Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources." (Luke 8: 1 - 3).

Friday September 22nd 2023 in the 24th Week of Ordinary Time.

In the Gospel of today, we see that women who benefited from the ministry of Jesus provided for His needs and those of His disciples. They provided for them "out of their means." The widow of Zarephath provided for Elijah out of her meagre resources. God blessed this source and it never dried up till rain was restored.

This incidence is typical of God's arrangement for providing the future disciples of Christ. In the Old Testament, we see many instances of God providing for His servants through people. This principle was established with the levitical priesthood. Elisha, the prophet was likewise provided for by a couple in the course of his work. In the New Testament, we find abundant examples from the works of the Twelve and St Paul.

What are the lessons for us? God makes adequate provisions for the needs of those who preach the gospel. God prefers a situation of weakness and dependence for His servants so that His wisdom and power can triumph through their work. God infact wants His collaborators in the work of salvation to imitate the simplicity of Jesus Christ. He appoints people to supply the needs of His workers.

How do the disciples of Christ today appropriate God's blessings and provisions for their ministry? First, they must be aware of these provisions in the Bible. They must understand what God's word or promise is saying to their particular situation. Disciples of Jesus must believe his word and act on this word.  Prayer, trust and obedience activate the power of the word.

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

Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.

Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. 

"As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

"While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

"The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

"He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 9 - 13).

Thursday September 21st 2023, 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.

Jesus encountered Matthew in his Tax Office. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him."

Why did Matthew respond to the Call of Jesus at once? 

Matthew earned his leaving in an occupation where daily sin is irresistible. He was aware that the people despised him. 

Matthew's heart had yearned for a change of job and a change of life for a long time. St Augustine teaches that every true desire is a prayer crying out to God. God Himself plants every good desire in our hearts. 

Jesus said to Matthew, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him."

This Call and Response was not an accident. It was pure Divine Providence. 

A man named Matthew was called by Jesus to follow Him. The man left everything: job, money, house and property and friends and followed the stranger named Jesus. Matthew was not a saint when Jesus called him. But Jesus did not come to call saints.  Paul describes his own calling thus:

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 

(1 Timothy 1: 12 - 14).

Matthew could have written the above words.

Jesus delights in sinners because sinners give Him the opportunity to show off His mercy. Why did Jesus institute the Most Holy Eucharist? Jesus delights in mercy. Why did our Lord and Redeemer Institute the Sacrament of Reconciliation? To embrace sinners in His merciful love. Why did Jesus institute the 

Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion, the Divine Mercy Devotion? Jesus delights in mercy.

Mercy may well be the last covenant with mankind.

Matthew accepted the call of Jesus with generosity and then lived in a manner worthy of the call he received.  He used his old skill as a tax recorder to become an evangelist and penned the Gospel that bears his name.

The call of Matthew is a story of mercy. The unfathomable mercy of God.  “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

(Matthew 9: 12 - 13).

Have you received any mercies from Jesus lately? Do you know the ABC of Mercy?

+ A. Ask for mercy.

+ B. Be merciful.

+ C. Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

"Make it your first care to find the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33). The kingdom of God is present in all its fullness, though in a hidden manner, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. He who seeks out My Eucharistic presence is seeking the kingdom of God. He who approaches Me in the Sacrament of My love will find the kingdom and therein all that he desires according to My Spirit. Come first to Me in the Sacrament of My love. Let this become the supernatural instinct of your soul: always to come to Me, always to seek My Eucharistic Face."  (IN SINU JESU, Monday, August 25, 2008).

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

Feast of the Korean Martyrs: Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Hassan Chong and Companion Martyrs.

Feast of Sts Andrew Kim Taegon & Paul Chong and Companion Martyrs. 

"Beloved: I am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon.

"But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

"Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,

"Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3: 14 - 16).

Wednesday 20th September 2023 of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr and Paul Chong Hasang, catechist and 130 Korean martyrs. They all gave their lives for Christ between 1839 and 1867. Among the martyrs were priests and laity and a full representative of the Church in Korea from all backgrounds.

We celebrate today the witness of the martyrs of Korea to the truth that the message of Jesus: of mercy, peace and promise of eternal life can resound in every heart in the world. A Korean traveler in China heard the Good News in that country. He returned home to Korea with tracts of the Catechism. He brought the light of the faith to Korea.

Our key Scripture for today makes a huge claim for the body we call the Church. We know the Church as the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the People of God, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ. 

Do you know the Church as the Pillar and Foundation of truth? The Church in fact claims authority to know and teach the truth. Only the Catholic Church claims this authority. Below is how the Church stakes its claim:

"The Church, the "pillar and bulwark of the truth," "has received this solemn command of Christ from the apostles to announce the saving truth." "To the Church belongs the right always and everywhere to announce moral principles, including those pertaining to the social order, and to make judgments on any human affairs to the extent that they are required by the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls." (CCC 2032).

Why would God give such sweeping authority to the Church made up of sinful men like the Apostle Peter or Pope Francis? To understand the mind of Christ, let us see the authority that God gave to sin-prone human beings at the first creation:

"God blessed them [humans] and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth." (Genesis 1: 28).

In the first creation, God gave humans dominion over the earth. Men went ahead and built the Tower of Babel, went to the moon and experimented with eugenics. Today, man's stewardship of the earth is highly compromised.

All things are created twice. The Church is the Baby of the second creation. Here is the charge from Jesus:

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18 - 20).

The Church therefore has the authority to teach all nations what Jesus Christ taught the Apostles.

Could the Church have lasted for decades without this authority?

"Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed." (1 Timothy 3: 14).

"How great are the works of the Lord." (Responsorial Psalm 111 Refrain).

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

Feast of St Januarius, Bishop and Martyr.

Feast of St Januarius, Bishop and Martyr. 

"Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.

"As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. 

"A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 

"He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

"Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.”

"This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region." (Luke 7: 11 - 17).

Tuesday September 19th 2023 in the 24th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Januarius, Bishop and Martyr. 

St Januarius was martyred about  305. Italian. Bishop and Martyr. He was martyred under Emperor Diocletian. His dried blood liquifies miraculously several times a year. Even science and agnostics are confounded by this. Jesus our Savior still presents believers more than sufficient proofs like the liquification of the the blood of Januarius to strengthen their faith.

We see the great compassion of Jesus in our Gospel of today. His heart went out to the widow whose only son and hope for support had died. “Do not weep.” Jesus stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”

"The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother."

Jesus said to Martha, the sister of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead:  If you believe, you will see great signs.

One of the greatest of Signs is the Holy Eucharist. Raising Lazarus from the dead after four days in the grave is a great sign. No sign is greater than the Sign of the Eucharist: the presence of the Risen Jesus as food for us. And the presence of the Risen Jesus in the Tabernacles for our adoration. These are the greatest Signs. 

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