Do not be anxious for anything.

Sunday 27th Week in Ordinary Time. 

"Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

"Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, what­ever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

"Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4: 6 - 9).

Sunday 8th October, 27th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Brethren, our Scripture of today from (Philippians 4: 6 - 9), urges us to banish anxiety from our lives. Anxiety kills faith. Without faith, you can not enjoy the promises of God in the Bible for His children. 

Why is there so few  physical healing experienced in our parishes? 

I have been burdened by this embarrassing question in the past few weeks. Why? In this period, there has been numerous incidents of healing and authority to heal in the Gospels. Let us look at a few examples during these past couple of weeks. 

1. Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion." (Cf Psalm 103). 

2. Ask Raphael to heal the blindness and guide you (Tb 11:7, 12; 12:15).

3. Jairius: Jarius, the civil servant heard about the miracles of Jesus and hastened to meet Jesus. Jesus healed his child. (Mark 5: 21 - 43, Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Luke 8: 40 - 56).

#6. "The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant." (Luke 7: 3 NIV).

4. "Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 

Brethren, it appears that healing the sick is at the core of the work of Evangelization and the manifestation of the Kingdom of God among us. 

Why is it not happening as much today? Why does it seem like people are content to go to their graves with their illnesses? Is this truly the WILL OF GOD? 

People may not be healed because they have no faith.

People have not received healing because they have not asked God to heal them.

People may not have been healed because they asked God for healing and believed that they must be healed at once. 

In the Gospels, healing appears to happen at once but in the Gospel Times, the experience of the Church is that healing happens according to the will and timetable of God. It can happen at once or it can be delayed. 

In October , the Church honors the Holy Rosary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary 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 Most Holy Rosary.

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. 

"The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

"Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 

"Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

"At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

"Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

"Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10: 17 - 24).

Saturday 7th October 2023 of 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Today is also First Saturday in October. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as Lady under many titles: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, etc.

Our Lady of the Rosary celebrates Mary as a powerful intercessor using the instrument of the Rosary Prayer.

There are two types of Catholics:

1. Those who will persevere to the End of life. 

2. Those who will not persevere to the End of life. 

Those who will preserve are those who honor the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Holy Rosary. 

Those who probably will not persevere are those who do not pray the Rosary. 

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is very important in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of Saints Rose Marie Durocher & St Bruno the Carthusian.

Saints Marie Rose Durocher, Religious & Foundress & Bruno  Founder of the Carthusians. 

"Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

"But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 13 - 16).

Friday 6th October 2023 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Bruno (1030 - 1101). Priest. German. Founder of the Carthusian Order.

Today is also the feast of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher. (1811 - 1849) Virgin. Canadian. Founder of the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary. Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher helped establish the first Canadian parish solidarity for young women. She had a very busy life. 

Jesus said to Peter:

"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." (Matthew 16: 18).

He said to all the Apostles in today's Gospel:

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).

Based on the above word of God that can never fail, I declare confidently:

I believe in Prayer. 

I believe in the word of God.

I believe in the Sacraments of the Church.

I believe in all the Sacramentals of the Church.

I believe in Miracles.

I leave the rest to God.

If I live, I live. If I perish, I perish. I leave the rest to God.

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is very important in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

First Friday in October 2023.

October 6, 2023 - First Friday in October. 

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through St Margaret Mary Alacoque:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

In the 10th month of the year 2023, we look at Promise #10. 

#10.  "I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts." 

Do not think: "I am not excited by this promise.  I am not a priest."  We are all priests by virtue of our Baptism.

We are priest, prince and prophet.

Jesus Christ chose and ordained a tiny percentage of men to celebrate the Sacraments. 

The first mission of the Church is evangelization.  As a Catholic Christian, you are an evangelist.

Moreover, the first 3 Spiritual Works of Mercy teach us:

#1. Instruct the ignorant. 

#2. Counsel the doubtful. 

#3. Admonish sinners. 

Jesus promises to give you power to touch the most hardened of sinners.  

Sinners are everywhere. They are in the family. They are friends and neighbors.  Will you refuse the gift promised by the Sacred Heart of Jesus to equip you to help sinners? Moreover, you can apply the grace of this promise to any priest of your choice.  

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart devotional prayers and prayer intentions click the link below:

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

The Feast of St Maria Faustina Kowalski, Apostle of Divine Mercy.

Feast of St Maria Faustina, Virgin and Apostle of Divine Mercy. 

"Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.

"He said to them, “The harvest is ­abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.

"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

"Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a ­peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 

"Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment.

"Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’

"Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ 

"Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.” (Luke 10: 1 - 12).

Thursday 5th October 2023 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Apostle of Mercy, St Maria Faustina Kowalski (1905 - 1938). Polish. Nun of the Blessed Sacrament.

Jesus Christ our Merciful Savior communicated with St Maria Faustina His desire to have the Divine Mercy Devotion established. Maria was not well educated but she worked very hard to accomplish this divine purpose. Before she died in 1938, she left the world a book which has since become a classic: "Diary of St Maria Faustina Kowalski." This book recounts the conversations of the mystic, Maria Faustina had with Jesus. This book is instrumental in the establishment of the Divine Mercy Devotions. 

Jesus entrusted the Divine Mercy Devotion to Sister Maria Faustina. Maria did not have a theological education. No PhD. No Masters degree. Barely literate. This is the person Jesus chose to be His Secretary in the Divine Mercy project. Maria needed only one thing: Complete trust in Jesus. This is grace that No one can take from her.

"My Father’s goodness and love remain hidden from so many souls. They have not understood that I came into the world to reveal My Father who is all love, and to draw souls to Him in filial confidence and in the joy of abandonment to His goodness. Love our Father. Trust our Father. Depend upon our Father in every weakness. This revelation of God as a Father who cherishes His children, and so loves them that He sent Me, His only-begotten Son, into the world to suffer and to die, lies at the very heart of My Gospel. Love My Father and open your heart to the immensity of His love for you. Thus will you become for Him, in Me, a beloved son in whom He takes delight." (IN SINU JESU, Monday, March 21, 2011).

In our Gospel of today from Luke 10, we read:

"Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit." 

Yes, Jesus appointed St Maria Faustina to take the good news of Divine Mercy to the whole world. 

The Divine Mercy Devotion may be summarized through the ABC of Mercy:

A = Ask for mercy.

B = Be Merciful.

C = Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

To learn how to recite the Divine Mercy Rosary, click on the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/how-to-recite-divine-mercy-rosary.html?m=1 

Daily Bible Verse @

SeekFirstcommunity.com 

The Feast of St Francis of Asissi, OFM.

Feast of St Francis of Asissi, OFM. 

"As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you ­wherever you go.” 

"Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

"And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”

"And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”

"Jesus ­answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 57 - 62).

Wednesday 4th October 2023 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time is the great feast of St Francis of Assisi, the Little One.

St Francis of Asissi heard the call of Jesus to rebuild His Church. Francis answered YES with all his heart and followed Jesus with amazing generosity to the end of his 46 years. 

Who is St Francis of Assisi?

(1182 - 1226). Italian. Deacon and Founder of the Order of Friars Minor, popularly known as the Franciscans. We Salute all our Franciscan friends all over the world who have labored in the Lord's Vineyard since the 1220s in all fields of the Apostolate. Persevere to the end and your reward will be huge.

Francis became famous for imitating closely the poverty of Jesus Christ in spirit and in deed. Holiness always attracts. After Francis was seized by Jesus and said Yes to the Lord, Francis soon attracted a group of like-minded young men who bound themselves together to live evangelical poverty, chastity and obedience. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church has used simple men like Francis and the Franciscans to renew the Church which is ever in need of reform.

What comes to your mind when you hear of St Francis of Assisi in 2023?  Many people would think of a man of peace. "Lord, make me an instrument of peace..." Others will think of radical evangelical poverty... "The little poor man of Assisi." Both are salient attributes in the profile of this exceptionally gifted holy man. I want to mention Francis' deep love of creation and care of the earth.  Most people that are aware of the impending disaster from Global Warming will know Francis of Assisi and his contribution to this topical debate.

Other pivotal figures raised up by the Holy Spirit for the renewal of the Church are:

Benedict, Clare, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Kolkata, etc.

Are you the next great Saint? You too can be a saint. You too can be an instrument of Peace. You too can be committed to preserving the beauty and goodness of the environment for future generations and become an apostle of Care for Creation and Safe Environment.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 3).

"We thank you for the beauty of creation: may the work of man not disfigure it, but enhance it to your greater glory."  Amen.

St Padre Pio writes à propos to the Holy Rosary:

"Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother." (St. Padre Pio).

October is the Month we celebrate the Holy Rosary. Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is perhaps the most powerful gift to connect to God after the Holy Mass. It can be said by everyone: alone or in group. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day this October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Destination is Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is our destination. 

"When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. 

"On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 

"When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

"Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village." (Luke 9: 51 - 56).

Tuesday 3rd October 2023 of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time. 

"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village."

Our key Scripture for today reinforces the lesson I learned as a door to door salesman. A good salesman does not force himself or his product on people. Make the best presentation and product demonstration you are able to. At the end, if the prospect says no, move on to the next prospect.

I found sometimes that the next prospect might actually be very happy to make a purchase. It was a very hard lesson for me to get. I took 'No' as a personal rejection. Jesus taught His disciples that the field of Evangelization is very wide. He shares His way of winning souls below:

"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).

October is the Month we honor the Holy Rosary. Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is perhaps the most powerful gift to connect us to God after the Holy Mass. It can be prayed by everyone: alone or in group. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day this October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of the Guardian Angels.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels. 

"The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”

"He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10).

Monday 2nd October 2023, 26th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Guardian Angels.

Our Father God in His loving Providence has provided each of His children a Guardian Angel. Are you aware of this stupendous truth? Fortunately for us, whether we are aware of our Guardian Angel that accompanies us on the journey of life or not, the Angel still performs all its duties lovingly towards us. Our Guardian Angels report to God not to us.

Here is what the Church teaches about our Guardian Angels:

"Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God." (CCC 336).

Your Guardian Angel is a friend who protects you in danger and can direct your steps when you are lost. It shepherds you away from moral dangers and situations that can imperil your soul. When you have a warm and personal relationship with your Guardian Angel, you enjoy more privileges. Saints recommend praying to your Guardian Angel when you wake up in the morning and when you are ready to go to bed at night. I have prayed to my Guardian Angel ever since I learned my first prayers. I have enjoyed few close encounters with my Guardian Angel. 

As an active and adventurous boy, I know how many times my Friend saved me from peril. Today I honor my Guardian Angel with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

Angel of God my Guardian and dear Friend, thank you for your protection. Continue to enlighten and guard me till my last breath. Amen!

"Listen to the inspiration that I give you through your guardian angel, and you will prosper in all that you do." (IN SINU JESU, Saturday, February 19, 2011). 

Here is a Guardian Angel Prayer, you can use when you wake up in the morning and when you say your prayers before going to bed:

"Angel of God, 

my guardian and my friend, 

To whom I have been entrusted by God's merciful love. 

Enlighten, guide, direct and protect me this day/night. 

Amen" 

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? Because the Rosary is very important in the life of the Church and in the life of individual Christian. 

A FAMILY THAT PRAYS THE ROSARY TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com