Where are the invited guests for the Wedding Party?

The Invited Guests refused to come.

"Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying,

“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

"He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

"A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’

"Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.

"The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

"Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’

"The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.

"But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’

"But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.]” (Matthew 22: 1 - 14).

Sunday 15th October 2023 in the 28th Week of Ordinary Time. 

Today's Parable of the King's Invited Guests who spurned his invitation and turned murderous is one of the saddest in the Gospel. 

This Parable is an allegory of how Jesus is spurned and insulted in the Most Holy Eucharist. 

Unlike the Parable, some of the invited guests in the Eucharist come. They do not have the wedding garments. They do not recognize the presence of the great King. They lack the respectful manners required in such a gathering. Some are dressed in shorts and tee-shirts in such a way to show their disrespect and contempt. 

They cannot do this as guests at a house party by the mayor, governor or even their boss? 

Wake up Christians. Do not make your King angry lest He orders:

"Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." 

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity." (St Basil the Great).

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 St Callistus. Pope and Martyr.

Feast of St Callistus, Pope and Martyr. 

"While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, 

“Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11: 27 - 28).

Saturday 14th October 2023 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Callistus (+222).Pope and Martyr.

How does history remember Pope St Callistus? From slave to pope to martyr. Pope St Callistus reminds us of our current Pontiff, Pope Francis.

 Pope Francis is a Pope opposed openly by some of his Bishops, clergy and theologians. Why? 

Some people disagreed with some of his teaching. 

Some members of the hierarchy also disagreed with the uncompromising stand of Callistus that the Church must show mercy and forgive even the worst of sinners. This struggle in the Church with the Rigorist faction outlived St Callistus who was martyred by Emperor Alexander Severus.

Pope Francis faces the same opposition over the sacramental discipline of Marriage, and over Immigration, Safe Environment, Economic Equity, etc. 

Jesus said to the woman who praised His saintly Mother:

“Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

What is the word of God? What did Mary hear and observed? 

1. Mary heard the message of the Archangel Gabriel and believed it and said Yes to the Will of God. 

2. Mary heard the inspired prophecy of Elizabeth: "You are blessed among women." Mary believed and responded :

"All generations shall call me blessed." She believed and responded. 

3. Simeon the aged holy Prophet said to Mary: A sword will pierce your heart because of this little boy. 

Mary responded in total silence of submission to the will of God. 

The above are a few examples to show that Mary's life is completely oriented to hearing God's word and saying Yes to God. 

How about you and I? Although we were not conceived in Immaculate Conception, we were reborn again in holy Baptism as the children of God and adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. 

One of the best gifts I received in 2022 is the gift of renewing my Baptistmal promises every day during my morning prayer. It takes less than a minute. I say:

"Father, I Emmanuel declare that I am Your child and the brother of Your Son Jesus Christ. I renounce Satan and all his lies and false promises. I desire to embrace Your holy and gracious will for me in everything today. Help me Father. Amen." 

If you like, you can sign yourself with holy water when you renew your Baptismal promises. 

The Seed is the word of God. 

Believe in the word of God. 

Share the word of God. 

Practice the word of God. 

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

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

A Kingdom Divided Will Fall.

A Kingdom Divided Will Fall. 

"When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”

"Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.

"But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.

"And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?

"For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?

"Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

"When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’

"But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.” (Luke 11: 15 - 26).

Friday the 13th of October 2023 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time. We can celebrate the Votive Liturgy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

Do you believe in Demon, Satan, Devil? 

Jesus obviously do from today's Gospel. The people who listen to Jesus and follow Him believed in the existence of evil spirits, princes of darkness. 

Satan, Devil, Demon, Evil Spirit has been a force of contention for mankind since the Fall of Adam and Eve.

“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!” They know Jesus. They know who you are.

The Church has contended with demons since Jesus said to Peter:

"He [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Today, belief in Satan and his cohorts seems to have waned. Why? Because there are people who appear to be more scientific than Dr Albert Einstein and Dr St Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. 

Do not listen to these deniers. 

Listen rather to the Church and the word of God.

"The Church of the Living God is the Pillar and Foundation of the truth." (1 Timothy 3: 15). 

People see evil powers in the mayhem happening now in the Holy Land today. 

What are the rules of engagement with the evil empire? 

The Archangel Michael is assigned to guard the Church. ( Cf Daniel 12: 1). Pope Leo XIII who had a vision of this in the Sanctuary of his Church composed the Prayer to St Michael which became an inspired and principal prayer in spiritual warfare. Many Catholics say this prayer daily.

United with the angels, we will conquer the Great Deceiver by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Cf Revelations 12: 7 - 12).

What do you know about demonic attacks and spiritual warfare? Our key Scripture for today gives us the opportunity to reflect on these important realities of Christian life and experience. If you are ignorant of these facts, you may accuse yourself of spiritual malpractice against yourself. What does Scripture say about this? A couple of examples:

#1. "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens." (Ephesians 6: 12).

Discernment of Spirits can help pinpoint the source and cause of your problem.

#2. "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5: 8).

How do you protect yourself from demonic attacks or engage in spiritual warfare? The Church has taught us a number of strategies which have been helpful to people.

#1. Prayer: Exercise your vigilance through constant prayer. Watch and pray that you do not enter into spiritual combat.

#2. Scripture: When Jesus was in the desert facing off the Devil in spiritual warfare, He used Scripture three times to defeat Satan thrice. Ignorance of the word of God is one of the greatest problems of Christians.

#3. Use the Sacraments frequently especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These Sacraments are the heavy weapons in our spiritual arsenal.

"The weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5).

#4. Do not neglect Sacramentals. Example: holy water, crucifix, bible,  chaplet/Rosary, holy pictures, Name of Jesus. If an enemy enters your house and sees these weapons of spiritual combat, the evil spirit may do a tactical withdrawal without engaging in combat.

If you are faithful to the above battle tested strategies from the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of the Church, you may never avoid spiritual warfare but you will win most battles and prove to yourself that these means are effective.

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

“The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results.” -St. Josemaria Escriva

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

Ask for the Holy Spirit Persistently.

Above Everything, Pray for the Holy Spirit. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’

"And he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 

"I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

"For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 5 - 13).

Thursday October 12th 2023 in the 27th Week of Ordinary Time. 

In the Gospel of today, Jesus gives one of His most profound and beautiful teaching on the Prayer of Petition. Here is what I got from reflecting on Jesus' teaching on the Prayer of Petition:

#1. Prayer works more than most people believe.

#2. One of the greatest and most consequential falsehood of the Big Liar is that God does not answer prayers. Consequently why bother praying.

#3. Ask the Lord to open your mind and heart and show you how many of your prayers have been answered. 

Many times, there is a lag between the time of your petition and the answer. It would appear that it is our responsibility to track our petitions and our answered prayers. Faith grows when you count and record your Answered Prayer. 

I sent prayer intentions containing 4 points to EWTN on the occasion of Divine Mercy Sunday some years ago. Fortunately, I made a copy of the prayer requests and the date and pinned it to the wall near my workstation. I forgot all about it till about five years later. God answered everyone of the prayer intentions. I had been enjoying peace and serenity in all the areas of the prayer petitions without giving God one iota of thanks!

#4. God's commitment to answer prayers is ironclad. This is the unanimous teaching of the Sacred Magisterium, all the Church fathers and doctors and all the saints. And above all, Sacred Scripture. You will be amazed by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence when it comes to prayers.

God regards it an injustice to promise answers to our prayers and then fail to do so. (Cf Luke 18: 1 - 8).

#5. What is the the Best and Highest Thing to pray for? THE HOLY SPIRIT! THE HOLY SPIRIT! THE HOLY SPIRIT! 

Prayer is the Activator of Power. Power is the dominant attribute of the Holy Spirit. Prayer and the Holy Spirit are like inseparable twins. 

The Bible commands: "Taste and See that the Lord is good." If you do not pray habitually, you will never be able to taste much less attest to the truth that God is good. 

#6. Do not be unbelieving. Believe and experience the joy of answered prayer. It is sweet.

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"Your Rosary is like a ladder that you climb step by step, drawing you closer to our Lady, which means finding Christ. It is a devotion which leads us to Christ through Mary." (Pope St Paul VI, Marialis Cultus).

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 Pope St John XXIII.

Feast of Pope St John XXIII. 

"Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

"He said to them, “When you pray, say:

"Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come.

"Give us each day our daily bread. 

"And forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us. 

"And do not subject us to the final test.” (Luke 11: 1 - 4).

Wednesday 11th October 2023 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Pope St John XXIII. (1881 - 1963). Italian. Pontiff.

Pope St John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council which transformed the Church. He wrote the popular encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth). He was a humble and well beloved Pope and was popularly called the Good Pope. I like very much this quote below from him:

"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but what is still possible for you to do." (Pope St John XXIII).

In the Gospel of today: Luke 11: 1 - 4, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. 

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

At the very heart of the the Lord's Prayer or Our Father is the personality of Abba Father. Who is Abba Father? Find out below:

#1 My Father in Heaven, how good it is to know that You are my Father and that I am Your Child!

Especially when the skies of my soul are cloudy and my cross weighs more heavily, I feel the need to repeat to You:  Father, I believe in Your love for me.

#2.  Yes, I believe that You are a Father to me at every moment of my life, and that I am Your Child!

I believe that You love me with an infinite love!

#3.  I believe that You are watching over me night and day and that not a hair falls from my head without Your permission!

#4.  I believe that, in Your infinite Wisdom, You know better than I what is good for me.

I believe that, in Your infinite power, You can bring good even out of evil. 

#5.  I believe that, in your infinite goodness, You make everything to the advantage of those who love You:  even under the hands of those who strike me, I kiss Your hand which heals!

#5a I believe, but increase in me faith, hope, and love!

Teach me always to see Your love as my guide in every event in my life.

#6.  Teach me to surrender myself to You like a baby in its mother’s arms.

Father, You know everything, You see everything, and You know me better than I know myself:  You can do everything, and You love me!  

#7.  Give me the light, the grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit!

Strengthen me in this Spirit, that I may never lose Him, never sadden Him, and never allow Him to become weaker in me. 

#8.  My Father, I ask this in the name of Jesus, Your Son! And you, Jesus, open Your Heart and place in it my own, and, together with Mary’s, offer it to our Divine Father!  Obtain for me the grace that I need!

#9.  Divine Father, call all men to Yourself.  Let all the world proclaim Your Fatherly Goodness and Your Divine Mercy!

#10.  Be a tender Father to me and protect me wherever I am, like the apple of Your eye.  Make me always a worthy son.  Have mercy on me!

#11.  Divine Father, sweet hope of our souls, may You be known, honored, and loved by all men!

Divine Father, infinite goodness poured out on all peoples, may You be known, honored, and loved by all men!

#12.  Divine Father, beneficent dew of humanity, may You be known, honored and loved by all men!

October: Holy Rosary Month. 

"O Mary of the Rosary, keep me recollected when I say these prayers of yours; bind me forever, with your rosary, to Jesus of the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed be Jesus, my love." (Pope St John XXIII). 

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

How Mary chose the best part.

Mary has chosen the best part. 

"Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha ­welcomed him.

"She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

"Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”

"The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

"There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 38 - 42).

Tuesday 10th October 2023 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time. 

The story of two sisters Martha and Mary teaches us great lessons of faith, hope and love. 

How do we get addicted to activity? 

Fear of man. 

Desire to win at all cost. 

Love of money. 

Love of pleasure. 

"You are worried and distracted by many things." 

In short, you are an activity addict. 

What is the remedy for this hyper activity addiction? 

"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10).

What can you do every day to help you  heal from this condition? 

1. Daily Prayer. 

2. Daily word of God. 

3. Frequent Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

Since you know this, do it and you will be blessed. 

Most Catholics know that October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Many have benefitted from this Devotion to find healing for body, mind and soul. If you have never done the October Devotion before, this is an excellent opportunity. 

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 Saints Denis and Companion Martyrs and St John Leonardi.

Sts Denis & Companions Martyrs & John Leonardi, Priest. 

"There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

"Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 

"He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

"He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

"But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

"Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 

"A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

"Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

"But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’

"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 

"He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”

"Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 25 - 37).

Monday 9th October 2023 of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time. 

Today is the feast of St Denis, First Bishop of Paris, martyr and companions, Martyrs. (3rd century).

We honor too St John Leonardi (1541 - 1609). Italian priest. John qualified first as a pharmacist before he decided to become a priest. He founded the Order of Clerics Regular to serve sick people and those in prison.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, consider this idea:

"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" (Dr Martin Luther King Jr).

What will you do if you see a man, his wife and two young kids beside their broken down vehicle on a lonely and dangerous road? 

What will be your concern? 

Citizens or immigrants? 

Rich or poor? 

White or black? 

Christian or Moslem? 

Ask yourself: "If I do not stop to help these persons, what will happen to them?"

Consider the Corporal Works of Mercy:

1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Visit the sick

6. Visit the imprisoned

7. Bury the dead

Pray that in all such challenges, the Precious Holy Spirit will inspire you what to do. 

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