Today is Mission Sunday. Be Missionary.

Sunday October 22nd of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time is Mission Sunday 2023. 

"The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.

"They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. 

"Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”

"Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?

"Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin.

"He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” 

"At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22: 15 - 21).

Sunday 22nd October 2023, 29th Week in Ordinary Time is Mission Sunday 2023. 

The Church world-wide celebrates Mission Sunday today. The Gospel for today reminds us of the existence of two kingdoms living side by side. There is the Kingdom of God whose seed on earth is the Church. There is also the kingdom of Caesar with its goals and methods often contrary to the mission of the Church. 

The Pharisees ask Jesus whether they should pay tax to the government or not. Where should our loyalty be?

Jesus used the trick question to teach us a vital lesson. Yes we owe the government lawful taxes. 

But as for the kingdom of God, we owe God our adoration, prayers, Sunday worship, tithes, obey His commandments, obey the commandments of the Church, etc. 

If we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything will fall into place. The taxes to Caesar, our daily bread and all we need will be guaranteed, Jesus promises. (Cf Matthew 6: 33). 

Mission Sunday celebrates the truth that the Church exists to evangelize. The Church is missionary in its deepest nature. 

How missionary are you in your thoughts and prayers? St Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower never stepped out of her convent, yet she is the patron saint of missionaries.

How? She carried the mission fields and work in her thoughts and prayers. She taught that prayers could be a vital contribution to the mission. We all can pray for the missions. We all can make some financial contributions from time to time towards mission work. 

Be missionary. 

“Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.”

(Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). 

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

The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say.

The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: 

“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.

"But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

"When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (Luke 12: 8 - 12).

Saturday October 21st 2023, 28th Week in Ordinary Time.

My personal favorite title for the Holy Spirit is "The Voice that Speaks in Court."  This is because of my experience of the fulfillment of this promise. The Holy Spirit has enabled me to speak with wisdom and courage when I was in a tight corner and needed these gifts most.

I have always loved the key Scripture for today. "When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

Do you believe this to be true? Yes. I believe it to be true because I have experienced the truth several times. The Lord has been by my side and given me wisdom words to say when I was in most need of such counsels. I have been full of amazement and have never forgotten the experience. 

Here is one of the great maxims of St Teresa of Avila. 

"Let nothing trouble you,

let nothing frighten you.

All things are passing;

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things.

He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices."  (St Teresa of Avila). 

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"The Rosary is a prayer that always accompanies me; it is also the prayer of the ordinary people and the saints... it is a prayer from my heart." - Pope Francis. 

"Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us." 

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

"Allow Me to speak words of peace to your soul. Trust Me in all things. Trust that I will not abandon you, nor will I deprive you of My friendship. My desire is to hold conversation with you, to speak to you, as I have often said, heart to heart, as a man converses with his best friend. Why do you doubt? Believe in My friendship for you. It is My gift to you, and I will not withdraw what I have given you out of the love of My Heart." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, October 17, 2008 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque." 

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

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists.

St Paul of the Cross. Founder of the Passionists. 

"At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. 

"Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12: 1 - 7)

Friday 20th October 2023, in the 28th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Paul of the Cross. (1694 - 1775).

St Paul of the Cross was Italian, priest, Mystic and Founder of the Passionists.

The charism of St Paul of the Cross is a profound understanding of the mystery of the Cross and translating this understanding into a plan of life. The Passionists founded by St Paul of the Cross were noted and still noted for preaching and retreat ministry. I have been blessed to attend a Parish Mission preached by a Passionist. 

In the Gospel of today, the Master touches a variety of topics. What touches me is:

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.

Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” 

The subject of Divine Providence is the sweetest doctrine in the entire Bible, in the entire magisterium of Church teachings. The Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church have amply added their reflections and writings to elucidation of Divine Providence. 

What is Divine Providence?

Five sparrows are sold for two small coins. Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.

Abba Father knows every single thing of the trillions of things He has created. He knows where they are. Each of this creatures worships Abba Father in its own way and Father delights in this worship. 

"Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

We humans are created in God's image and likeness. We are created with immortal souls and are created to live with God forever.

If Father cares for sparrows and delights in sparrow worship, how much more you and me?

DIVINE PROVIDENCE From the Catechism of the Catholic Church :

321 Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end.

322 Christ invites us to filial trust in the providence of our heavenly Father (cf.Mt 6:26-34), and St. Peter the apostle repeats: "Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you" (I Pt 5:7; cf. Ps55:23).

323 Divine providence works also through the actions of creatures. To human beings God grants the ability to cooperate freely with his plans.

324 The fact that God permits physical and even moral evil is a mystery that God illuminates by his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose to vanquish evil. Faith gives us the certainty that God would not permit an evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil, by ways that we shall fully know only in eternal life."

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

 “The Rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who loves His Mother.” (7) “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory." (St Louis Marie de Monfort). 

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

Saints Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf and Companion Martyrs.

SAINTS ISAAC JOQUES & JOHN BROBEUF & CO MARTYRS. 

"The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. 

"Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. 

"Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!

"Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” 

"When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say." (Luke 11: 17 - 54).

Thursday 19th October 2023, 28th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the North American Martyrs: John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and companions. 

All of them French and all of the Society of Jesus. 

8 in all, 6 priests and 2 brothers. They labored day and night under harsh conditions with almost the certainty of martyrdom to bring Jesus Christ to the Native Americans.

In faith these martyrs believed Jesus that He came to found an everlasting Kingdom of peace, joy and happiness for ever and ever. It is God's will for all people to be saved. They lost their lives in bringing this message to Native Americans. 

The scholars of the law were not in the least amused when they heard Jesus say of them:

"Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” 

In America and every nation on earth, there are millions of scholars of the law who live off the reputation of their office as men of learning and wisdom. But in reality they are empty heads. Many of them foist heresy on society through their empty speculations. 

"Do not pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now." (CF 1 Timothy 1: 4).

The Church had dealt with them through Saints that are dubbed Hammer of Heretics. For example: St Augustine and St Anthony of Padua. 

O Lord, make us Hammer of Heretics. 

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

Let us reflect on some attributes of Mary from the Litany of Loretto:

Mother of God

Mother of Christ

Mother of the Church

MOTHER of Mercy

Mother of divine grace

MOTHER of Hope

Do you understand what they mean? Google each attribute.

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 Luke the Evangelist.

Feast of St Luke the Evangelist. 

"The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two 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 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." (Luke 10: 1 - 9).

Wednesday 18th October 2023 in the 28th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Luke the Evangelist. 

A few words on the profile of St Luke.

The Master of the harvest, God the Father sent Jesus to preach the Good News. Jesus trained and sent Apostles to spread the Gospel.  Luke was commissioned to preach the word and author the Gospel according to St Luke and Acts of the Apostles. 

According to Tradition, St Luke is a Gentile physician. When he heard the Good News, he abandoned his medical practice and attached himself to St Paul as his traveling companion. He demonstrated a thorough ability for research and a keen eye to detail in his subjects.  He showed a preferential option for the poor, women and sinners. Without St Luke, our knowledge of the life and work of Jesus Christ would be poorer.  Examples of unique Lukan content:

1. The Infancy Narrative from the Annunciation to the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 1 - 2).

2. Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37).

3. The Publican and the Pharisee. (Lk 18: 13 ). 

4. The Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15: 11 - 32).

5. The forgiveness of the Good Thief from the Cross. (Lk 23:40... ).

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

“If families give Our Lady fifteen minutes a day by reciting the Rosary, I assure them that their homes will become, by God’s grace, peaceful places." 

"The family that prays together stays together." (Father Patrick Peyton). 

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 Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr.

St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr. 

"After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.

"He entered and reclined at table to eat. 

"The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.

"The Lord said to him, “Oh, you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? 

"But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” (Luke 11: 37 - 41).

Tuesday 17th of October 2023 is the feast of a giant of our faith: St Ignatius of Antioch. (+ 107). Syrian. Bishop and Martyr.

St Ignatius was ordained Bishop by St Peter, the Prince of the Apostles himself. He is Father of the Church. Ground to pieces by wild beasts under the persecution of Emperor Trajan.

Why is St Ignatius of Antioch pivotal in the history of the Church? Anyone ordained Bishop by the Apostle Peter has a claim to fame. But for St Ignatius of Antioch, there are other reasons too. During his journey from Antioch to Rome under heavy armed guards, Ignatius composed seven extraordinary letters. These letters are the earliest authoritative teaching on the Eucharist, the hierarchy of the Church, etc. 

Ignatius was torn to pieces by the iron teeth of wild beasts because he acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior before Emperor Trajan.

The core message of the Gospel today is simple and pointed:

"But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” (Cf Luke 11: 37 - 41).

God loves the cheerful giver. (Cf 2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 7).

All good gifts come from God. (Cf James 1: 17).

 It is not from chance our comfort springs but from God's gracious ordaining. (Cf Liturgy of the Hours - Lauds). 

Do not be mean with your possessions because you can not outdo God in generosity. 

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided." (St Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church).

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

The Feast of St Margaret Mary Alacoque and St Hedwig.

Saints Margaret Mary Alacoque & Hedwig. 

"Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God, 

which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the Gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,

but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; 

"To all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1: 1 - 7).

Monday 16th October 2023 in the 28th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647 - 1690). 

St Margaret is the French Visitation Nun that brought the world the private revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus owe St Margaret Mary eternal gratitude for her great work. 

Jesus Christ used Margaret's spiritual director, St Claude de la Columbiere, SJ

 to translate Margaret's visions into what we know today as the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion. Thanks also to the Jesuit, St Claude. 

Today is also the feast of St Hedwig (1173 - 1243). Wife of the Duke of Poland and mother of 7 children. After the death of her husband, Hedwig took the habit of a Nun and lived the rest of her life in a Cistercian monastery that she and her late husband had founded.

Our key Scripture for today from Romans 1: 1 - 7 is of utmost importance to understanding your Choice, Call and Anointing as a disciple of Christ Jesus. 

God does not choose His Anointed through a general election. Human wisdom is limited. 

Paul is the greatest missionary and evangelist in the Church. He wrote extensively about his calling in various places in the New Testament. We get a summary in our key Scripture for today. 

What do we learn from the Call, Choice and Anointing of St Paul?

#1. We share a vocation with the great Apostle: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15).

#2. People are converted through hearing the testimonies of converted people. Testimony also means witnessing. When you witness to what God has done for you, it is very powerful.

 1 Timothy 1 by St Paul is biographical. It is a power Scripture for everyone who is unsure of his choice, call and anointing in the ministry he is doing.

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

“"It is impossible for a client of Mary, who is faithful in honouring and recommending himself to her, to be lost." (St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop & Doctor of the Church. Founder of the Redemptorist. One of the most eminent Mariologists in the Church.

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