YOU ARE CHOSEN.

YOU ARE CHOSEN. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

"I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” 

"This I command you: love one another.” (John 15: 9 - 17).

Sunday May 5th 2024 in the 6th Week in the Season of Easter. 

I feel here and now that I am truly chosen by Jesus. Jesus tells me that: "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."

Jesus chose Peter and Paul and the other Apostles. He chose St Catherine of Siena and the other saints. He chose all the world leaders. Jesus chose you! He chose me. 

Why did Jesus choose the people He chose? For one reason: "TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT THAT WILL REMAIN." 

To bear fruit that will glorify His heavenly Father. 

St Catherine of Siena said that if you know why you are chosen and be it and live it, you will set the world on fire. 

Before you are chosen, you are called by your name and then Chosen and finally anointed (qualified) so that you can accomplish your Mission. 

To deal with the trials and obstacles that are inevitable in your Mission duties, God says to you:

"MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU. FOR POWER IS MADE EFFECTIVE IN WEAKNESS." (2 Corinthians 12: 9). 

Therefore, boost about all your weaknesses: poor health, material poverty, etc. When you do this, you can say to the Father: You say that Your grace is sufficient for me. SHOW ME. 

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1 

ARE WE SUPERIOR TO JESUS?

NO SLAVE IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER.  

"Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. 

"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. 

"Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’

"If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15: 18 - 21).

Saturday May 4th in the 5th Week in the Easter Season.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus utters a truth which is still absolutely authentic today:

Before God we are all slaves. We are slaves because our limited freedom and capacity depend entirely on God. (Cf John 15: 5).

The Scripture further says: Everything you have comes from God. Why do you boost? (Cf 1 Corinthians 4:7).

Brothers and sisters, know that this world is very hostile to God. The world is ready to trample the slaves of God under foot. Be real. Be authentic. Do not love this world and all that it parades as ultimate pleasure and goodies. 

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1 

FEAST OF SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES.

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

"Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

"No one comes to the Father except through me.

"If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

"Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?

"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.

"The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. [THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF POWER AND EVANGELIZATION]. 

And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” (John 14: 6 - 14).

Friday May 3rd 2024 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of the Apostles Philip and James. 

"Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life."

The Way of Jesus is not like a super highway running from South to North America. Jesus’ Way is an easy Plan for our salvation. That Plan has 7 branches from one big Trunk which is Jesus. 

The Way that is Jesus has these branches:

1. Prayer. 

2. Word of God. 

3. Eucharist. 

4. Penance. 

5. Examination of Conscience. 

6. Spiritual Reading. 

7. Ministry /Faith Sharing. 

Saints walk on this Way. It leads to Jesus who is eternal life.

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

First Friday, May 3rd, 2024. 

Jesus promised 12 special graces and 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 5th month of the year 2024, we look at Promise #5. 

#5.  "I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings."

I like this one very much. 

If you honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jesus will give you as a bonus His foster father, St Joseph patron saint of workers to help you. 

Sacred Heart of Jesus come to our help and prosper the work of our hands. 

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

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST ATHANASIUS, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

ST ATHANASIUS, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” (John 15: 9 - 11).

Thursday May 2nd 2024 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Athanasius, Bishop, Church Father and Doctor of the Church.  

Athanasius is rightly called the Father of Orthodoxy. Athanasius was a key light at the Council of Nicaea (325), where he defended vigorously that Jesus Christ is true God (100%) and true Man (100%).

He defended this truth all his life and suffered much persecution from the Arians including several exiles. Athanasius' other great contribution to the early Church is the Life of St Anthony the Great, known also as St Anthony of the Desert or St Anthony of Egypt). Athanasius had personal acquaintance with St Anthony. The biography of the great Desert monk became the gold standard for monastic rules for the Church both in the East and the West.

"If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love." (Cf John 15: 9 - 11).

It is not possible to divorce the love of Jesus from keeping His Commandments. What are these Commandments?

The Ten Commandments. 

The Commandments of the Church.

All the statutes in Sacred Scripture.

Do not fool yourself. They are all important. Every one of them will be accounted for in the last judgment.

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER.

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER. 

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. 

"You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.

"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. 

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

"Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15: 1 - 8).

May 1st 2024, Feast of St Joseph the Worker.

God the Father prunes us so that we can bear much fruit like St Joseph whose feast we celebrate under the title of St Joseph the Worker.

Who is St Joseph?

St Joseph is a humble and upright man, chosen and qualified by God from eternity to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He was a carpenter by trade and from the account of mystics, not a very successful one. People took advantage of the goodness of his heart.

God chose Joseph before the world began to be the foster father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this role, Jesus became an apprentice carpenter under Joseph. Joseph taught Jesus how to become a gentleman. 

Joseph talked little but dreamed much. God used dream to communicate with Joseph. The angel informed Joseph in a dream to accept Mary because her pregnancy is from God.

As patron saint of workers, Joseph teaches us to take work very seriously. God ordained work for every man and woman. Children are not exempt from work. Their schooling is their work.

Let us honor St Joseph and ask for his intercession for our work. Joseph is also the patron saint of a Happy Death and purity.

St Joseph pray for us.

The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May. 

Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc. 

For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1

MAY DEVOTION TO MARY

MONTH OF MAY DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 

GETTING TO KNOW & LOVE THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MORE IN MAY. 

1. The Litany of Loreto

V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Christ have mercy.

V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.

R. Christ graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. 

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. 

Holy Mother of God, pray for us. 

Holy Virgin of Virgins, 

Mother of Christ, 

Mother of the Church

*MOTHER of Mercy*

Mother of divine grace,

*MOTHER of Hope*

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of good Counsel,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior,

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the sick,

Refuge of sinners,

*COMFORT of Migrants*

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of Angels,

Queen of Patriarchs,

Queen of Prophets,

Queen of Apostles,

Queen of Martyrs,

Queen of Confessors,

Queen of Virgins,

Queen of all Saints,

Queen conceived without original sin,

Queen assumed into heaven,

Queen of the most holy Rosary,

Queen of families,

Queen of peace,

Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Our Lady Undoer of knots. 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 

Every Saturday 

Official Act of Consecration to Mary

(Written by St. Maximilian Kolbe). 

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you.  I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property.  Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.

If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the world.”  Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  For wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin.

R. Give me strength against your enemies.

GREAT FRIENDS OF MARY:

St Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.

St Louis Marie de Monfort,

St Alphonsus Liguori

St Anthony of Padua… 

EVERY SATURDAY 

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies. 

4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things.  Oh, that soul would sanctify themselves by this means!

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune.  God will not chastise him in His justice; he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.

9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary. 12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities. 

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. [COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS]. 

14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of Predestination. [DESTINY/ PURPOSE]. 

"There are no sufferings that cannot be borne peacefully, so long as a soul is praying the Rosary. Through the Rosary, all the grace and power of My mysteries passes through My Mother’s Immaculate Heart into the hearts of the little ones who invoke her, repeating the angel’s “Ave” over and over again. There are illnesses that can be cured through the Rosary. There are clouds of darkness and confusion that only the Rosary can disperse, and this because it is My Mother’s favourite prayer, a prayer that originated in the heights of heaven and was carried to earth by My Archangel, a prayer echoed and amplified in the Church through the ages, a prayer loved by all My saints, a prayer of disarming power and of immense depth." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, December 2, 2014).

"As for you, dear son of mine, persevere in praying to me. Hold fast to my Rosary and beware of every ploy of the Evil One to separate you from it. My Rosary is your safeguard and your weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. At the same time, for you it is a remedy and a comfort. Do you not see how the Rosary has stabilized you? Do you not experience its healing and all its benefits? Pray my Rosary and teach others to do the same." (IN SINU JESU). 

RECORD THE FRUITS OF MAY DEVOTION 2024. 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

   1. Mystery of the Holy Rosary by Louis Marie de Monfort. 

      2. Glories of Mary by St Alphonsus Liguori. 

May 2024 Crowning of Mary: Thursday May 2, 2024. 

Daily Bible Verse  Seekfirst.blogspot.com