THE GREAT SOLEMNITY OF THE PENTECOST.

THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST, THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH. 

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

“When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

“The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20: 19 - 23).

Sunday May 19th 2024 is the Solemnity of Pentecost.

Brethren, this is Pentecost! This is the Birthday of our Mother, the Church. She is Mother and Teacher. Very old and ever young and beautiful. Virgin and Mother of many children. Queen of Peace and Seat of Wisdom. Happy Birthday Mother Church!

The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in the Cenacle "like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were." (Acts 2: 2). 

The Novena, the waiting and praying are over. The Father has delivered the Big Gift He promised. "I promised. I will do it." Thank You Abba Father. 

"Come, Holy Spirit, come!

And from your celestial home

Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!

Come, source of all our store!

Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;

You, the soul’s most welcome guest;

Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet;

Grateful coolness in the heat;

Solace in the midst of woe.... " (The Pentecost Sequence). 

"The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection." (CCC 737).

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

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

"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them." (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)

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 ST JOHN I, POPE AND MARTYR.

ST JOHN I, POPE. 

"Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”

"When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

"Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?" 

"You follow me.” 

"So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”

"It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

"There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." John 21: 20 - 25).

May 18th 2024 in the 7th Week in the Easter Season is the Eve of Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church. 

This Saturday is the feast of St John I, Pontiff. Martyr. 

 (+ 526).  St John was martyred by the Arian King Theodoric.

Jesus predicted the persecutions of the disciples in the Last Supper Discourse: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy." 

The antagonism to Jesus and His Gospel is more pronounced today than ever. If you are not prepared today to bear witness to Jesus, what is the likelihood that you will be ready tomorrow? 

"YOU FOLLOW ME!" 

The Scripture says: "O that today you will listen to His voice, harden not your hearts." 

Many of us have probably heard the maxim: "He who laughs last, laughs best." Jesus promises us the last laugh. This laugh will be filled with joy and will last forever. 

In the short term, our Savior and Redeemer is asking us to endure all the trials, deprivations and persecutions with the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit.

"I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I go, but I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy." (Cf John 14: 18).

"If, in spite of everything, Jesus’ Ascension into heaven leaves a certain taste of sadness in our souls, let us go to his Mother as the apostles did. They returned to Jerusalem…and they prayed with one mind…together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus."  (Acts 1:12-14).Faith (Saint Josemaría Escrivá).

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  

DO YOU LOVE ME?

DO YOU LOVE ME? 

"After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

"Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 

"Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 

"He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 

"Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” 

"Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21: 15 - 19).

Friday 17th May 2024 in 7th Week in the Easter Season. 

In this dramatic exchange between Jesus and Peter, Jesus asked Peter a point blank question: "Do you love me?”

Jesus asks you and me today: "Do you love me?”

'Yes Lord I love You.'

Show Me Tina that you love Me. 

'Lord Jesus, Your Holy Spirit of love is in me. He helps me to love You. He shows me how to love You. Thank You Jesus for the Holy Spirit You poured into our hearts. Without Him, I can do absolutely nothing.'

Pentecost Sunday is May 19th. Receive the Holy Spirit. 

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  

LET US PRAY FOR CHURCH UNITY.

CHRISTIANS UNITE! 

"Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.

"And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.

"Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” (John 17: 20 - 26).

Thursday May 16th in the 7th Week in the Easter Season.

On the eve of His Passion, having celebrated the first Mass and ordained His Apostles as priests, Jesus poured out His heart to His Father and our Father.

"And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me."

Every Pope for a couple of centuries agonished about Church Unity.

Why are there over 50,000 Christian churches in the world? What are the obstacles to Church Unity? You may be surprised to hear the answer.

The two great obstacles to Church Unity are:

1. The Blessed Virgin Mary.

2. The position and authority of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.

The Catholic Church cannot compromise on any of the perceived obstacles to Church Unity because the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Pope are the most precious gifts of Jesus Christ to His Church. 

Fellow Christians, All things are possible for God. Let us storm Heaven with our prayers. Our God is the God of impossibilities. 

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 ST ISIDORE THE FARMER.

ST ISIDORE THE FARMER. 

"Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. 

"When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 

"But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely.

“I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.

"Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 

"As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” (John 17: 11 - 19).

Wednesday 15th May 2024 in the 7th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Isidore the Farmer. 

Isidore the Farmer lived between (1070 - 1130).

Isidore was a humble Spanish farmer who spent most of his day on the land and managed to attend daily Mass and spent significant time before the Blessed Sacrament.

 His wife Maria is a canonized saint. His life reminds us that all creation belong to God who requires us to care for the environment that surrounds us. Isidore is the Patron of the National Rural Life Conference in the US.

Two important things to note about the life of St Isidore the Farmer. 

1. As a farmer, he spent most of his time in the field. How did he manage to attend daily Mass? 

2. How did Isidore find the time to spend before the Blessed Sacrament? 

Our key Scripture for reflection is from John 17: 11 - 19.

"Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth."

In His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father for us:

"Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth."

He prayed that the Father set us apart for the work of His Kingdom. By virtue of our Baptism, we have been made the adopted children of God and set apart for the work of God. 

St Isidore the Farmer did his day job as a farmer with the dedication that comes from God. Isidore knew that his life's work is to receive the consecration in the truth in daily Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

"Blessed is he who is invited to the Supper of the Lord."

Do this and you will be blessed. 

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