Saturday, May 25, 2024
Friday, May 24, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI, BEDE THE VENERABLE AND POPE GREGORY THE VII.
FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI, BEDE THE VENERABLE, POPE GREGORY VII.
"Beloved: Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray.
"Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing a song of praise.
"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the Church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
"The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
"Elijah was a man like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then Elijah prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
"My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5: 13 - 20).
Saturday May 25th in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.
We celebrate three great saints today:
St Bede the Venerable, Pope St Gregory VII & St Magdalene de Pazzi.
1. St Bede the Venerable (672 - 735). English Benedictine Priest and Doctor of the Church. St Bede worked hard to help the Church in England grow stronger in faith and numbers. He accomplished this through his application of the study of Scriptures and History to Evangelization. He was a brilliant light in England of his day.
2. St Gregory VII, (+ 1085),Pope and Monk of Cluny. Gregory incurred the wrath of Emperor Henry IV by fighting against the evils of Lay Investiture. The Emperor exiled him to Salerno where he died.
3. St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (1566 - 1607), Italian Carmelite from Florence. Great ascetic. Worked untiringly for the renewal of the Church.
Profile:
"As a child in Florence, Caterina frequently felt Christ’s tender presence. After she joined the Carmelites, taking the religious name Mary Magdalene, Christ came to her and asked her to be his spouse. She bore his wounds as tokens of his love. In 1586 Mary Magdalene entered a period of spiritual trial she called “the lion’s den.” Voices whispered blasphemies into her ears. A temptation to suicide ended only after she laid the knife at the foot of a statue of the Virgin. Despite the variety and duration of her mystical experiences, she served her sisters in Carmel with practical and useful direction until her death in 1607." (MAGNIFICAT).
"The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful." This is our key Scripture for today.
Now consider this:
IF "THE FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS VERY POWERFUL," HOW MUCH MORE THE PRAYER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD?
Answer: The fervent prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be infinitely more powerful. This is the teaching of the saints, the Doctors and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. This teaching is faithful, true and credible.
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
Thursday, May 23, 2024
STOP CRITICIZING. STOP COMPLAINING. STOP CONDEMNING.
NO CRITICIZE. NO COMPLAIN. NO CONDEMN.
"Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
"Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
"Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,” that you may not incur condemnation." (James 5: 9 - 12).
Friday May 24th in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.
Brethren, is there anyone reading this who has not "heard of the perseverance of Job?"
Job blessed me deeply some years ago when a company I patronized for years suddenly turned rogue. I was very hurt. I turned to my prayer partners and asked for wisdom and counsel. They gave me creme de la creme from the Book of Job.
GOD GAVE US EVERYTHING WE HAVE. GOD CAN TAKE BACK EVERYTHING HE GAVE US AT ANY TIME.
Immediately I got the light. God has taken back the privileges I enjoyed with the company. I decided to forego any thoughts of litigation. Peace descended in my heart. A little later, I thanked God of the disappointment. It brought immense blessings.
I am facing a different type of test which is bitter to me. For many weeks now, my bedroom has been invaded by moths and tiny flies. They drive me crazy. I googled the problem. A solution suggests that I get a heavy duty insecticide like Raid. I did. I gushed everywhere in the room, the carpet with the insecticide. This did not get rid of the moths. But it left a terrible stench in the room. I tried everything but could not get rid of the stench.
I complained again and again to God but no answer.
I believe in prayer.
I believe in the word of God.
I believe in miracle.
I surrender everything to God.
After I surrendered the problem to God, I got peace and an answer from God.
God made me realize that God created the moths and the tiny insects that persecute me. He controls all their actions. He is using them to give me a great gift that I need badly. PATIENCE!
A couple of nights ago, I came home late. When I opened the door to the room, a horde of moths rushed on me as if they were saying: "Welcome. Where have you been all this time?" I smiled and said: "It is I, Jesus. Do not be afraid." Sometimes I add this Scripture: "My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9).
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
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
ETERNAL REWARD FOR A BOTTLE OF COLD WATER.
ETERNAL REWARD FOR A CUP OF COLD WATER.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.
“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” (Mark 9: 41 - 50).
Thursday 23rd May in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time.
Tough talk in today's Gospel message. What caught your attention?
This is what caught my attention:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward."
Many years ago, I was a salesman knocking on doors in office complexes looking for sales. I learned a lot of lessons. I remember when I walked into an office and was offered a bottle of cold water. That bottle of cold water was sweeter than a bottle of champagne at the time. I expressed a profound gratitude but later offered prayers for the office assistant and the company.
Jesus is saying to us that there are many things we can do that have eternal consequences everyday. A bottle of cold water at that time might cost less than 8 cents. But the gift of it to a hot and thirsty salesman is noticed in Heaven.
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
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA. PATRON SAINT OF IMPOSSIBLE CASES.
FEAST OF ST RITA OF CASCIA.
"John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
"Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9: 38 - 40).
Wednesday May 22nd 2024 in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Rita of Cascia.
Wednesday May 22nd 2024, 7th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Italian mystic, St Rita of Cascia (1381 - 1457),
Who is St Rita of Cascia and why is she the patron saint of Impossible situations?
Rita was an Augustinian nun. Rita was able to stop a vendetta between the relations of her murdered husband and the murderers. That was a feat in those days. Rita subsequently entered a convent where she spent 40 years in contemplation, austerities and service to the poor and sick.
St Rita of Cascia is known as the patron saint of desperate and impossible situations.
Read her profile below.
"Profile
Daughter of Antonio and Amata Lotti, a couple known as the Peacemakers of Jesus; they had Rita late in life. From her early youth, Rita visited the Augustinian nuns at Cascia, Italy, and showed interest in a religious life. However, when she was twelve, her parents betrothed her to Paolo Mancini, an ill-tempered, abusive individual who worked as town watchman, and who was dragged into the political disputes of the Guelphs and Ghibellines.
Disappointed but obedient, Rita married him when she was 18, and was the mother of twin sons. She put up with Paolo's abuses for eighteen years before he was ambushed and stabbed to death. Her sons swore vengeance on the killers of their father, but through the prayers and interventions of Rita, they forgave the offenders.
Upon the deaths of her sons, Rita again felt the call to religious life. However, some of the sisters at the Augustinian monastery were relatives of her husband's murderers, and she was denied entry for fear of causing dissension.
Asking for the intervention of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Augustine of Hippo, and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, she managed to bring the warring factions together, not completely, but sufficiently that there was peace, and she was admitted to the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalen at age 36.
Rita lived 40 years in the convent, spending her time in prayer and charity, and working for peace in the region.
She was devoted to the Passion, and in response to a prayer to suffer as Christ, she received a chronic head wound that appeared to have been caused by a crown of thorns, and which bled for 15 years.
Confined to her bed the last four years of her life, eating little more than the Eucharist, teaching and directing the younger sisters.
Near the end she had a visitor from her home town who asked if she'd like anything; Rita's only request was a rose from her family's estate. The visitor went to the home, but it being January, knew there was no hope of finding a flower; there, sprouted on an otherwise bare bush, was a single rose blossom.
Among the other areas, Rita is well-known as a patron of desperate, seemingly impossible causes and situations. This is because she has been involved in so many stages of life - wife, mother, widow, and nun, she buried her family, helped bring peace to her city, saw her dreams denied and fulfilled - and never lost her faith in God, or her desire to be with Him." (From LAUDATE).
In the Gospel of today from Mark 9: 38 - 40, we are served with a glimpse of the power of the mighty Name of Jesus.
1. "John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
2. "There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me."
Do you know the power of the Name of Jesus? If you do not know, you may be missing one of the most powerful revelations in the Scriptures. This revelation is for our good and protection. You can search for the THE NAME OF JESUS on site (SeekFirstcommunity) or Google it. There is plenty of information.
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
Monday, May 20, 2024
FEAST OF ST CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND COMPANION MARTYRS.
BECOME LIKE A LITTLE CHILD.
"Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
"But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”
"But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
"Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
"Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Mark 9: 30 - 37).
Tuesday May 21st in the 7th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Christopher Magallanes and Companions.
(1869 - 1927), Priest and his companion martyrs.
The Mexican government was very anti-Catholic and anti clerical in the 1920s. The government massacred 21 priests and 3 lay men during the Cristeros movement between 1915 and 1937.
Christian be prepared for persecution. The Cristeros members were ready for the murderous persecution unleashed by the Mexican government. They are saints today.
We see Jesus in our key Scripture for today (Mark 9: 30 - 37) performing His core ministry. Jesus feeds people. Jesus heals the sick. He casts out evil spirits. He raises the dead. But what is the core ministry of Jesus? It is teaching people about the Kingdom of God. 40 days after His Resurrection, Jesus continues teaching about the Kingdom of God.
The core lesson we see today is the status of a little child in the Kingdom of God. God loves the simplicity and natural trusting heart of a little child. He wants us to become like a little child. Many saints especially St Therese of the Child Jesus was able to accomplish this.
Become a little child.
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
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