I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. 

"The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,”

"and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

"Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:

" They shall all be taught by God.

"Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

"I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6: 41 - 51).

What does Jesus mean that He is the bread of life?

Jesus  gives us Himself as our nourishment in the Eucharist. What does the Church teach about the Bread of life?

"It [Eucharist] refers directly to the Bread of Life, the Body of Christ, the "medicine of immortality," without which we have no life within us......The Eucharist is our daily bread. The power belonging to this divine food makes it a bond of union. Its effect is then understood as unity, so that, gathered into his Body and made members of him, we may become what we receive.  This also is our daily bread." (CCC 2837)

In the Eucharist, we receive who we are, the Body of Christ. Now we must become what we receive, the Body of Christ, St Augustine teaches.

How do we become Jesus whom we receive in the Eucharist? This is the journey of a life time but it begins with the 7-Way Plan:

1. Daily Prayer. 

2. Daily word of God. 

3. Frequent Holy Communion. 

4. Frequent Confession. 

5. Daily Examination of Conscience. 

6. Daily Spiritual Reading. 

7. Daily Ministry /Faith Sharing. 

Jesus also says in the Gospel of today:  "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." (John 6: 47).

Eternal life starts right here and right now with BELIEF in Jesus. In the Eucharist we are challenged to exercise the highest kind of faith in human experience. The holy bread you see looks, tastes and smells like ordinary bread. Once the words of consecration are pronounced over it, it becomes the Flesh of Jesus Christ. Same with the wine when it is consecrated, it becomes the Blood of Jesus. Can you now understand why most of His disciples abandoned Him when Jesus unveiled this doctrine. 

Many Protestants mock Catholics for believing in the True and Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Jesus Himself says "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF ST LAWRENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR.

FEAST OF ST LAWRENCE. DEACON & MARTYR. 

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 

"Whoever loves his life loses it, 

and who­ever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 

"Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.” (John 12: 24 - 26).

Saturday 10th August 2024 of the 18th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. (+258). 

St Lawrence, Roman citizen born in Spain. Archdeacon in the Church of Rome during the pontificate of Pope St Sixtus II. 

St Lawrence spent his life in the service of the poor of Rome. He perished in a gruesome torture under the persecution of Emperor Valerian. St Lawrence is the Doyen of all the Deacons of the Church. Happy feast day all you holy deacons out there.

Lavishly Lawrence gave to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (Cf Responsorial Psalm 112).

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9: 6).

St Lawrence sowed bountifully and the Lord rewarded him and made him the Doyen of Deacons and patron Saint of many charities.

During the trial of St Lawrence, the  judge asked: “Where are the riches of the Church?” But Lawrence extended his hand toward the poor and said: “These are the riches of the Church.”

St Lawrence answered the call to the clerical state when that calling was a certain death sentence. Jesus empowered Lawrence with His grace and the Holy Spirit enabled Lawrence to produce large harvest.

Lawrence cared for the poor, the ill, and the abandoned of Rome and became their patron. St Lawrence is the patron saint of deacons, librarians, cooks, seminarians and students, butchers, etc. 

"The attack on My priesthood that appears to be spreading and growing is, in fact, in its final stages. It is a satanic and diabolical onslaught against My Bride the Church, an attempt to destroy her by attacking the most wounded of her ministers in their carnal weaknesses; but I will undo the destruction they have wrought and I will cause My priests and My Spouse the Church to recover a glorious holiness that will confound My enemies and be the beginning of a new era of saints, of martyrs, and of prophets." (IN SINU JESU page 149).

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

FEAST OF ST TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS, O'CARM. VIRGIN AND MARTYR.

FEAST OF ST TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS. O'CARM, VIRGIN & MARTYR. 

"Jesus said to his disciples,

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

"Or what can one give in exchange for his life?

"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct.

"Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” (Matthew 16: 24 - 28).

Friday 9th August 2024 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. O'Carm.  (1891 - 1942). Virgin & Martyr. Polish.

Teresa was born Edith Stein of Jewish parents and converted to the Church after reading the books of St Teresa of Avila. 

Some years after her conversion to the Catholic Church, she followed St Teresa of Avila into the Carmelite Order.

Edith Stein was a well established philosopher in the universities in Germany.  The Gestapo arrested her on August 2nd 1942 and sent her to Auschwitz where she died in the gas chambers on August 9th.

Our Gospel this Friday is one of the greatest. Understand and embrace the message and you will understand the whole message and meaning of Christianity. Embrace the message and you will be happy forever.

We labor and are burdened in life over: Health, Family, Money, Job, Tools, Food, Future issues.  As the catechumens are advised in the Rite of Acceptance, the Cross of Christ is the only answer.   

Jesus laid down the grim cost of discipleship:

#1 Take up your cross and follow me. Your cross are the trials that you can't escape: health, joblessness, poverty, etc.

#2 Be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice with your life if it becomes necessary. "For whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

As the God-Man filled with the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, Jesus knew that no one will respond to His challenge unless the bait is bigger than the sacrifice. And it is.

Here is what Jesus promises:

1. The Holy Spirit is promised with His gifts and fruits.

2. The Presence of Jesus is always with the disciple.

3. Peace, comfort and joy, courage, contentment are always there on tap.

These are real and substantial benefits.  Think of this for a moment: How did so many Christians made up of mature men and women, boys and girls, princesses and peasants, clerics and lay faithful chose to give up their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ? Because they knew and believed that there is a better life waiting for them.

The saints who took up the challenges of discipleship believed Jesus. Do you believe Jesus?

"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." (Matthew 16: 27).

I believe that Jesus has designed a yoke for each of us that fits each perfectly and the burden we are given to carry from day by day is light. 

Our Saint of today St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross exemplified by her life the Gospel of today. Born Edith Stein, she chose the name of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross when she took her vows in Carmel. She understood and embraced the full message of the Gospel. (Cf Luke 24: 25 - 27).

"The exercise of faith increases faith. The exercise of confidence causes confidence to grow. One who approaches My tabernacle in faith is giving evidence of a complete reliance on My merciful love. The Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is My Heart, open to receive those who will respond to My timeless invitation: “Come unto Me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is sweet, and My burden light.” (IN SINU JESU, Wednesday, January 10, 2012).

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF ST DOMINIC, OP. FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS.

FEAST OF ST DOMINIC, OP. PRIEST & FOUNDER. 

“Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

“They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

“Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

“Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

 I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

“Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

“From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 

“Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He 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.” (Matthew 16: 13 - 23).

Thursday August 8th 2024 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time.

Today is the feast of St Dominic, OP. Born August 8th, 1170. Died August 6th 1221. Priest. Spanish. St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, popularly known as Dominicans.

The Dominicans fought and marginalized the Albigensian heresy in France. The Blessed Virgin Mary gave Dominic the Holy Rosary as a potent weapon in the fight against all heresies.

The Holy Rosary with its mysteries is the Whole of the Gospel and is considered a nuclear weapon against heresies.

Think about this: The Dominican order has served the Church for some 800 years. The Dominicans promote the study of Sacred Scripture and the Holy Rosary.

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16: 13).

The mystery of Jesus. 

Who is He? 

Whence did He come? 

Why did He come? 

These and similar questions exercised the minds of the disciples of Jesus and the Jewish leaders who watched with amazement the ministry of Jesus Christ.  The time has come at last to confront these questions.  Jesus took the initiative and asked His disciples. 

"They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  (Matthew 16: 14).

Jesus apparently not satisfied with generalities asked pointedly:

“But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16: 15 - 16).

Then Jesus revealed an astonishing truth:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father."  (Matthew 16: 17).

Many people in the Church today have stopped believing.  The honest ones are those who have stopped coming to Church.  There is a phenomenal problem of faith in the world today.  Jesus is saying in Matthew 16: 17 that faith is a gift of God.  Those who have stopped praying and practicing their faith may be losing their faith.

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."  (Matthew 7: 7 NLT).

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and God, my Savior and Redeemer. You are my best Friend and constant Companion. Grant me the grace to grow to know You more every day, to love You more and to serve You more. Amen. 

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

“He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it and these souls will be loved by God, like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne....My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” (Words of Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia). 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF SAINTS CAJETAN AND SIXTUS II AND COMPANION MARTYRS.

Feast OF SAINTS  SIXTUS II & COMPANION MARTYRS & CAJETAN, PRIEST AND FOUNDER. 

"At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

"But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. 

"Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” 

"He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

"But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

"He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 

"She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

"And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

Wednesday 7th August 2024 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Cajetan, Priest and Founder of a Religious Order. 

St Cajetan, Priest and Founder of the Theatines was born in 1480 and died in 1547. He was canonized by Pope Clement X. 

St Cajetan was very dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary who bestowed upon him many favors. Called a "Saint" from his childhood, he never slackened in desire for holiness. 

To renew the lives of the Clergy, he formed the Congregation of Clerks Regular, known as the Theatines. Cajetan was the first to introduce the Forty Hours' Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as an antidote to the heresy of Calvinism.

Today is also the feast of St Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr and his companion martyrs.  (+ 258).

Sixtus with four of his deacons were captured at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian. 

In our Gospel of today, (Matthew 15:21 '28), Jesus  tested the faith of the Canaanite Woman. Jesus wants to take her faith to a new level. The Canaanite Woman passed the test in flying colors. 

How did the Canaanite woman got such expectant and persistent faith? 

Her desperate need opened her mind to the all powerful, merciful and mysterious Providence of God who is the Father of all people. Everyone can develop a strong faith through the practice of prayer and listening to the word of God. 

God could NEVER say NO to any prayer. God promises:

"Ask and you will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you." 

Then God adds: "Whoever asks shall receive..." 

In another passage God promises that "Whatever you ask for shall be given you..." 

For God to say No to a Prayer will be DIVINE INJUSTICE. God is not capable of being unjust. It is one of the greatest lies of Satan to convince us that God is a Liar. Satan insinuates that God never answers all our prayers. 

In the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18: 1 - 8, Jesus calls failure to answer prayers by God an act of injustice. Read the text below:

"Because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”  The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?  I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily."

Jesus boosted the faith of the Canaanite Woman.

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

"And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Cf Matthew 15: 21 - 28).

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

“We have in heaven the heart of a Mother, the Virgin, our Mother, who at the foot of the cross suffered as much as possible for a human creature, understands our trouble.” (St Jerome). 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD.

THE FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD. 

"Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

"And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 

"Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

"Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

"He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my be­loved Son. Listen to him.” 

Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant." (Mark 9: 2 - 10).

Tuesday August 6th 2024 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. 

What is the Transfiguration?

"In the presence of Peter, James and John, witnesses chosen by Him, Jesus' face and clothing became dazzling with light. Moses and Elijah were present conversing with Jesus. The voice of the Father was heard testifying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Why is the Transfiguration such an important event?

#1 There were three eye witnesses to the testimony of the Father to Jesus as the beloved Son of God.

#2 The Transfiguration confirms the testimony of Moses and Elijah. [the Law and the Prophet].

#3. The Event shows clearly the divinity of Jesus as God.

#4 The Transfiguration reveals the future of mankind. We shall be like Jesus at the Resurrection.

#5 We note the command of the Father in the Transfiguration to listen to Jesus as the Father's anointed Messenger.

These three witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John were to become witnesses to the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. They bore witness to these eye witness events with their lives. Our faith as Christians is built on solid foundation and not on "cleverly deviced myths." (2 Peter 1: 16 - 19)

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a foretaste of Christ's second coming when the Elect will be transformed and become like Jesus as He appeared in the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration prepares us for the great mystery of our own Resurrection.

Because of the Transfiguration, we see Christ as our hope. We also understand that the victory over death and sin will come via the Cross. 

 The Cross is the Means of Salvation, Redemption, Glorification and Eternal life. This is the gracious and mysterious will of the Father. This is the Full Truth of the Gospel. 

We honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary in August. 

 Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

Honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary this August. For devotions, prayers, litany and pray requests, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10