Saturday, August 31, 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024
USE THE TALENTS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU.
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS.
"Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
"To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
"Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
"But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
"After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
"The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’
"Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’
"Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
“Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Matthew 25:14 - 30).
Our Gospel for today is the Parable of the Talents. God gives everyone gifts of time, talent and treasure according to His merciful and mysterious Providence for each human being. God demands an accounting at the end of the Ages for the use of the talents.
The wise and diligent who used their gifts well will hear from the Supreme Judge of all mankind:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy."
The lazy and delinquent will hear:
"You wicked, lazy servant!....
"Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."
Do not be afraid to develop your talents. He who gave you the gifts is faithful. He will provide you the wherewithal to maximize your talents.
Today is the last day of August. A Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Church dedicates the Month of September to THE SORROWFUL MOTHER.
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
Thursday, August 29, 2024
THE TEN VIRGINS.
THE FIVE WISE & FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS.
A Prophetic Message!
"Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
"The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
"At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
"While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.
"Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25: 1 - 13).
Our Gospel for today is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five foolish and five wise. The bridegroom was delayed in his coming. Both the wise and the foolish Virgins did not know that the bridegroom will be delayed. The wise Virgins brought some extra oil for their lamps. Because the foolish Virgins did not anticipate a delay, they provided no extra oil.
How do you deal with the Delay Factor in your life? The Second Coming of Jesus has been delayed. Most likely than not, the fulfillment of God's precious promise to you will be delayed. What do you do?
There are 106 occurrences of WAIT in the Bible. The message is uniform: There may be delays. Wait for the Lord. There is an appointed time for the fulfillment. You must wait for this fullness of time.
“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2: 3 AMP).
"Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you." (Psalm 27: 14 TLB).
Those who waited for the Lord:
Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, David, Elizabeth and Zachary, Simeon and the Prophetess Anna. St Monica whose feast was 2 days ago waited patiently for God for the conversion of her son, Augustine.
The Lord does not delay as human beings consider delays. (Cf 2 Peter 3: 9). All His actions are guided by His mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. God cannot be even one second late for His appointments. God is always on time.
"In this Sacrament I wait for you. So many emphasize that they must wait for Me, and yet I am already present, close to them, and disposed to reveal to them the secrets of My Heart. They forget that it is I who wait for them to come to Me. How often did I say to My disciples, “Come to Me.” They understood, at least most of them did, the intensity of My longing for the company of souls. I would have all souls come to Me and remain with Me." (IN SINU JESU page 94).
DELAY IS NOT DENIAL. IT MEANS MORE TIME TO PREPARE.
Wait for the Lord!
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
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
THE FEAST OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.
THE FEAST OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.
"Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
"John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
"Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
"Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.
"She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
"Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.”
"She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,“I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
"The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
"He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb." (Mark 6: 17 - 29).
Thursday 29th August 2024 in the 21st Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist.
Who is St John the Baptist?
John is the son of Zachary and Elizabeth.
When Mary visited Elizabeth, John leapt in her mother's womb in recognition of Jesus.
When he came of age, he retired to the desert to prepare for his exacting ministry.
In the fullness of time, he came to the River Jordan and began preaching and baptizing people for repentance in preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
“HE MUST INCREASE BUT I MUST DECREASE." (ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.]
It was here that at the River Jordan that John condemned the adulterous life of King Herod.
Herodias, the concubine of Herod took revenge on the Baptist and demanded his death when a good opportunity presented itself.
John's martyrdom is a cause of joy and hope for Christians.
John died about the age of 32. Was his life in vain? Of course not. You think of the hundreds of martyrs that the Church honors every year. We honor them to remind everyone that Heaven is real for the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Hell is also real for those who reject Jesus completely.
If someone asks you:
How do you know that Heaven is real? Your answer could be among others: Look at the martyrs. Intelligent and beautiful men and women! Could they have thrown away the only life they had for nothing?
Think of all the Apostles and Saints: Cecilia, Agatha, Thomas More, Lawrence, Edmond Campion, Paul Miki, Miguel Pro, Maximilian Kolbe, Charles Lwanga and companions and others.
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 28)
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
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
FEAST OF ST AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO.
"Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.
"Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
"Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!” (Matthew 23: 27 - 32).
Wednesday 28th August 2024 in the 21st Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.(354 - 430). African. Bishop, Doctor of the Church.
St Augustine was the son of St Monica and Patricius.
Augustine was a prodigal in his youth. He kept a mistress for many years. He belonged to the heretical sect, the Manichaens for years. Monica shed bitter tears for his conversion and waited on God for many years before it happened.
St Augustine was baptized by St Ambrose of Milan, the great Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
St Augustine is a prolific writer and without doubt one of the greatest doctors of the Church. His greatest works are: THE CONFESSIONS and THE CITY OF GOD.
His influence on Church doctrine has not diminished with time. He is vastly quoted in the Documents of Second Vatican Council.
Our key Scripture for today deals with hypocrisy.
Jesus accused the Scribes and the Pharisees of being hypocrites. They were like actors in a theater clamoring for the cheers and approval of the public.
Does the Church have a problem of hypocrisy today?
The World has a huge problem with truth. One may even say with the Truth, who is a person. This had been recognized decades ago by modern prophets like Pope Benedict XVI and many sociologists.
Hypocrisy is fundamentally a masking of truth. What are some of its characteristics today?
No shame in telling lies.
No shame or apology in lying or being caught lying.
No hesitation in lying before children.
Sins of lies, perjury, defamation are minimized and may no longer be adequately covered in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Church is the seed of the kingdom of God in the world. Alas, the the Church is no longer immune from the sin of hypocrisy, lies, falsehood, perjury and defamation.
Pope Francis had to cry out publicly against attacks on him by some Catholic media based on falsehood. We never think we shall see such fulfillment of biblical prophecies in our days.
"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 3 - 5).
We live in a time that seems to be marred by open rebellion against truth.
How can you "be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry."
St Philip Neri teaches that frequent Confession will lead us to truth and humility.
The Church teaches that frequent Holy Communion will transform us into the image of the Person we receive in the Eucharist. Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Way and the Life.
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
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