Saturday, September 07, 2024
Friday, September 06, 2024
HONOR THE LORD OF THE SABBATH ON SUNDAY.
THE SACREDNESS OF SUNDAY.
First Saturday in September, 2024. Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain,rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
"Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat,ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
"Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (Luke 6: 1 - 5).
Saturday 7th September 2024, First Saturday in September is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Why is Saturday dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary?
This is an ancient custom dating back to the time of Emperor Charlemagne in the 800s. Some date the custom earlier than Charlemagne.
Most great medieval Doctors of the Church endorsed the practice, viz:
Saints Bernardine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas, Bernard of Clairvaux and Bonaventure.
One interesting reason for this practice:
After the Crucifixion on Friday, everyone had lost faith in Jesus and went home.
On Saturday, Mary continued the Vigil alone waiting for the Resurrection of her Son. Tradition believed that Jesus appeared to His mother first after the Resurrection. Not surprising!
In the Gospel for today from Luke 6, Jesus reminded the Pharisees God’s purpose for the Sabbath.
"Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy." (Exodus 20: 8).
The command to set apart the Sabbath is very important as seen from the way it is treated in Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. It is the exaggerated concern for the obligation and sanctity of the Sabbath Rest that gave rise to hundreds of minutiae rules concerning the basic command to keep holy the Lord's Day.
Throughout the Christian history, the Magisterium of the Church has not only expounded on the sacred character of the Sabbath but has taught that the Sabbath was instituted for the enjoyment of the People of God. It is a day of worship of God.
A day of rest for the whole family from the hustle and bustle involved in making a living. It is a day to enjoy the parks, watch Christian movies. It is a day to visit the sick in the hospital.
The Sabbath Rest is a Rehearsal for Eternal life. One day, there will be no work. By obeying the law of the Sabbath, you build up your faith in this promise of God. God plans to redeem man and creation from the present servitude.
It is more enjoyable to keep holy the Lord's Day than to do anything unlawful on the Sabbath Rest.
"With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." (CCC 2173).
Rejoice in God's generous provision of the Sunday Rest and use it to grow in spiritual and human maturity.
The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
"Yes, my beloved little son, the eighth sorrow of my maternal and Immaculate Heart is that my Son is so offended in the Sacrament of His love. This sorrow of mine will endure until the end of time, when the real presence of my Son in the Most Holy Sacrament will give way to the sight of His divine majesty. Then will faith give way to vision, and hope to possession. Then will love be secure and everlasting for all who will have died in the embrace of His divine friendship." (IN SINU JESU page 183).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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, September 05, 2024
HONOR THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH.
The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which Jesus made through St Margaret Mary Alacoque to all who honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
In the 9th month of the year 2024, we look at Promise #9.
#9. "I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored."
I have lived in homes with a couple of people with difficult and challenging personalities. The first thing I do when I come into my room for the first time is to sprinkle holy water everywhere. Then I mount the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the location I identified as my home altar or praying spot. The house has always been blessed with the Peace of Christ during my stay.
Jesus Christ is proud of His humanity and human heritage. He wants His brethren to be reminded of this. He is fully God and fully Man. And a handsome Man too. So Jesus mandated His image to be rendered by an artist for the Sacred Heart by St Margaret Mary Alacoque and Divine Mercy Devotions by St Maria Faustina respectively. The Church approved these devotions and images.
Do you have an image or statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a prominent place in your home?
The 9th Promise is a very easy condition to fulfill. Buy the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture or statue from a Catholic Bookstore or Amazon and place it in a prominent place in your home. You can also print an image of the Sacred Heart off the Internet or this website. Ask your pastor to bless it. So it becomes a sacramental. You can now tell Jesus: "Bless my home as You promised, Jesus. I have a blessed image of Your Sacred Heart in my house". Honor this image by glancing at it from time to time and saying "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love You."
Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS OF Saint Gertrude the Great:
"O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
fountain of eternal life,
Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love.
You are my refuge and my sanctuary.
O my adorable and loving Saviour,
consume my heart with the burning fire
with which Yours is aflamed.
Pour down on my soul those graces
which flow from Your love.
Let my heart be united with Yours.
Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things.
May Your Will be the rule of all my desires and actions.
Amen."
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
Wednesday, September 04, 2024
THE CALL OF PETER, JAMES AND JOHN TO APOSTLESHIP.
THE CALL OF PETER, JAMES AND JOHN.
"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
"He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
"After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
" Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." (Luke 5: 1 - 11).
Thursday 5th September 2024 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time.
Our Scripture today is one of my favorites. “Duc in Altum” as St John Paul II like to call it. "Put out into the Deep" is the call of Jesus to follow Him into Deeper Waters.
Are you ready to follow Jesus into the deeper waters in your vocation or ministry?
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Peter obeyed the command which seemingly did not make sense to an experienced fisherman.
When Mary heard similar words from the Angel Gabriel, she answered: "Be it done to me according to Your Plan." (Cf Luke 1: 38).
Do you remember Mary's counsel to the stewards in the Marriage Feast at Cana? "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2: 5). They did what Jesus told them and water was made into high quality wine.
Note that in today's Gospel, Peter, James and John recognized that a miracle occurred. "For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon."
Recognition of God's intervention in our lives or in history is a sign of supernatural perspective.
Our faith is expressed in obedience. Peter exercised obedience of faith and a big miracle took place. He fished all night and caught nothing. But at the words of Jesus, Peter was willing to try again. He took a second chance. Peter showed a disposition for obedience of faith. Is this why Jesus tapped him for leadership in the Church?
When God speaks His word to us through the Scriptures, locution, inspiration, prophetic individual, dream, if you do not respond with obedient action, what is wrong? Perhaps you think it is not worth the trouble trying a second chance. Our God is the Father of Second Chances.
When Peter responded in faith, he received his calling.
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."
Some saints who responded to Jesus and put out in Deep Water:
Maximilian Kolbe, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother Angelica of EWTN, Father Albert Lauer of Presentation Ministries, Maria Faustina of the Divine Mercy and many others.
Jesus is calling everyone of us to intimate friendship with Him in the great adventure of Evangelization.
"Priests and religious who are tempted to follow a false philosophy of activism, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, or who waste their time on entertainments and distractions, will suffer God’s loving judgments. He will make bitter their false delights, destroy their enterprises, and weaken the efficacy of their work in order to wake them up to their calling of intimate friendship with Him as the source of happiness and the condition for all fruitfulness." (IN SINU JESU page 266).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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, September 03, 2024
COME TO JESUS WITH EXPECTANT FAITH TO BE HEALED.
JESUS HEALS EVERYONE WHO NEEDS HEALING.
"After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
"She got up immediately and waited on them.
"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
"And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
"At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
"But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4: 38 - 44).
Wednesday 4th September 2024 in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. Luke, the physician narrates here a tale of illnesses, demonic possessions and healings by Jesus.
Where do disease, ignorance, demonic possession and poverty come from? Ultimately the answer will be found in Genesis Chapter 3: 16 - 19:
"To the woman he [God] said:
"I will intensify your toil in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.
Yet your urge shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you.
"To the man he said: Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You shall not eat from it,
"Cursed is the ground because of you!
In toil you shall eat its yield
all the days of your life.
"Thorns and thistles it shall bear for you,
and you shall eat the grass of the field.
"By the sweat of your brow
you shall eat bread,
Until you return to the ground,
from which you were taken;
For you are dust,
and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3: 16 - 19).
Brethren, Sin is cause of poverty, ignorance and disease.
Sin causes Suffering. Suffering brings the Savior.
How does dealing with these problems caused by Sin core to the Messianic vocation of Jesus?
Isaiah forecast that the Messiah will do all these and more:
"Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy." (Isaiah 35: 5 - 6).
The three aspects of the ministry of Jesus are:
Teaching, Healing and Feeding. Jesus left these tasks to the Church when He ascended into Heaven. (Mark 16: 17 - 18).
Luke, the physician narrates in the Gospel of today a tale of illnesses, demonic possessions and healings by Jesus.
How does dealing with these problems core to the Messianic vocation of Jesus?
Isaiah forecast that
The three aspects of the ministry of Jesus are:
Teaching, Healing and Feeding. Jesus left these tasks to the Church when He ascended into Heaven. (Mark 16: 17 - 18).
Inspired by the Gospel of this Wednesday, cry out to Jesus with me in expectant faith : "I trust in the healing mercy of God for ever and ever. Jesus Son of David heal me."
Jesus heals everyone who appeals to His merciful love and approaches Him with faith and reverence. Let us say to Jesus: Lord, why should my own case be different. I need Your healing touch as much as the mother- in- law of Simon Peter.
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Fatima obtain for us the healing mercies of her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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
Monday, September 02, 2024
THE MEMORIAL OF ST GREGORY THE GREAT. POPE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
ST GREGORY THE GREAT. POPE & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
Jesus Christ has Absolute Power to Deliver us from Any Evil.
"Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.
"In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
"Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”
"Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm.
"They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region." (Luke 4: 31 - 34).
Tuesday September 3rd 2024 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time is the Feast of St Gregory the Great. Pope and Doctor of the Church.
We honor today the Servant of the Servants of God, St Gregory the Great. (540 - 604). Pope and Doctor of the Church. When God chose and anointed David, He exclaimed with delight: "I have chosen David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him. My hand will be with him; my arm will make him strong." (Psalm 89: 21 - 22). This Scripture can be applied to Pope Gregory the Great. Gregory was the David of his days.
St. Gregory the Great was called from the City Hall where he was the Mayor of Rome to be fisher of men. He left everything and followed Jesus.
He used his wealth to found six monasteries before he was elected Pope. He is noted in history for instituting liturgical reforms and initiating missionary endeavors. It was due to St Gregory that missionaries were first sent to England.
"Meditate daily on the words of your Creator. Learn the Heart of God in the words of God, that your soul may be enkindled with greater longing for heavenly joys." One of the many wise sayings of St Gregory the Great.
In today's Gospel, Jesus came face to face with a demoniac. Not long ago, I read a book called "THE SAINTS THAT BATTLED SATAN." Some of the saints in this study are: Anthony the Abbot, Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Benedict, John of Vianney, Martin de Poress and others.
I was depressed after reading stories after stories of endless struggles with the powers of darkness.
Then I became filled with consolation as I realized that this is a necessary knowledge for every true disciple of Jesus. Whether you like it or not, you cannot escape your own spiritual combats.
"Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”
"Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm."
The people were amazed that with a word of authority, Jesus expelled the devil from the man.
What is authority? Authority means power. Listen to Jesus in the promise of the Gift of the Father in Acts 1: 8. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes."
Only then can you bear witness to Jesus and do His work. The Holy Spirit power is critical to witnessing and evangelization. Witnessing and evangelization involves spiritual warfare.
The Holy Spirit is therefore the Spirit of power above every other attribute He has. The miracles of Jesus which are the works of Jesus as in the Gospel of today are works of authority or power. The words of Jesus in the Gospel are words of authority or power. The words or sayings of Jesus are authoritative. That means they produce at once what they say.
The miracle itself or works of wonders clarify the words of Jesus. In Jesus, words and actions form a mysterious unity. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19: 10). Whatever Jesus says must happen!
We the Baptized do not have the spirit of fear. Many of us act in fear as if possessed by the spirit of fear. In Baptism, we receive the Spirit of power. This is the Spirit that marks the children of God the Father and not the spirit of cowardice, which is evil and impure spirit.
"Hence the apostle Paul rightly says: You have been granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake. He tells us why it is Christ’s gift that his chosen ones should suffer for him: The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us." (St Bede the Venerable).
How then do we activate the Holy Spirit in our lives? Faith acting through Prayer is the Activator of the Holy Spirit. Mary says: "I believe what you have told me. Now let it be done to me according to your promise." (Cf Luke 1: 37 - 38).
Following this declaration of Mary, Jesus became instantly incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in September. Below is what Jesus said to a mystic about His Mother.
"Be faithful to her Rosary. It is the shield and sword of spiritual combat. It assures your victory over the powers of darkness. Why? Because it is a humble prayer, a prayer that binds the soul who prays it to the victory of My Mother over the ancient serpent." (IN SINU JESU page 59).
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)